Reviewing the Epiphan Webcaster X1 for YouTube and Facebook
Photo Moment - January 06, 2017
Curious to know what's up with the Epiphan Video Webcaster X1 for Facebook and YouTube? Yeah, me too… let's catch up and I'll share what they've been telling me.
PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S PHOTO MOMENT:
Epiphan Webcaster X1 for Facebook [B&H - http://jal.bz/2iZcyGP]
Epiphan Webcaster X1 for YouTube [B&H - http://jal.bz/2i11DO4]
VIDEOS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S PHOTO MOMENT:
Unboxing the Epiphan Webcaster X1: https://youtu.be/I0UBWdvwtBE
Will you review the Epiphan Webcaster X2?
+Gary Cruz I hadn't seen that yet. I will ask them for one!
+Clinton Providence Nope. It went back to Epiphan without ever working for me. Apparently it works fine with a short list of equipment which I don't own, but I can't confirm.
So, it is mid Feb 2017 and I didn't see this until today. I purchased (epiphan FB) on 1/27 which leaves a small window to complete it operationally before I can't send it back for a refund.. I haven't worked everything out yet; frustrated. There are problems with audio, NONE.... I want to hook in one of my SONY cameras to allow pan and zoom streaming. My sony cameras have a mini to full size hdmi cable output (to the the epiphan) but it turns out the audio won't play through...Tested this to a HDMI input on my TV. BUT this is because of my camera, not the ephiphan...It will ONLY play the audio when the video in the playback mode. At that point I used a recorded time period to test "live" stream and guess what, it works. Not what I am trying to get done...
I also have older sony cameras; which have component video outputs, the White/Red/Yellow RCA connectors. This camera works the way I want when I test it to a TV, but I don't have the HDMI input needed for the epiphan... I contacted them and we discussed these things, not advertised in advance. I give them credit for trying to assist me getting it square, but I also think I am providing them insight into what is wrong with t product they are selling. Limited inputs via an HDMI cable that adds problems to certain devices that otherwise work well. We did discuss a short list of cameras they have tested, and this includes GOPRO devices, a friend has one of the models noted and it DID work. In the meantime I am trying to purchase today a Component to HDMI converter up scan box, if it works I expect the ephipahn will be satisfied. And I can only hope that I don't miss the return to vendor 30 day window... BTW, mine must have come with the upgrade, it doesn't show in the configuration where 3 epiphan people asked me to verify. Anyone have a feel for if this device has been corrected ? m@
I also have older sony cameras; which have component video outputs, the White/Red/Yellow RCA connectors. This camera works the way I want when I test it to a TV, but I don't have the HDMI input needed for the epiphan... I contacted them and we discussed these things, not advertised in advance. I give them credit for trying to assist me getting it square, but I also think I am providing them insight into what is wrong with t product they are selling. Limited inputs via an HDMI cable that adds problems to certain devices that otherwise work well. We did discuss a short list of cameras they have tested, and this includes GOPRO devices, a friend has one of the models noted and it DID work. In the meantime I am trying to purchase today a Component to HDMI converter up scan box, if it works I expect the ephipahn will be satisfied. And I can only hope that I don't miss the return to vendor 30 day window... BTW, mine must have come with the upgrade, it doesn't show in the configuration where 3 epiphan people asked me to verify. Anyone have a feel for if this device has been corrected ? m@
+Matt Smith Got it. They added ports and features that aren't enabled (and may never be). Glad to hear you were able to get it to work though. That's promising. As to the YouTube issue; that's a setting in the live setup. You can have it make a video private as soon as you're done, or stay public.
Please let me clarify, my camera IS the source of a major issue; not sending audio & video over the HDMI (unless in playback). That said, the auxiliary audio mic input doesn't work (also the sdi card slot) according to epiphan tech support. (no way to add audio without purchasing new cameras. I borrowed other cameras such as GOPRO that do this as desired. To FB tested some streams that look very good, but once stopped they are no longer view-able (i might be doing something wrong). The single biggest issue you brought to my attention was the no connection via WIFI, a big problem. With that in mind I have determined to return the device in the 30 day window. Plan B(?) I guess...thank you. m@
+Matt Smith They have confirmed with me that the audio problems I keep exhibiting are (obviously) not entirely addressed. I wouldn't go as far as saying that HDMI only is limiting though; every device made for a very long time has HDMI. That's beyond standard. If your camera doesn't output live audio over HDMI that's hardly epiphan's fault. Not sure I follow how their HDMI is adding problems to devices that otherwise work OK?
will this product work with Blackmagic switchers
Once it works, yes it'll work with anything that outputs HDMI. I'm using a BkackMagic ATEM 2/ME. That said, I've yet to get the damn thing to work right.
You still have RadioShack in your town? I thought they all closed.
+Thomas Emmerich Not all. About half, I think. The remaining ones are half Sprint stores now. It's a shell of what it used to me, mostly selling cheap computer parts and super crappy electronic toys and severely overpriced HDMI cables, but in a pinch at least it's there.
Thanks so much for this review. I've been looking for a good portable streaming solution that I can take on location to be able to offer streaming to my clients. I DEFINITELY don't want to use it for clients if it has this problem. I think I'm going to try to build-out a Mac Mini or Macbook for Wirecast. Thoughts?
+Carter Bing Great to hear. Yesterday's problem with YouTube was that the Live panel in YouTube showed green, and health was perfect, but the actual stream showed offline. Then later the recorded stream showed up! So weird.
Any power tips for those still getting used to it?
Any power tips for those still getting used to it?
I have been using Vidiu for almost a year for Facebook, Youtube and Livestream successfully. There is a learning curve but well worth it.
My previous streaming experience was using Flash Media Encoder on Windows, then a Tricaster Studio. When I upgrade my church to HD, I set them up with a Matrox Monarch two-ish years due to the simplicity of the push-buttons (our streaming provider lets us publish to the same stream key every time, so no need to change the settings via the web interface).
For my business, I've wanted to started offering single and multi-camera productions with switching and streaming, so using Wirecast as my switcher is attractive. I have an Older MacPro tower that I thought of outfitting with for it. But an appliance like this would be great for streaming a single camera.
I'll check out the VidiuPro
.
For my business, I've wanted to started offering single and multi-camera productions with switching and streaming, so using Wirecast as my switcher is attractive. I have an Older MacPro tower that I thought of outfitting with for it. But an appliance like this would be great for streaming a single camera.
I'll check out the VidiuPro
.
+Mackey Productions, LLC Wirecast is far from infallible. As is the VidiuPro, which I've had the most success with (once I figured the damn thing out). Be sure to watch that video too. It should be linked in the description of this one. Personally I'd probably give the nod to the VidiuPro as most reliable that I've used so far.
You just saved me some $. It's a shame, I thought someone finally made a one-box solution for live streaming, too.
+Ben McCartney You're welcome. They are confident they will get it fixed but you have to wonder just how they shipped something so blatantly broken in the first place. And hey since I saved you some $, perhaps consider supporting the show at http://patreon.com/PhotoJoseph? :-) Thanks for watching!
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