What's the cheapest possible way (including the hardware) to stream one t...

Julian Bond - 2011-10-11 09:39:01+0000 - Updated: 2011-10-11 09:39:01+0000

What's the cheapest possible way (including the hardware) to stream one to many, live, from a portable device, in an area that probably has public WiFi? Note this really needs a shoulder or helmet mounted webcam. It should be capable of 6-12 hours running on a battery and allow battery swapping to extend that.

I'm thinking Google+ Hangout + webcam + notebook in a backpack. I could be wrong, but I don't think any of the clever phones can use a separate cam.

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Chiraag G - 2011-10-11 09:45:02+0000 - Updated: 2011-10-11 09:46:01+0000

I'm intrigued to find out your solution... Especially as GoPro only has 2.5 hrs battery life and ships with only 1 battery.

Julian Bond - 2011-10-11 10:00:32+0000

+nick vespo I'm deliberately pushing the spec by saying 6 hours. But I guess the point is, more than an hour.

Humberto Gauna - 2011-10-11 10:05:03+0000 - Updated: 2011-10-11 10:05:58+0000

Extra (9cell vice 6 cell) or solar powered supply, laptop with 4G internet connection. and small USB Camera (5MP). The challenge in my opinion will be your upstream connection and compression used to send the signal.

Julian Bond - 2011-10-11 10:35:10+0000

Don't know the details and haven't tried it, but I believe there's an official bridge to youtube so that your <=9 hangout can be viewed by unlimited people. I don't think the Dalai Lama-Tutu event was unique, I think anyone can do that.

Julian Bond - 2011-10-11 10:59:52+0000

If that's not available yet there's always ustream.

Julian Bond - 2011-10-11 11:03:30+0000

I don't expect to actually do this, but I'm thinking about the upcoming #OccupyLondonStockExchange

Another one I'd like to try some time is a throwaway phone hooked up to a loudhailer and a big sign on my back saying "Call this number and have your say".

This also reminds me of a conference a long time ago. A well known person couldn't be there so somebody carried a laptop round open in front of them with a webcam and a Skype session so the celebrity could be there virtually and interact with individuals who got within camera/speaker range.

Eric Hill - 2011-10-12 04:53:39+0000

something like the justin.tv android app is probably pretty close to the cheapest way. QIK (.com) supposedly can do it as well. I'm not sure of the server-side costs for these, if any.