Advanced Video Streaming Services in a Single Package
November 07, 2020

Advanced Video Streaming Services in a Single Package

Cody Stubben | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

Streaming Manager for Enterprise (Ustream Align)

Overall Satisfaction with IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming

IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming is excellent for broadcasting video behind a gate while also providing smooth functionality. It offers many customizable features for various needs within our organization and for providing informational videos to our audiences.

The off-air feature allows for select videos to play prior to scheduled broadcasts--essentially, it allows for teasers/trailers to play before the actual featured videos. This proved extremely useful for our organization to provide a looping informational trailer before we launched our scheduled programming.

In addition, the live feature integration is phenomenal. The platform integrates with Zoom and this feature takes precedence over scheduled playlists which is a exceptional aspect because the user has the ability to schedule transition videos of specific slides that will be interrupted when those on the Zoom side are ready to go live. My organization used this for a live Q and A session to further engage the community and spread awareness of a lesser known form of dementia.

Finally, the support team was beyond responsive and accommodating. Any and all questions we had with setting up the platform, hammering out the details, and configuring the videos to run smoothly were addressed by the communicative and attentive IBM support team.

Overall, this is an incredibly advanced and feature-packed platform that would serve any and all video requirements an organization may need. It is well worth the investment and I highly recommend it.
  • Video scheduling
  • Integration with live platforms like Zoom
  • Off-air video capabilities for trailers and informative pre-feature clips
  • Use of Q & A/chat box for delivering messages to panelists in external platforms like Zoom
  • Superb technical support services
  • It isn't always user-friendly or straightforward, but the technical support team will assist in any way they can to walk users through the platform.
My organization used the platform for a major educational video premiere, and the capability to stream for large audiences simultaneously while incorporating live elements was extraordinary. We are incredibly pleased with the end result and the virtual event kicked off without a single hiccup.
The ability to view the scheduled programming on the backend in the preview window helped my organization ensure the video ran smoothly. It also helped us ensure that no matter the number of viewers, the video remained crystal clear and we could view real-time metrics of bandwidth and provide a seamless livestream to our audience.
We were able to capture the number of viewers, their location and various devices both in real-time and post-video streaming. This allowed us to develop extensive reports to provide the marketing department, and in turn, the executives at my organization. It also allowed us to further identify the geographic location of our audience and where we could better focus future marketing efforts of exclusive video content.
We did not incorporate closed captioning for our video streaming events.
Best for
  • Pre-taped/scheduled videos
  • Providing access to specific video content over a certain period of time (e.g., limiting access to a video for a week or a month)
  • Provides gated features so access to content can be restricted or emails/viewer information can be collected.
  • Extensive metrics to determine video reach/viewership, which proves great for reporting to marketing departments.
Not best for
  • Videos you do not mind having available anytime
  • A library of content that you do not wish to place behind an access gate
  • One area of improvement on the platform is the ability to customize confirmation email send outs to video registrants.

IBM Video Streaming Feature Ratings

Lead generation
10
Video personalization
10
eCommerce
Not Rated
Support for advertisements
10
Video SEO
Not Rated
Video access controls
10
User management
10
Video link sharing
10
Internal video
10
External video
10
Player customization
10
Embedded videos
10
Video quality / Bandwidth controls
10
Mobile compatibility
10
Streaming quality reports
10
Per viewer tracking
10
Per video tracking
10
Video analytics dashboard
10
On-Demand video
10
Live streaming
10
Impact of streaming on network
10
Video upload & format support
10
Video library / File management
10
Video portal
10
Audience polling
Not Rated
Audience Q&A / Live chat
10
Video comments
10

IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming Support

My organization had never used the platform previously, but the support team was responsive to our needs and were exceptional in walking us through the use of IBM Watson Media's Video Streaming. We were able to schedule multiple calls to address issues as they arose, and they even provided support during our live event. Though all of our issues were addressed prior to the live event, it was a great comfort to know that we could reach out at any moment and receive support in real-time, should we have needed it.
ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
No escalation required
Immediate help available
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
None
We had a unique event in which we went from pre-recorded content to a live Q & A back to pre-recorded content. This was a little tricky to handle but our technical support contact was incredibly patient and knowledgeable as we hammered out the details of the event. In the end, the day-of virtual event ran without a single hitch, and we are grateful to the IBM team for everything.