I’m looking at buying the Nano to live stream to Vimeo or Dacast.
Looking through the online reviews I came across two (Dec 21) that stated simular issues:
Agree with the other reviewer about the bitrate issue. The problem with this unit (and maybe all pearls) is that I was told by their tech support that if the unit senses a change in bitrate, it stops and starts the stream. Online CDNs (specifically Vimeo) do not like that and everyone is dropped from the live stream each time this happens. Epiphan needs to change that functionality and adjust the stream on the fly instead of stopping and starting
Can anyone comment on this, does this also happen using Dacast?
The information in that review isn’t exactly correct, the Pearl doesn’t sense bitrate, the user defines the bitrate for the encoding and the Pearl will sense if there’s enough bandwidth available to hit that target.
If there isn’t enough bandwidth the Pearl will display a warning and keep trying to push the stream through regardless. In the process you might drop packets/frames, or the stream could drop out entirely, but the Pearl will never stop trying to stream, so I’m not entirely sure what the review is talking about specifically, unless they had bandwidth issues, which is fairly common.
What might of happened to the reviewer is that by default the Pearl is set to use the current signal resolution as the frame size. When this option is checked it will match the encoding resolution to the resolution of the external video connection coming in.
If the signal changes resolution (i.e. by using an external switcher), or a layout switch to a different signal occurs then the Pearl will restart the encoding which will certainly cause the stream to drop out. All that’s required in that case is to simply uncheck that option and choose a static frame size which will be maintained regardless of the incoming signal.
Streaming issues refer to problems that can occur when you are trying to watch or listen to content that is being delivered to you over the internet in real-time. Streaming issues can take many forms, including buffering, stuttering, freezing, or complete playback failure. Some of the common causes of streaming issues include:
Slow internet speed: Streaming requires a stable and fast internet connection. If your internet connection is slow or unstable, you may experience buffering or stuttering during playback.
Network congestion: If there are too many devices connected to your network, it can cause network congestion and slow down your internet speed. This can also cause streaming issues.
Compatibility issues: Some streaming services may not be compatible with certain devices, operating systems, or web browsers, which can cause playback issues.
Server issues: Streaming services use servers to deliver content to viewers. If the server is overloaded or experiencing technical issues, it can cause streaming issues for viewers.
Encoding issues: The way a video or audio file is encoded can also affect its ability to stream smoothly. If the file is encoded poorly or using an outdated codec, it can cause playback issues.
If anyone facing streaming issue in vimeo or dacast, You can have some alternatives to dacast and vimeo in detailed some the alternatives were
It’s Right to be cautious about bitrate sensitivity while live streaming to sites like Vimeo and Dacast. The issue you’ve mentioned with the Nano and some other videos are due to bitrate fluctuation. It can be frustrating–especially for viewers.
If you’re operating a stream that is recurring or professional it’s a good idea to think about an easier and more secure streaming technology. Platforms such as VPlayed for instance, provides an adaptable live streaming service that incorporates adaptive bitrate streaming into.
It automatically alters the quality of the video in accordance with the conditions of the network without cutting the stream off, providing an improved experience for users.
you can upload directly onto your own brand platform instead of relying on third-party CDNs such as Vimeo and Dacast. This gives you greater control over the stability of your stream as well as viewers’ data, choices for monetization, as well as the way you deliver content.
If you’re thinking of having a more flexible and professional setup, VPlayed could be worth a look as an alternative to hardware encoders on their own.