Q: Can you tell us about your background in content production and how you came to use our cloud production studio?
A: My initial focus was on audio content distributed as podcasts. I’d occasionally produce streams on Facebook and Twitch using OBS, with basic consumer webcams and audio interfaces. Then came 2020 and the pandemic. At this point my production flow drastically changed. Using tools such as Blackmagic Design’s switchers and encoders, ingesting guest feeds with Magewell decoders, and low latency two way communication with VDO.Ninja. Things became complicated very quickly (although I’ll admit, fun to learn). It wasn’t until I joined Kiswe’s team in 2023 that I became familiar with the platform and its capabilities.
Q: What were your initial impressions of the cloud production studio when you first started using it?
A: Having used platforms such as Streamyard, Kiswe Studio immediately stood out as a cloud based product with much more horsepower and customization. With features such as ingesting RTMP/SRT sources, re-encoding multiple outputs with different resolutions/bitrates/framerates, advanced management + stream analytics of remote guests, and an intuitive UI for creating events. Kiswe Studio is a full toolbox in the cloud for many types of productions.
Q: How user-friendly did you find the interface and features of our cloud production studio? Can you share any specific instances where the ease of use stood out?
A: With the new Switcher product recently launched, the interface is easy to digest and get familiar with. For example it’s very easy to go into the layout editor, create a 3 box layout, import that layout into a Switcher event, and then add the video sources to the corresponding boxes. In comparison this same task on an ATEM switcher would require some trial and error of the initial layout, recording the appropriate values as a macro, managing the XML for any future edits, and often relying on third party software to recall these layout macros. With Kiswe, it’s all in the box.
Q: In what ways has the cloud production studio enhanced the efficiency and productivity of your production process?
A: Setting up a stream in Kiswe Studio is a breeze compared to my traditional hardware workflow. No need to configure port forwarding on my network. No need to boot up 6+ devices and ensure they’re all communicating with each other. No firmware/software updates that potentially break the signal chain. With a few clicks of the mouse, I can be ready to go.
Q: How has our cloud solution facilitated remote collaboration among your team? Can you share any examples of how this benefited a particular project?
A: With Kiswe Studio, anyone with a modern computer and internet connection can instantly become a member of the production team. A great example of this was Orlando City SC’s Kickoff-60 pregame show that launched this year. For these broadcasts, which took place on location at Exploria Stadium, members from our team remotely sat in as technical director and ran the stream. While having the onsite director and crew in our ear via Kiswe Studio’s talkback feature.
Q: How do you feel the quality of your productions has been impacted by using our cloud studio? Are there noticeable improvements in the final output?
A: Quality wise the output from Kiswe Studio is just as crisp as my hardware encoders, or encoding from OBS.
Q: How does the customization and flexibility of our software compare to traditional production methods you've used in the past?
A: Being able to expand on the fly with Kiswe Studio is invaluable. No need for costly hardware additions to accommodate for last minute production needs.
Q: Did you encounter any challenges while using our system, and how were they addressed?
A: Initially I did have some CPU constraints due to using an older computer. Updating to a new Apple Silicone based CPU resolved this issue.
Q: What are your expectations or hopes for future updates or upgrades to the cloud production studio?
A: I do think adding macro based workflows, and compatibility with Bitfocus Companion would help elevate what’s possible with the platform (especially for integrations such as Singular.live).
Q: Would you recommend our cloud production studio to others in the industry? What advice would you give to new users of our system?
A: Yes, I think Kiswe Studio would be a great fit for a number of production needs. My main advice is making sure anyone joining the production has an adequate/reliable connection to the internet.
Q: Can you share a memorable experience or a particular project where our cloud production studio played a crucial role?
A: Going back to Orlando City SC’s Kickoff-60 pregame show. There was an episode where the usual hosts were unable to be on location at Exploria Stadium due to a hurricane. Thanks to the versatility of Kiswe Studio, we were able to run the whole show with their pitch side correspondent at the away team’s stadium, with a fully remote production team.
Q: Overall, how would you assess the impact of our cloud production studio on your TV production work?
A: Kiswe Studio allows me to easily test out new ideas that normally would require financial costs, and my time configuring hardware.
Q: Anything else you would like to mention?
A: It’s a privilege to work with the Kiswe Studio team, and be a part of the future of cloud based production solutions.