Get up and running with a professional live streaming platform
Updated June 13, 2019

Get up and running with a professional live streaming platform

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

Other

Modules Used

  • Ustream eCDN (IBM Cloud Video Enterprise Content Delivery Network)

Overall Satisfaction with IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming

The implementation is a strength of IBM Cloud Video. Its ease of use and non-technical knowledge makes implementation very easy. Navigating the social media add-ons requires some testing for a full white-label experience. Requesting features and customizations are fairly seamless in comparison to other platforms. I feel IBM Cloud Video is comparable with other lead streaming platforms.
The usability is very similar to implementation. It's a strength of IBM Cloud Video to have the entire experience be very easy to use. In many ways, the IBM Cloud Video is easier to use and implement than YouTube Live and FaceBook Live. There are no authentication tokens like Akamai or limitations on live player codes. The ability to refresh a new rtmp publishing point is extremely valuable.
We use IBM Cloud Video (UstreamĀ® Enterprise) as a professional white label service for the client not interested in using a social media streaming service. These typically include internal corporate communications or government agencies. Once an awhile we'll use the service for universities and colleges for their commencements which the institutions don't feel a social media streaming platform is appropriate.
  • Quick launch of a webcast
  • Player compatibility
  • Broad adoption of third party add-ons and hardware encoders
  • Tech support turnaround on corrupted VOD videos.
  • Channels need to have the ability to stream to two servers simultaneously--like YouTube's ability to stream to two different servers. They also allow you to see the health of the backup stream etc., in real time. Right now the EnterpriseĀ® solution for failover includes a 5-second black frame until the backup stream pops up. It also can only be set up by IBM staff as a special request.
  • Ability to customize the player. The older Flash-based player allowed for this. A basic customer customizable player like Vimeo would be amazing.
Absolutely. Most clients want no cap to their viewership.
Yes. We've often had clients have their own platforms fail and use IBM as a backup.
Every client wants deep analytics without compromising privacy concerns.
I've only seen the feature in VOD. It's usually acceptable. It would be ideal to have it for LIVE. YouTube is currently in beta for this feature as of June 2019.
We've used the platform as a service provider. We produce live streams for many organizations on many different platforms. When a client needs a platform with professional streaming abilities we often recommend IBM Cloud Video and TalkPointĀ®. We've had a lot of success with IBM Cloud Video with production partners that want to get into the live streaming service provider world. It's been ideal for projects that happen in other states and countries that just aren't cost effective for us to personally be there on-site.
[Well suited for] lead generation and production companies with no web technical expertise. Clients looking at LivestreamĀ® - I would recommend them IBM Cloud Video over that service. Corporate communications would benefit from the registration tracking ability. [Also well suited for] clients looking for a simple way to password protect and domain lock their streams and event companies that want to monetize their content with pay-per-view.

IBM Video Streaming Feature Ratings

Lead generation
7
Video personalization
3
Video SEO
Not Rated
Integration to Marketing Automation
Not Rated
Integration to Salesforce.com
Not Rated
Integration to Marketo
Not Rated
Integration to HubSpot
Not Rated
Integration to Eloqua
Not Rated
Integration to LMS
Not Rated
Video access controls
10
User management
10
Video link sharing
9
Internal video
8
External video
9
Player customization
4
Embedded videos
10
Video quality / Bandwidth controls
9
Mobile compatibility
10
A/B testing
Not Rated
Streaming quality reports
8
Per viewer tracking
8
Per video tracking
8
Video analytics dashboard
8
On-Demand video
7
Live streaming
10
Impact of streaming on network
Not Rated
Video upload & format support
6
Video library / File management
5
Video portal
7
Audience Q&A / Live chat
Not Rated
Video comments
Not Rated

Using IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming

  • Corporate Webcasting
  • Institutional Webcasting
  • Rentals
  • Re-Sale of Channels
  • DVR
  • Closed-Captioning
  • Multi-language Audio Tracks
It's a relevant platform despite many alternatives.
  • Positive - it offers an online service to re-sale.
  • Negative - Clients demanding lower costs solutions

Evaluating IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming and Competitors

Yes - An in-house solution was replaced.
  • Price
  • Product Usability
The usability is the most important factor. The second most important is service options that are in-line with competitors.
Pricing and Alternative solutions with more service offerings included.

IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming Implementation

Change management was minimal
  • Learning Curve - but was very minimal.

IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming Training

Configuring IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming

It's just right. It would be great to get more embed options--such as dynamic embeds that work both on mobile and desktop without needing to code yourself or visit the FAQ.
I recommend turning off all social media connections if you're looking for simple configuration.
Some - we have done small customizations to the interface
No - we have not done any custom code
I've used the dynamic embed code that isn't auto-generated within the platform.

IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming Support

The support is as expected although weekend support would be better. Many projects happen on the weekend and having support only Monday through Friday just isn't enough.
ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Knowledgeable team
No escalation required
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Not kept informed
Difficult to get immediate help
Yes. I recently needed a backup channel and this was completed within 10 minutes.

Using IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming

ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • Embedding
  • Password and registration
  • Re-occurring Live Streams
  • VOD Trimming isn't as close to the timing I'd prefer. I often have to add seconds to a trim that I didn't want to.

IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming Reliability

It's always on. Very rare to have outages.

Integrating IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming

  • Wirecast Pro - Software
  • Teradek's Core
  • I would like to have IBM Cloud Video integrate better with Telestream's Wirecast Pro
  • File import/export
Get an Enterprise plan. You'll need the back-end developers at IBM to help support the code.

Relationship with IBM

Channels, Viewer Hours, Payment Terms.
Set your payment terms as part of the negotiation. They are very flexible.

Upgrading IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming

  • The Q&A Module is Great.
Yes - I changed back in 2013 and never looked back.