Item: IBM Video Streaming
Rating: 7
Author: Luke Campbell

Overall Satisfaction with IBM Cloud Video (including Ustream)

Implementation Rating

We have been with Ustream for 3 to 4 years and whilst improvements have been made, they have been quite slow. We have been requesting multiple features (DVR/multi-bit rate for VOD/longer player length of VOD video) and whilst they have been promised since the beginning, only one has been implemented.

Usability

It works well for us, however, the key points listed previously are what are needed to improve for us to be able to continue to use the platform. Pricing is also important as there are a number of players in the market that offer these additional features at a lesser cost point.

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

It is being used for broadcasting our events. We upload the content from our live events which include sports, music and a number of entertainment events. The Ustream player is then embedded as a white label solution onto our website which is then watched by viewers around the world. Hoping to reach a mass market.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Broadcasting
Analytics
Options

Cons

DVR
Changing VOD video length from 3 hours to unlimited
Load time and working on smart TVs

Alternatives Considered

Brightcove and Ooyala

We have looked at a range of platforms - Livestream, Oolya, Brightcove, NeuLion, YouTube, Facebook etc., and all platforms have their pros and cons. The points raised earlier are the key changes that need to be made form our perspective to improve the platform. Offering direct social media plugin for sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram would also be handy.

Likelihood to Recommend

Ustream works well for us when we are broadcasting our events from around the world. These events are critical to meet our market.

They need to improve on the areas previously mentioned, as well as improving the upload time for the content uploaded to the platform. Also we need to the ability for unlimited vieweing hours like other platforms offer. We shouldn't be penalised for reaching a market.

Comments

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Bob Lee
commented 8 years ago
Hi Luke. I'm Bob from the Voice of the Customer team here at Ustream, an IBM Company. Thanks very much for taking the time to review our platform and for sharing your thoughts and needs. Even though I know you've been engaged with us on the things you've mentioned, I'll pass your insights along to our Product Team leads to see how we can best address them. Platitudes aside, I can assure you that we'll keep working to earn your business and, hope to have some exciting and valuable things to share with you soon, especially now that we are a part of IBM.

Ustream review

Software Version

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