Telestream Enhances Wirecast Live-Webcasting Software

Telestream has announced new features and key partner integrations for its Wirecast live Webcasting software. Wirecast and Wirecast Pro provide live-switching, production, and streaming capabilities that allow anyone to easily create real-time or on-demand video broadcasts for the Web. Wirecast 4.1 enables users to broadcast live interviews with remote speakers and guests with Wirecast Desktop Presenter, which now adds audio to existing video support.

Partner integrations — with LiveU for its video-over-cellular transmission backpack, Teradek Cube to stream HD video over WiFi, Matrox Multi-Ingest to enable four simultaneous HD-SDI inputs, and Viewcast Osprey capture cards — enhance flexibility in professional, live-broadcast environments.

Wirecast 4.1 integrates audio with video in Wirecast Desktop Presenter to provide support for Skype or any chat client. When combined with Wirecast’s ability to display multiple camera feeds on a single screen, this allows users to see and hear multiple speakers or guests for news or video talk-show programs.

Partner Integrations
Wirecast integration with the LiveU bonded 4G LTE/3G video-transmission backpack provides a portable solution suitable for live news, sports, entertainment, and enterprise video. The solution allows users to either transmit live video from roaming LiveU backpacks to a remote Wirecast computer (Windows only), for editing and distribution from the main location, or feed a fully produced, single- or multi-camera live show from Wirecast software to a LiveU backpack at any location for high-quality transmission (Mac and Windows).

This provides a more robust and resilient uplink than using a single aircard or a WiFi connection in the field and offers a more affordable and flexible alternative to satellite uplink or Ethernet. LiveU integration is especially useful when combined with Wirecast Pro’s advanced live video production features, such as virtual sets and scoreboards. At the NAB Show, Telestream is using LiveU backpacks to transmit the news while roaming the exhibit floor.

“LiveU provides great and easy uplink from anywhere; Wirecast provides great switching and graphics, and both solutions are portable and cost-effective,” said Ken Zamkow, director of sales and marketing at LiveU.

Wirecast Pro integration with Teradek Cube turns any camera into a wireless camera. Users can plug any HD-SDI or HDMI camera into Teradek Cube to encode and submit camera feeds directly over WiFi to Wirecast. This integration is being demonstrated by Telestream and Teradek at Booths SL3309 and C11831, respectively.

Wirecast integration with Matrox Multi-Ingest capture card enables four simultaneous live HD-SDI inputs into Wirecast or Wirecast Pro for Mac. This is useful for journalists and videographers capturing and producing live broadcasts from the field using multiple cameras. It also solves the common challenge of how to efficiently add more camera sources to Wirecast software running on standard desktop computers.

“Producers of live Web video productions strive for audience engagement, and one of the best ways to enliven an event is with a multicamera shoot that captures the action from all angles,” said Wayne Andrews, product manager at Matrox. “Now, with the powerful combination of Wirecast Pro software, the Matrox Multi-Ingest card capture card, and a Mac Pro, switching between up to four high-quality camera feeds is easy.”

Support for Viewcast Osprey video capture cards is also included in Wirecast and Wirecast Pro 4.1 for Windows. Integrated support includes Osprey 240e, 450e, and 700e capture cards.

Wirecast at the NAB Show
Wirecast and Wirecast Pro 4.1 are being demonstrated at this week’s NAB Show at the Telestream booth (SL3309), where broadcasts are being streamed daily on TelestreamLIVE at www.justin.tv/telestreamlive. NAB media partner FilmmakingCentral is using Wirecast to stream daily live broadcasts from the show floor on the FilmmakingCentral Website and the NAB Show Website. Wirecast is also being used by Pixel Corps to stream the Final Cut Pro User Group (FCPUG) SuperMeet on Tuesday evening April 12 from Bally’s Hotel on the Pixel Corp. Website and the SuperMeet Website.

Availability
Wirecast and Wirecast Pro 4.1 will be available as free upgrades in the second quarter. Wirecast 4.1 is priced at $449, Wirecast Pro at $995. Wirecast products are available for a free trial and online purchase at www.telestream.net. They are also available for purchase through a network of Telestream resellers and affiliates.