The easy way to publicly stream video from IP cameras

July 23, 2020| Marketing | BLOG 0

Today’s security cameras do far more than just monitor their surroundings for threats. We’re seeing more and more businesses wanting to make their live videos available to the public. From hotels using their online camera connection to show the beauty of their surroundings to tourists, to public infrastructure companies monitoring the traffic situation at intersections to re-direct motorists who may get stuck in jams, and even wildlife enthusiasts broadcasting images of bird nests, all these people are looking for a simple solution to share their live streams.

In the past, if you wanted to have a live camera on your website, you needed the necessary encoder, a dedicated computer, or your own streaming server, or you needed some cloud streaming service with a player. But since popular platforms such as YouTube and Facebook began to support direct video streams, the solution is rather more simple. These platforms allow free broadcasting/streaming regardless of whether your video is watched by one viewer or by 50,000 viewers at the same time. The interface is regularly updated so it is optimised for the widest range of viewers, so there is usually no need to address viewer complaints that they cannot play the video.

But how can you get the video from your camera and onto these platforms without an IT specialist or complicated infrastructure?

Streaming applications directly from the camera

By using the ACAP platform you can choose from a wide range of third-party software applications that enable your camera to perform specific functions – just like the applications in your smartphone. In 2014, we introduced CamStreamer App designed by NetRex, Czech Republic (CamStreamer is now an independent company), which has been specifically designed for video streaming. The application allows you to transfer video from your camera directly to the most often used platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Twitch.tv, DaCast, Ustream, Wowza or other streaming services.

The advantage is a low price and easyset up – you need only one Axis camera, an internet connection and an unlimited CamStreamer App license to configure your stream in just a few clicks. If you add a simple toggle switch with LED indicator, you can start and stop the live stream by just pushing the button. The LED indicator lets you know when the live stream is up and running.

Display Dynamic Infographics

What if you need add more information to your broadcast? In addition to CamStreamer App, a sister application called CamOverlay App, can use the camera and add dynamic graphics directly into the live stream. This gives you the ability to show viewers the actual weather, score, display ads for your products or even playful animated GIFs, enriching your video content. The overlay graphics and its timing can be controlled and managed via API, as well as external hardware button.

Insert external data

When you need to add particular data into your video – such as data from temperature sensors, counter machines, access systems etc – CamStreamer offers CamScripter App. This application allows you to run micro apps directly on an IP camera.

As applications’ functionality can be also controlled using API – which gives you almost unlimited integration possibilities – this provides the flexibility to stream sporting events, online classes, church services, traffic, wildlife, zoo enclosures and much more.