Last week, Marcelo Moyano, co-founder and COO of StreamVoodoo.com, gave me a demo of StreamVoodoo, a “broadcast-quality, no complexity, ultra-low-latency streaming utility that requires no hardware.”
Implemented via a subscription-based cloud connection or local app on your Mac, StreamVoodoo offers “ultra-low latency studios in the cloud with 2-way studio quality sound for multiple live connections at 4k or Full HD 1080p at 60fps with up to 20mbps. Full remote control.”
Frankly, it’s pretty amazing. The problem is figuring out how it works.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
StreamVoodoo allows you to stream high-quality live video to one person, a group or a crowd; though it is optimized for small groups. The source could be a webcam, video on your computer, or the output of an on-going project in Final Cut, Premiere or DaVinci Resolve. All the audience needs is a web browser. No special software. No logins. No accounts. One click and they are in.
“Using the power of M-series chips, you can manage multiple live videos with ease. Each video is independent, you have total control of each.” (StreamVoodoo)
You can originate one stream to one or more viewers of any length and at any time for only $30 per month. StreamVoodoo provides a variety of plans supporting from one to ten separate streams to a number of viewers.
NOTE: There are five different pricing plans, but no explanation of the differences between them. As an example, even after reading their website, I’m still unclear on the differences between a “studio,” a “channel,” a “connection,” and a “room.”
While StreamVoodoo provides video streaming to groups of less than 100 viewers, sending video to a large audience requires a separate multicast service, which can get really expensive. (More than 100 viewers requires a separate plan.)
Viewers don’t need any special hardware, software, or even a StreamVoodoo account. All media is viewed in their browser. They simply click one link to join a stream. Even better, the service is private, the developer collects no data from the app or the stream.
NOTE: Here’s a demo video that shows this in action.
The Mac App is available, free, from the Mac App store. The problem is that, once you have it, there are no instructions anywhere that I could find that explain how to use it.
Product: StreamVoodoo
Developer: StreamVoodoo.com
Website: https://www.streamvoodoo.com/mac
Price: Plans start at $25/month for a single channel
(A free trial is available.)
EXAMPLE: CLIENT REVIEW
You can directly connect the video output of Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro directly into the Mac app, then securely stream timeline playback directly to a client at 4K quality so they can review projects quickly, easily and in real-time.
This could be coupled with a Zoom call so that you can have a real-time conversation about the playback while the video is playing back.
All the client needs is a link, which the StreamVoodoo system generates. They watch the video in their browser. No hardware, no special software. Just smooth, high-quality playback.
EXAMPLE: TEAM MEETINGS
Video can be streamed to a group for discussion and review. The Mac app originates the video – from your computer or any source that can be connected to your computer via HDMI. Group members view the video in their browser. No special client software or hardware is required.
EXAMPLE: CONCERTS, WEBCASTS & VIDEO STREAMING
Musicians can use this to stream a live concert to an audience. Viewers only need their browsers to view.
For example, connect the HDMI output of a Blackmagic Design ATEM switcher into a Mac running the Mac application, then, using the multicast streaming network provided by StreamVoodoo, send that concert to their fans.
In all these examples, the audio and video are extremely high quality, with viewers watching the video in their browser.
INSTALLATION
Download the app from the Mac App store.
Give it access to your camera and microphone.
This displays the main interface. At this point, things get tricky.
There’s no online help; not even a simple checklist of what you need to know to get started. No helpful roll-overs as you near a button. Nothing in the app explains what you need to do next.
Instead, you need to watch the online demo to learn how the app works. However, a demo is designed to look flashy and move quickly. StreamVoodoo’s do both. When you are learning new software you need something that moves more slowly, provides clear instructions on what to do next, and allows you to follow along, step-by-step.
NOTE: It would also help if the audio levels in the demo were louder and accompanied by closed captions for those who need a bit more time to understand what is being said. The quality of the demo is not as good as the quality of the software.
At a minimum the Help files should provide a brief step-by-step on how to get started, explain the different configuration options, and tips on how to notify potential viewers that you are streaming.
StreamVoodoo RESPONDS
After reading this review, Marcelo Moyano commented:
Thanks for your review and I agree with it. Yes, we need to clean up the help process. The idea of the service we provide is to connect cameras or screens and share them in the cloud in one click. Based on your comments, we will streamline the help section so people not feel lost when they start using it. As for pricing, it’s based on “input connections” or “publishers”. One publisher is considered one “connection.
Here are two links that can help new users get started:
SUMMARY
The quality of the streamed video is amazing. However like many new products, it is designed for people who already know how to use it. It is frustrating to have a potentially great tool and not know how to use it.
Once the developers take the time to add help and actual tutorials for new users, this could become a valuable and cost-effective aid in connecting video producers and musicians with clients and audiences.
