Video Sharing Networks that I am testing

Over the past few weeks, I have been testing different video sharing sites in order to find one that I can eventually settle down with for my weekly videocasts. Until I started doing my research, I never realized just how many of these type of sites are around. Did you?

Here is a list of the sites that I am checking out right now. Now, I know some of you have heard of some of these sites, but I’m willing to bet that, like me, there are some on this list that you have never heard of before now!

Here is a list of typical live video streaming features that I am looking into right now:

* Multimedia/Playlist integration: Allows you to video stream other content, such as YouTube videos, presentations, images and more, in live or scheduled shows

* Text chat: Integrated in the player or in the show page, lets you message with your visitors

* Co-hosting - Multiple web cameras: Host can decide whether to let other people show their webcam and actually mix them in like a real television channel

* Record: Lets you record the live show and, if you want, to embed a player with the recorded show on any page

1. UStream

UStream is a web broadcasting system that allows you to stream live content to the Internet from your webcam. In a matter of seconds you can create your own live station, and start streaming live images from anywhere: people can watch and chat with you on your UStream page, or simply on any site where you will embed your player. The service is free to use.

I have tried and used this service for more than 65 recordings. uStream has some glitches, but not stable enough (in my opinion) for a live videocast.
http://www.ustream.tv/

2. Mogulus

Mogulus is an online social tv service that anyone can use to create his own professional web tv show. With no technical knowledge, you can create your own channel with multiple live cameras and videos from major sharing websites (like YouTube), that you can easily mix with a click of a button. Players can be embedded on any site, and can stream live or recorded media. Free.

I have used this service since it was in private beta. The service has added many great features over the past few months, however, it seems to be CPU intensive and even though stable, requires a high end computer with enough CPU and RAM to support this service as a live videocast. As a 24 hour playlist station, it is very stable and usable by most anyone.
http://www.mogulus.com/

3. Yahoo Live

Yahoo Live is a website where everybody can stream video from their webcams. After a free registration, you can create you own streaming channel where you can broadcast right from your PC with an Internet connection, images from your webcam or any video source. Viewers can follow you, talk in the channel-chat-box, and also engage in video conferences between themselves, and obviously with you. Free.

I have signed up for an account for this service, however, have not yet tested it for my shows.
http://live.yahoo.com/

4. BlogTV

BlogTV is an online live video service that you can use to put yourself live with a computer and a webcam. You can broadcast live video from your cam, record your sessions and embed the player anywhere you want. Your viewers can send you feedback via the integrated text-chat in the player, without even signing up. Free to use.

I have not tested this service yet, but will soon.
http://www.blogtv.com/

5. Justin.tv

Justin.tv is a video streaming service, originally featuring Justin broadcasting his life 24/7 from a hat-webcam, that lets people stream their own video. With a simple registration and a webcam, you can broadcast live video at absolutely no cost, embed it on any site and chat with your viewers. Free.

I have used this service for 3 to 4 weeks now. It appears more stable than most and even has a nice feature where it will set your bandwidth for you to get the most out of your video. The downside is, that in order to reset your bandwidth, you must stop broadcasting in order to do this. Has a few quirks, but seems usable for most live videocasts.
http://www.justin.tv/

6. Kyte

Kyte is a multimedia broadcasting service that lets users put any type of content online. To start a new channel just register for free, decide whether you want to stream pictures, videos, or live images from your webcam, and embed the player anywhere so that people can watch your show and send you feedback via integrated text chat. Free to use.

I have not tested this service yet.
http://www.kyte.tv/

7. http://www.stickam.com/

Stickam is a live video streaming solution that allows you to interact with your viewers. After a free and simple registration, you can create your show, both with live and pre-recorded material, and embed it on your site. People can interact with you with text-chat or by adding their webcam and microphone to the conference, up to 6 guest video spaces. Free.

I have just started testing this service. It has the automatic bandwidth setting and will monitor and reset your bandwidth during your live show. I have not used this for a live show yet, but plan to within the next couple of weeks.
http://www.stickam.com/

8. Operator 11

Operator 11 is a website that lets you create video shows. You can stream live with your webcam and other participants can go themselves live with audio and video if the host decides so. Pre-recorded video clips can be mixed in or they can be broadcast live by anyone. All the live shows are automatically recorded so that you can embed them on your website right after. Operator 11 is free to use.

I have not tested this service yet. You are limited to 40 minutes of live show time at first. As you record more shows and use the service more frequently, you are awarded more points towards time limits and features.
http://operator11.com/

9. LiveVideo

LiveVideo is a free website where you can create your own video channel and stream your webcam video. After you create your channel, users can start watching you and add their own webcams to create a conference room where you can talk and text-chat. Registration is needed in order to use the service.

I have not tested this service yet.
http://www.livevideo.com/

10. Veetle

Veetle is a video streaming service that allows you to watch and broadcast live video in high quality. After a free signup, you can create your channel and start broadcasting both pre-recorded and live images from your camera. Viewers will need to install Veetle TV in order to watch you, and they will be able to join the show text-chat. Free.

I have not tested this service yet.
http://www.veetle.com/

11. Yaika

Yaika is a free video platform that anyone with a laptop and a camera can use to instantly stream a breaking story or share an experience, live on the Internet. After you register, you can put yourself live on the Internet with a click of a button, and stream live video instantly to the world. Shows get automatically registered and stored on the site. Free.

I have tested this service only broadcasting, not recording. Upon checking out the other shows, I noticed that there is an Erotic channel that can be gotten into as long as you tell the service that you are over the age of 18. This channel, although only has a few shows on it, does contain nudity. I may not use this service because of wanting to keep my show rated for all audiences and not wanting to expose my younger crowd to these types of channels.
http://yaika.com/

12. Veodia

Veodia is video streaming solution that you can use to broadcast live and on-demand video. With a webcam and a microphone, you can start your live sessions anywhere you are, with the possibility of uploading MP4/H264 videos, and people will be able to watch you through a multi-platform player. When you press Stop, your recording is instantly available for on-demand playback. To use it you can start a free trial.

I have not tested this service yet.
http://www.veodia.com/

13. Streamavideo

Streamavideo is a free portal that allows you to stream live video or upload recorded ones. You can send and stream live video right from your camera and have a live preview of how your video will look. You can also chat with your viewers, record video from your camera and have video conferences. The service is free to use.

I have signed up for an account here, however, I have not tested this service yet.
http://www.streamavideo.com/

I am not presenting this list to draw any conclusions about how good or how bad any one service is. I have put down my notes as to what I have experienced or have seen while using these services. It is up to the individual to make their own conclusions and test out these services for themselves.

Is this list complete? Most likely not. Services like these are coming online more and more every week with the growing popularity of videocasting. If you know of a service that is not listed here, please take a minute to place a link in the comments and I will be happy to check it out! Who knows, you may find the next service that I use as my new video home for my shows!

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