I've been in two back to back group breaks and they have both were recorded on ustream. I don't know why it won't play back recorded video well, but my suggestion is to use ustream for you live people and youtube for the playback. It sucks to pay money, possibly not get anything for it and then not get to watch the break. Also, we have no idea what we got in the break, so how do we know it's correct. I want to make it clear that I don't think that the breakers for my breaks have done anything underhanded. I just want to be a part of the break I entered. I don't want to be left in the dark for days after the break happened and just have some random package show up. I paid for a portion of the boxes that were broke and I paid for a portion of the fun of watching them being broken, so I should be able to enjoy that. I say 86 the ustream recordings.

I have never had any issues with watching recorded breaks on Ustream. What kind of problems are you having? Or were the issues in the live version too? I do my breaks on Ustream, and the one break I currently in is also done on Ustream. Only problem I have had with Ustream is the lag, I don't see what I'm holding up to the camera (like a 10 second delay to what I'm doing realtime).

Dwight

I don't believe it is technical issues Tommy's addressing; I think it's more of an issue of real time viewing and providing a replay option for those who were unable to watch it due to prior engagements.

Oz

There shouldn't be too many problems.

The host of the break should be recording the break as they are doing it. If they are not then they are being inconsiderate to the people who can't attend live.

Is technical issues a constant thing with your computer? Maybe your not connected at a slow speed?

Are you not able to see the video at all? Is there a time lag?

I have noticed with ustream that sometimes you need to reload the show page (or video link) to get it to view right. Sometimes it might just be that the host had a poor connection when breaking. If that is the case then they should have mentioned it in the group thread and apologized to those in the break.

If you are involved in a group and have problems viewing the video please tell the host by posting on the groups thread or better yet send the host a PM stating what the problem was.

Most of the breaks I've been involved in the Host has eventually at least given a list of the big hits. When they have time sometimes they have posted scans. Any host worth his salt will tell you what you received in the break if you contact him.

I'd love to host a break sometime, but I don't have a video cam or web cam, and don't see myself getting one anytime soon. Just another piece of equipment to hook up wrong to the computer.

Every recorded ustream video I've seen recently skips and stops and you don't actually see much of anything. I have never had a problem in the past and I don't have problems with any other programs, so I thought it was a ustream issue. I also have seen in the breaks that noone was able to figure out the hits, so I figured they had the same problem.

hmm maybe Ustream is having some technical problems?

Last night I tried watching someones break, and all I saw was the first 10-15 seconds of them putting a blurry card up to the screen, the sound was low also. I usually don't have much of a problem with the groups I've been in when I've been able to watch live, or to view the recording. I have had the occasional problem, and I just remembered last nights attempt that is why I mentioned it just now.

Click on my ustream and tell me if you have same problem with one of my recorded ones if you would please. I have never heard anyone having problems in my groups, but would like to know if there is that problem or chance someone would have a problem in my group.
I record each box separate, and recap the "hits" at the end of break (that way if problems each box separate recording, or if person watching recorded version just wants to see hits they can go towards end of recording). Depending on how many boxes we doing, and what those in chat want to do, sometimes I don't read off the names on base cards.

thanks,
Dwight

i just done a random video and it did not give me the option to save to youtube has this happened to anyone before?

No problems what so ever. It played very clearly and without any skips. I wish the rest ran as smooth.

It may have to do with person's computer and internet connection then maybe. My computer is older, but has a decent video card and I have cable internet. I suppose it could be the cameras too, though mine is like one level up from the cheapie computer cams.

LOL, I don't know what you have, but it works, I'm sure of that.

I'll chime in here as well as I do a bunch of group breaks but have never done one on UStream as I prefer Youtube. I constantly hear how UStream is the best format and some people won't join a break unless it's UStream. I wholeheartedly agree that it's great that it allows for chatting as you break... but every single UStream video I've seen has been choppy, cuts in and out, and is blurry. The focus is almost always on the breaker instead of the cards. They may hold the card up to the camera dor a few seconds but even then many times you can't even distinguish who the player is. I understand the benefits of having others share in the break but I think if a break is done right you have a good view of the cards as they're pulled and you can still get a good banter going when you're listing the hits as you go.

Sorry to sound "soapboxy" but I just hear too often how UStream is the greatest thing since sliced bread but I think it actually makes for an inferior break. I realize that's just one mans opinion but I thought I would at least state it.

I just tried watching a Ustream break and kept losing my connection... a problem I never have with youtube...

That's exactly what I'm talking about. After busting a bunch of boxes, the breaker rarely wants to scan or list a bunch of hits, so it's usually just receiving the cards that tells you what you got. It's not worth it especially when you send alot to get in. I agree with the youtube idea of boxbreaking.

I've never tried Youtube so I have no comparison. But I think it can vary on breakers camera and computer and how well they set up camera and lighting. As I have been in a few breaks that were hard to see the cards pulled on both Youtube and Ustream. My computer camera has auto focus, so when you hold up card you can see it pretty good. That and I played around with angles and lighting to get what I was the best way to shoot it so cards can be seen. For me the interaction in chat while breaking is a bonus, as it is part of the fun and comaraderie, so myself I will stick with Ustream unless I start having problems with it.

Dwight

Yeah, I don't see any reason why you should do anything different Dwight. Next time you have a GB let me know. I would love to be in yours.

I have a Football and a Hockey Monthly Low Budget Break (threads in the Group Break Forum). If you want on the waiting list for either just post in this months thread and I will add you to it. We vote on product to break each month, but usually go with the lower end product so better chance of everyone getting hits (only 10 spots in each break, so 3 drafted teams each).

Any questions about how it works drop me a PM, as I don't have all that posted in thread as most of the folks have been in it awhile, though we do have some turnover from time to time.

Dwight