Streaming Media Bible - Streaming Magazine Column

Streaming Magazine Column - June 2002


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Streaming Media Production - Equipment Does Matter.

Audiences today expect and for the most part get programming that is produced to a very high standard. Because of this, broadcast television and radio stations invest millions to ensure their programming looks and sounds as good as possible. As streaming media usage becomes more widespread, people will demand the quality they are used to in other mediums. If your programming doesn't look and sound top-notch, your audience will never materialize.

The bit rates available on the Internet today preclude true broadcast quality. Even though the leading streaming media companies claim "broadcast quality" (sic) at approximately 700Kbps (kilobits per second) there is simply no way to sustain that sort of bit rate across the public Internet (intranets are a different story). Regardless, there is no reason you should not aspire to the highest quality possible, and to do this you're going to need some decent equipment.

Unfortunately, broadcast quality equipment does not come cheap. The good news is that you don't have to break the bank to achieve noticeably improved results. You should bear in mind both your budget and the current limitations of the medium when you go shopping for equipment, while remembering that six months down the road streaming media quality will leap courtesy of the latest codec release. Buy the best equipment you can afford.

Future columns will go into more detail about how these tools are used. The aim of this column is to give you a shortlist of "must-have" equipment for the serious streaming media producer. Also, the examples listed here represent models I am personally acquainted with - no doubt there are alternatives that would work just as well.

Audio Equipment

The explosion in the home recording industry has made high-quality audio processing affordable. At a minimum, you'll need a good microphone, a good soundcard, a mixing desk, and good quality cables (yes, they do make a difference). You should also consider an audio compressor and a portable recording deck if you do remote location recording.

Microphone - A good microphone can be as cheap as $99 and will make a world of difference. By capturing the sound accurately, you give your encoder a better chance at reproducing it. For a handheld mic, try the Shure SM-58, the world's most popular microphone. For talking head applications, buy a lavaliere (clip-on) mic such as the Audio Technica AT803B.
Soundcard - The best soundcards have balanced inputs and outputs. Some come with breakout boxes so you don't have to reach around the back of your computer when plugging in cables. My current budget favorite is the Mia by Echo Audio for $250.
Mixing Desk - You need a mixing desk because you should NEVER use the microphone inputs on computer soundcards. Mixing desks start at around $200. Mackie Designs make a full range of mixing desks that can take an inordinate amount of punishment.
Audio Compressor - A compressor evens out your audio levels. Doing so allows you to feed your encoder a hotter signal, which results in a better sounding file. Compression can also be done in software, but not if you're doing a live broadcast. Compressors start at around $200. Check out the PreSonus Blue Max or FMR Audio's RNC (Really Nice Compressor).
Portable Recorder - If you're going to do any location audio recording, you'll need something to record your audio. DAT (Digital Audio Tape) decks are best, but pricey, starting at around $800. MiniDisc can work for voice recording, but I wouldn't recommend them for music. Cassette machines can be used, but make sure you use high-quality chrome or metal cassettes, and record a hot signal.

Video

Video equipment is a bit pricier, mostly because a decent DV camera runs in the thousands of dollars, not hundreds. However, fierce competition is driving the quality up and the price down. Treat yourself to a good camera - you're going to be getting a lot of use out of it. Also, spend the money to buy a good tripod - they are crucial to shooting high-quality video for streaming media. You should also buy a small lighting kit, as well as number of accessories that come in handy.

Camera - The more you spend, the better quality image you'll get due to a better quality lens, larger CCDs (the electronic components that convert the image to digital information), and professional features. Look for useful features such as a FireWire output and XLR audio inputs, and avoid useless features such as digital zoom. Canon, JVC, Panasonic, and Sony all have models in the $2500 range that will serve you well.
Tripod - Don't economize with your tripod. Be prepared to spend at least $150, more if you're serious about production. Bogen make a wide range of tripods suitable for professionals.
Lighting Kit - Lighting can be done reasonably cheaply using combinations of available light, reflectors, and portable lighting kits. These kits start at around $500. If you do a lot of studio work, you'll appreciate the control you get with decent lighting, and your work will look more professional. Lowel and Arri are two manufacturers that sell portable lighting kits.
Accessories - If your camera doesn't have XLR inputs for the audio, buy an XLR input box from Beachtek or Studio 1 Productions. You should also buy some reflectors (handy for location shooting), as well as a selection of diffusers and gels (to refine your lighting). Extra stands always come in handy, as does facial powder for your talent.

In general, I'd always recommend buying new equipment for the warranty and technical support, although many of the tools I've listed are available second hand. Some excellent equipment vendors are Sweetwater Sound, Markertek, Broadcast Supply Worldwide, and B & H Photo. For secondhand gear, try the venerable ebay or DigiBid.

These simple tools are the bare minimum you need to consider when setting up a streaming media production studio. In the coming columns, we'll learn how to get the most out of them. For additional information on equipment and links to manufacturers, check out the website at http://www.streamingmediabible.com.

Next Month: Audio Production - Level is Everything