How to stream from your PC
Nowadays, streaming live video over the Internet has become an operation that can be performed even by the less-experienced user.
Anyone from home can comfortably transmit videos with simple clicks, all without particular knowledge in the IT field. The platforms that allow this service has significantly increased and improved, giving support to users who intend to offer this type of service. Let’s see how to stream from your PC.
The Platforms
First, let’s see what are the best platforms on which to rely for your streaming. The first platform ever to welcome streaming into the digital age was ” Justin.tv “. Many users use it because it still has one of the best relationships between quality and reliability. Just after Justin.tv, we find ” Ustream “, able to offer good-quality content, and ” Veetle “, a good platform even if it were not for a streaming service usable only through the use of the ” VideoLAN ” plugin.
The Instruments
After seeing what are the best platforms for streaming, let’s see what it takes to stream the content we want. There is nothing complicated: a PC, a webcam (preferably high resolution, to guarantee excellent audio and video quality of the streaming), an ADSL-type high-speed internet connection will be sufficient (to avoid continuous and annoying user buffering) and a free tool easily available on the net called ” FlashMediaEncoder. ”
Many platforms use this tool, which guarantees the signal stream in H264, considered by many to be the best codec for playing ” flash ” movies in streaming quality/performance ratio.
The Streaming
In conclusion, let’s see what streaming is to better understand its functioning. Streaming is nothing more than a stream of audio/video data transmitted from a source to one or more destinations via a telematic network. These data are reproduced by the end-user as they arrive at their destination.
There are two types of streaming: the on-demand for the transmission of its contents, and the live one, like the one used to transmit its direct broadcasts. Live streaming is what affects most Internet users. We have finished our guide on how to stream from your PC. For more information, see the link.
The Configurations
Finally, let’s not forget to configure DLNA compatible media players. The vast majority of HDTV televisions, Blu-ray players and game consoles capable of rendering can render DLNA. We check our device’s home screen for music, pictures and video options.
When we select one of these, we will probably get a list of DLNA servers currently running on the home network. From here, simply select the media file you want to stream. If you don’t see any DLNA servers, we check the device manual for DLNA support.
If we have a Chromecast and an Android phone, we download the free Android app. The app install wizard recommends installing your server on your PC, but it is not necessary. Having said that, the app doesn’t work well with Windows Media Player, so we may have no choice.
Alternatively, with the right apps, we can turn a Chromecast or a Roku into a DLNA renderer. At this point, we are really ready to stream your PC.
Note! For a better quality of service, get a high-definition webcam. Also don’t forget to stream with an ADSL connection.