USTREAM Broadcaster: Live Video Broadcasting Comes to the iPhone

**nickhesson** · 12-09-2009, 02:03 PM

No, there isn't a family guy USTREAM channel, I just couldn't resist.

Earlier this month, we had discussed the new Video Broadcasting iPhone app called 'Knocking' that brought live streaming to the iPhone. Despite being one of the first to enter the AppStore with streaming video, it was only able to do iPhone to iPhone broadcasting. Unfortunately we learned that it was somewhat of a disappointment, considering it hardly ever worked right.

If you've had a Jailbroken iPhone for awhile now, you may recall the USTREAM apps that had been available via Cydia. These apps were eventually pulled from Cydia and we had seen no activity since. Today, USTREAM has released an official App, available now in the AppStore, that enables live broadcasting from you iPhone to the USTREAM's web service.

The iPhone app gives you the option to both stream live as well as share video as a recording. The app works via both 3G and Wi-Fi, and it even works on both the iPhone 3G and 3GS. It's a little laggy on the 3G, which is expected, but it works flawlessly. (Well almost, the audio is a little bit delayed, again this is on the 3G so it might be better on a 3GS.) You also have the ability to tweet your videos, share on facebook, and participate in live chats for your broadcast. USTREAM has said to be working on adding more social features to the application soon.

Ustream, established March 2007, is a website which consists of network of diverse channels providing a platform for lifecasting and live video streaming of events online.[3] The website has over 2,000,000 registered users who generate 1,500,000+ hours of live streamed content per month with over ten million unique hits per month. It received $11.1 million in Series A funding for new product development from DCM and investors Labrador Ventures and Band of Angels.

USTREAM these days, is more known for its live broadcasts of shows like Diggnation and the Brian Bushwood Show. More and more celebrities are using USTREAM now as well, such as Bands, Artists, Actors, MTV Icons, and so on, drawing anywhere from 2,000-80,000+ viewers at one time. Everything is interactive and the broadcasters usually watch the chat room fill with questions and try to answer them. Not only do all of these networks seem to flock to USTREAM these days, but what made USTREAM so popular in the first place was "during the 2008 United States presidential election, the website was used by nearly all the main candidates to help their campaign, by allowing a larger amount of voters to ask political questions." Now YOU can start your own broadcast from your iPhone. If only it had a front facing camera

All of this seems to coincide with the release of Knocking, and how it somehow removed the rule of "no live streaming" from Apple's List of Commandments. Perhaps this means we will see more apps coming out that support such streaming features. Will they finally loosen those ropes? We'll see, maybe Sling will come back.

USTREAM Live Broadcaster requires an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS running OS 3.1 or later and is available as a free download from the App Store.

**rhekt** · 12-09-2009, 02:06 PM

im gonna check this out. looks good

**unfeomateo** · 12-09-2009, 02:22 PM

Would be nicer if the search worked on the viewing app. Its not possible for me to find any live stream thats not "featured"

**zinjen** · 12-09-2009, 02:52 PM

It's a nice app, but the Knocking App atleast allows iphone to iphone video conferencing, only 1 way but still works. This appears to only provide a link on the web to be streamed.

**n00neimp0rtant** · 12-09-2009, 02:56 PM

Crazy how they'll allow a video STREAMING app for the 3G in the App Store, but won't turn on video RECORDING for the 3G.

**nickhesson** · 12-09-2009, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by zinjen

It's a nice app, but the Knocking App atleast allows iphone to iphone video conferencing, only 1 way but still works. This appears to only provide a link on the web to be streamed.

Not everyone has an iPhone. Streaming to the web is much more convenient and provides a wider network to access your stream.

As I just learned, USTREAM Viewer does NOT let you view someones iPhone broadcast

**Nazaroth** · 12-09-2009, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by nickhesson

Using USTREAM Viewer, you can do what Knocking is doing except with multiple people, and people without iPhones, or iPhone users without Knocking, along with chat.

And it doesn't seem to have the connection bugs that Knocking has.

No offence but the above statement is incorrect, the only way someone can view your live stream using the USTREAM Viewer app is if the person broadcasting has sent an email to USTREAM requesting to have their channel added to the featured section and then gets approved and added, which let's face it, defeats the object if you have to wait that long.

**zinjen** · 12-09-2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by nickhesson

Not everyone has an iPhone. Streaming to the web is much more convenient and provides a wider network to access your stream.

Using USTREAM Viewer, you can do what Knocking is doing except with multiple people, and people without iPhones, or iPhone users without Knocking, along with chat.

And it doesn't seem to have the connection bugs that Knocking has.

I agree Knocking is not fully functional 100% of the time. When you say that people can do iphone to iphone web conferencing please share because I would love to use a better alternative.

I did download the app and the only way I can an iphone user to see the vid would be by having them log into safari. Is this correct or am I missing something?

**mikerlx** · 12-09-2009, 03:32 PM

anyone tried it on the original iphone?

**Nazaroth** · 12-09-2009, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by zinjen

I did download the app and the only way I can an iphone user to see the vid would be by having them log into safari. Is this correct or am I missing something?

You cannot view the videos in safari either as they require flash as far as I can see.

**romeo_herman** · 12-09-2009, 03:52 PM

Uwaaaa...TV.....

**nickhesson** · 12-09-2009, 03:58 PM

Yup, I lose, Totally blew that one. I never realized the USTREAM Viewer app only lets you search featured.

Sorry guys. Chalk this one up to iPhone Broadcaster to Web Only

Or in some cases, droid phones (flash is just about ready for droid)

**fmt** · 12-09-2009, 05:19 PM

Did you all forgot about Qik?
The version of Qik on cydia also do live streaming.
The version on the appstore just record and upload to their site.

**fdjordan** · 12-09-2009, 05:33 PM

Qik and Bambuser are both easy to use alternatives for iphone to web stream.

**rhekt** · 12-09-2009, 07:18 PM

well after downloading/agreeing to legal/setting up account w/ email and password/finally being able to experiment. it is extremely limited. enables video for 3G, however you can only upload to twitter facebook and youtube.....oh yeah and ustreams servers.....useless.

**tudtran** · 12-09-2009, 08:07 PM

Cool but i don't wanna get penalize for high bandwidth.

**cphase** · 12-09-2009, 08:47 PM

Another app which requires 3.1... This app, along with Dragon Dictate, is making me want to finally update...

**GenesisDH** · 12-09-2009, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by mikerlx

anyone tried it on the original iphone?

It installed and works on my 2G just as well as on my 3G (at least for recording to phone). I'd imagine it'd require wifi for live broadcasting from the 2G.

Just thought I'd mention: Broadcaster records local (and I presume live) videos as FLV... Interesting.

**e10100** · 12-09-2009, 10:55 PM

I don't know.. seems pretty legit but could have a lot of problems at the same time.

**iphonerookie** · 12-10-2009, 12:55 AM

personally...goto qik.com and sign up and download qik from cydia. way better, nicer interface, reliable. don't d*ck around with the appstore crap lol

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