"It's a fairly simple setup; a scaled-down version of what TV producers employ for live broadcasts," says Rocketboom's technical director Barry Pousman.

Rocketboom has a proud history of pioneering video on the web, so when asked to develop live programming for YouTube’s live streaming alpha launch, we wanted to create shows that captured the same spirit, ambition and innovation of Rocketboom’s flagship series when it launched in 2004.

We believe live streaming is one of the next frontiers for both independent and traditional content studios and wanted to show that you can create live web programming with a similar complexity and energy to live broadcast TV, for a fraction of the cost.

Over the past several years, we’ve seen web video develop from a mere dream to a full-fledged industry. True to our initial mission, Rocketboom remains a strong advocate for the democratization of web video and supports YouTube's new technology in helping to bring this powerful medium to the masses. Today, with the launch of YouTube Live, we're moving ever closer to world where everyone has equal access.

Our live streaming broadcasts, shot in our New York City studios, were assisted by our friends at Datavideo.

Introduction

This how-to is geared towards web video content networks looking to create engaging multi-camera live video shows without recreating the cost and infrastructure of a traditional broadcast studio.

Equipment List

This is the list of equipment that we used. While it’s intentionally left open-ended, we included information on the exact model that we used in our first broadcast for YouTube for those curious.

• Moderately priced DV-capable video switcher (Datavideo SE-900)
• Multichannel audio mixer with audio sync delay (Yamaha O1V96)
• 1 Laptop with DVI video and Line audio out. For inserting graphics, videos & audio (13" Macbook Pro)
• 2 Video Cameras (2 Panasonic HPX-170s)
• Boom Mic (Sennheiser ME66/K6)
• Three-point Light Kit.
• 1 Desktop or Laptop Computer running Flash Player to act as 'broadcaster'
• 1 Audio/Video capture device. This connects the switcher and mixer to the 'broadcaster' computer
• The cables necessary to connect it all.

The Setup

The control center is the hub of operations, housing a multichannel video switcher, audio board and a laptop for inserting media.

The laptop and the two cameras are connected to the video switcher. The mics connect to the audio board. Video and audio go out of the switcher and mixer, respectively, into the Audio/Video capture device and into the 'broadcaster' computer. This can be as simple as a USB video capture device or as powerful as a capture card depending on the resolution at which you will be broadcasting.

Rocketboom is shooting in nearly every corner of our NYC offices during the three, hour-long broadcasts, so we loaded up on cables for those cameras and mics to be moved greater distances.

The 'broadcaster' computer can be any relatively modern computer, however a fast CPU and system bus is crucial to minimize choppiness and other streaming hiccups.

Your internet connection should provide enough upstream bandwidth to accommodate your output video stream plus some overhead. Because of the potential interference issues with wireless networks, a fast ethernet connection is highly recommended.

Extra Footage