currently streaming live to the web with bambuser (our preferred streaming service) using our wirecast (preferred because of the streaming component - waiting for boinxtv to get one!) software to broadcast out live in hq/hd streams means that the format of the video stream for the user is currently flash. of course the problem with this is that many devices do not support flash natively and more people are wanting content mobile and therefore expect a mobile stream.

bambuser are aware of our requirement for a mobile stream (often in quicktime format - h264 and progressive) as part of the 'firingup' process of a bambuser stream is posting the live embed block into the facebook stream thus bringing additional people into the conversation. if your on an iphone or ipad however you do not get the video. we want to fix that.

obviously the additional issue that we have with live streaming video is that not everyone has the time to watch at the time it was streamed so we need to make available the video in as many formats for as many devices as possible. currently the live stream is archived in .flv format and you have to be logged in to get access to that download.

we are looking at building out a small converter system to be able to take the .flv via the api and pass it to a variety of places. the system needs to be modular in that it can pass these videos to an unlimited amount of distribution targets. currently i'm thinking heavily about the following places.

- filter videos based on keywords (so no random mobile videos)
- multiple clients accounts bonded into group
- pass the .flv to encoding.com for conversion to h264 (iphone/ipad)
- while at encoding.com convert to html5 and webm format
- ability to pass through via email to a posterous site (use api/100mb)
- passing for major distribution to blip.tv
- heyspread and heywatch targets (convert to many formats/devices)
- multiple storage locations (clouds and ftp)
- feed different devices rss feeds and itunes

what this will allow is the client to record content at fibreca.mp quickly and for a fee (converting video to different formats costs money) have access to our distribution system admin to be able to select which destinations they would like their content to be spread too (either manual or automagically) across multiple platforms. after this stage work will be required to pull together the conversation from around the web so that a user can reply to messages posted to that service.

we aim to use backtype api for doing this across the clients accounts we will have setup for them. this will allow the client to concentrate on delivering the best content for the show and allow us to spread their output far and wide.

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quicklink | microsoft bluetooth numpad

       

Click here to download:

using_camtwist_bluetooth_numpa.zip (385 KB)

giving us enough buttons to switch between different views/camera angles to make the video more interesting to the viewer and disconnect us from having to have the computer near allowing us to relocate the computer to side tables around the studio instead of having the round table in the actual shot. my only concern at this stage is if certain applications have the ability to start and stop the stream - not all applications we use have the ability to hot-key certain actions.

we will be using this setup in the fibrestudio (which btw will have a new home at http://fibreca.mp - we are going to offer hotdesking shortly too) for switching between the main camera and the secondary dv input. we need to get additional stands and tripod mounts firstly to make these fixed assets.

i did a little screencast showing you how this thing actually works utilizing camtwist as an example - but we know that boinxtv can switch between layers too.

pros

- you can switch to different shots without computerin shot/nearby.
- setup all the media for the client before they arrive at the studio. 
- it's fracking bluetooth dude. 
- using boinxtv you can switch natively between layers.

cons

- battery powered so another battery to have 'in stock' in the studio 

camtwist / wirecast / ideas

- had a few times when the software 'locked up' - not uber reliable.
- have to play with the window capture sizing to get right 
- wirecast can stream hq/hd automatically it has not hotkey ability :( 
- another piece of software to have running/setup 
- bit of a flick between 'sets' in camtwist may lose video as loads.
- noticed you had to restart camtwist to be able to set the sets from new 
- would be great to start and stop wirecast broadcasting 
- camtwist input main camera in wirecast, use boinxtv layers switching?
- can stop and start boinxtv rec/stop on a hotkey?

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We used boinxtv in basic mode today quickly and uploaded the content to vimeo.  should have it setup to stream out to bambuser next week but it does not give us that better picture quality that wirecast does - we are testing a bunch of applications that give us different features that we can offer from the studio.

donations welcomed for a second lapel mic welcomed.  we are actually looking around now for additional kit.  first thing is a bluetooth keypad.  you'll see why in the coming week.

Issuu - http://www.issuu.com
Mobile Roadie - http://mobileroadie.com
Mini Moo Cards - http://uk.moo.com/en/products/minicards.php
Band Central - http://www.bandcentral.com
Delivr - http://delivr.com
Miro Video Converter - http://www.mirovideoconverter.com
Scribd - http://www.scribd.com
Multiurl - http://www.multiurl.com

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uploading over wifi via fibre connection to audioboo (@lacemarkethouse) from Philip Campbell on Vimeo.

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i find it weird that my old show 'thegravity' title name seems to have such an affinity at the moment with the way the laws of gravity/attraction are bringing certain people into my life that are positive, upbeat and that have a calming influence on my life.

'thegravity'
show was a very low budget, poorly put together greenscreen tech, ideas and naval gazing idea i put together about tech, services and general catchup that always had delusions of grandeur about being a useful 'british' tech show.

now i have the access to a super fast internet fibre connection at the @lacemarkethouse over in nottingham i want to take 'thegravity' to the next level. I'm in the process today therefore with @pcmcreative (CJ) of putting together a production schedule for recording weekly shows and wrapping that together with screencasts regarding the process of how we get that show 'out there' on the internet, what we will be using for distribution of the video and 'behind the scenes' of what goes on in the studio to give potential clients the 'backstory' of how this stuff works and 'why' you should be paying to use the studio. i think it is a process that needs to be talked about.

Anyway, going to crack on with that. An interesting phase has begun.

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Click here to download:

the_streaming_studio_now_has_a.zip (6880 KB)

So really chuffed to see everytime that i come into the studio changes and differences happening - really fills you with excitement for what it possible. I'm speaking with a few people to start putting some lists together for nonprofits in the area as well so we can capture some video interviews with them and give them some high quality video/audio content for their websites. I'll start to work on the website for booking services this coming week. i have a mockup but i think i need to revisit it to make it more fun and run it past a few people first.

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i sat down briefly today with @pcmcreative and we had a chat about the full schedule this weekend for the mediacamp and all that it will offer to a cross section of people wanting to explore this wonderful space.

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So i'm sitting in the fourth row up with what looks like the only power socket in this room that is dedicated normally to the cleaner. the room is quite busy with about 100 people turning up for the event this morning. i'm looking forward to the first workshop and finding out what is happening to make super fast internet speeds a reality in rural locations.

                 

Click here to download:

East_Midlands_Rural_Broadband_.zip (1057 KB)

This really does tie in massively with the fibre project that we are undertaking at conkers at the heart of the national forest and it will give me a clearer overview of what is happening and what sort of timescales we can expect these things to come to fruition.

I'll be updating this blog entry this morning and trying to 'liveblog' various elements that really stand out.

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It takes 10 minutes to get from nottingham station to lace market house and very soon those requiring live hq webstreaming services and web clips for their personal or business website will be able to book time in the web studio. we are just making the place nice and we have some test sample video up soon as we progress.

One Minute to Fibre from Philip Campbell on Vimeo.

Find more testing going on over at http://bambuser.com/channel/philcampbell

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Wow. Finally got the hdmi input working and everything now seems to be working perfectly and in sync. the cpu usage is between 65% and 85% but you would probably be not doing anything else on the mac pro at the time anyway. Looks like the HD streaming is a reality. and wow, we are going to have a lot of fun with this! :)

This is actually full HD 16:9 Streaming and the frame rate is dropping a little.  I've dialled it down to the next best which is the 'flash high bandwidth 16:9' at 700k data rate and it looks uber sweet.  well chuffed.  thanks to telestream for the trial i'm sure we will be in touch over the coming weeks about a purchase! :)

More Testing over at http://bambuser.com/channel/philcampbell

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it's true. you have to start somewhere.

i've been doing a lot of fresh start thinking recently regarding work, career and positioning of what i want to do and where for myself and the family. putting things into place based on the limited resources i currently have. optimising those resources and re-evaluating often. i've found it both frustrating and liberating at the same time.

Setting up a fixed location for recording 'thegravity' show again is one part of the motivation that keeps me going on a day to day basis and has been on my mind for quite some time, well since i stopped doing it last year. I've not been able to catch up with the audiogravity on a day to day basis recently. I have however been keeping the links in evernote for when i get a good chunk of time and when my nose is not blocked as it makes the audioboo sound rough. I'm sure all that is stress related.

Anyway, the web streaming studio in the lace market house is part of the overall plan to have a fixed location to be able to offer web video services including full HQ/HD streaming over a chunky 100mb internet connection - right now the fibre is dialled down per port per room to 20/15mb Up/Down but as we require more juice i'm sure we can get it. I'm taking over my green screen over hopefully tomorrow and my hdmi to hdmi cable so i can test a 1080i input streaming out on wirecast. i get the trial one month license tomorrow so that will be an excellent test. I'll probably give bambuser a good run again as well - i have a few clips and screencasts to get recorded tomorrow.

The room currently is very boomy. it's not a massive space but it is big enough for a web streaming studio and i already have a floorplan layout of how i want it to look. I'm thinking the layout will be very much like a 'drop in' appointment based setup where you can book blocks of time. I want to offer half-day, full-day sessions but also a lunchtime section for people wanting to drop in and do really quick web clips. Another side to the web streaming offering is maybe to do similar training sessions for utilising social media for distribution of content.

Once i have the test videos up from the test i'll bolt them onto this blog entry tomorrow. Working on the posterous theme for the streaming studio as well tomorrow, as well as a stack of screencast videos. Busy one then! :)

Gotta keep busy.

*btw* anyone that has a hookup in nottingham for egg boxes for sound proofing please hook me up - either that or some kind of a/v company in the nottingham area that has some of noise reduction material normally used in cars knocking about, maybe old stuff or just rolls of sound deading material knocking about drop me an email.

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i'm looking to put together a team of hotdeskers that want to drop in maybe once or twice a week into a ready to go web streaming studio to record web clips for their services, product or personal brand. i will offer greenscreen work and all being well after testing HD live streaming to a service like bitgravity as the fibre connection at lace market house can support such a stream.

                                       

Click here to download:

lace_market_house_hotdesking_n.zip (2024 KB)

i'm working out the costs and the logistics of having an office so many days a week (we have spoken about a room with a prime view and of course a settee for those coffee moment weekly catchup chats 'thegravity' style) at lace market house. If your in the nottingham region, or can indeed travel easily into nottingham i'm sure we can give you a very competitive rate for web video work for your website. drop me a message if your interested in this exciting web streaming service.

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Call to Action! There will be a steering meeting (1 of a maximum of 3) to be held in the Boardroom of Lace Market House (also the venue of the event and with a delicious fibre connection) on Wednesday 3rd Feb from 6pm - 7.30pm. MediaCamp Nottingham, unless there are any major objections will be held on Saturday 27 March. People should keep an eye on @pcmcreative and @mc_notts twitter accounts for further details.

For anyone unfamiliar with last year's event our Google legacy is here http://bit.ly/MCN2009

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sorry for the rough looking pictures but the weather is not holding out in jolly old england today.  been looking around lace market house for different rooms and sizing today and which would be a fantastic set for 'thegravity' - we even found a room with the 'settee' we need but we would have to crowdsource a more 'hotdesking' people first before we could even entertain the costs for the office.  that said, i found out that it does include the use of the conference rooms for other things so maybe could be a good crossover for a sponsor that they get to see social media and media production and training in the same day.

i think that as a package for the day where we train onsite people how to create media and use the internet to distribute that media should be enough to cover the costs of the offices, our time and our ability to offer hotdesking in one or more of these offices.   The one overlooking nottingham has a fantastic view and would make a striking second camera shot/pan for the start or end of a show.  exciting possiblities.  just waiting for sponsors or an upturn in my working situation to put these things in place.   

Guess i need to crack on with those video tutorials to show my social media making skillz. ;)

                     

Click here to download:

looking_at_officessets_around_.zip (6502 KB)

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today has been the most distorted and messed up day in a long time. the levels of stress i feel i'm under right now are causing me to wonder what the hell i'm doing in this space. seriously. i made damn sure that i was going to make it over to nottingham today for a meeting at 11:30am regarding fibre, talking about doing the weekly show 'thegravity' and just general hotdesking and office space questions. I arrived on the early train at 10:30am way ahead of time for a catchup about projects with @pcmcreative that we have the potential of looking at with the ammobox.

At exactly 11am the lights went out and we made a few jokes about the war, zeppelins and blocking out the windows. as we were on our laptops it made no different to us working because we had enough power and the fibre seemed to be on a battery backup. We nipped out to the sandwich place to get some food as i had been keeping myself going on coffee and tea all morning (read: cranky) without food. In the sandwich place we overheard that getting the power back on might take until 3pm. We bought snacks and headed back. We hear more news about the extent of the problem with over 2000 business offline as a major substation had caught fire and the fire service were having major problems trying to calm it. half of the city seemed to have power problems with traffic lights in the city centre being off.

Obviously this impacted the meeting which we never had because he had to be discovering fixes for people in the building so it was the tin hat on an already delicate situation - no matter what i did i felt like i should have probably scrapped the day when i had the chance. i was so intent on making the meeting happen, moving forward and then something so dramatic happens. talk about luck, i'm not getting much of it at the moment.

to top this my evening dinner plans that i hoped would put some kind of relaxing end to this week seem now out of reach and the importance lost - it seems like no matter what i try and put together at the moment something is either out of reach or holding me back. i mean seriously, can you believe what kind of day i have had. i guess substations blow up but i found it unreal that lace market house was off yet a block down the sandwich shop was perfectly fine. incredible.

It's not all a complete failure thou. got to get together next week about a projector that as of right now has no internet but we still might need to provide camera equipment for. talk about cascade effect, i probably should have just gone home and got back in bed when i had the chance this morning! :)

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just had a really good morning over in nottingham at lace market house hotdesking with @pcmcreative. a few weeks back we discussed about the potential of utilizing space and fibre resources and today was the first step towards making thegravity and HD streaming from a location possible - today was initial testing. turns out my laptop doesn't have the horsepower required to make it stream with an acceptable framerate but the actual picture quality was fantastic.

with the fibre currently throttled back on a port by port basis and with the ability to 'jack it up' I have every faith that the feed is perfect for the show and general social media making and aggregration for me to take my ideas and concepts to the next level and explore live in depth.

looking forward to my weekly trip over, need to find another sponsor for wirecast license, office space if I travel over more regular and some per show sponsors for rental of meeting rooms and such like.

... also need to flight case my future media making portable machine for broadcasting. expect this to happen quickly now I'm on it! ;)

Sent from my iPhone .. .
from a train towards home

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