The 44 rules to be aware of if you are creating live video Blog
Today, we're sharing the most important terms you'll need to know in order to ensure your event is in motion. Ready to get started?
1. Audio visual sync
Audio visual sync is the sync between video and audio tracks in a live broadcast. If the sync is off it means that the video will play in front of the audio and reversed. Checking sync is important before the event begins, since it's one of the most frustrating technical problems to viewers at the live broadcast.
2. Backhaul
Backhaul content is video that's been made live and not broadcasted. As an example, if the basketball match is interrupted by an interruption for commercials The cameras are running even though people watching will be watching commercials (or an actual slate). Backhaul content appears in a producers' software however it is not typically displayed to viewers. If content from backhaul is not appearing to viewers, it may indicate an issue in your broadcasting software.
3. Bitrate
Bitrate describes the speed of data transfer from one point to B. It's usually measured in Kilobytes per Second, and can vary based on a variety of variables, such as: source and receiver network connections, video compression, resolution, and more.
4. Broadcaster
Broadcasters are what we would call the client(s) who deliver media for the backend live.
5. Bugs
Bugs are a media term used to describe graphic elements that are placed onto a stream by an electronic switcher. An example is the logo of a brand.
6. Chat
7. Chopping
Chopping occurs when you cut recorded live media. This is for the purpose of ending the test period prior to the start of the stream, to ensure that viewers aren't able to join the stream during the case of a DVR.
8. Cloud transcoding
Cloud transcoding means utilizing the internet to supply encoding machines the moment they're needed, as opposed to being able to have dedicated machines that are waiting for use.
9. Compression
In the context of live streaming, compression increases efficiency in processing, by reducing the overall size of the streaming video. The industry standard is H.264 (better called MPEG-4). This compression is used for our live and uploaded videos.
10. Content delivery network (CDN)
A content delivery network is comprised of global servers that allow users to access websites from computers that are geographically local. If, for instance, an individual located in Hong Kong wants to check your site in England it will automatically connect to the CDN server in Hong Kong, which has a copy of all data available from the server located within England. CDNs significantly improve the network connectivity and user experience by shortening the cable run.
11. Delay
Based on the kind of live stream you're running depending on the type of live stream you're running, it's possible to add a delay in the production. They allow you to stop the stream before something sensitive hits end viewers. It also lets you insert lower thirds throughout the streaming, or even block mature languages.
12. Delta frames
Delta frames are the frames that are a follow-up to key frames within the sequence of pictures (see #19 for more on the GOP series). They are simpler for computers to process since they employ prediction algorithms to load the location of objects within their next frame by analyzing information from earlier frames. This process is often referred to as inter-frame prediction (see #24 for more).
There are two types of delta frames. Predictive frames (aka P-frames), which use only elements of previous frames to predict motion, using that data to provide a shortcut for processing. Bi-directional frames (B-frames), on contrary, utilize elements from both previous and coming frames to anticipate motion and then use the information to provide a shortcut for processing. B-frames can be more flexible than P-frames, however they take slightly longer to process.
13. Downlink
Downlink is the connection via satellite to the specific site for encoding (or complete Studio for production).
14. Dropped frames
Dropped frames are the result of the loss of video frames during the encoding/compression stage. This occurs when more data is being transferred than the CPU is able to process. This results in the live stream appearing as if it's shifting, but with audio that is more out of sync after each frame that is lost. Restarting your machine is usually an effective solution to this issue. The best protocol is to have another backup system in place to be ready in the event of. If restarting your machine doesn't work, the issue could be incorrect encoder settings.
15. DVR
With a DVR, live content can be played back any time within an established timeline.
16. Coding / transcoding
If video is recorded for the first time, it exists in one of several formats depending on your equipment. The process of encoding, also referred to as transcoding -- is the process of changing raw, analog or broadcast video files to digital video files.
17. Fiber
A fiber can be a speedy and secure method of transmitting live streams from the event's source to an encoder's location. For large scale events the live stream crews rent fiber in the ground. In these situations, it's often utilized as a backup source (see #32) with satellite.
18. Frames
Frames are the series of still photos of your video. Think of these like the pages of an open book. The less motion per frame, and the greater number of frames per second the more smooth the video. Frames are measured as frames per second (FPS) which is the amount of frames shown per second of video.
19. Frame rate
Frame rate directly impacts compression and is one of the main factors in setting the encoder's settings. The two most common frame rates are 30 FPS and 60 FPS.
20. GOP sequence (GOP sequence)
A group of pictures sequence called GOP sequence is the typical structure of video frames compressed using the inter-frame prediction (#24).
21. Hardware encoder
Hardware encoders, also known as hardware encoders, are devices that are that are specifically designed for encoding and processing video. They provide optimized performance, and are preloaded with broadcast software.
22. Hot mics
Hot mics are microphones that record live while your event is on an interruption. (Like sports event broadcasters speaking to one another in commercial breaks.) It's something worth checking out for, since the speakers assume they're not live. The best way to troubleshoot the issue is to request your production team deploy a slate over your live stream.
23. Ingest
Ingesting refers to the process of consuming video from a broadcaster in the real-time backend.
24. Ingest point
The ingest point refers to the moment where a streaming server starts receiving signals from the provisioned broadcast.
25. Inter frame prediction
Inter frame prediction is a technique used in video compression which utilizes existing frames' shared elements to determine and prepare the same elements in the future frames. This process greatly increases efficiency of compression, and permits the processing of more videos per second than would otherwise be achievable. Imagine this as copying and pasting objects from one place to the next, as opposed to drawing them repeatedly.
26. IP camera
Internet protocol cameras, or IP camera is a kind of digital video camera typically used to monitor. Unlike analog closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras they can transmit and receive data through an internet-connected computer network as well as via the internet.
27. Key frames
They are also known as I-Frames. key frames are completely processed frames of digital video. They are the largest frames to process, since there's no prediction used to show these frames. Key frames are the base that delta frames draw their information from to forecast movement and copies of objects. Within encoding settings, key frame duration is an important one to consider; in general the practice of forcing a key frame every two seconds is ideal to stream live.
28. Live support
A feature within the set-up of events, live support allows viewers to chat with a member of the support team for assistance with problems with the process of setting up or even at a specific time during an occasion.
29. Lower three-quarters
Lower thirds are a media term that refers to graphic elements at the lower thirds of the video. These are overlaid on the top of a stream via a switcher (e.g., the title of the individual on camera ).
30. Monitoring
Monitoring is when you watch a live stream as if you're a member of the spectators. It is typically performed from the area of production during streaming to be sure there aren't any technical difficulties from the perspective of the viewers. Monitors can refer to the screens as well as the people who are watching them.
31. Natural sound
Natural sound, also called nat sound white noise or background noise -- is naturally-occurring audio that can cause problems during live streaming. Luckily, it's fairly easy to handle. Live productions will generally look for sound that is natural on their monitors prior to doing anything else to confirm that sound is correctly recorded. Wind can be a great indicator of natural sound at an outdoor event and the sluggish noise of crowds at an event.
32. Redundancy
Redundancy is a term used to describe a range of backup methods during a live stream. Live sets that are fully redundant includes backup camera feeds, backup data source streams emanating from the mixer as well as backup RTMP streams as well as backup signal types sent, backup encoders for each master feed as well as profiles or backup streams for playback, and backup CDNs for each stream is being served from.
33. Real-time message protocol (RTMP)
34. Real-time messaging protocol encrypted (RTMPE)
The Real-time Messaging Protocol Encrypted (RTMPE) is an encrypted media streaming software based on RTMP.
35. Satellite
Satellite is a fast stable (albeit costly) solution used to transmit streams from an origin of the event to its encoder destination. Large-scale events require live stream producers can lease satellites to broadcast their events. Satellite is commonly used in remote locations or to provide a backup supply (with fiber) for the largest-scale events. It is important to note that adverse weather impacts the strength of satellite signals.
36. Shadow ban
Shadow ban is the method of blocking a user from an online chat. If the feature is enabled, users is able to continue posting however, none of their messages appear to other users. This feature is to combat users who misuse the chat feature, or become obstructive to the conversation or event the event itself.
37. Simulcast
38. Slate
Slate can be described as an image, or video clip that's deployed in broadcast software to "cover up" a live stream for a specified duration of time. It's called a slate because they're the digital equivalent of the wooden slates that were painted to display messages in the early days of film. The most common messages on slates are, "We'll be right back," "We're experiencing technical problems," and "Thanks for watching!" While a slate is being used, a broadcaster can adjust the settings, fix issues, or even have a bathroom break, without their viewers being aware. For streams simulcasted from television, slates are typically used to cover up commercial breaks that are not allowed to be streamed on-line.
39. Software encoder
A software encoder is a software program that encodes and broadcasts live video. There are various types of encoders but they each one is a program that's run on computers. They can be customized depending on the specifications of the computer they're operating on.
40. Streaming server
An streaming server a machine which receives the stream and executes specific processes such as compressing or encoding, and before transmitting the bits of data to the player , so viewers can watch.
41. Stream key
The term "stream key" refers to an alphanumeric code which allows encoder software to connect to the server that streams.
42. Switcher
Also known as "video mixer" or "vision mixer" the switcher is an instrument used to choose among a variety of video sources. Sometimes, switches can be used for compositing (mixing) videos from different sources to create specific effects.
43. Uplink
Uplink connects from a manufacturing truck to the satellite for the master live stream.
44. Video artifacting
Video artifacting can be described as a kind of pixelation that makes things in the video look blurred. This differs from regular pixels because just some objects or areas of the screen will appear pixilated, rather than all of the frame. The appearance of video artifacts is usually a sign of an issue with the setting the compression.