What is "EasyCam"?

EasyCam is iFriend's easiest method of LiveStream hosting. There is no extra software needed. If you have a web browser (preferably Internet Explorer) and the latest Flash Plug-In you can host with EasyCam!

Do you have a "QuickStart Guide" that walks me through everything step by step?

Sure -- click here to get started, after all, it's easy!

What cameras are supported by EasyCam?

USB cameras work best with EasyCam, but many digital video cameras will work well. Also, some capture cards work quite well. Macromedia has a list of cameras that have been tested here. However just because your camera is not on the list does not mean it will not work. We have many hosts using a variety of cameras that are not on the list. The best way to find out is to try it for yourself!

Will EasyCam work with firewalls and proxies?

EasyCam does have the ability to work with firewalls and proxies, however some users do have trouble with certain personal firewall software. A good starting point is this port test. It will tell you if you are able to successfully transmit and receive. If you have problems, we recommend disabling your personal firewall software while you are hosting.

What happens if my video freezes or my viewer says my video has frozen?

If your viewer says that he has noticed your video has frozen, tell them to click the "Restart Paused Video" button under the video window. If that does not work or you see that your video is frozen, you should try clicking the button that says "Restart Paused Video". It is possible that sometimes your internet connection results in a loss of video signal and we are unable to automatically continue to broadcast your feed. This is the general cause of your frozen video.

If you see a message on the screen that tells you to click "Restart Paused video" you should do so. Sometimes it may take up to 30 seconds or more to begin transmitting again. To be sure you are broadcasting properly, you can temporarily view your feed as a viewer would by clicking the custom button and changing the Cam Display Mode to "Remote". This option will have us broadcast the video feed back to you so you can see that it is broadcasting properly. When you see that it is working correctly, change the mode back to "Local". This will save bandwidth and provide a better experience for both you and the viewer.

It is generally NOT needed for you to sign out your session to continue hosting if your video has frozen.

Does EasyCam work with Netscape?

Yes. EasyCam does work with Netscape, however we recommend trying Internet Explorer if you have problems with your video feed.

Does EasyCam work with MacOS?

Yes -- in fact, EasyCam is the only hosting format that works reliably when hosted on a MacOS-based computer. However, you'll need to use Apple's Safari browser instead of MSIE.

Does EasyCam support sound?

Yes -- EasyCam supports sound. Also, you are able to separately control if sound is broadcast to regular viewers, guest viewers, and voyeur viewers.

Will my viewers see a delay with EasyCam?

The delay your viewers will experience is largely dependent on your connection speed and your viewer's connection speed. There is NO inherent delay in the broadcasting of your video. The buffering that occurs can be controlled by both the host and the viewer. More buffering may increase delay, but provide a more fluid video experience. Less buffering can provide a more real time experince however the video quality may not be as good if the viewer does not have sufficient bandwidth. However, close to real time video is often the norm when both the host and viewer are on broadband connections. Viewers on dial-up connections are going to experience some delay, but EasyCam's broadcast method adds no delay unlike other LiveStream options.

Some users seem to have a great experience and others are not as good. Is there anything I can do to control the quality of my video?

EasyCam offers a myriad of options including the image size, frames per second, buffering, and bandwidth. However, we have defined several "preset" settings for you to make it easy. By default, EasyCam uses a medium quality setting which we have found generally provides the best quality experience for most users. If you have a viewer on a dial-up connection who is having difficulty viewing your video, you can try choosing one of the lower quality presets to reduce the amount of data you are transmitting. The viewer can also select more buffering and this will help improve his experience.

Also, be sure your Cam Display Mode is set to Local Display. This will allow you to see the video feed directly from your camera and will not use any bandwidth. If you would like to see how your video feed would look as a viewer, select the Remote option. Remember, however, this option requires bandwidth to send the video back to you and may result in reduced performance for both yourself and your viewers.

I have more than one camera. Is there a way for me to take advantage of this?

Absolutely! EasyCam supports Multiple-Camera-Angles. You can transmit up to 4 video feeds simultaneously. The viewer can choose to view all your video feeds at the same time or he can select to zoom in on his favorite. Strategically placed cameras allow you to give the viewer an even more realistic experience.

Do I have to use different types of cameras to support Multi-Angle?

No. Use can use the same model camera or different cameras. If the camera works by itself, there is no problem mixing or matching cameras.

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