Red Cast Really Sucks

cbuckser · December 15, 2012, 05:38:22 PM

Quote from: JasonN95I've skimmed parts of this thread, so maybe someone has already pointed this out, but it looks like the user controls the quality setting. I'm just noticing this now as I watch the replay of the St. Lawrence game that there's a slider on the control panel right below the volume slider. I had assumed that quality would be self adjusting and optimize based on my download speed, but it looks like sliding the bar yourself dictates the quality.

The user interface has changed, for the better, since I last watched a Redcast archive. You can also right click to pick your stream quality or choose automatic selection.

In addition, the stream quality of the archives has improved. The archives max out at 480p/1167 kbps. That is crystal clear, and it's far superior to what was available in previous years. Because of the equipment upgrades, we now have a first-rate source video.

The next question is whether that high-quality video can be sent to end users when hundreds of people are trying to watch live feeds simultaneously. This is where Redcast has fallen short of expectations during most of the home games this fall.

Acquiring the bandwidth to guarantee a high-quality feed to all end users during a popular live webcast isn't cheap. I believe this is why Cornell Athletics loses money on Redcast.

Fortunately, YouTube is looking to offer a lot more live programming. Last month, YouTube signed a deal with the NBA to broadcast d-league games. The d-league has its own YouTube channel.

Based on what I have learned from the producer of Yale men's hockey games, Yale's deal with YouTube provides Yale with free access to YouTube streaming with both entities splitting ad revenue, if any. (Yale isn't obliged to show commercials on its programming.) This contract structure is consistent with what I have heard from a friend at Google regarding YouTube's plan to show many more live streams.

YouTube might be the model that provides us with a streaming agreement across ECAC Hockey. Leaguewide streaming has been something many of us have longed for, and last spring Phil Fibiger even emailed ADs and coaches around the league about the possibility of the conference streaming all games with the quality of the RPI.tv webcasts.

The NorthEast Conference has done leaguewide streaming this season, albeit with a different streaming service and not at RPI.tv quality. The NEC agreement is how Quinnipiac began showing free webcasts of hockey games.

Of course, if all or most ECAC schools start streaming games on YouTube (I don't know of Q has to show its games on NEC Front Row), it would not guarantee high-quality feeds like RPI.tv's. However, the YouTube model would give schools free access to the bandwidth needed to show high-definition feeds. Hopefully, eliminating that cost would encourage more schools to upgrade its video equipment like Cornell did last summer.

At the very least, getting most ECAC Hockey games on YouTube would save many of us a good chunk of change. And I wouldn't mind that either.

Roy 82 · January 04, 2013, 04:50:00 PM

Anybody know why the audio Redcasts against Denver are not showing up as upcoming broadcasts?

Al DeFlorio · January 04, 2013, 06:02:04 PM

Quote from: Roy 82Anybody know why the audio Redcasts against Denver are not showing up as upcoming broadcasts?

Strange. Game preview at cornellbigred.com makes no mention of Redcasts. Hockey schedule has an "Audio" link that leads to Redcasts but no mention of the games there. WHCU is said to be doing radio. Another Redcasts success story?

dag14 · January 04, 2013, 07:43:14 PM

There is audio tonight but the links sometimes don't go active until just before game time. Edit: the link is up, as is one for Saturday's audio coverage.

Jim Hyla · January 04, 2013, 08:45:41 PM

So here are the 2 emails I received from Sidearm Streaming Support:

QuoteHello James,

We apologize for any inconvenience, but Cornell is not streaming any games on their All Access site today. The links on Cornell's pages are created by the school, and they direct you to the All Access page even if there is no game scheduled for streaming on that day. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to let us know.

Best,

at 7:25 PM

QuoteHello James,

Cornell has just updated their REDCast page and have included radio coverage of the Men's Hockey game at Denver today. Feel free to follow the game at cornellbigred.com/showcase.

Best,

at 7:40 PM

Trotsky · January 04, 2013, 09:16:51 PM

The audio is tinny, but it's there.

flyersgolf · January 25, 2013, 07:24:06 PM

No audio for Yale game tonight, as of 7:24 pm

Al DeFlorio · January 25, 2013, 07:28:42 PM

Quote from: flyersgolfNo audio for Yale game tonight, as of 7:24 pm

Watch Yale's free video.

billhoward · January 28, 2013, 10:14:31 AM

Redcast video stream for the Brown game shows some improvement and thank goodness the English language has the word "marginal" to qualify them. The video quality is better that a year or two ago. There were still video freezes, many audio dropouts of my feed, the single camera that still can be obscured by fans standing, and no instant replay. It feels like standard-def analog TV now. That's something.

If not for the fans who can't get to Lynah, I hope this is improved for the parents of players watching from afar and for the potential recruits. The video is clear enough that you can see every seat filled. I noticed two seats go empty in the corner about two rows up (popcorn run ... during the game?) and thought, I would *love* to be in those seats.

Trotsky · January 28, 2013, 11:29:41 AM

I didn't have any video freezes. There are still those mysterious moments when Jason drops the mic and stalks off stage.

Rita · January 28, 2013, 11:52:21 AM

Quote from: TrotskyI didn't have any video freezes. There are still those mysterious moments when Jason drops the mic and stalks off stage.

And we didn't get the commericals during the Brown game. I had a friend visiting and was streaming the audio and she commented on the periodic spots of dead air and wondered if I needed to refresh the browswer. She didn't mind having dinner with Cornell hockey in the background, but then again, I used to drag her to bars so that we would have enough people to get a tv with sound for the "Lafayette, IN watch parties".

Weder · January 28, 2013, 12:04:37 PM

Quote from: Rita
Quote from: TrotskyI didn't have any video freezes. There are still those mysterious moments when Jason drops the mic and stalks off stage.

And we didn't get the commericals during the Brown game. I had a friend visiting and was streaming the audio and she commented on the periodic spots of dead air and wondered if I needed to refresh the browswer. She didn't mind having dinner with Cornell hockey in the background, but then again, I used to drag her to bars so that we would have enough people to get a tv with sound for the "Lafayette, IN watch parties".

The wrestling feed Saturday had audio of the commercials and then went silent during the matches.

Trotsky · January 28, 2013, 12:30:05 PM

Quote from: Weder
Quote from: Rita
Quote from: TrotskyI didn't have any video freezes. There are still those mysterious moments when Jason drops the mic and stalks off stage.

And we didn't get the commericals during the Brown game. I had a friend visiting and was streaming the audio and she commented on the periodic spots of dead air and wondered if I needed to refresh the browswer. She didn't mind having dinner with Cornell hockey in the background, but then again, I used to drag her to bars so that we would have enough people to get a tv with sound for the "Lafayette, IN watch parties".

The wrestling feed Saturday had audio of the commercials and then went silent during the matches.

Those Pepsi Throwbacks aren't going to flack themselves.

marty · January 28, 2013, 12:48:56 PM

Quote from: Trotsky
Quote from: Weder
Quote from: Rita
Quote from: TrotskyI didn't have any video freezes. There are still those mysterious moments when Jason drops the mic and stalks off stage.

And we didn't get the commericals during the Brown game. I had a friend visiting and was streaming the audio and she commented on the periodic spots of dead air and wondered if I needed to refresh the browswer. She didn't mind having dinner with Cornell hockey in the background, but then again, I used to drag her to bars so that we would have enough people to get a tv with sound for the "Lafayette, IN watch parties".

The wrestling feed Saturday had audio of the commercials and then went silent during the matches.

Those Pepsi Throwbacks aren't going to flack themselves.

Drifting, are Throwbacks good to drink? I am partial to Mexican Coke, but haven't tried the Pepsi product. (Also +1 for Sierra Mist and others with cane sugar.)

flyersgolf · February 08, 2013, 09:01:18 PM

I have not bothered to list all the screw ups from this service the last few games. Video cutting out multiple times, no HD etc. But tonight the service cut out at the beginning of the 3rd and I could not get back on. RedCast is dead, like the server went down. Well I guess I will catch up on Shameless from last week.