|
Background and Definitions - "Setting Expectations"
Dualstreaming on TheStage refers to two individuals simultaneously performing on TheStage.tv. Given the inherent network latency of the Internet (round trip times typically greater than 60 milliseconds (potentially much, much greater)) dual (bi-directional) real-time interactivity with no latency is not technically feasible (by anyone, with the exception of using telephone landlines).
However, TheStage.tv technicians have come up with a variation of dual-streaming (we refer to it as real-time relay) that is useful for performers and very entertaining for a live audience, and has many unique and valuable features.
While the PRIMARY performer can get by without a mixer, the SECONDARY must have a mixer and be reasonably sophisticated when it comes to understanding their audio configuration and setup (non-mixer configurations are possible, email support@thestage.tv for information). It is technically called RELAY because the PRIMARY cannot hear the SECONDARY, but the SECONDARY can hear the PRIMARY. Eventually we may enable the PRIMARY to hear the SECONDARY in certain low-latency cases. The setup can be daisy-chained together to link an arbitrary number of performers (details available in the near future.)
Dualstreaming consists of a PRIMARY and a SECONDARY. When the PRIMARY performs, their audio stream is sent to the SECONDARY, and their (the PRIMARY's) video stream is sent simultaneously to TheStage.tv for the audience to view. The PRIMARY's audio stream is NOT sent directly to TheStage.tv, it is only sent to the Parnter so it can be merged with the SECONDARY's audio feed in real-time.
The SECONDARY receives the PRIMARY's audio stream, performs to that stream in real-time, and the combined audio stream from the SECONDARY and PRIMARY is merged into a single stream with no latency, and sent to TheStage.tv along with the video of the SECONDARY.
Benefit #1: The audience sees LIVE video of both the PRIMARY and the SECONDARY.
Benefit #2: The audience hears NO latency at all (absolutely zero latency) in the live, combined audio streams.
Benefit #3: The audience sees absolutely no latency between the SECONDARY's video and the merged audio stream.
Benefit #4: The video of the SECONDARY and the combined audio is recorded and uploaded to YouTube.
Benefit #5: An MP3 of the combined audio streams (no latency) is immediately available for download after the performance.
Benefit #6: Because relay is being used, the PRIMARY and SECONDARY can be separated by large distances (continents) and the increased latency will not impact the synchronization of the audio.
Requirements for the PRIMARY:
- Must have performed on the TheStage.tv previously as an individual, to ensure computer and network operate properly.
- Upload speed at least 400Kbps
- Webcam
- Mixer (optional) if the PRIMARY wants to have multiple audio sources (e.g. mic, guitar, back track, etc.)
Requirements for the SECONDARY:
- Must have performed on the TheStage.tv previously as an individual, to ensure computer and network operate properly.
- Upload speed at least 400Kbps
- Webcam
- Mixer - REQUIRED - must also have headphones-out jack (if you don't have a mixer, contact support@whdc.tv)
- Headphones
- Cable to go from line-out of sound card to a mixer input jack
- Optional: Y-Cable to keep existing line-out from computer but also send line-out to a mixer input
Setup: Basic Steps
The SECONDARY setup MUST be completed first.
For the SECONDARY:
- Connect your mic or guitar into one of your mixer inputs
- Connect the line-out of your computer to one of your mixer inputs. If you will want to keep your existing line-out configuration, use a Y-cable.
- Plug your headphones in to the mixer headphone jack so you can monitor what you are playing (and then the PRIMARY connects to you, you will hear the PRIMARY's performance in real time)
- Login to TheStage.tv
- You can control the volume of the line-out of your computer (which goes to a mixer input) via the mixer level controls, to ensure you do not get very loud sounds into your headphones. We recommend wearing the headphones above your ears until you verify the levels are correct!
- Click PERFORM NOW
- Click CAMERA TESTER
- Make sure your camera is working, and that your audio is coming from line-in (fed by the mixer output) and that the levels are correct. Make sure the Camera Tester has the correct audio input sources selected. The Camera Tester will tell you about your levels. Don't worry about not hearing your partner now. This is just to ensure your setup is correct.
- Adjust the master out levels from the mixer so that the Tester shows "mic levels are good" as much as possible. If the headphone volume is too loud (or too soft) when you get the Tester levels correct, you'll need to adjust your system sound levels for the device either up or down, using your operating (Mac or Windows) control panel.
- If the line-out from the computer (that is plugged into a mixer input) is creating a feedback look, it means that the operating system of your computer is automatically routing line-in to line-out (Flash does not do this). In Windows, double click on the speaker icon (lower right) and select the mixer. Click MUTE on the line-in device and this will disable Windows from automatically copying line-in to line-out. (Mac instructions coming soon.)
- Click "STOP RECORDING" and playback the recording to verify things sound correct. This is just the normal operation as if you were on TheStage.tv yourself. If you obtained corrected levels in the previous step, the levels should sound fine on playback.
- Once you verify correct operation of your setup, click the lower right DUAL STREAM link
- Your camera tester window will automatically close - this is OK. You can bring it up again later on before going LIVE, if you like.
- You will be prompted for the YouTube name of the person you are dual streaming with (not case sensitive) and whether you are the PRIMARY or SECONDARY. Click SECONDARY.
- The P2P Connection Manager window will popup (enable popups in your browser if you have not done so)
- (At this point you can contact the PRIMARY and tell them to follow the steps below for them)
- Set the level on your mixer for the input (from line-out of the computer) to zero so you don't have excessive volume from the PRIMARY.
- You will see the state of you being connected to your partner, and the partner being connected to you. Wait for both to be connected. You can chat during the process.
- Gradually raise the level of the mixer input that comes from line-out of the computer. This is the level of the PRIMARY. Make sure you adjust their volume with the mixer to be the correct level compared to your input (mic, guitar, etc.) Use the chat to coordinate testing. You might have to ask the PRIMARY to increase or lower the level they are sending to you. Note that the line-out level coming from your computer is also controlled by your system sounds control panel and this could possible be too high or too low as well.
- If this is your first time dual streaming, it is advisable you bring up the Camera tester again to now test the combined stream (it was automatically closed for you in the earlier steps). Click the CAMERA TESTER link on Signup screen. Run the Camera Tester while you are dual streaming, check the levels, and playback the test to make sure the levels are correct.
- Once everything is working to your satisfaction, fill out the Signup page and get in the queue. Your partner (PRIMARY) will see in their Connection Manager when you have TheStage, and they will begin at that time.
- When you are LIVE on TheStage, you'll see a link "WATCH DUAL STREAM WITH xxxxx". DO NOT CLICK ON THIS AS IT WILL REDUCE YOUR BANDWIDTH. This is for the audience to watch the PRIMARY.
- When you are done remember to close the Peer-to-Peer Connection Manager
For the PRIMARY:
- Login to TheStage.tv
- Click on PERFORM NOW
- Click on CAMERA TESTER
- Make sure your video is appearing (ignore any audio settings)
- Click on the LOWER RIGHT "Dual Stream"; This will erase the contents of TheStage.tv window/tab. This is intentional as it prevents bandwidth loss that would otherwise occur if you were watching TheStage.tv.
- You will be prompted for the YouTube name of the person you are dual streaming with (not case sensitive) and whether you are the PRIMARY or SECONDARY. Click PRIMARY.
- The P2P Connection Manager will appear
- You will see the state of you being connected to your partner, and the partner being connected to you. Wait for both to be connected. You can chat during the process.
- You will NOT be able to hear your partner, but you can chat with them at the bottom of the panel
- Click on "Flash Settings" to make sure the correct input device is used (click on the mic icon if your audio devices don't appear)
- Adjust the volume slider in Flash Settings to avoid being too loud or too soft, make sure the levels change as you sing or play
- You do not have to click "Reduce Echo" (makes no difference)
- Note: while using the Flash Settings, Flash will temporarily send audio from your input to your line-out. When you close the Settings panel, it will stop.
- Use the Chat area to verify your partner can hear you ok and to know when they are going to click "PEFORM NOW"
- When the SECONDARY is live on TheStage, you will see the text "PARTNER DOES NOT YET HAVE THE STAGE" change to "PARTNER IS LIVE ON THE STAGE".
- When the dual stream performance is complete, remember to close the Camera Tester window! Do not close the Camera Tester until the dual stream is complete or no one will see you!
- When you are done also remember to close the Peer-to-Peer Connection Manager
Report problems/questions to support@thestage.tv.
Troubleshooting Problems:
- If you are the PRIMARY and the SECONDARY cannot connect to you, it is probably a firewall setting. Make sure the Microsoft Windows firewall is turned off while you are dual streaming. In Windows, go to the Control Panel, then Security Center, and then choose to TURN OFF the Windows Firewall (or other firewall product if you are using one.) Please make a note to remember to turn your firewall back on as TheStage.tv is not liable for any viruses or damage as a result of disabling your firewall.
- If the primary has no video, it means their camera tester window closed down or is no longer operating. Close the Peer-to-Peer connection manager and start over (the SECONDARY will automatically reconnect to you).
|
