Basics for live streaming municipal events

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What do you need to show a session on the Internet?

The four basic ingredients are:

1. A sufficient Internet connection
2. The equipment (cameras, microphones and mixer) for the production of the video or a corresponding service provider who takes over the production
3. A software or hardware encoder to convert the produced video signal into a live stream
4. And a GDPR-compliant streaming platform
   

Which Internet connection is sufficient? 

The available Internet speed or bandwidth is decisive for live streaming. You can send in various video resolutions from 360p with 0.75 Mbps to 4K Ultra HD with around 51 Mbps.

Common resolutions for a live stream and the optimal bandwidths are: 1080p with 6 Mbit/s or 720p with 4 Mbit/s

For example, a 50 Mbit/s telecom connection (20 Mbit/s upload and 50 Mbit/s download) is sufficient.

What is the basic production equipment made of?

To record audio, you need one or more meeting microphones and an audio mixer to combine the individual signals from the microphones into an audio signal for your live stream. If you already have one, use your installed audio conferencing system.

The same principle applies to recording the moving image. You need one or more cameras to record the session. If you want to use various settings (such as an overall view combined with close-ups of the speakers), you also need a video switcher or a mixer.

What does the encoder do?

The audio and video signals are converted in the encoder into a format suitable for live streaming and sent to the desired streaming platform via your Internet connection.

What does the chosen streaming platform have to do at least?

• Transform the live stream signal you send so that it can be watched without interruption with all Internet-enabled devices.

• Provide a player to embed into your website

• Simultaneous retrieval of the live stream or a video by a wide range of viewers.

• Allow the live broadcast to make the session available as a video for a longer period of time.

• Provision of evaluations of the use of video content.

• Other options for managing, editing, and distributing your streaming content, such as:

1. 1. Redirecting the stream (restreaming) to social media channels.
   2. Automated, AI-based live transcription, e.g. for meeting minutes
   3. Automated subtitling (to ensure accessibility)
   4. Player design adjustments
   5. Interaction elements for live streams, such as comment function or support for live surveys

In order to optimally organize virtual events, 3Q, in cooperation with partners, provides a wide range of solutions for event management and technical implementation.

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