Ask Forefront!!

[forefront]

Okay guys, so let's do this right eh? I am a former U.S. Marine, Aviation Logistics Tactical Information Management Specialist. Which is a fancy way of saying I have a lot of computer knowledge. Also, I have attended several courses on broadcasting, directing, and videography. I have a lot of knowledge on how to wire, repair, and troubleshoot broadcasting and recording setups.

With that said, this thread will be a question and answer thread for me. Since I not only know about broadcasting, but how to stream on JTV, I figure I can offer many of you some good advice. So, ask me anything about streaming, capping, etc. If something doesn't work, if you need help with software or hardware, if you can't figure out what settings to use, if your capture card isn't working, if you can't get your montage to render properly (I know a lot about rendering and video formats, not editing), or whatever.

I will try to keep my answers in layman's terms, but if I say something you don't understand I will happily explain. Also, if you want a technical explanation, just ask.

Link to Forefront's Guide to Streaming (http://thelannetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?3618-Forefront-s-guide-to-streaming!!!!)

[MidKnight]

Ask Eli!!!! haha, JTV Master

[Waterboy7]

Very glad your doing this Forefront! and must say am impress with your background and all you've accomplish :) very polished.

Well my question is about rendering on Sony Vegas Pro. I have had the program for sooo long, but must say hardly get to do anything with it. I have always had trouble with the rendering settings. What are your thoughts or settings you would use for a nice HD style video that could be uploaded onto Youtube.

For example on:

Mode- would you use CBR? or Quality VBR
Format- Windows 9 ?
Image size- ?
Frame rate- 29.970 (NTSC) ? or PAL?
Pixel Aspect Ratio ?
Seconds per key frame?

Thanks Forefront! Nice way to help out this community. :)

[forefront]

Well, I personally don't know much about the editing programs themselves, but I can tell you that:

1. VBR is good for any HD quality videos that you're going to render. Youtube shouldn't have a problem with it. It will take longer to render, but the video will look better. Also note that VBR is going to make your file size almost twice as large, so if you are reaching the youtube limit, you may want to go with CBR.

2. I render in .avi, but that's only because I like the compatibility it has nowadays, and I don't post to youtube. The Windows 9 or .wma format is about the same. If you are looking for a format that is good for uploading, I suggest .mp4 as the file size will be much smaller, and you don't have to compress it and lose quality. Windows Media Video, or .wmv works well too, and is preferable at 1080p imo.

3. Image size is your preference. 1280 x 720 is 720p, and 1920 x 1080 is 1080p.

4. PAL is a European standard. Go with NTSC. I don't know if it matters for youtube, but if you try to play PAL on most video players, it'll error out.

5. PAR shouldn't matter. If there is a default, just leave it. Most if not all HD renders should be done with square pixels anyway.

6. I'm not sure about seconds per keyframe. If I had to guess, I'd say it's an editing term. Keyframes are points at which events take place in a video. So, I'm assuming that will be the base length of keyframes during editing? I'm not too sure, but I think you can adjust the keyframe length for each event that you edit anyway so I don't know if it really matters.

[bradsears]

I can answer the keyframe thing. Compression works by taking one good, fully described frame (keyframe)of data and building on it. Any data after that is just changes to the last keyframe. If you have ever had a video file go blocky in part of the image you are seeing a keyframe missed or glitched and only the changes being applied to a previous frame so it looks awful. If the keyframe got through it would look perfect.

So the more keyframes you have the bigger your file gets because they are essentially uncompressed. Few keyframes / sec are good for scenes with a still camera like a news broadcast or talk show. The scene raraely changes and you can get away with fewer keyframes. Scenes with lots of action / camera moves / full screen transitions need more keyframes per sec.

None of this tells you what to set it at though because it is media specific. I suggest you take a short segment of your video and test different settings with it. When you find good quality vs file size stick with it.

[ZeroCool]

I had this same question on how to use Vegas to make my videos look better. I only have a DVC 100 and my videos used to look like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZwJP1RjeEs now they look like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWBrjlPDyXY. I have a video that I downloaded from you tube that explains all the settings i did, basically he explains everything step by step. I can provide the video if anyone that doesn't know how to use vegas wants it.

[PK Toolboxxx]

how much money do i need to start a stream on jtv?

[forefront]

@ZeroCool

I think what you're seeing is just Reach's framerate issues. Bungie put a lot of work into making Halo look as good as COD, but they still did it wrong. I know that TLN's quality dropped with Reach, and I know that they are using the same settings as well. I'm not too familiar with Dazzle software, but you should be able to fiddle with the settings a little.

Is the DVC 100 and SD or HD cap card, and how do you have it hooked up?

@Brad

Thanks man for the input. Brad is an actual entertainment industry professional. Listen to him!!

@Toolboxxx

SD you can get away with around $100. That's without your voice, and using a Dazzle. If you're thrifty (use ebay or other methods of buying cheap), you can run an HD stream for around $100-$120. Look up the AverTV HD PVR. I've heard good and bad things about it, so if you get it you are testing it yourself. I've never actually used it. Also, AverMedia is coming out with a product to rival the BMI (just FYI :P). If you go all out, streaming could cost you around $400-$500. So, just do your research, and bring me any specific questions you have about hardware specs or whatever.

[gwhit518]

hey forefront, I was wondering the upload speed needed to stream in HD on JTV? Im in the process of getting a streaming setup and wanted to know if my internet could handle what I was planning. Thanks in advance!

[Clipzyy]

how much money do i need to start a stream on jtv?
Get Hauppage HD PVR wonderful quality (i have it) but it costs a lot. lol

[Gweedo888]

Get Hauppage HD PVR wonderful quality (i have it) but it costs a lot. lol
it cost a 189 on amazon thats not alot but tool you can get a dazzel i think its called for like 50 and then use wirecast and justin.tv to work with you lol

[forefront]

@gwhit518

for HD quality streaming, I would suggest nothing lower than 3Mbps upload. You could get by fine with 2Mbps, but 3 is preferred.

[AZUL]

This looks like the best place to post this so im looking to capture gameplay from my Xbox 360 in decent quality i know i need a capture card and a lot of cords im wondering whats a good capture card that costs between $50 - $200 because i have no idea how much they cost also do i need anything else besides a capture card and if it makes a difference my monitor is a Acer H233H i don't plan on streaming thanks in advance.

[forefront]

Your best bet for capturing gameplay is a Hauppauge HD PVR. It will run you around $200, and a little cheaper if you get it from ebay. I also think someone is selling one in the B/S/T section here, though I haven't checked the price. It will capture gameplay in the best quality possible. You will need the component cable from your xbox, and that is all. The Hauppauge will connect to your computer through usb (included), and you can just switch your vga cable from the monitor, to the component cable when capturing.

You can't do this for streaming, as you need to get the signal through the Hauppauge to the monitor. However, if you are just capturing films, the lag won't matter.

[Jackattack]

Ok I have the MLG Asus my upload speed is .73 and my download speed is 1.8 is there anyway I could get a list of the things I would need to stream on Jtv. Money isn't really a problem I would just like some high quality equipment and I am a noob to this so please no big words. ;) Thanks!

[forefront]

1. Better down/up speed
2. Better down/up speed
3. Google (for searching info on capture devices like Hauppauge HD PVR, and BlackMagic Intensity Pro)
4. Youtube (for getting videos on how to set up these devices and the software to use them.)

If you start setting it up and get stuck, post back here. :)

[Jackattack]

Ok well I guess my first problem is my download/upload speed how do I fix that to make it better?

[forefront]

You have to purchase a better package from your ISP

[SaLoT]

You going to NGL St. Louis on the 14th? If so who you going with and can i be there to smack you up side your head?

[forefront]

I don't know if I'll be able to make it, but I'd like to go watch. I just need to have gas money. If you guys need a place to stay though, you're welcome at my place.

[HavkinKnight]

NGL is in my home town!? ill go! ForeFront lets throw a team together REALLY FAST and show up

[Jackattack]

Ok! Upload/download speed is fixed it is now 11.26 upload and 48.97. I think i'm going to go with the Hauppauge mainly because I don't want to deal with taking my computer apart. What else alongside with the Hauppage would I need? Oh and i'm using the MLG Asus with VGA cables if that means anything.

[forefront]

If you go with the Hauppauge, you will also need a powered Component-to-VGA adapter which can run you up to $200 itself. That's $400 total with the capture device and conversion processor. I would suggest just going with the BMI if you have a desktop with at least 3GB of RAM, and a Quad-core processor. If not, then you may just have to shell out the extra $200. If you search "powered component-to-VGA splitter" on Google, you will find several. I haven't tested any myself, so I can't say which one to get, but I'd be careful with the low end ones. Make sure it's compatible with 720p or 1080i, as these are the resolutions that the Hauppauge can output.

[itwuzmagik]

Alright i need to know Forefront what is the cheapest way possible under 200 for me to stream with audio? doesn't matter if its SD I just need to do it for kind of cheap used things are fine. Help from anyone at all would be fine :) in return I give you my love? lol

[Jackattack]

If you go with the Hauppauge, you will also need a powered Component-to-VGA adapter which can run you up to $200 itself. That's $400 total with the capture device and conversion processor. I would suggest just going with the BMI if you have a desktop with at least 3GB of RAM, and a Quad-core processor. If not, then you may just have to shell out the extra $200. If you search "powered component-to-VGA splitter" on Google, you will find several. I haven't tested any myself, so I can't say which one to get, but I'd be careful with the low end ones. Make sure it's compatible with 720p or 1080i, as these are the resolutions that the Hauppauge can output.

What if I used HDMI would I still need to dish out an extra 200 dollars for the Hauppauge?

Oh and my computer can't handle the BMI so that's not an option.

EDIT: Hey can you link me to a powered Component-to-VGA adapter that you know works with the Hauppauge?

[forefront]

The Hauppauge only has Component in/out, so you will need a converter. Component-to-HDMI is possible, but more expensive. Again, I've never tested them myself, as I've never streamed live with my Hauppauge, but I know this one (http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-VGA-to-Component-or-Component-to-VGA-Converter-Scaler.html) works as it is the one that Ninja uses, but you will need a f/f component cable to connect the xbox component to the component-to-vga cable provided with the scaler.

If you don't want that one, you can search around, but I don't guarantee anything that I haven't used personally.

[Jackattack]

Ok thanks a lot man, one more question i'm pretty sure i'm going to go with the Hauppauge setup but I just want to make sure my computer can handle it before I buy anything this is what I read off the side of my computer.

Processor: AMD Athlon x2 7550 Dual-Core Processor.

System memory: 3gb

Operating system: Windows Vista Home premium

Hard drive: 320gb

Optical drive: SuperMilti DVD R/RW

Will everything run fine?

[forefront]

Yes. That should be enough to run a Hauppauge. As long as you don't have a graphics card that's just terrible it'll be fine.

[Jackattack]

Alright thanks a lot! If I run into any problems setting it up i'll just post back here. :p

[MLGHammertime]

Didnt know you were a former marine. I was going to enlist but after lots and lots of thinking, I decided against it. Still regret it every day. -_-