1. Get a good quality camera. It does not have to be a high end camera. It does not necessarily have to be HD. I've got 6 cameras and I use everything from my analog camera that I got about 12 years ago to my Sony camera in 1998 to my new camera which is used for the AmazingRhianna Foundation. That camera is HD and professional quality.
2. If you are using an older camera (before HD), there should be a Picture Package driver software that downloads the drivers for the laptop. This is key because everything is seen based on this software. Sometimes, companies still have the software that you can easily download.
3. I know that with my '98 cameras, the software is obsolete for modern computers. So I went and got me an old computer. One that has Windows XP.
4. A quality laptop is needed. The connection (outlet) must be very tight because you will lose your picture.
5. Memory space is needed on this computer because bandwidth is eaten into. So if you have things that are not used on your computer, delete them.
6. For the older version cameras (after 2004), Windows XP works well for this broadcasting. A regular USB cable from the computer to the camera should work. No firewire cable is needed for this type.
7. Attach the USB to the computer and the other end to the camera. At this point, the software (drivers) should be loaded onto the computer.
8. After this is done, establish a UStream account. Go to
www.ustream.com and set up an account. Go to:
Your Shows and create your shows that you want to establish. You can upload logos and other things here.
9. Go to advanced settings and create the things like player size (screen), whether you want co-host, and other things.
10. Once this is all done, save. At that point, you can simply "Broadcast". At this point, there may be some fine-tuning things that need to happen. Once you hit the broadcast prompt, it will ask you if you want your camera and maybe microphone recognize. You should say yes or whatever the thing that is positive says.
11. At that point, you should be able to see a picture. If not, further trouble shooting needs to take place. At that point, go back to the beginning and change some of your parameters.
12. Based on the type of camera (old models), the broadcast will be easy.
13. In newer models, the driver software is already internal in the camera and can be downloaded to the computer from there. Once the drivers are loaded, go to Step 7.
14. You may be better off using a firewire cable if you have an HD-type camera. It definitely uses bandwidth but it allows for greater protection. There are several camcorders that do very well ranging from Sony-brand, JVC and Canon to Mitsubishi and others. The important thing is to make sure the computer can download the drivers.
15. My computer of choice is a Sony. I tried Gateway and Dell with my Sony camera but for whatever the reason, it just did not work well.
16. Also, because computers are usually only equipped with USB ports (and not firewire), you may have to get a firewire adaptor which allows you to hook that type of connection to a camcorder.
17. Like I said, on my old Sony cameras, I simply used a USB cable and it works very well.
Shown below are some cameras commonly used to do this type of streaming. Yes, everyone who plays in the CBSMF should familiarize yourself with how to do your own video streaming instead of relying on others.