Wirecast offers a “standard” version of their software and also a more expensive Pro version. There are many tools available for working with layers, switching their relative positions, and determining what’s done with each. You can see the separate layers when working in Wirecast as separate mini-windows. Layer 5 is for audio, which of course can’t be obscured by video layers on top of it. Extra video material, background images, or still shots go in layer 4. The usual practice is to include this sort of material in layers 1 and 2, and the live video feed in layer 3. This maybe your company logo, or text that should always be visible.
Material you always want to see goes here. Layer 1 is the uppermost layer, which is never obscured by anything else. One thing to keep in mind is the direction of the layers. The only exception would be when switching sources, which we will address in a bit. For broadcast, the live video feed should be the main layer in almost all cases. Recorded material can constitute one layer on top of the main or anchor layer. Wirecast uses the concept of layers in video as well. The layers in Wirecast can be seen in the lower part of the screen One of the more common uses of layers is to have a text layer on top of an image. This is items of opaque/visible content that is placed over the content of the layer underneath it. A layer might be mostly transparent and invisible. Layers consist of graphic content set up so that one element is “on top of” another.
It has powerful tools for changing the look and sound of your material.Īnyone who’s worked with graphic software of any kind, still or video should be familiar with the concept of layers. The encoder lets you place both still and motion overlays on live content. Released by Telestream, the product has been popular in the market, with even early reviews praising it. Wirecast and Wirecast Pro can handle simultaneous input from several video and audio sources.
If you are a Mac user, unfortunately only Wirecast is compatible with those three. For this article, we will focus on doing it with the Wirecast, vMix and Vidblaster encoders. This is trickier, though, and involves the use of coded scripts, making it less user-friendly. It should be noted that this can also be done using Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder. In those instances, Wirecast, vMix, Vidblaster, XSplit, and Discover Video Multimedia Encoder are most effective. Complex broadcasts include those that plan to incorporate recorded material. If you are doing a more complex broadcast, a more sophisticated encoder would be a better choice.
Sadly, however, the free Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder is limited in its functionality. To stream live video on your website or elsewhere, you have the option to use free and open-source encoding software.
Regardless of the reason, let’s detail how to broadcast live using prerecorded video. For example, including a voice-over or framing as you are broadcasting content live. It’s also desirable to include recorded material broadcast at the same time as the live streaming video. Maybe the recorded material is part of the live broadcast, to be cued at a particular time. Or perhaps you have a commercial to transmit during a break in the live transmission. Maybe you are broadcasting a live speaker, and you have a recorded segment that offers an introduction. Sometimes you want to make use of prerecorded content as part of your “live” video. Sometimes, however, streaming video content can get a bit more complicated. For example, you may already know how to stream live video on your website with an encoder, a streaming service, and one or more dedicated webcams or IP cameras. Most likely, those reading this already know how to broadcast live video.