To broadcast on Ustream, you need a camera + a way to encode the feed from that camera, or a mobile device that has a Ustream Broadcasting Application Installed.
Cameras
1. Built-in webcams or USB-connected webcams - Apple, Sony, Dell, HP, and most modern laptops have built-in webcams. If your computer does not have a built in webcam, you can purchase a USB webcam from most major retailers or online and connect this to your computer's USB port. Logitech is a popular manufacturer that many of our Ustream users report good results with. Logitech webcams range in price from $30 - $80, depending on the model.
2. Camcorders - many SD cameras that have a Mini DV out port can connect to your computer via a Firewire cable. Most cameras that have this you can use to connect to your computer to be recognized by Ustream Web Broadcast Console, Ustream Producer, or Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder.
Sony DCR-HC38 and Canon ZR960 are two examples.
To connect your camera to the computer, you'll need a Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable that has 4 pin on the end to connect to your camera (this port is sometimes called "Mini DV out," Sony, calls it "iLink") and 6 pin or 9 pin on the other end to connect to your computer, depending on which type of ports your computer has. Most Macs have these types of ports standard, not all Windows-based computers have these.
Some Windows computers will have a card slot where you can put in a card to add some Firewire ports to that computer.
If your camera does not have a 4 pin firewire out port, another alternative is Canopus / Grass Valley Converter Box. Commonly referred to as a "Canopus Box" these small converter box can accept component, S-Video and other inputs and will convert the output to Firewire, which you can then connect to your computer. This box is also useful for taking a signal out of a DVD player, video switcher, etc. Grass Valley offers several models of the ADVC series, depending on what kinds of inputs and outputs you need. The ADVC-110 is a very popular model.
4. High-end production cameras and Capture cards - the Panasonic AG-DVX100B Digital Video Camera/Recorder is very popular among the professional webcasting community. This high-end camera is used by major media companies as well as Fortune 500 corporations. If your camera does not have a Firewire output, you may want to consider using a capture card, which you can install into you desktop computer. Ustream Producer is designed to work with the Blackmagic capture cards.
5. Mobile phones - you can go to www.ustream.tv/mobile to reference currently supported handsets. Check back often because Ustream is always innovating and bringing exciting products to our community.
Encoding
Once you have chosen what camera you will use, there are Ustream offers several options for taking your camera feed, encoding it and sending it to Ustream.
Ustream Producer (Recommended)
We offer three versions of Ustream Producer: free, Pro ($199), and Studio ($549).
Producer is a desktop application that allows you to send your camera's video and audio and broadcast it live to your Ustream channel.
Ustream Web Broadcast Console
Click here for detailed instructions on how to use the Ustream Web Broadcast Console.
The Ustream Web Broadcast Console is a quick and easy way to broadcast on Ustream.
It is also a good option if you are working with very limited bandwidth.
Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder -- ( FMLE )
Adobe offers a free encoding software that can be used with Ustream.