Diarmaid Mac Mathuna

Head of Client Services

+353 1 7088154

AUGUST 09, 2012

We’re still getting great feedback on the live webcasting in High Definition we did from the Convention Centre Dublin for the Euroscience Open Forum 2012 (ESOF2012). Live streaming the keynote talks in HD to a global audience of thousands in an engaging way was a creative and technical challenge that we really enjoyed – mainly because we have a real interest in science communication and pushing webcasting technology to its limits.

We were delighted to get involved with this event which is Europe’s largest general science forum, giving us the opportunity to showcase our webcasting expertise. Commissioned by the event organisers at the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser, we were streaming the five day event live in HD to an audience using a global content distribution network. High profile media sites also embedded the video feed including RTÉ and the Irish Times.

Using broadcast quality cameras and a TV vision mixing desk, the keynote speeches of high profile people such as Mary Robinson, Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, NASA’s Charles F. Bolden Jr.  and President Michael D. Higgins were live streamed with pictures so sharp viewers could see the laser pointer. The Agtel TV director on site also ensured the two cameras moved around to capture the best possible shots and the Agtel vision mixer added pace to the event so that viewers got a sense of its scale. The content was live streamed to any number of devices from laptops to iPhones and iPads, and by hosting it on a channel we created specifically for the event, viewers can still access the videos now. Social media share buttons ensured that video of the event reached social media audiences while it was happening.

Many of our business clients are also coming to us to live stream mission critical events in HD. This is because webcasting can also be used very effectively for a company’s internal and external communications – but it must be high quality, and it must work. Recently Agtel live webcasted an event for a US multinational from a hotel outside Dublin, making sure hundreds of staff in California could see the event in a “town hall” style meeting. The value added features of a password protected secure site, and a live text/chat system ensured they could engage with the event as if they were there. Importantly, the dedicated broadband line we installed specifically for the occasion made sure we had a robust infrastructure at the heart of our system. Site surveys and onsite tests before the event gave the client confidence that everything would work on the day in this “must not fail” internal communications event.

These events, and the many others we have live streamed, have shown the benefits of webcasting in reaching national and international audiences. Webcasting is a very  effective way of promoting brands and messages to a global audience, all without compromising on picture quality using Agtel’s HD live streaming and webcasting expertise.

What benefits do you see with high quality live streaming? What have been your experiences with webcasting? Let me know in the comments or by e-mail. And if you’re thinking of doing a live webcast from anywhere in Europe get in touch with me and I’ll share our experiences with you.

Diarmaid Mac Mathúna is Agtel’s Head of Client Services and has just been named as one of Ireland’s Top 30 Business Tweeters by the Sunday Independent.