Anyone Using Google+ ??

[Sinc747]

Tried doing a forum search for "google+" but the forum s/w won't accept the + sign. Tried used "google plus" but the s/w said "plus" was too short.

So...

Has anyone tried Google+? The Hangout feature looks promising as a sort of group-Skype, but its doesn't seem to like ViBlaster's VVD as a camera choice. Any ideas?

[EdEstes]

I am on Google+ and have played with Hangouts but haven't done any streaming yet. (I know Bruce Turner is on G+ also) I am pretty sure it uses the underlying Google Talk Plugin - don't know if that will help. What few streams of hangouts I've seen usually are doing screen captures of the actual hangouts.

I see some interesting uses of Google Hangouts as far as bringing a lot of guests together but it is still a little too early. I am working on some Hangout extensions to help manage hangouts for streaming but a lot of the APIs are not there yet. Google has been quick to respond with many areas of Google+ and the Hangout developers are accessible so I am hopeful...

Ping me on Google+ if you want to try some things.

--Ed

[damn2good4u]

I am equally on Google+ but haven't done anything streaming at all.... i am yet to get myself busy to know and figure how it works out.

[Sinc747]

I'm thinking that the Hangout feature may allow me to stream a round-robin discussion event. But I'm having some difficulty getting Google+ to recognize VidBlaster as my webcam.

[EdEstes]

Tom,

I am not sure Google Hangouts will work as you are expecting. With several people in the "conversation" the source for the end user changes based on who is talking. (there are ways of freezing the source but that can lead to problems in a stream broadcast) I don't think pushing your VIDBlaster content to the hangout is going to give you the results you are looking for in a multi-user environment. (3+ people)

Can you give a little more details on what you're thinking?

I am online throughout the day with work, so if you wanted to coordinate a hangout and see how it functions with several people in the conversation, let me know. You can add me to your circles via my profile:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/107132242120485271060

--Ed

[Sinc747]

Ed,

Last spring I did a talk show about local soccer teams and had a segment called Coaches Roundtable. I'd have 2 or 3 coachjes on at the same time. I used the multi-user Skype program and did a screen capture of each video window. But everytime someone joined or left the call it would rearrange the video windows. So I was thinking about just having one screen capture of all of the folks on the call (including me).

Sometimes I would play a video of a game and ask the coaches to comment. With Skype, I could set my VidBlaster output as the webcam, that way everyone could see the video.

Since some of my coaches have a slower internet connection, I want to send them the one stream (from my Skype) and have them send me just one stream (from their Skype).

With Google+ it would not matter to me if my Google+ video was the VidBlaster output and was the selected video. I just need a way for the coaches to see the video I'm playing.

I didn't do a very good job of explaining that. I hope you understand. Any oideas would be appreciated.

[EdEstes]

Thanks Tom. I understand what you're trying to do.

Google+ does allow you to control/share YouTube videos so one option might be to have some private YouTube videos uploaded to your channel that you share with the roundtable participants. Ideally the YouTube video would be screen captured just like the participant videos so it too can be broadcast to your viewers. I haven't played with YouTube in Hangouts but theoretically that would work.

I am still waiting on my new workstation - once that build is completed I will be exploring Google Hangouts for group participant streams. As mentioned, let me know if you want to create a hangout and role play what you're trying to do...

--Ed

[Mike]

Following this with some interest. If g+ in addition to skype v5 does not work with the VVD too, and you are eager to test, I may be able to whip something new up. Especially now Martin wrote such a nice article about this in the wiki.

[Sinc747]

Bummer than neither Skype nor Google+ will use VidBlaster as a camera. I'm open and ready to help with any testing you want to do!

But Skype v4.2.0.187 still works okay.

[pianokeys8807]

I would be willing to test as well. I, too, am looking for a better way to do remote hosts.

[damn2good4u]

I am looking for better and easiest way to do remote hosts... I am open to help with the any testing you'll want to do.

[hiro_mimura]

Hello Tom,
This is my real first time posting other than "Happy Birthday" to Mike.
My name is Hiroshi Mimrua from San Diego, California.
I have been using VidBlaster Pro since Nov 2010 for my weekly Ustream for Japanese people. (Recently upgraded to Studio)

Anyway, I have been searching similar thing as you are doing. I found an interesting tool that I can share with you. It is VSee.

I just tested with VB VVD and seems working. This VSee is free with limited use, but it has capability of up to 12 people Video chat that is taking less resources as compared with Skype (based on what they claimed)
And also you can Test chat, share desktop and/or applications opened.

Please note;
1. Software needs to be installed (Win/Mac available)
2. A way to invite people is via e-mail

I guess if you need Video conference with your friends and/or people whom you know, this would be enough. Can be used for a small group workshop.

http://vsee.com/
(http://vsee.com/)
I hope this will help.
----------------
Hiroshi Mimura
VB Studio, Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Core i5-2540M with Dell Latitude E6420
4GB RAM
Kworld USB2800D, Logitech Pro 9000
Alesis MultiMix 6 USB
[/URL][URL="http://vsee.com/"] (http://vsee.com/)

[Sinc747]

Hiroshi Mimura: Thanks for the Vsee suggestion.

What I've found is that Oovoo recognized VidBlaster as a camera when Streamer is set to VVD. Skype, Goohle+ and Vsee do not allow VidBlaster to be the cam. Other folks may have different experiences.

[hiro_mimura]

>Tom Sinclair,
You are welcome. Well, if you have an opportunity to show desktop share and application capture while Video conferencing, VSee has all with free. I was trying to use ooVoo, but there is a fee for desktop sharing.
I am sure there are some more good tool out there.
----------------
Hiroshi Mimura
VB Studio, Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Core i5-2540M with Dell Latitude E6420
4GB RAM
Kworld USB2800D, Logitech Pro 9000
Alesis MultiMix 6 USB

[chrisnitzel]

OVOO has been a good Skype alternative for better quality for me.