Comin' Atcha Live: Web-Based Live Streaming Services Reviewed
ubroadcast (www.ubroadcast.com)
A fairly recent entry into the market, ubroadcast added live streaming video to its established audio streaming platform in July 2009. Overall, it’s a very clean and easy-to-use system that allows for a picture-in-picture co-host and recording tools. Plans for the near future include a pay-per-view option that will allow you to set the price for your live streamed content.
Hot
• Clean and easy to use, great co-host picture-in- picture tool
Cold
• Embedded video auto-plays with ads (very annoying)
• Too new; not much content there (I’m sure folks will populate it soon)
Best For
This site is best for individuals and businesses alike, especially when they launch the pay-per-view feature.
Ustream (www.ustream.tv)
Events such as the presidential inauguration and celebrities such as Miley Cyrus have given Ustream a lot of buzz this year. The live video service has co-hosting, multiple stream viewing, lots of social interaction, and mobile interaction across many platforms. Also, with its API, you can automatically upload your recordings to sites such as blip.tv; Ustream also offers an enterprise-grade version called Watershed that’s used by the likes of Disney and Duke University.
Hot
• Great cross section of broadcasters and viewers
• Nice features such as polls, social stream, and advanced video and audio controls
Cold
• Broadcast tool has too many pop outs
• The difference between a highlight, a show, and a page can be confusing
Best For
Events, celebrities, and business folks who are looking for a nice balance of social interaction and depth of tools could make great use of Ustream.
Yaika (www.yaika.com)
Based in Estonia, Yaika says it is "making life streaming fun," and it doesn’t disappoint with a bright, bold design and a very-easy-to-launch broadcast tool. With just a few clicks, you are streaming live (no registration required). Add multiple cameras, record your video, and even leave video "voicemails" for your friends.
Hot
• Bright, clean user interface
• One click for video or audio streaming with no registration required
Cold
• Two of the trending tags as of this writing: "alcohol" and "smoking"
• Had to register to comment on the videos
Best For
Individuals or small business people who are looking for an easy design and who want to build a global audience would benefit from using Yaika.
All of these videos are also available for viewing on the author's blog.