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Choose Content Format and Software for Your Virtual Events: https://help.pm.leapevent.tech/a/1278216
There are different ways to set up a virtual event in PatronManager, based on content format. Your options are:
- Livestream (RTMP)
- Livestream (External)
- Video on Demand
In this article, we'll:
- Decide on a content format
- For "Livestream (RTMP), decide which broadcast software to use
What content format should I use?
Before you can create your Event Instance and start selling tickets, you'll need to decide where you'll host your event. Your options are:
- Livestream (RTMP)
- Livestream (External)
- Video on Demand
Here's some information to help you make that decision!
You cannot change the Content Format after creating the Event Instance.
First, ask yourself:
- Does the event take place at a specific date/time? If so, you'll choose one of the Livestream options.
- Do you need interactivity, like for a class or a discussion? If so, "Livestream (External)" - and specifically Zoom - is your friend.
- Is your event free of charge? "Livestream (External)" is the best choice here.
- Do you need to securely gate access so that viewers can't share their access link with anyone else? "Livestream (RTMP)" is the only way to do this for livestreams. Video on Demand has specific options as well.
- Are you planning a webinar or panel discussion, with multiple participants or performers from multiple devices? We highly recommend StreamYard via the "Livestream (RTMP)" option.
- Do you want to "livestream" pre-recorded content, for patrons to watch at a specific date/time? "Livestream (RTMP)" using OBS Studio is a good option here.
Next, review each option more thoroughly
Note: all three options allow you to:
- Sell tickets through PatronManager and collect patron data
- Automatically track attendance when a patron clicks the link to view
This option lets you stream content through the proprietary PatronManager player interface using RTMP (Real Time Messaging Protocol).
You will need to capture your content using video software that supports RTMP broadcasts, and we've outlined some options for you below.
Pros:
- Securely gates access (ticket-holders will not be able to share their unique viewing link)
- Custom messaging is available for the player page and can be set separately for before, during, and after the event
Cons:
-
Lacks interactivity features you'd find in a platform like Zoom
- note: chat functionality is coming soon
- Must be ticketed via PatronManager (you can't send out the link separately)
This option uses PatronManager and the PatronManager player as a gateway, but lets you host your event on a different platform: for example, in a Zoom meeting or webinar, on YouTube, etc.
This is useful if you need the ability to interact with your audience for things like a class or a discussion, if you're doing a free event where views are more important than enforcing access control, or if you want to be able to welcome viewers without requiring a ticket purchase.
Pros:
- Use a platform like Zoom for interactivity features (chat, Q&A for webinars, allow viewers to interact via audio/video for meetings, etc)
- Take advantage of other platform features that aren't yet available in the PatronManager player interface
- You can share the link to view anywhere and with anyone, so you don't have to require all viewers to go through PatronManager for tickets
Cons:
- Cannot gate access securely (even if patrons have to purchase a ticket to get the access link initially, there's nothing to prevent them from sharing the link once they have it)
- The PatronManager player is only used as a "gateway" -- no custom messaging during or after the stream
This option allows you to upload a video asset to your Event Instance and sell time-bound tickets for your patrons to access the content when they choose.
No special software is required, and nearly all video file formats will work. Here are a couple things to note:
- You may only upload a single video file to an Event Instance -- if your content currently exists across several files, you'll need to first combine them into one.
- The video may automatically start playing in some browsers when the patron reaches the player page. Consider this when preparing your video file -- you may wish to avoid sudden loud sounds at the start.
I chose "Livestream (RTMP)". What broadcast software should I use?
Here's a little more info about the software you'll need in order to broadcast your content to the PatronManager player. We've got three recommended options, plus some notes on a few others:
StreamYard is our top recommendation.
Pros:
- Extremely user-friendly interface
- Browser-based (nothing to download)
- Simple way to add featured presenters or performers to your livestream so you can have a panel discussion, interview special guests with ease, and present a professional look
Cons:
- Paid service - currently $250-$500 annually depending on the plan
- A bit restricted in flexibility
- Has a video upload limit of 100mb (suitable for many uses, but not for a high-def performance)
- Switching views/input sources (adding panelists etc) requires a couple clicks, so the transitions aren't entirely seamless
Note: the free version of StreamYard does not support RTMP, so you’ll need to select the Basic or Professional plan.
In most cases, the basic plan should meet your needs.
We've put together a guide to help you get started with StreamYard; click below to get the PDF!
OBS Studio is a good option if you have someone on staff with relatively strong tech capabilities/comfort.
Pros:
- Free (and open-source)
- Wide range of flexibility
- Ideal for those wanting to use pre-recorded video as the main source for their livestream
- Allows you to set up multiple "scenes" in advance and then transition smoothly between them (a pre-recorded video as a curtain speech, then over to your livestream, etc)
Cons:
- Less intuitive user interface
- More difficult to add panelists (aka multiple video streams from separate locations)
- No support (because it's free), though there is an active online user community and video tutorials available
We've put together a guide to help you get started with OBS Studio; click below to get the PDF!
Streamlabs uses OBS for the underlying software, and puts a friendlier user interface on top.
Pros:
- Free
- Slightly friendlier interface than OBS
Cons:
- A little less flexible/more locked down than OBS
In addition to our top recommendations above, some of our clients have experimented with other platforms, and we've collected a few notes on those here.
In addition to hosting events within Zoom itself, the Pro version of Zoom supports broadcasting a Meeting (but not a Webinar!) to RTMP.
Pros:
- You may already have it and it may be most familiar
Cons:
- Requires the paid version
- Not designed for true video production -- ok for streaming a lecture or a panel discussion, not great for streaming a performance or a more complex event
Livestream.com is owned by Vimeo, and is not an option we recommend for streaming to the PatronManager player.
If you do use it, please be aware that it requires a different Stream URL from the one provided on your "Livestream (RTMP)" Event Instance. Use this one instead:
rtmp://global-live.mux.com:5222/app
Wirecast is a paid platform that may not be well-suited for most of our clients.
If you do use it, please be aware that it requires a different Stream URL from the one provided on your "Livestream (RTMP)" Event Instance. Use this one instead:
rtmps://global-live.mux.com:443/app
I chose "Livestream (External)". What are my platform options?
You can host your external stream on a number of platforms:
- Twitch
- Vimeo (including livestream.com)
- YouTube
- Zoom
All you'll need is the link to view your stream (and you can change the link anytime before the Instance Date). There are a few extra considerations if you're using Zoom, so we've collected those below.
Note: you will need a paid Zoom Pro account, as the free version is too limited.
Zoom is the ubiquitous meeting and webinar solution these days, and it has lots of good interactivity features, including both Meeting and Webinar options.
Zoom is your best resource for details and features included with each option, but here are three additional considerations:
1. Set a password
Zoom has recently enhanced their security offerings, and we encourage you to take advantage of these features (for both meetings and webinars).
2. Use a different Meeting ID for each event
Zoom Pro accounts come with a "personal meeting ID", but don't use that for public events.
For anything you'll hook up to PatronManager, be sure to create it as a unique Zoom Meeting or Webinar with its own unique link.
3. If using a Zoom Webinar, do NOT require registration
Zoom Webinars let you choose whether or not to collect registrations, but for your purposes here, your patrons will "register" by purchasing a ticket through PatronManager, so you must not require registrations for the webinar when you set it up in Zoom.
If your webinar is set to require Zoom registration, patrons would be forced to register again at the start of the session, and they'll miss the beginning of your event.
Note: you can (and should) set it to require a password!
