You can access all live broadcast features via the Live tab in Mediaflow. The ability to broadcast live is controlled through group permissions.

Under the Live tab, you can:

• Create a new live broadcast.

• View and edit upcoming and ongoing broadcasts.

• View previous broadcasts and use settings from a previous live broadcast, which is convenient for recurring broadcasts.

• Create and manage stream keys.
  
  

  

Creating a Live Broadcast

To create a new live broadcast, click the New Broadcast button. Here, you can choose whether to create a new one from scratch or reuse settings from a previous broadcast.

• General

  Specify the name, description, and language for the video player. You can choose a thumbnail image and set a start time for your broadcast so viewers see a countdown. Note: This does not start the broadcast automatically but shows viewers how much time is left until the broadcast begins.

• Stream

  Choose the quality you want to broadcast in and how your stream key should be handled. You can create a new key or reuse a previous one.

• Q&A

  Choose if and when viewers can submit questions via the Q&A function. You can also activate a moderator view in a separate window and set a password to access this view.

• Publication

  Choose whether the broadcast should be available to view after it ends. If you have a Play portal, you can also publish the broadcast there. You select when the broadcast should become visible and which folders it should be displayed in. You can also set a notification for when the broadcast will appear on the homepage. You can read more about how to publish your live broadcast here.

Control Room

In the control room, you get a good overview of your broadcast and quick access to all essential functions. Here, you can see when the broadcast is scheduled to start and the URL where it can be accessed. You can view statistics for your broadcast and check connection status.

Stream Keys

A stream key is the code used (together with the server URL) to connect your equipment to a live broadcast you have prepared in Mediaflow. With recurring events, you risk ending up with many keys having to be created and pasted into the broadcasting equipment.

You can choose to use one of these keys:

1. One-use Key: A key that expires after the broadcast. Useful for temporary collaborations with a provider.

2. Reusable Key: A key that can be reused. There is no need to enter a new key into the equipment for recurring broadcasts. A video producer, for example, can receive a personal key and is always ready to connect. Scan a QR code to easily copy the broadcast key and address to your equipment.

Mediaflow Live automatically generates two types of QR codes for each broadcast:

1. A link to the live broadcast on live.mediaflow.com so you can quickly see how it works on a mobile phone without having to manually enter the web address.

2. A link to a page with the unique stream key and the address your source needs to broadcast.

Testing and Checking Connection Status

Once you have entered the stream key and server URL into your equipment, you can send a test stream to check the connection and broadcast quality.

1. Check connection status

2. Preview the video

3. Test the audio

4. Start the broadcast. An internal countdown helps you see exactly when the broadcast should begin.

During the Broadcast

In the control room, you can ensure the broadcast runs as planned, and end it at the appropriate time. Inside, you will find three tabs with information:

• The General tab contains information about the settings you made for your broadcast, such as which stream key you selected and whether the broadcast is published on a portal.

• The Statistics tab allows you to track statistics for the broadcast minute by minute. For example, you can see how many viewers you have at the moment, how many playbacks have started, and the peak number of viewers during the broadcast. All data is broken down by the type of device used so you know how your audience prefers to watch your broadcast.

• The Connection Status tab shows which source is connected and whether you have a good connection.
  
  

After the Broadcast

Once the broadcast has ended, you can choose to:

1. Download the file as an MP4.

2. Manage the file in the Video Manager.

3. Save the file in the Media Bank.

When your live broadcast is finished, you handle it like a regular video file in Mediaflow. You can choose which folder(s) it should be stored in, tag it with keywords, and make it accessible in the Video Manager.

Statistics for Your Broadcast