Streaming involves the transmission of media content over the Internet in real time. It is a multi-layered process that involves a number of technical elements and decisions to ensure that the final product meets the customer's expectations.

Preparing the broadcast signal

At the heart of the streaming process is the broadcast signal, which must be fully prepared for the client. Elements such as belly bands, corner/broadcast logo, disruptive panels, intros, outros, feeds, voice options and the level of the broadcast audio must be considered. Here, a media server can serve as the basis for all playout paths to ensure temporal coherence for live and streamed content.

Managing multilingual audio signals

In many cases, different audio signals are generated, for example in German, English and Chinese. These signals can either come from the media server or be provided by interpreters. Depending on the customer's focus on coverage or live content, additional broadcasting control may also be required for the audio aspect.

The complexity of the show, for example when using different players and languages, is also an important factor in streaming preparation. The content provided must be available in various resolutions, including native for LED, 16:9 and possible special formats. In addition, there should be a recording of the outgoing signal to ensure subsequent provision for download portals.

The importance of audio rules and lighting in the streaming process.

Attention to audio levels is a critical issue. Since these can vary greatly, a savvy audio colleague should be at the mixing console. In addition, lighting plays a critical role in a clean broadcast image. While it is occasionally possible to do without a lighting spike in a live context, this is by no means possible in a streaming context.

Choosing the right streaming server

For all of these steps, dedicated streaming servers are more likely to be used to spread the workload across multiple professionals for fast and clean responses to changes. However, for smaller tasks, an all-in-one solution can be considered.

In summary, the streaming process requires careful preparation and an understanding of the technical requirements. Every decision, whether it is technical or content-related, helps ensure the quality of the stream and ultimately the satisfaction of the customer.