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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    IBM Video Streaming

    Score8.9 out of 10
    Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
    IBM Video Streaming solutions are used to stream virtual events, executive town halls, video marketing product launches, and 24-hour streaming channels. According to IBM, the solution is built for privacy, reliability and scale, to optimize video quality, and powered by IBM Watson AI for video search and automated closed captioning. IBM Enterprise Video Streaming can power security-rich video communications ranging from employee town halls, to…

    $137

    per month 100 viewer hours

    OBS Studio

    Score9.2 out of 10
    N/AOBS Studio is free and open source software for video recording and live streaming, featuring real time video/audio capturing and mixing. Users can create scenes made up of multiple sources including window captures, images, text, browser windows, webcams, and capture cards.

    $0

    Pricing
    IBM Video StreamingOBS Studio
    Editions & Modules
    Silver
    $137
    per month 100 viewer hours
    Gold
    $688
    per month 2,000 viewer hours
    Platinum
    $1380
    per month 5,000 viewer hours
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    IBM Video StreamingOBS Studio
    Free Trial
    YesNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoYes
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
    Additional DetailsVideo Streaming edition is available for purchase via credit card online (or via IBM salesperson if needs exceed those outlined in the online plans). Enterprise Video Streaming edition must be purchased from an IBM salesperson.—
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    IBM Video StreamingOBS Studio
    Considered Both Products
    IBM
    Chose IBM Video Streaming
    The features given by Ustream for broadcasting live events where not comparable to its competitors. The amount of information retrived about the audience is the real added value that was given by Ustream. Information on viewers is fundamental not only in the production of video …
    Incentivized
    Open Source
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Would buy again
    11 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    10 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    11 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    9 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    10 Answers
    Best Alternatives
    IBM Video StreamingOBS Studio
    Small Businesses
    Brightcove
    Score8.3 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Medium-sized Companies
    Brightcove
    Score8.3 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Enterprises
    Brightcove
    Score8.3 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    IBM Video StreamingOBS Studio
    Likelihood to Recommend
    7.1
    (128 ratings)
    9.0
    (13 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    8.9
    (8 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Usability
    8.9
    (62 ratings)
    7.9
    (4 ratings)
    Availability
    9.0
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Performance
    8.3
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    9.0
    (9 ratings)
    9.0
    (3 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    8.1
    (60 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Configurability
    6.0
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    8.1
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    8.1
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    7.6
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    7.6
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    IBM Video StreamingOBS Studio
    Likelihood to Recommend
    IBM
    Very limited customization features. Permissions are a mess too if you want to have people assigned as chat moderators for events for instance, but dont want them access to the admin panel. The quality of the broadcast and live captions work well, but they charge extra for live captions. For operating a video on demand site, the design of the page is really poor and limited on customization. Been a user for years and seen almost no new innovation on the platform which has been disappointing. The metrics are a mess on the user panels too. They do provide an api link for your external metrics and/or data dumps for using something like tableau, but that features not really something to write home about and a rather basic offering. This is an expensive platform with limited options and an outdated style unfortunately. We have been getting by for our uses but there's nothing really keeping us with IBM if another platform offering came around
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    Open Source
    From simple streaming to bigger events, OBS has been able to handle all of it with full confidence from us. Have never questioned if it was going to be unreliable in a specific situation, even with minimal training. Software identified the external input source easily and had no issues setting that up (Blackmagic Mini Recorder), and great for pulling in separate audio from the computer input.
    Incentivized
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    Pros
    IBM
    • IBM Video Streaming allows for the integration of interactive elements into video content, such as quizzes, polls, and live Q&A sessions. This can make learning more engaging for young students by making it interactive and fun, thus increasing their attention and participation.
    • Teachers in a K-5 setting can access and share professional development materials and teaching resources through the platform. This can help them stay updated on the best practices for early childhood education, innovative teaching methods, and subject-specific strategies, ultimately benefiting their students.
    • IBM Video Streaming provides the capability for teachers to create a library of on-demand educational videos. This is particularly useful for young learners who may need to revisit concepts multiple times to fully understand them. It also supports differentiated learning by allowing students to learn at their own pace.
    • Young students often benefit from visual aids in their learning process. IBM Video Streaming can deliver high-quality video content that includes animations, demonstrations, and visual explanations of concepts. This can be particularly effective in subjects like science, math, and reading, where visualizations can enhance understanding.
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    • RTMP Streaming with customizable bitrate
    • Scene Composition and Switching + source control which allows for creators and our customers to move between different types of content they might have (different video feeds, slides etc)
    • Audio mixer and audio control - noise gating, a/v syncing, audio source control
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    IBM
    • Occasionally, we experience a form of static that lasts for about 1 to 2 minutes. It appears in the live stream and in the auto-recorded file, but not in the live worship assembly. It occurs roughly 1 in every 4 hours of webcast time. I wish there was a way to trace the source of that recurring static. The diagnostic tools could be more robust.
    • It would be nice if the chat room allowed a user photo/avatar for each user to personalize that a little more.
    • I have wished for a way that an admin could use a “laser pointer” on the video window to point out something on the feed that other live viewers could see.
    • It would be wonderful to have a mini-tutorial for viewers who are not technically savvy that would inform them of how to get to the site and explain how they can use the software. For example, how they can see and type in the chat room, how to maximize the screen and make it smaller. Some of our viewers are in nursing homes or otherwise limited in capability to learn to use this on their own.
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    • OBS can be a little clunky sometimes, the lots of features can be a bit overwhelming
    • I can multitask with it, but can't run heavy software like Premiere alongside it
    • No way to make adjustments to file after it's done, have to use After Effects or Premiere for that
    Incentivized
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    Likelihood to Renew
    IBM
    Our organization depends heavily on this streaming service. Now that we have the option of allowing our clients to attend meetings virtually, we can never retract that option as so many of our clients love the flexibility. Also, we have no complaints with the service itself. It is reliable and dependable and any issues we have encountered have never been to blame on the service but rather our lack of knowledge of it or needing to update our embed code
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    No answers on this topic
    Usability
    IBM
    The user interface is pretty straightforward, but simply needs optimization. (Please hire a seasoned UX person to fix it.) However, all of the key features are there and understandable. It's a great platform overall, a bit expensive, and could use some more options for its viewing experience, and a better "smart" embedding window for mobile applications.
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    Very usable because it is free and has had a lot of people helping to suggest improvements and sponsors have allowed the product to grow in sophistication and suitability across a variety of situations and use needs. It is very logical to use once you get started, although the dashboard can seem intimidating at first.
    Incentivized
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    Reliability and Availability
    IBM
    Absolutely. We have never had an outage problem or any application errors that I have been privy to. We are duly notified generally in advance of outages or updates
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    No answers on this topic
    Performance
    IBM
    As we use it now, we are satisfied with the streaming performance. I cannot speak to integration yet as we have yet to engage in that but have plans to in the future
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    No answers on this topic
    Support Rating
    IBM
    We funded 'white glove' service as our timelines were tight and our needs were well-defined. Tier 1 and Tier 2 support were able to help us get up and running in shorter order than we would have on our own. Documentation on the eCDN product had gaps, increasing the time to resolve and created concerns about success.
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    For a free product, a range of support is available. There are plenty of ways to find out answers to questions, because there are probably thousands of people using the product who are willing to share what they have learned. It usually works as designed, so needs for support are limited.
    Incentivized
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    Implementation Rating
    IBM
    Ustream is easy to implement. It takes any stream we have thrown its way and distributed it quickly and with quality. When talking to others that are pursuing live stream implementations, I often remind them that the technology used to distribute your live stream is less important than the quality of the content you are distributing. Taking care to use the right camera equipment, the proper encoder, and quality sound gear will result in a high-quality stream that will allow the strength of the Ustream CDN to shine.
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    IBM
    Vimeo offers better tools for on-demand like chapters and marketing tools. But their live options are limited to event durations. YouTube can stream for longer durations but IBM 24/7 stream has been much more reliable and easy to use.
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    I have also used TinyTake by Mango Apps and I prefer OBS studio because the video quality results are better and OBS allows you to record an unlimited length of the video. OBS also lets you record an entire screen instead of manually having to draw your parameters, which can create oddly sizes videos if you miss by a few pixels.
    Incentivized
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    Scalability
    IBM
    IBM global network.
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    No answers on this topic
    Return on Investment
    IBM
    • Our ROI is measured by the provision of ministry and satisfaction of our congregation. We are extremely pleased with our USTREAM and feel that it is a valuable asset to our church.
    Incentivized
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    Open Source
    • It was great to have a platform that is free that I can experiment with without having to use our business capital on.
    • It took time to learn, but it helped me understand a lot of things, so it was a great learning experience.
    • It was a great balance of cost and time with the high-quality product we got from it.
    Incentivized
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    ScreenShots

    IBM Video Streaming Screenshots

    Screenshot of the viewer's portal experience (channel page).Screenshot of how the automatically generated closed captions can be edited if necessary.Screenshot of the Analytics Console.Screenshot of the Watson Media CMSScreenshot of the viewer's portal experience (channel page).