The Ustream broadcaster is a powerful tool designed to help the host of any show stream with ease. After clicking "Broadcast Now" you will receive a pop-up window containing several buttons, tabs, and sliders. Here are some things you should know before hitting the "Start Broadcast" button.

Main Control Center

Info Tab: The "info" tab shows setting changes that have been made on your broadcaster.

Ustream Monitor Options:
Local Monitor - Allows the host to view the original settings of a camera (eg. Original Video Quality, Original Color)
Server Monitor - Allows the host to view how a show is seen by other viewers (eg. Adjusted Video and Audio Quality)
Disable Monitor - Turns off all show monitoring (Broadcast is still live)

Check Options:
Video Broadcast - Turns video broadcasting on or off
Audio Broadcast - Turns audio broadcasting on or off

Meter & Slider Options:
VU meter - Lets the host know if their voice is being registered on the microphone and how high the volume is actually reaching
Volume - Adjust the broadcast volume
Video Quality - Adjust the quality of the live video feed (Recommended 80% to start, adjust as needed)
Audio Quality - Adjust the quality of the live audio feed (Recommended 22kHz to start, adjust as needed)

Drop Down Options:
Video Source - Allows the host to choose which video source (Camera, Video Program)
Audio Source - Allows the host to choose which audio source (microphone)

Tab Options

Advanced Settings:
Adjust Framerate - Modifies how many frames are broadcasted per second
Toggle Picture Smoothing - Makes the edges of objects look less pixelated
Sound Mixer - If a sound mixer is used for incoming audio on your computer you may want to check this option (If unsure leave unmarked)

Poll:
Poll question - Enter a question which will be answered by your audience members
Answer Choices - Enter up to four poll options to be answered

Send Twitter:
Login - Enter your username and password for twitter
Send - Start sending twitter messages right from your Ustream Broadcaster (eg. Come check out my live show at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/help)

Text & Videos:
Add Overlays - Open the drop down menu labeled "Add" to select an overlay type (eg. YouTube, Text, Recorded)

** Current overlays are listed under the "Live Video" tab. Read about audience tools for more information. **

* If you are to select a YouTube overlay you may enter a search or the direct URL. Once the correct video has been located you may either press "Select" or double click on the video itself. To add the video to your "Live Video" tab click "Add" to the right of the clip. Now you may resize and change audio/video settings. To show the overlay on stream press "Show preview" followed by the "Push on air" button.

* If you select a text overlay you may adjust font, color, format, and scrolling speeds. To add the text to your Live Video tab click "Add" to the right of the formatting options. To show the overlay on your stream click "Show preview" followed by the "Push on air" button.

* If you select a previously recorded overlay you will be prompted to choose from a list of your recorded videos. Once the correct video has been located you may either click "Select" or double click on the video itself. To add the video to your Live Video tab click "Add" to the right of the formatting options. To show the overlay on your stream click "Show preview" followed by the "Push on air" button.

- Audience Tools:
The option to invite other audience members to cohost or pick a live show and co-host are provided here. If you pick a live Ustream show to co-host you will be brought through a series of setup screens providing text fields to search for a show or provide the show URL. Once the show has been added it will appear at the top of the page under the Live Video tab. If you wish to push the show on air click "Show preview," and adjust the co-host's settings (eg. Volume, Video Broadcast On/Off, Video Size, Placement).

** If the show requests that you ask permission for it to be broadcasted over your stream you must click "Get Permission" and will be prompted to send an invitation request. **

After, click the "Push on air" button. If you would like to remove a specific co-host click "Take offline" for the overlay you wish to remove followed by clicking the "X" in the upper-right corner of the overlay box title.

Record Shows:
To record, click "Start Recording" and the recording process will begin immediately. To stop recording, click the "Stop Recording" button. This allows the video to be archived for future viewing.

Chat Room:
Show Chat - Expands the broadcast window and opens the chat room for your show
Chat popup - Opens a new window containing the chat room for your show

* Opening your chat room from the Ustream Broadcaster can be accomplished by clicking either the "Show Chat" or "Chat popup" button.

Once you have adjusted the settings in the broadcaster you should be ready to hit the "Start Broadcast" button and show the world what you can do!

Note: All settings can still be adjusted while you are broadcasting your live stream.