Procaster
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PROCASTER
PROCASTER is a free software download available at livestream.com/procaster allowing digital media creators and producers to create live streaming video content with incredible ease and unprecedented production value. With Procaster, users can now stream video content in true-to-life high definition from their desktop or laptop computers to any Internet-connected web browser (no download is needed for the viewers).
Features
Login
- After Downloading and installing Procaster you will be able to login using your existing Livestream username and password.
Broadcast
- Select the sources for use in the live broadcast - producers can broadcast using your camera, screen, or from a full screen game, and then click on "Go Live" to begin broadcasting directly to your Livestream channel.
Chat
- From the chat tab producers can communicate with viewers while broadcasting live. When in screen capture mode the chat will visible to the producer but invisible to viewers.
Promote
- Before going live producers can make an announcement on Twitter and discuss the broadcast live with viewers while the live show is going on without any need to use a browser.
Watch
- Share the live broadcast by copying the embed code or channel URL from the Watch tab.
Go Live
- Once a producer presses Go Live and begins the broadcast, the control bar at the bottom of the screen will be displayed showing the camera output, video bit rate and frame rate as well as the other control options.
2D Mix / 3D Mix
- The 2D Mix option will display the secondary video source in the lower left corner of the screen.
- The 3D Mix option displays the secondary video source next to the full screen capture window.
Zoom In / Out
- The zoom feature allows a producer to focus in on a specific section of a web page or portion of the screen.
Gamecasting
- Procaster can be used to broadcast games such as World of Warcraft and Call of Duty at full frame rate in either full screen mode or in 3D Mix.
Procaster Settings
A brief description of the settings you'll encounter in this versatile application when configuring Procaster for your specific needs.
Livestream Tab
- Live: This option will allow you to begin broadcasting automatically without the need to enter the Livestream Studio and cue the source.
- On-Demand: Choose to have your recording added to the On-Demand section automatically.
- Auto-pilot: Add the recording to Auto-pilot without any additional management.
- Channel Page: Automatically switch your channel page's layout based on the resolution of your broadcast.
- Auto-Record: When selected, all Procaster streams will be recorded.
- iPhone Stream: When streaming to the iPhone, your channel will display within iphone.livestream.com
When these settings are configured, save your preferences.
Video Tab
- Source: Select your Video Source. If your Video Source is not visible, please ensure it is a digital connection capable of streaming video.
- Output: Designate an output resolution. Please note, higher resolutions will require additional upload bandwidth. Lower if needed.
- Aspect Ratio: Choose your aspect ratio - 4:3 or 16:9. Free channels with 16:9 selected will have their image cropped.
- Target Frame Rate: Enter your target Frame Rate. DV Cameras can stream at a higher frame rate, while Web Cams usually have a lower limitation. Check with your manufacturer. Please note, a higher frame rate requires additional upload bandwidth.
- Target Bitrate: The Bitrate is the quality of the image being broadcast. Free channels are limited to a total bitrate of 500kbps. The higher the bitrate, the higher your upload speed will need to be. Set this bitrate with your connection in mind.
- VBR: (Variable Bitrate). This setting will allow your broadcast quality to fluctuate as your connection varies. For a consistent quality, we recommend disabling VBR.
- Keyframe Intervals: The higher the keyframe interval, the fewer overall keyframes during playback.
- Deinterlacing: Select Deinterlace (if available) for a cleaner video from your video source.
- Save Logs: Saves your Procaster logs to your desktop for support related issues.
Audio Tab
- Camera Audio: Choose your desired Audio Source for broadcasting.
- Screen Audio: Broadcast audio that would normally be played through your speakers' (output). This is very useful when broadcasting your desktop.
- Target Bitrate: Select the quality of the audio. The higher the bit rate, the higher the quality. We recommend somewhere between 48 and 64 kbps.
- Sampling Rate: Designate your Audio Sampling Rate.
- Channels: Stereo or Mono
- Audio Encoder: Choose your desired audio encoder.
Desktop Tab
- Show Mouse: Enables/disables the option to show your mouse on your broadcast.
- Show Preview: Enables/disables the option to show the preview window in the control bar.
- Highlight mouse: Enables/disables the option to highlight the mouse pointer and set pixel width.
- Minimize windows when broadcasting: Enables/disables the Procaster window.
- Use hardware acceleration: Enables/disables hardware acceleration for visual quality.
- Save video to file (Videos folder): Enables/disables local recording of your broadcast and saves it to your Videos folder (My Videos folder for Windows XP) - Recommended.
- 3d Mix Background: Background used during 3d split screen.
- Don't show me any more quality suggestions: Enables/disables notifications for quality suggestions.
- Always switch to Vista Basic: Switches desktop display settings to Vista basic to improve performance.
- Start capture 2nd monitor: Enables screen capture to start on your secondary display.
Game Tab
- Text Color: Changes the color of the text in the game HUD.
- Position: Changes the position of the HUD on your screen
- All Commands: Shows all commands even when the HUD is minimized
- Hooked Process: Used mainly for debugging - Recommended.
- FPS: Shows Frames Per Second (if HUD disabled).
- Broadcasting Time: Shows the Broadcast Time code (if HUD disabled).
- Control Game FPS: Allows you to set the maximum FPS for your game to potentially free up available resources.
Hotkeys Tab
A list of commands can be customized to your preference within the Hotkeys Tab.
Procaster Tips
Optimal Settings for a PowerPoint Presentation
For the best overall stream, we recommend downloading and installing the latest version of Procaster. You can always find the latest release on the following wiki page: Procaster Release
1. Start your PowerPoint Presentation in either PowerPoint or PowerPoint Viewer. Once your desired presentation has been opened, minimize PowerPoint.
2. Start the Procaster application and login with your Username and Password.
3. Select the your Livestream Channel and select your Quality Setting. For PowerPoint, we suggest the "Normal Quality" Setting.
4. Click the "Preferences" button. You should notice your "Output" settings are set to 640x480. This setting should be optimal for streaming your PowerPoint Presentation, however, you may also change this setting to 800x600 if preferred.
5. Save your settings and minimize Procaster.
6. Right click on your desktop and click "Personalize." Then click "Display Settings." Lower your monitor / laptop resolution to 1024x768. Apply and Save your settings.
7. Restore Procaster and begin streaming. Be sure to stream your desktop with your PowerPoint Presentation maximized.
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