Review: Livestream Studio HD51
Livestream Studio HD51, the latest production switcher from Livestream, adds HDMI as an available input, and packs several key features recently added to Livestream's Studio software including PiP and the ability to input remote desktops from other Windows computers and live Livestream feeds as video sources.
Delivery to Other Streaming Platforms
As before, in addition to streaming live to both old and new Livestream accounts, you can point your live stream to any RTMP-compatible streaming server, and Studio now includes presets for YouTube Live and Ustream. New is the ability to send adaptive streams to a CDN, and to import XML files from FMLE to set specific configuration and connection options. During my testing, I broadcast live to both Livestream and Ustream, both successes shown on the right in Figure 9 (below).
Figure 9. Here’s the screen you use to connect to your streaming server or CDN. Click the image to see it at full size.
Other New Features
The items mentioned above aren’t the only new features or improvements; for example, Livestream has also dramatically expanded the library of available transitions, improved the functionality of the audio mixer, added the ability to create a backup stream via a second Studio system, and added support for MetaSETZ tally devices.
Overall, since we last looked at Studio in March 2013, Livestream has transformed the program from a system best used solely for traditional live events, to a general-purpose switcher suitable for a much broader range of corporate and enterprise functions. And you know the software is stable because Livestream exclusively uses Studio for the many productions the company produces for its clients.
Buy or DIY?
Regarding the Studio HD51 hardware, the big question is build or buy. Studio is available as a software-only program for $799, and you can purchase the same Blackmagic Design, NVIDIA and Western Digital hardware Livestream used to build the HD51. Certainly you should price the computer, components, and software separately to understand what it would cost to assemble your own system.
Given the high pressure of live-event streaming, I certainly would be willing to pay a premium for a proven turnkey system like the Studio HD51. The only question is how big a premium I’d need to pay.
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