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Getting Started with Studio
Getting Started with Studio

In this article we cover the fundamentals of Studio product

Swati Sehrawat avatar
Written by Swati Sehrawat
Updated over a week ago

How to access Studio

Studio is first accessed by creating a Studio file inside of your Event Dashboard. This is done by clicking the blue "Create new" button at the top right of the dashboard.

When you click on the newly created Studio file, you will enter that Studio's Host View. This is the view that will be used by the Video Host of the show and where that person will control the Stage output. Speakers, Videos, Screen shares, and Content are all added and edited here. This view will have the stage live view at the top, the inputs below that, and all overlays, banners, and other customizations and tools on the right.

Add your camera

When loading into Host view, you will be requested to select which of your device's available cameras and microphones you want to use. Then, click "Enter the Studio". You will automatically be added as a source.

If you were to remove yourself as a source, you could easily re-add it by clicking on the "Manage" button at the top right of your source list and then selecting the "Add your camera" option from that dropdown.

Add Screen share

Similar to how you would add your local camera, click on the 'Manage' button but this time select the Screen Share option. Then, in the modal that appears, select the screen or part of your screen that you wish to share.

Up to two concurrent screen shares are possible in Studio. So, both the Host and a Speaker can share their screen or two different Speakers.

Add Content

You can also add Content such as pre-recorded videos or images as inputs. To upload Content into Studio, scroll down below where your Speakers appear and click "Manage" and choose "Upload content" After you've chosen the file you want to upload and give it a name, click "Create" and when it has finished uploading, it will appear as a new input under the Content tab.

The Filesize limit is currently 1GB. Though these large file sizes are supported, be mindful of the video's bitrate for smooth playback. We recommend sub-10 Mbps. We currently support H.264/AAC video in an MP4 wrapper/extension.

Add Overlays + Backgrounds

Overlays and backgrounds can be useful in giving your production a professional look and feel for your audience. You can add your own custom overlays and backgrounds from the Brand tab by clicking "Add New" from either the overlays or backgrounds section. Just as you would add content, simply choose the file you want to upload and after you've entered the desired name, click "Add".

The file size limit for Overlays and Backgrounds is 5MB. Backgrounds are going to be the bottom layer in the stack and overlays are going to be the top layer, with video or screen shares existing between these two. When turning on multiple overlays, the last one activated will be the topmost.

Create/Add Lower thirds

Lower Thirds is a great tool for providing the audience with additional information about a Speaker or the topic that the Speaker is talking about. When used, they will appear in the Lower Thirds of the program. You can add a Lower third in the Banners tab by selecting "Add New". A modal will appear which allows you to enter the desired information as well as choose a Lower Third's style and accent color. Clicking "Submit" will create a Lower Third with the chosen settings.

How to add remote speakers

Remote Speakers can be added via the invite link. In Host View, you can access and share the invite link to Speakers using the "Copy Invite Link" button at the top right. Once a Speaker clicks the link and enters their name, they can Request Access. This request is seen by the Host, who must approve it before a Speaker can join. Upon approval, the remote Speaker will be loaded into the Speaker View and can now be added to the Stage by the Host.

Speaker View

Once added, remote Speakers will be brought into Speaker View. This adds the Speaker's video and audio feed to the Host View. From Speaker's View, Speakers will be able to watch the Stage program as well as see other Speakers. As a Speaker, you also have access to a few controls such as muting or stopping your video feed as needed. By clicking the "Settings" button, you can also switch Video and Mic settings. You also have the option to share screens which will be seen as an additional Screenshare in Host View.

Auto Layout and the layout buttons

The auto layout options are visible beneath the program in Host View. These preset layouts make it simple to transition between different Speakers/Content layouts. It also allows you dynamically add and delete to the program without having to arrange them each time. Auto Layouts will automatically put the added Speakers/Content in the right spot according to the selected layout. After enabling your desired Speakers/Content or screen shares clicking one of the auto layouts will automatically arrange and bring the selected ones on Stage.

Controlling audio and video of speakers

While in the Host view, it's important to have controls that allow you to enable or disable a Speaker's audio or video independently. If a Speaker or Content is selected, audio controls are easily accessible to the right of their preview. Clicking the "Show/Hide" button allows you to control whether their Video feed will appear in the program.

Streaming to an endpoint

A streaming endpoint such as Youtube, Facebook, etc. can be added using the Endpoints tab at the bottom right of Host View. Simply click "Add New" and enter your endpoint's information into the RMTP Endpoint modal. To add an endpoint, you'll need your Stream Key and your Stream URL. In this modal, you also have the option to select the Advanced settings to make more technical adjustments to the stream output.

FAQ

What is the delay?

We use WebRTC and the delay is sub one second so it's comparable to Zoom and other web conferencing tools.

What is the user limit?

You can have up to 25 participants, 10 of which can be live (sharing their video or screen) at any given time.

Are my speakers required to have a Studio account?

No, anyone with the Host-provided link will be able to access the Speaker area and become a speaker, once approved by the Host.

Can a speaker share their screen and their video at the same time?

Yes, Studio was designed to allow your speakers to share their screen and video at the same time.

What Endpoint protocols does Studio support?

Studio currently allows you to use RTMP/RTMPS as a way to send your stream to different endpoints. SRT, HLS, HDS, and RTSP are not currently supported by Studio

What is WebRTC?

WebRTC is the technology used by Studio to accomplish sub-one-second delays for speaker camera sources.

What is Mix/Minus?

The removal of your own audio from the audio stream so that you don't hear yourself through the microphone of your audience

Can the host speak with speakers without it going live?

Yes, right now, you can communicate with all the speakers via the chat window. Hosts can also toggle on the Mute broadcast mics option within the gear icon next to Manage, to create a green room within the Studio for backstage comms.

Can I stream to endpoints that are located outside of the US?

Yes, Studio does not prevent you from streaming to endpoints located outside the US, just set it up the same way you would with any other endpoint.

Can I set up a redundant backup stream to my endpoint to avoid any disruption if one of them has an issue?

Yes, Studio has the ability to have streams running to multiple endpoints. If your endpoint supports having a backup stream, you can set it up using the settings provided by the endpoint. Click here for more info on how to set up an Endpoint in Studio.

What are the limitations of video files, and what formats do you recommend?

For video, we support H.264 encoded video with AAC-encoded audio in an MP4 extension. Video files are also limited in bit rate, anything below 15mbps is allowed and the total file size can be no bigger than 1GB

Are there any restrictions on Content, Backgrounds, Lower thirds, or Overlays?

Overlays and backgrounds are limited to 5Mb in size and JPG, JPEG, and PNG are the preferred file types. We strongly encourage you to compress the files and ensure they are no larger than 1920x1080. Lower Thirds have no file size limit but there is a character limit that varies depending on which characters are used.

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