You are planning to conduct an online broadcast. Suppose you have already decided on a topic. For example, it could be a webinar, an introductory lesson, demonstrating a new product, or chatting with your subscribers in a Q&A format.
Our goal is to figure out what features different platforms offer for broadcasts, gather equipment, and set up a streaming program.
Broadcast on Facebook
On Facebook, you can go live on a personal page or a business account. Let's look at the features available for businesses.
The easiest way is to start a broadcast from a smartphone. Go to the page you manage, click on the 'What's on your mind?' box, then click the 'attach' button. In the drop-down menu, select the 'live video' button.
In the settings, you can limit visibility: the broadcast will be seen only by subscribers or all Facebook users; add a description and title, add a location tag, and even 'put on a mask' during the broadcast.
More opportunities for businesses are available in the desktop version. From this page you can launch two types of online broadcasts: instant live or scheduled event.
In the second case, you have more time and opportunities to gather an audience. Tell about what your live broadcast will be about, announce the speakers, set up ads, and gather an audience not only from your pages but also from other sources.
You can start a broadcast using the built-in or connected webcam. For a higher quality broadcast, Facebook recommends using third-party live streaming services: XSplit, OBS Studio, Wirecast, etc.
Third-party software can capture video and audio signals from multiple sources. For example, you are shooting with an external camera and simultaneously showing a presentation. The program allows you to configure window display, select audio signal, and the finished video with sound will go directly to Facebook.
After the broadcast ends on Facebook, you can save it as a feed post or a story (if you streamed from your phone). In that case, it will be visible for only 24 hours.
Broadcast on Instagram
Both personal and business accounts can go live on Instagram. But only from a mobile phone. Attempting to go live from a computer using various emulators may result in a ban — be careful.
To go live, go to the 'Stories' section, or click the 'plus' button at the top of the app.
You can set up the broadcast in advance: choose a title, add a description, and even schedule it for a specific time (then you can announce the live in stories using a countdown timer).
During the live, you can answer users' questions (they can also be collected in advance in stories) and display third-party content. For this, prepare slides in the form of pictures in advance and upload them to the gallery in the order you will show them.
After the live ends, you can save it in stories. The recording will be available for 24 hours.
Broadcast on VK
Broadcasts on VK can be started from a mobile phone. You can start a broadcast from the stories section. To do this, find the 'live' tab, select the source (personal page or community you manage), write the topic of the broadcast, and go live.
The second method is through your business page. In the 'create post' field, select the rightmost icon and go live on behalf of the community.
For broadcasting in the web version, you will also need third-party software. For example, OBS Studio.
To start, go to the 'Video' tab. Click the 'Go live' button. A new window will appear with broadcast settings: generate a stream key that you will then use in OBS Studio, then upload a cover, create a description, and set the broadcast time.
Please note that VK generates two keys: permanent and one-time.
The permanent key allows you to set up a broadcast in OBS Studio once and go live using a ready template. However, in the social network, you will not be able to change the title (each broadcast will be called LIVE: community_name) and privacy settings (the broadcast will be visible to everyone).
The one-time key allows you to set up the broadcast in more detail. But note that for a new broadcast, you need to generate a new key.
A detailed instruction on how to conduct VK broadcasts from a computer is here. And here — from the mobile version.
Broadcasts on YouTube
Broadcasts on YouTube can be conducted from a webcam (Google Meet works for this), from a mobile device, or using third-party software.
To conduct an online broadcast from a smartphone, you need an Android phone, and the channel must have more than 50 subscribers. But even then, there are restrictions: YouTube will show the broadcast in a minimal number of places. The restrictions are lifted only after reaching 500 subscribers.
YouTube has even compiled a detailed instruction, which we recommend you read.
Equipment Kit
Lighting
For a broadcast from home, you can get by with regular ceiling lighting. As an additional source, use a desk lamp.
Tip: remember the color temperature of lamps. It is usually written on the boxes and denoted by the letter K — Kelvin.
The character of light depends on the temperature: it can be either cold or warm. Below is a color scheme that will help you understand which light is considered cold and which is very warm.
If you can equip a separate place in your apartment for a mini-studio, buy constant video light sources with softboxes.
The advantage of video light is a wide range of color temperature that can be adjusted for any task.
Softboxes are diffusers that make the light softer and help avoid harsh shadows. To evenly illuminate the shooting space, two softboxes are installed.
Video Camera
A video camera for broadcasts can be chosen according to the following parameters:
- video recording quality not lower than 1920×1080 (Full HD);
- the camera can be connected via HDMI to a computer;
- can record video without turning off for more than an hour.
A digital camera can be used as a video camera. Pay attention to its operating time in video transmission mode. Usually, matrices overheat quickly and the camera turns off after half an hour. To identify problems, conduct several test broadcasts.
Ordinary digital cameras can be a good option. For example, you can take a Panasonic HC-V770, or a more expensive Canon Legria HF G26.
For home broadcasts, a regular webcam will also work. Be sure to check that it meets modern requirements and can shoot in high quality.
Microphone
For home broadcasts, a microphone with USB or 3.5 mm mini-jack connection is suitable if your computer has such an audio jack. If the microphone connects via XLR, you will need a sound card. That's an additional expense.
In addition to the microphone, you will need stands to keep the microphone stable on the surface. And pop filters to smooth out plosive sounds [p] and [b].
Here are a few good microphones: Audio-Technica ATR2500x-USB, Samson C01U Pro USB, USB microphone Recording Tools MCU-01C.
Programs for Broadcasting
When launching online broadcasts, video services and social networks request a single video and audio signal that will be sent to their servers. The single signal is formed by special programs for live streaming. Let's look at one example — OBS Studio.
OBS Studio is a free program that can be downloaded from the official website.
. After installation, the program will offer to automatically configure it for output to a specific platform. If your platform is not among the options, you can configure the program manually.
Go to settings, select the 'Custom' option. In the 'Server' field, paste the link to the social network (e.g., vk.com), and in the 'Stream Key' field, paste the key generated by the platform.
Where to find the stream key?
Each platform generates an individual stream key. It can be found in the broadcast settings on the platform itself.
To understand in more detail, watch the video with step-by-step setup of OBS Studio.
How to conduct a multiplatform broadcast. Use restream.io
We have already told about the advantages of the service restream.io. In short: the service allows you to conduct online broadcasts simultaneously on different platforms, sending the video and audio signal to the platform servers.
After registration, you can start an online broadcast directly from the platform. You only need a webcam.
The service also works with third-party programs. For example, you can output the video signal from OBS Studio. Restream will distribute the signal to the selected platforms on its own.
At the studio, you can rent a premium account for restream.io. This plan allows you to send the signal to 10 platforms. The rental cost is 2,500 rubles per day, 4,000 for two days, and 5,000 for three days.
Contact us — write to info@zolotov.studio, call or write via WhatsApp or Telegram at +7 967 555 40 34 — to rent an account.
Quick Guide
- A simple webinar or demo lesson of a course can be broadcast from home.
- Decide on the platform (VK, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook).
- Read the requirements of each platform for your video stream.
- Download a program for video broadcasts (e.g., OBS Studio) and configure it.
- During setup, add media sources: presentation slides, pre-recorded videos, music, or video signal from the camera.
- For home broadcasts, a regular webcam will do. If you want high-quality picture, consider buying or renting a video camera.
For a large and important broadcast, it is better to seek help from professionals. For example, order such a broadcast at our studio. We broadcast a medical conference, did a corporate online event, and even worked at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where we broadcast Diana Arbenina's performance on the stage screens.
Write to us via the form below, or leave a message to our manager at info@zolotov.studio.
