Periscope has just released it new Producer feature to allow professional content makers stream live videos from a variety of devices besides their smartphones. Creators can now generate a URL to stream from professional cameras, satellite trucks, studio editing rigs, VR headsets, drones, OBS, and other desktop streaming software. This move will allow both Twitter and Periscope expand their reach, as well as the use of its platform since it is no longer limited to amateur content shot.

Tech Crunch reported that Periscope Producer might soon include 360 cameras. Periscope co-founder and CEO Kayvon Beykpour told reporters on Wednesday that the platform’s new feature is “laying the groundwork” to explore the scenario of allowing creators monetize their content by serving ads on streams.

Creators can now generate a URL to stream from professional cameras, satellite trucks, studio editing rigs, VR headsets, drones, OBS, and other desktop streaming software. Photo credit: Periscope / Venture Beat
Creators can now generate a URL to stream from professional cameras, satellite trucks, studio editing rigs, VR headsets, drones, OBS, and other desktop streaming software. Photo credit: Periscope / Venture Beat

“We’re taking a big step towards allowing any live broadcast, captured on mobile or otherwise, to be piped into Periscope and vicariously Twitter” Periscope co-founder and CEO Kayvon Beykpour told reporters yesterday at Twitter HQ.

Beykpour said the Periscope team wanted to broaden the type of content available on the platform’s ecosystem, as reported by Mashable. He added that they were willing to make it possible for live content to be piped into Periscope and Twitter regardless of whether it has been captured and distributed through either software or hardware.

Not only can producers stream directly from a variety of devices such as a laptop webcam or a professional video camera but they are also able to use other functionalities to add custom animations, graphics and advertising to their content. It is worth noting, though, that Periscope doesn’t offer these features itself, but Producer allows creators to add such elements manually, according to Mashable.

Bedroom web TV host Alex Pettit has already taken advantage of Producer to bring on Skype call-ins, show sponsorship reels, and he also displayed overlaid graphics.

A quick how-to guide

First, organizations and individuals willing to use Periscope Producer to expand their audience need to sign up here.

Once they have Producer access, they will be enabled to generate the streaming link they need to enter into their professional equipment by going into their app’s profile settings, Additional Sources. They will see a preview in the platform from which they can share the stream with everyone once it starts recording. The unique features such as feedback hearts and visible replies from the audience will be available.

Periscope Producer’s Launch partners

The new feature designed for companies and professional streamers has been in testing for about a month and a half with ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, Louis Vuitton, CBS 12, Fusion, Estadao, The News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Walt Disney Studios, and XBox UK. Tech Crunch’s Disrupt conference has also been testing Periscope Producer and described as “powerful and simple to use.” However, it did find some issues, including the fact that the sides of the video can get cut off because the streams get cropped into squares within embedded tweets, as reported by Tech Crunch’s website.

The article also mentions that longer streams can be affected given that the feature doesn’t allow creators to republish tweets with the link. This means that they have to promote their stream while it’s being broadcast manually.

Source: TechCrunch