How does a live stream work?

A live stream is a way to stream live video and audio to an audience over the Internet. It is often used for broadcasting events such as sports matches, concerts, conferences, presentations and many companies use it as part of their marketing. In this article I will explain how a live stream works and what it takes to make it a success.

To set up a live stream you need a number of things: a camera to capture the image, a microphone to record the sound, an encoder to convert the image and sound into a digital format and an internet connection to to send live stream to the audience. Let's look at each of these elements in more detail.

Camera

A camera is essential to capture the image. There are different types of cameras available, ranging from professional video cameras to joystick-controlled cameras. It is important to position the camera properly to get the right perspective and clearly frame the subject. For example, if you're livestreaming a corporate event, you'll need to place the camera in a suitable location to see the entire stage. Naturally, you use several to switch different angles so that the broadcast becomes more dynamic.

Microphones

Microphones are needed to record the sound. This can be an external microphone, for example a tie clip microphone or cheek microphone that you connect to separate audio recording equipment. It is important to use a good quality microphone to record the sound as clearly and distinctly as possible.

Encoder

An encoder is also an essential device needed to convert the image and sound into a digital format suitable for streaming. This can be either software or hardware. The encoder compresses the video and audio so that it can be transmitted over the Internet more efficiently.

Internet connection

A good internet connection is essential to broadcast a live stream. The higher the quality of the video and audio, the more bandwidth is required. It is therefore important to have an internet connection with sufficient bandwidth and stability to broadcast the live stream without interruptions.

That all sounds quite technical, but as a livestream company we have top brands of equipment and know exactly what is needed to make your event successful.