Video, live broadcasting and streaming options

There are multiple options when it comes to choosing how to deliver video content in InvitePeople. Every method has it’s pros and cons. InvitePeople offers the flexibility to mix, pick and choose from different methods, making sure the content is available to all participants.

Pre-recorded video

Upload video files to InvitePeople before the event. The video files may be uploaded by administrators, or by content managers responsible for a subset of the event’s seminars. This method gives the organizer full control of the video content and quality prior to the event.

Pros

• Unlimited number of participants.
• Browser independent. (Internet Explorer is not supported.)
• High video quality.
• Full control over the content and quality before the event.
• Less dependent on internet speed, both of lecturers and participants.

Cons

• Harder to make last minute changes of the video content. (Videos need to be uploaded well in advance of going live due to processing times.)
• No live interactivity in the videos. (Other interactivity options are still available through for example chat or gamification.)

Live streamed video

Multiple live streams can be set up in InvitePeople, letting any broadcaster stream through the RTMP-protocol. This can be done from a professional streaming studio, from a video meeting (using for example Pexip or Zoom) or from a desktop or mobile app. This method is the preferred option when both live and video quality is a requirement.

Pros

• Unlimited number of participants.
• Browser independent. (Internet Explorer is not supported.)
• High video quality.

Cons

• Can be technically difficult to set up. (A professional live streaming studio is recommended.)
• Dependent on the internet speed of the participants.
• A latency of about 10 seconds in the stream. (The latency can be brought down to 2 seconds in low latency mode.)

Video meeting broadcasting

Video meetings where lecturers broadcast using web cam and screen share can be set up for InvitePeople sessions. The participants will be muted and can only see the lecturers, not broadcast themselves. The video meeting rooms use WebRTC technology, a widely spread way to deliver video to and from web browsers. This is the preferred method when live is a requirement, but RTMP-streaming is not achievable.

Pros

• Easy to set up and for lecturers to broadcast.
• Video content is interactive. (For example letting participants switch between presentation in fullscreen and split view between presentation and video.)
• No latency in the stream, the broadcast is close to real time.

Cons

• Browser dependent. (Google Chrome or Edge Chromium is recommended, read more here.)
• Very dependent on the internet speed. (Quality will suffer if the lecturers or participants have  a bad connection.)
• Maximum 1000 participants per broadcast (Read more about participant limits here).