Make sure everything goes smoothly on your next live stream and be prepared with our in-depth checklist.This live streaming checklist includes everything you need to know about live streaming to YouTube Live and any other CDN (Content Delivery Network)!

1. Live Streaming
Checklist
Don’t start your next live stream without it!

2. Don’t push that button without our checklist!
GO LIVE

3. Let’s watch a quick overview video!

4. Step #1 - The Layout
Set up your live show layout. This
includes everything software
related to your show. Prepare a
manageable set of video assets
which can include: intro/outro
videos, titles, additional video
sources such as desktop capture
or websites, media such a jpg or
png files and/or other content.

5. Step #2 - Tuning your equipment
Lights - Before you start tuning your
camera (if needed) make sure all the
lighting you are planning to use is on
and ready for action.
Camera - Tune you camera to provide
a good contrast, luminance,
saturation and hue for your room. If
you are using a Green Screen with a
chroma key background pay special
attention to hues and contrast.

6. Setting your white balance
White Balance: Start with an auto-white
balance. This can be done by holding up a
white piece of paper and selecting the “one
push” white balance feature in any
PTZOptics cameras on screen display menu.
NOTE: Some software solutions also offer a
white balance feature. It’s best practice to
tune the image in your camera before
tuning with your software.

7. Tuning your focus
Focus: Obviously you want your talent to
be in focus but consider whether you
actually need to have auto-focus on. If your
talent is not going to be moving from their
chair your best choice is manual focus.
Setting the appropriate focus manually can
avoid unintended camera auto-focusing
from hand movements and body gesturing.
If your talent will be moving around a stage
or wide are your best choice is auto-focus.
TIP: Avoid swivel chairs and suggest seating
your talent on a stool or four legged chair
with a short back.

8. Tuning your Microphones
Microphones - Test your microphone
prior to any event. Tuning may only
need to be done periodically provided
that the microphones are in use in a
similar setting. You should hear a
wide range of highs and lows. Check
you audio meter and make sure your
levels are in a safe range without
peeking into the “red zone”.

9. Follow The One Third Rule
When using multiple microphones make sure the distance between each
microphone is 3x the distance from the microphone to the talent’s mouth.

10. Tuning your chroma key
Green Screens - Using chroma key
technology can challenging without
good lighting and a reflecting green
surface. Assuming you have an ideal
green background, select the exact
color your camera is outputting to
your software with the color picker
tool. You can now adjust your settings
until you are happy with your chroma
key. TIP 1: Using a dark background
will help hide any stray pixelation.

11. Step #3 - Testing Bandwidth
Try using our free Bandwidth Speed testing tool. Our server is located in
Scottsdale, Arizona. A great place for testing in the United States.

12. Optimizing Bandwidth
Optimize your bandwidth and make suggestions for remote guests joining via
a video conference call. Refer to our Live Streaming Bandwidth Checklist
here: http://ptzoptics.com/landing/live-streaming.html
Determine the maximum capabilities of your system and choose a video
resolution and audio compression streaming configuration

13. Step #4 - Establishing your live stream
Make sure to have your RTMP
Server and key information
ready. You will use this
information to start
streaming to your CDN
(Content Delivery Network)
Streaming PC
YOUTUBE
LIVE

14. Establishing a reliable connection
It’s best practice to start your live
stream at least 20-30 minutes before
any event. During this time you
should display a countdown timer
and some type “Streaming Soon”
display with background music. This
time before your event is also ideal
for giving viewers ample time for
receiving automated notifications for
your live show.
Streaming PC
Firewall
YOUTUBE
LIVE
Live Show

15. Step #4 - Final testing
Test your audio again, but this time listen
to the stream as if you were a viewer. Live
streams are known for introducing audio
syncing issues without rhyme or reason
randomly. The good news is that you can
add a audio delay to compensate for this
issue. If needed add 2000-3000
milliseconds (2-3 seconds) to your audio
delay until all syncing issues have been
ironed out.

16. Step #5 - Channel Management Tips
Don’t forget to set up a reasonable “channel blacklist”. This feature will
restrict a set of words from being displayed in the chat room.
Don’t forget to have your live stream displayed in the “schedule” system. You
can also configure settings in YouTube to promote your live event on other
videos.

17. Step #6 - General Tips
Don’t forget to share your live show on social media
Don’t forget to save time for Question and Answers from the chatroom. Best
practice is reserve a time specifically for Q&A.
The Outro - What are you business goals? Don’t forget to include a CTA (Call
to Action) for your viewers… Is it a free eBook or an upcoming webinar?
Maybe simply asking for a new subscriber!

18. Overview of process for getting started
1.Get the right equipment - There is nothing like wasting your time with poor
equipment… If you have an important message, use high quality equipment…
2.Branding - Make sure you have a plan for branding… Once you start making
videos, it’s important that your branding remains consistent and high quality…
3.Recordings - I always suggest recording in 1080p. It’s okay to live stream in
720p but it’s great if you have your important videos available in 1080p.
4.Streaming - Live streaming events is a great way to build your brand… Once
you have

19. Download this checklist in PDF Format!
http://ptzoptics.com/landing/checklist.html

20. Need help getting started?
http://ptzoptics.com/landing/coupons.html

21. Check out our Live Channel as an Example…
http://youtube.com/c/ptzoptics/live

22. Sounds like ALOT of work?
Consider hiring a part-time or full time employee.
Learn more about hiring a “Chief Streaming Officer” here:
http://ptzoptics.com/landing/CSO.html

23. Download our FREE guide!
Step by step guide for setting up a live streaming channel!

24. BONUS!
Complete Live
Streaming
Start Up Guide!
http://ptzoptics.com/landing/ebook.html

25. Double bonus!
Free Video
Asset Starter
Kit!
http://ptzoptics.com/landing/live-streaming-assets.html

26. Download our free guide here!
http://ptzoptics.com/landing/CSO.html