Telescope Reviews: Sky Channels

By Neil Horne:

HELP GUIDE

This will be a sort of owners manual for any one starting out on Sky Channels. We all need a way to quickly figure out how to use these channels to the best of their ability and keep them to a standard that not only keeps the frustration level down, but allows you to fully understand the things that the channels them selves offer you as a broadcaster.

1.) Getting Started:
On Ustream, Y Live, and Sparkcast you will need to sign up on the sites, and provide them with some personal information that will activate your account through your personal E mail. This in itself is pretty straight forward, and you shouldn't have any problems (except for maybe Sparkcast, which I will cover in detail later). After you have your channels setup, you will need to provide me with the addresses for both channels, the name you want listed beside the channels, and your global location. You can send this information to me by PMing me and I will get the channels listed on both Cloudy Nights, and the Sky Channels website.

2.) Going Live:
Now that you have your respective channels set up its time for you to 'Go Live' with the site. To do this you must have a capture device that will communicate with the sites them selves. I use a Dazzle DVD recorder to stream my video, but I'm sure there are many options out there that would be as good, if not better. You must have whatever device drivers installed and the capture device plugged in before you sign on to all three sites. If this is not done before you sign on, the sites will not read them as options for streaming. Once you have signed on to either of the sites with the capture device plugged in, you now need to get your feed from your camera to stream. To do this you need to 'go live' on Y Live, 'broadcast now' on Ustream, and hit 'broadcast' once all the parameters are set right on Sparkcast. Once you've clicked on this function, the sites will ask for your permission to gain access to your video, and audio. When you accept this you should see your feed in the user window. On Y Live it will be under the main viewer. If you do not see your stream on Y Live you need to go to 'edit settings,' and choose the device you want to use. On the Ustream site you will have a popup screen called a widget that gives you the same options. Ustream has a button labeled 'broadcast now' on the widget that will put you on live. At this point all three sites start to differ greatly, and I will add to this post after I do all my research to give us the best 'owners manual' possible.

3.) Ustream broadcasting tips:

Using the widget:
The widget is a popup that gives you control over everything you are broadcasting including your video, and audio. Once the widget is up, you have two green buttons that say 'start broadcast,' and 'start recording.' When you see your stream in the display window on the widget you may now push the start broadcast button so your audience may see your stream. At any point after that you can press start recording, and Ustream will record everything to their server for viewing later, sharing with friends through a url that they provide, or download, and upload it to whatever you like. Keep in mind that if you record more than 45 minutes, that Ustream will not be able to convert it from a flv (flash) file and you will need a converter program to make it an avi (video) file. If you stay below the 45 minute limit, Ustream will convert it for you. It should also be pointed out that both of these buttons should turn red for them to be engaged.

a.)Video, and Audio adjustments:
Under the two live buttons you will see volume control for the audio, and audio, and video quality. With the volume control you need to have whatever feed you are sending to fall below the redline peak indicator. If not it will clip and the sound will be distorted. To the right of the volume control is the quality controls. I have boosted both of these to the maximum settings and so far have not experienced and problems. If you do start seeing the site slow down because of the bandwidth you are using up, just adjust accordingly.

b.) Advance settings:
Under the audio and video controls are three tabs, the first of which is labeled 'advance settings.' With this tab you are able to adjust the frame rate of your video (I set mine pretty low since I'm streaming integrations of 2 seconds.)

c.) Create poll:
I've not really messed around with this too much, but it seems you can ask a question to the audience, and they can vote on up to 4 choices to give you a consensus of the audience.

c.) Cohost:
Now this is a really cool function! What the cohost tab does is allow you to invite other people with a feed to join the show and share the main screen with you. This makes a lot of sense for us because we can have the best astro object up on the screen, while someone else is searching for the next one. All you have to do to engage this is to push 'launch cohost' and you will be given two options. One is to invite viewers, or pick a live show. When you invite viewers a small invite in the viewing window that anyone in the audience can click on to join. When you accept their request you will now have the option of exchanging your feed with theirs or even splitting the screen with both. The person requesting to join will have the same options that you have when you first go live like allowing access to their feed, and choosing the quality of their video, and audio. At any point the host has the power to put them live or take them off.

My Shows:
After you've got your broadcast up and running, Ustream gives you many options for customizing your channel that Y Live does not, so this is where the tips and tricks will differ greatly. The first tab at the top left hand side of the main page is labeled 'my shows.' This is where you can give you channel your own skin.

a.) info:
After you click on my shows the first tab on the left is the info tab. This is pretty straight forward. The only tricky part is the part that says 'When on a PC, use the Ustream high quality encoder.' The problem with this option is that it only works with Windows Vista, and we all just love working with Vista. It requires downloading a plug-in for internet Explorer, and Firefox. The encoder should give you much higher quality at lower bitrates. In my experience with this option (Yes I have Vista), it worked good when it would work, but sometimes would lock up my computer. Right now I leave this unchecked as I didn't see a dramatic improvement in the overall quality, or performance in the site.

b.) Design:
You can go crazy with this option if you want, but in my experience, less is more. There really is no way to go wrong with this tab. You just play around with all the color options, and upload some graphics, and you're in business. The only tricky part of this page is adding partner shows at the bottom. To do this you must first know the name of the show you want to add. It must be spelled exactly as it is on their channel or you will not find it. Ustream does let you type in a few letters of the show, and gives you a list of all the shows that start with the same letters to choose from. Not the best design, if you ask me. Once you've found the show ( like mine is labeled smokinoakum ) you can add it to 5 other shows that will show up on the main page once you are live. It basically is a quick link, and add for the other shows you list. By the way, you don't have to add anyone if you don't want to. Once you have made all of your selections hit preview, and see if you like the lay out. If not, just back tab and adjust it till you are happy with it then hit save.

c.) Clips:
This tab lets you organize all of the recordings from your shows to run on your page even if you are not online at the moment. The controls are once again straight foward and just experiementing with which ones to list can be cool in itself. The only thing to make note of is if you want them to display you must choose 'Display clips recorded on this show only.' This will not search for other shows that you might be sign up on, and will just play your favorites list.

d.) Share:
This gives you the codes to embed the show in websites and other forms of media. There are three choices, so just pick the one that suites your needs.

e.)Advanced:
This tab allows you to limit the access that the public has to your show. It will give you every options possible to keep your show running the way you want. Just choose the options that you are comfortable with and adjust them if you have any problems.

My Pictures: My Videos:
The 'my videos' tab lets you maintain, and organize all off your recorder videos. Once you have recorded something during a show , it will then be listed here for later manipulation. Here you will be able to give your video a title (you can also do this at the end of your recording), and give it a short description to go with the video. You will be given options for who you would like to have access to it, and this is also where you can convert, download, upload, and review your videos. At the bottom their is a drop box which will give you links to code it as an URL or code to embed it on a website.

My Pictures:
You can upload any pictures you want here, and if you have not chosen to have your videos to show when you are not broadcasting, then by default, the pictures that you have uploaded will run as a slide show. Just like in the video section, you can tag these with a description for the viewer.

Watch List:
This function is a way to be alerted when other shows are on line, and broadcasting. Lets just say it this way, all the sky channel broadcasters are on my watch list, and I know when any of them are broadcasting. To add someone to this list you have to go to their show site and under show info hit the add to watch list icon, and they will then be a part of your list.

Friends:
This works just like myspace type websites. Go to the persons show site, and under show info click on the host name and you will be taken to a page to add them to your friends list. This page is also where you can send a message to that person, add a comment to their site, or block the user if need be.

Message Box:
Basically, this is e mail between Ustream freinds. You will have Compose Message, Inbox, Sent Messages, and Trash just like any other e mail. No need to go further here I think.

My Profile:
This is exactly what it sounds like. All the security, and profile functions can be changed here, and this is where your site info can be found.

Well this is pretty much it for Ustream. It looks complicated, and compared to Y Live it is, but if you just mess around with it for a minute or so, you will find it is actually really user friendly.

Next I will run through both Y Live and Sparkcasts settings which promises to be far lees confusing and much shorter.