Ustream.tv
1 Rating
What can you use the application for?
Ustream.TV is a live and interactive video broadcasting platform. The
simplicity of the site allows for anyone with a camera, a computer and
an internet connection to stream video directly to multiple viewers
without any software installation.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
Ustream.TV was founded in 2006 by Dr. Gyula Feher, John Ham, and Brad
Hunstable. Ustream was released to the public in 2007 as a live,
microbroadcasting platform. Many prominent politicians (Sen. Hillary
Clinton and Sen. Tim Johnson), entertainers (Jewel and The White
Stripes) and conferences (SXSW and MacWorld 2008) have used Ustream's
services to showcase their speeches and events to the world. With
only an internet connection, viewers can watch from any part of the
world and interact with the hosts live through a text-based chat. The
hosts of the shows can also allow for other guest-video hosts to join
the party.
What are the differences to other applications?
While there are other competitors to the live video stream market (Y!
Live by Yahoo and Justin.tv), Ustream.TV provides a clean, simple
interface for not only watching the shows that you want to see but
introducing you to new content that may fit your desires. Ustream's
integrated chat allows for fast and real-time interaction between both
the hosts and viewers as well as viewers to viewers. This makes for a
very social experience for all parties involved.
How does the application look and feel to use?
It's easy to find new shows on Ustream's site. Simply logging on to
their homepage presents a featured show at all times of the day.
These range from cooking to music and technology. The only piece that
doesn't work well for everyone is the fact that Ustream's chat
requires certain ports to be opened on a computer or firewall. This
can be trouble for people viewing behind a corporate firewall or who
run personal port blocking software on their own machines. While
viewing content at Ustream is simple unto itself, broadcasting is just
as easy. Sign up for a username and you're ready to go. As long as
you have a web cam attached to your computer and Adobe Flash installed
(cross-platform), you are ready to broadcast your life live on the
internet.
How does the registration process work?
Registration is not required to both view and chat in live streams.
Registration is required to broadcast shows. To sign up, simply
choose a username, password, enter your birthday and an email address
and you're ready to go. Ustream even allows for OpenID logins which
makes the service play nice with all of your other web toys.
What does it cost to use the application?
Ustream's services are completely free and ad-supported at this time.
Who would you recommend the application to?
Ustream.TV is a great service for both people trying to find new video
content online as well as broadcasters who would like a simple way to
reach their fans. Armed with only a computer and a web cam, anyone
can become a star of their very own TV show.
Ustream.tv Features
- Live streaming video
- Interaction via multiple video hosts as well as text chat
- Embeddable on to outside blogs and websites
- No software to install -- The entire site is flash/web based.
Screenshot
Screenshot
