Broadcaster Technical FAQ
This FAQ covers the technical basics on broadcasting on TVU.
To see the Broadcaster Business FAQ click here.
To see how you can start making money as a TVU Broadcast Partner, click here.
The Basics
What operating systems do you support?
What files types are required?
What's the basic broadcasting process?
The Technical Details
What are the hardware requirements?
What are the bandwidth requirements?
With TVUBroadcast 2.0, do I need a separate encoder?
How do I set up my sources with the TVUBroadcast 2.0?
What bitrate/signal should I give my channel?
What are some sample encoding parameters?
What is the 'Media URL' in the TVUBroadcast application?
What is the 'Port' in the TVUBroadcast application?
Is there a playlist feature for TVUBroadcast?
Can I change my files while broadcasting?
If I'm using the playlist, can my files be different bitrates?
What happens if my files are different bitrates?
What happened if I change the bitrate of the stream I'm using while I'm broadcasting?
What if TVU is rebroadcasting a stream - can I change without scrambling my video?
If I'm using a stream – can it be a variable bitrate?
How do I know how many people are watching my channel?
What else does the status window in the TVUBroadcast v2.0 tell me?
How can I monitor my channel in the new TVUBroadcast v2.0?
Why are the fields bank underneath the 'Options' tab?
The Basics
Yes. Download the software here.
You need the three C's: a Computer, a High Speed Connection, and Content.
And of course, our TVUBroadcast software.
What operating systems do you support?
Windows (2000, 2003 Server, XP/Vista) or Linux (CentOS/Redhat)
What files types are required?
Windows Media Video (WMV) format
What's the basic broadcasting process?
Here's a link to the TVUBroadcast User manual: TVUBroadcast v2.0 (Windows)
As a broadcaster, you affirm that you have the legal right to broadcast the programming you show on TVU. We also do not broadcast 'Adult' content. TVU reserves the right to take down your channel without notice should we find you in violation of these terms. Please view our complete Terms and Conditions.
We are working on it!
The Technical Details
What are the hardware requirements?
Minimum
- 1 ghz processor
- 128 mb RAM
Recommended:
- 2.4 ghz Intel Dual Core 2 processor or more
- 512 mb RAM
What are the bandwidth requirements?
High Speed: aDSL, Cable, or, if you're lucky, Fiber optic. What really counts is the 'upload speed.'
You can test your upload and download speed at: http://www.speedtest.net
Minimum Upload Speed Needed:
- 2x the Signal (file or live broadcast bitrate) bandwidth
- Example: You want to broadcast a file that's 240k, 480kbps is the minimum upload speed you would need.
Recommended:
- 4x the Signal Bandwidth
- Example: You want to broadcast a file that's 240k , 1.2 Mbps is the minimum upload speed you would need.
Optimal:
- 10x or more
With TVUBroadcast 2.0, do I need a separate encoder?
Not anymore – 2.0 has Windows Media Encoder built in. The optimal bitrate is automatically set for you.
How do I set up my sources with the TVUBroadcast 2.0?
Here's a link to the new TVUBroadcast v2.0 Users manual.
What bitrate/signal should I give my channel?
288k total (Video & Audio). Note: this would mean having at least 600kbps upload speed.
Typical Channel:
- 288 k total
- Screen size 320 x 240
- 30 fps
What are some sample encoding parameters?
- Total bitrate: 360k
- Video: 319k
- Audio: 32k
- Screen Size: 362 x 242
- Two-pass encoding
- NTSC
- WMV
- Upload bandwidth needed: 1.5 mbps
What is the 'Media URL' in the TVUBroadcast application?
It's the stream address from your encoder or the path to the file you would like to broadcast. For more information please view the broadcasting manuals: TVUBroadcast v2.0 (Windows)
What is the 'Port' in the TVUBroadcast application?
It's the path used to broadcast outside of your local machine. If you are using a firewall you may need to open this port to allow traffic. Consult your firewall manual on how to open ports.
QS stands for Quality of Stream, meaning the quality coming from the broadcasting machine. Usually, we'd want to keep it above 90%.
QC stands for Quality of Channel, indicating the viewing quality of the channel for others watching. Best results at 75% or above.
1) Remember the bandwidth/bitrate metric: 2x bandwidth 2x of the bitrate of the file or stream
2) Stop any program that may consume any upload bandwidth (File sharing/TVU player)
Is there a playlist feature for TVUBroadcast?
Yes. TVUBroadcast v2.0 has the playlist feature built in.
Can I change my files while broadcasting?
Yes, for TVUBroadcast v2.0, you can add, delete or even change the order you'd like them played in.
For the older versions it's still preferred to stop and reload your playlist file.
If I'm using the playlist, can my files be different bitrates?
No, your files need to be encoded the same bitrate and in the same file format (.wmv)
What happens if my files are different bitrates?
The video will appear to be scrambled.
What happened if I change the bitrate of the stream I'm using while I'm broadcasting?
The video will once again suffer, if you do need to change your bitrate, follow these steps: stop the TVUBroadcast software, adjust your bitrate, and then restart the TVUBroadcast.
What if TVU is rebroadcasting a stream - can I change without scrambling my video?
Just let TVU know you would like to do so we can restart you channel, and then your video will not appear off.
If I'm using a stream – can it be a variable bitrate?
No, your streams total bitrate cannot change. If for example you're running a Microsoft server that's serving up files – all files need to be the same bitrate, otherwise, it might be a scrambled result.
How do I know how many people are watching my channel?
The new TVUBroadcast v2.0 offers a real time look in the status window that appears at the bottom of the application.
Broadcasters can also check their channel's status at: http://pages.tvunetworks.com/broadcasters/viewChannelStatusList.do
What else does the status window in the TVUBroadcast v2.0 tell me?
- Viewer Count
- Error messages
- Signal Strength
How can I monitor my channel in the new TVUBroadcast v2.0?
Simply click on the 'Monitor Tab'.
Broadcast port
- This tells the software what port to transmit on; if it's not set, TVUBroadcast 2.0 will pick the port itself.
Target upload bandwidth
- Used to set a specific upload bandwidth.
Private key
- If you have made your channel private, this is the key you will need to be able to view it. Just copy and paste to view.
Why are the fields blank underneath the 'Options' tab?
By default the software will pick its own optimal setting, unless specifics parameters are set.
- Download TVUBroadcast v2.0 here.
- View TVUBroadcast v2.0 Release Notes here.
- View TVUBroadcast v2.0 User Manual here.
- Contact TVU Broadcaster services: broadcastersupport@tvunetworks.com
