Technical Streaming Specifications

Live Streaming Complete Checklist

Here is a full checklist of everything needed to start live streaming. Reference the sections after the checklist for more details.

• A DaCast Account with a live channel you create
• Computer or hardware encoder
• Internet Connection
• Webcam
• Capture card or ability to accept video feeds
• An RTMP encoder

Getting Started: Your Computer

First, you will need either a computer or hardware encoder (more on this later) from which to broadcast from. Assuming the former, DaCast is compatible over most setups that include Windows (XP, Vista, Windows7), Mac and Linux based machines. If its PC based, it should have at least 2 GB of RAM and at least 500MB of free hard drive space. For Macs, you should have at least 1 GB of RAM, at least 500MB of free hard drive space, at least Mac OSX version 10.5, 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or faster and Quicktime 7 or later with a compatible video capture device.

Internet Connection

When broadcasting, you will need an internet connection. For live, your connection speed should be at least twice what you intend to stream at. For example, a 450kbps stream would need at least a 900kbps connection. If you are doing a multi-bit rate stream, add up the totals (example, 450kbps + 800kbps would need around a 2.5mbps connection).

Webcam or Digital Video Camera

When live streaming, you will need either a webcam or a digital camera with a UVC, iLink, USB3 or Firewire connection to your computer or hardware encoder. For a quick and easy approach, most modern laptops come equipped with a webcam already. There are hundreds of camera solutions out there to use over DaCast, but if you are new to streaming and need some basic suggestions, here are three that other DaCast clients have found useful:

Canon FS400	Sony HDR-HC9	Panasonic AG HVX200A
($200-$300)	($1,000-$1,200)	($3,000-$3,200)

Capture Card or Ability to Accept Video Feeds

A lot of modern computers, such as laptops, are already setup to process and accept video feeds. If your laptop has a webcam built in, for example, it’s already setup to accept video content. If you need a video capture card, or just want to see compatible ones, below is a list of ones useable over the most basic encoder, which is Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder (more on this later):

Osprey 100 Osprey 440 Osprey 450e Osprey 230

Osprey 240e Osprey 530 Osprey 560 Osprey 700HDe

Digital Rapids DRC500 Digital Rapids DRC1600 Pinnacle PCTV pro PCI Epiphan VGA2USB LR

RTMP Live Encoders

As the final step for live streaming, you will need a RTMP (Real Time Messaging Protocol) ready live encoder. The most basic encoder for this, which is a free download, is Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder. To download this, simply sign into your DaCast account and follow the steps under “stream” to install this program.

For other encoders, the following are examples of sources fully compatible over the DaCast service:

Telestream Wirecast NewTek TriCaster ViewCast Niagara

Envivio 4Caster Digital Rapids TouchStream ...

These encoders can broadcast out using H.264 or VP6 as their video codec over DaCast. MP3, M4A and AAC can all be used for the audio format when streaming as well.

Compatible Operations Systems

• Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7)
• Mac
• Linux

VOD Streaming Complete Checklist

Streaming video on demand content is much easier than live, mandating just a DaCast account and media files. Below is a checklist to get started:

• A DaCast Account
• Compatible audio or video file
• Optional transcoding
• iOS streaming

Compatible Audio and Video File Types

DaCast natively supports a wide range of media file types for both video and audio streaming. These audiovisual files can be used on DaCast for VOD Streaming and also with the Playlist Scheduler. If a file type is not supported, which includes formats such as AVI and WMV, these files can still be used over the system but with a small fee to encode or “transcode” them. This is a manual process, with the incompatible files having to be selected after upload and then encoded for a price that is shown before agreeing and conversion starts. Below is a list of the files that are supported without the need to be encoded:

MOV F4V M4V FLV MP4

MP3 M4A AAC

Optional Transcoding

This is a manual process, with the incompatible files having to be selected after upload and then encoded for a price that is shown before agreeing and conversion starts. When transcoding, audio and video files are guaranteed maximum compatibility over the DaCast system for viewers to watch and enjoy.

iOS Streaming

Streaming video on demand content to iOS, such as iPhone and iPad, requires a subset of criteria. This is that the file type needs to be MP4 using H.264 with AAC type audio, or to be transcoded first over the DaCast cloud. They also need to be included in a frame embed code on your website. Read the MP4 supported page for more details on making this work.

Compatible Internet Browsers

The propriety flash video player from DaCast is compatible with 99.9% of internet browsers. This includes most mobile browsers, such as Skyfire which allows all embedded video to play on even iOS devices without having to use the frame code. Viewing content over game consoles, such as through a Nintendo Wii with the Opera browser, is also possible. Below is a list of some of the more common browsers supported:

• Internet Explorer
• Safari
• Firefox
• Opera
• Google Chrome
• Skyfire

Compatible Flash Video Formats	Compatible Flash Audio Formats
H264 VP6	MP3 AAC M4A

Compatible Live Encoders

There are many companies that provide professional encoding software and services (to stream in Real Time Messaging Protocol, RTMP). These are compatible with DaCast, but not required if you use Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder. Below are just a few examples:

Telestream Wirecast NewTek TriCaster ViewCast Niagara

Envivio 4Caster Digital Rapids TouchStream ...

For additional information regarding DaCast and what is possible over the online video service, please read the in-depth frequently asked questions.