Comin' Atcha Live: Web-Based Live Streaming Services Reviewed
make.tv (www.make.tv)
make.tv is making it easier for teams to stream live videos with more creative control. Similar to some other sites, it allows the cueing of multiple cameras and lets teams access and create content at the same time. It also offers live chat between producers and a few more creative video effects such as screen resizing, picture-in-picture, and audio clip cueing. One of the nice things about this site is the in-depth video tutorials that let you see exactly how to use the tool.
Hot
• Great tutorial videos
• Nice team workflow tools such as voice chat, assigned tasks, etc.
Cold
• Usability was poor in the broadcast tool (good thing they had those tutorial videos)
• Lacking chat and other social features
Best For
make.tv is great for a team of people working on a live video show together who want more creative control and workflow tools.
Stickam (www.stickam.com)
Billing itself as "the live community," Stickam offers video chat, live shows, and instant live streaming video tools. With well-known users such as Leo Laporte’s This Week in Tech and G4 TV, it’s no wonder that this site has a broad following. The Go Live button requires a simple click to launch yourself into the online video world. Updates such as Twitter chat integration, mobile streaming, and Stickam’s open API will continue to make this a community of video creators and consumers.
Hot
• Separating video chat with 12 cameras at once from the live streaming content is helpful
• Go Live and chat functions are easy to use
• Strong support for the radio community
Cold
• I could do without the teen angst and single chat room folks (but this is the internet)
• Audio issues with multiple cameras cued up
Best For
Stickam is a great launchpad for those in the technology, media, or entertainment space, or if you need a place for 12 people to video chat at once.
Twitcam (www.twitcam.com)
Recently launched by Livestream, this Twitter live video tool is über easy! Sign in with your Twitter username, allow Flash to use your camera, and you’re streaming live. Invite your friends on Twitter and archive your video for later—that’s it.
Hot
• Easy, easy, easy
• Video looks great
Cold
• Auto-plays recorded videos you embed on other sites (very annoying)
• So easy; integration with other social networks would be nice (but that may be part of its success)
Best For
Are you on Twitter? Want to live broadcast video? Twitcam is for you! Also, this line is less than 140 characters. :)
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