Comin' Atcha Live: Web-Based Live Streaming Services Reviewed
Kyte (www.kyte.tv)
Kyte is a mobile and online video platform that offers companies a variety of community building tools. Shoot or stream videos from your laptop, iPhone 3GS, or other mobile device and then edit and share them on your channel. Kyte is definitely focused on the business community, but the social side of the site draws in artists such as rapper 50 Cent and The All-American Rejects. The lines are blurring between B2B and B2C, and Kyte happily offers multiple tools to both sides to create content.
Hot
• Mobile as well as computer-based tools mean you can live stream from anywhere
• Simple chat and interaction tools
• Clients include individuals and large organizations such as ESPN; probably has a tool for you
Cold
• Streaming video was easy, but Kyte Studio tool was confusing
• Good focus on business users, which may be hurting its social status with individuals
• Two domains—www.kyte.tv (more individual- focused) and kyte.com (more business focused)— and seven product offerings; sometimes unclear on which tools to use
Best For
Small to large-sized businesses looking for a turnkey live streaming solution would benefit from using Kyte. It also has a strong base of users in the music industry and entertainment media.
LiveCast (www.livecast.com)
Since 2005, LiveCast has been working with streaming content from mobile devices to the web and establishing itself as a leading company in enterprise and consumer video. Its focus has been on medium- to large-sized businesses and mobile-to-mobile streaming. But it is starting to launch some more consumer-focused tools and allowing anyone to set up an account and stream live video. I tested the downloadable LiveCast tool in beta for Mac, and the quality dial definitely went up to 11, with video quality up to 10Mbps.
Hot
• Great focus on mobile and enterprise solutions
• High-quality options
• Location-based tools map where you are
Cold
• Clunky website and download tool (Mac version is still in beta)
• Supports only Windows Media or QuickTime to view videos, but includes a Flash embed tool for recorded videos
Best For
Medium- to large-sized business looking for mobile-to-web or mobile-to-mobile video platform would benefit from using LiveCast.
Livestream (www.livestream.com)
A little older than 2 years, the company formerly known as Mogulus has gone from streaming videos from your mobile phone to building an online production studio. Basic browser tools let individuals create their own live channels, edit the look and feel extensively, and cue up live contributors or existing videos. The depth of the tools really makes you feel like a producer in a TV station with control over an insane number of details. What started out as a fun way to broadcast video online has moved into a very professional tool used by media outlets such as USA TODAY, NPR, and C-SPAN.
Hot
• Nice progression of easy-to-use Webcaster to more feature-rich Studio, and then kitchen-sink Procaster
• Best collection of player customization tools
• Multiple producers and multiple cameras make it easy to share control
Cold
• Sometimes all the features can make it tough to navigate
• Lacks social media integration found in other sites• Procaster is Windows download only (Mac is coming soon)
Best For
If you’re looking for an easy-to-customize player; great features for switching, cueing, and video management; and as close to a production truck in your browser as you can get, Livestream is for you.
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