Simulive is a video streaming function that broadcasts previously recorded video as if it were live. You can easily set up simulive streams on EventHub without using other video platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. Simulive streams reduce the risk of broadcasting issues during your event, and we recommend them for all types of events.
Live Video Content
Live video streams are broadcast so viewers can view them in real time.
Live content can effectively share time-sensitive information, including responding to questions or
comments made during a stream. However, presenters cannot redo any live-streamed content, making
it vulnerable to human error or technical difficulties. Live streams may also require considerable labor
hours to set up and carry out.
On-Demand Video Content
On-demand video streams play pre-recorded content.
Viewers have the flexibility to rewind or skip ahead. Even if participants join an event late, they can
still watch the content from the beginning. While viewers can watch the streams at their own pace, they
may not be as focused on the content.
Simulive Video Content
Simulive streams broadcast pre-recorded content at a specific time as if the content were live.
Upload the video to the EventHub platform beforehand, and on the day of the event, viewers will watch
as if it were a live stream, unable to rewind or skip ahead. Simulive streams lessen the risk of broadcasting
issues and reduce the strain on production teams and hosts.
The following table further compares the types of video content described above.
| Live | On-Demand | Simulive | |
| Prior Recording and Production | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rewind / Fast Forward | No | Yes | No |
| Compatible Platforms | YouTube, Vimeo, Zoom, etc. | YouTube, Vimeo | EventHub |
| Configuration Difficulty | High | Average | Low |
| People Needed to Run | 2-3 | 1 | 1 |
| Risk of Broadcasting Issues | High | Low | Low |
| Attendee Focus Level | High | Average | High |
| Benefits | Useful for timely information | Can be used at any time during the event | Reduced labor hours and risk of issues while retaining benefits of a live stream |
1. Configuring a Simulive Video Stream
See the following steps once you have recorded a video and are ready to upload it to EventHub.
<tips>If you plan on running back-to-back simulive sessions, we recommend compiling all of the video content into a single file. By uploading a single simulive video, sessions can smoothly transition from one to the next. Participants do not have to refresh their browsers or click on each new video channel to start viewing, improving the event experience and keeping viewers watching.</tips>
To create a simulive video stream, click [Create New] via [Contents]>[Video Streaming].
Set the [Video Type] to "Simulive" and then click [Select video file] to upload your prepared video file.
Fill in the rest of the fields to configure the simulive video stream. See the table below for reference.
| Field | Description |
| Video Type | Simulive *This field cannot be edited later. |
| Video File | - File type: mp4, avi, mov, wmv - File size: up to 20GB - Recommended aspect ratio / resolution: 16:9 / 1920×1080 *Attempting to upload a video with a resolution greater than 1920×1080 may result in a failed upload. See the following article for reference: Help Uploading Simulive Video Content |
| Channel Name | The name of the video stream channel that will be displayed on the [Stage] tab’s dropdown menu |
| Display Order | The order that video stream channels are listed on the [Stage] tab’s dropdown menu |
| Publish Start Date |
The date and time that the simulive stream will start The video stream channel will remain hidden from the [Stage] menu until the day of the stream. Then a "Coming soon" message will display with the banner image on the channel until the stream's start time. |
| Publish End Date |
The date and time that the simulive stream ends - Upon reaching the publish end date and time, the simulive video will automatically stop and disappear from the [Stage]. |
Once you have completed the fields, click [Save], and the video will begin its upload to the EventHub platform. Wait until the progress bar reaches 100% and the window closes. Do not attempt any other tasks on the event management page until then.
*You must start the process over if you click [Cancel] before the upload finishes.
Once the window disappears, the "Video Status" column will show "In encoding" as the video finishes processing. You can safely close the browser tab or work on other functions on the event management page.
<tips>The encoding process can take over an hour in some instances. We recommend uploading simulive video content at least a day before its publish start date.</tips>
The "Video Status" will change to "Ready" when the encoding process is complete. Refresh your browser to check for video status updates.
<attention>The following error message will display if the video upload fails. Ensure your network connection is stable before attempting to upload again. See also the following article for reference: Help Uploading Simulive Video Content
Additionally, when multiple admins are simultaneously logged in to the event management page, if one admin uploads a simulive video, the others will see the following error message for the uploaded video. The upload is progressing, so the admin who uploaded the video should continue to follow the instructions above. Other admins should not attempt additional video uploads until the current upload is complete.
</attention>
Once the publish start date arrives, the simulive channel will appear on the [Stage] with a "Coming soon" message. The simulive stream will start automatically at the scheduled start time.
2. Downloading Viewership Data
<attention>Deleting any content, including simulive video streaming content, from the event management page also deletes any data collected by the EventHub platform for that content.</attention>
You can access session viewership data for all video streaming types from the event management page. For more detailed information, see one of the following reports:
- Lead Report: Access a CSV file containing detailed participant data via [Report]>[Lead Report]. If a simulive stream is connected to a session, its viewership can be found in this report.
- Viewership Data: Access a CSV file containing participant viewership data for a given video stream via [Contents]>[Video Streaming]>[Download Viewership Data]. The TRUE/FALSE value specifies whether a participant viewed the content at a given time, as shown below.
3. Additional Notes
- If a participant pauses a simulive stream, upon resuming it, the participant cannot rewind to view content they missed. For a gap where a participant has paused the stream, the [Download Viewership Data] CSV file will show as FALSE for the applicable time slots.
- Once a simulive stream ends at the publish end time, the event page's [Stage] will automatically switch to another published video stream channel, as applicable.
- Once all video streaming content has passed its respective [Publish End Date], an "All sessions are over. Thank you for attending!" message will appear.