LiveU Solo Tutorial: Streaming to Facebook Live

In this tutorial, you’ll become versed on how to stream an event to Facebook Live utilzing the LiveU Solo encoder. Although the tutorial will be product- and service-specific, I’ll do what I can to generalize operation for other services and for other encoders.

Choosing an Encoder

Encoders that are portable input the HDMI or HD-SDI feed from your live mixer or encoder, encode it to a manageable bandwidth, and then transmit it to your target streaming service, or cloud service that will route it to your target. For example, with the Solo, you stream into LiveU’s Solo Cloud Service, which redirects the stream to Facebook.

There are various encoder options, from cigarette-pack-sized encoders that attach via your camera’s cold shoe to the deli-sandwich-sized LiveU Solo that you are able to hang on your tripod or belt. Most encoders support Wi-Fi and/or Ethernet, which is very convenient when broadcasting events from locations with these signals. To access 3G/4G, you’ll need an encoder that comes with either dedicated internal modem slots or USB slots for third-party modems.

The LiveU Solo comes with two USB slots, allowing two connections to one or two different 4G services. We had modems for Verizon and T-Mobile. Using two services is nice because it provides a measure of signal redundancy, and if both signals are live, the modem can stream over both, increasing outbound signal bandwidth and video quality. If your location has Ethernet and Wi-Fi, the Solo can use these signals as well, enabling a bonded, high-bandwidth signal that helps ensure high quality video. Click here for the full article.