Release Notes

Stream Studio: Integrated Streaming for Multi-Lot Auctions

We are pleased to introduce Stream Studio, a new integrated streaming solution purpose-built for Multi-Lot Auctions.

Stream Studio brings streaming, presentation, camera and audio management directly into Auctions Live, reducing the need to rely on third-party broadcasting software such as OBS. Subscribers can now configure, operate and monitor their auction broadcast through a single purpose-built workspace.

This provides greater control over the broadcast experience while simplifying the overall streaming workflow.

Stream Studio Access

Stream Studio is available as part of Auctions Live. Once enabled on a subscriber account, Stream Studio can be accessed through the Grid Icon in the top right hand corner of the screen.

For each Multi-Lot Auction, a dedicated stream key is generated to establish the connection with Stream Studio.

After a stream event has been created, Stream Studio can also be launched directly from the Multi-Lot Auction View page. A Stream Studio button is displayed adjacent to the stream key, providing convenient access without requiring subscribers to navigate away from the auction.

Stream Studio Workspace

Stream Studio provides a dedicated workspace for configuring and managing a live Multi-Lot Auction broadcast.

At the centre of the workspace is a live canvas, providing a real-time preview of the content being prepared for viewers.

Four primary control sections are positioned along the bottom of the workspace:

• ● Layout: Manage how camera feeds and presentation content are displayed.
• ● Camera: Select, position and configure available camera sources.
• ● Audio: Manage microphone and presentation audio.
• ● Controls: Start, pause, monitor and end the broadcast.

Streaming Layouts

Stream Studio provides three dedicated layouts to support different broadcast requirements:

• ● Camera Only: Broadcast the selected camera feed directly to viewers for a simple presentation centred on the auctioneer or presenter.
• ● Stream Display: Incorporate custom-built presentations into the live broadcast so relevant auction and listing information can be displayed alongside the camera feed.
• ● Venue Display: Stream the in-room presentation to online viewers so they can see the same presentation content being displayed at the physical auction venue.

Layout Activation

Each layout includes a dedicated power control, allowing subscribers to activate or deactivate individual layouts as required. This ensures only the streaming elements needed for the broadcast are loaded and active.

Camera Management

The Camera section provides access to camera sources available on the subscriber's system.

Subscribers can select the required camera source and configure its presentation directly within the Stream Studio canvas.

Camera Positioning and Sizing

Dedicated camera controls provide greater flexibility over how the selected feed is presented:

• ● Crop Camera: Crop the selected camera feed to the required dimensions and reposition it anywhere on the canvas.
• ● Move & Resize Camera: Freely reposition and resize the camera feed while maintaining its defined aspect ratio.
• ● Expand to Fill Screen: Expand the selected camera feed to fill the entire canvas and restore its default full-screen presentation.

Camera Pinning

• ● Pin Camera: Pin an available camera source as a compact preview within the left-side workspace for quick access and monitoring.
• ● Reposition Camera Preview: Drag and reposition pinned camera previews to suit the operator's preferred workspace layout.

This allows multiple camera sources to remain visible while the broadcast is being configured and managed.

Audio Management

The Audio section provides centralised control over the microphone and presentation audio used during the broadcast.

Multiple Microphone Sources

Subscribers can select microphones associated with their available camera devices, supporting more flexible audio configurations where multiple camera and microphone sources are required across the auction environment.

Microphone Controls

Input and volume mixer controls allow microphone levels to be managed directly within Stream Studio.

• ● Microphone Mute Control: Mute or unmute individual microphone sources as required.
• ● Microphone Volume Adjustment: Adjust individual microphone levels according to their position and distance from the audio source.

In-Room Presentation Audio

When using the Venue Display layout, subscribers can independently control the audio associated with the in-room presentation. Presentation audio can be muted, unmuted and adjusted in volume directly within Stream Studio.

Broadcast Management

The Controls section, positioned at the bottom-right of the workspace, provides the primary controls for managing the broadcast lifecycle.

• ● Start Broadcast: Commence the live stream and make it available to public viewers.
• ● Pause / Resume: Temporarily suspend and subsequently continue an active broadcast.
• ● Stream Statistics: Monitor technical broadcast performance in real time.
• ● Permanently End: Permanently terminate a broadcast so it cannot be resumed.

Start and Stop Broadcast

The live broadcast is initiated by selecting Start Broadcast. Once live, a flashing Live indicator and stream timer are displayed to clearly identify the active broadcast status.

The Start Broadcast control then changes to Stop, allowing the active broadcast to be stopped when required.

Pause and Resume

The Pause function allows subscribers to temporarily suspend a live broadcast while additional arrangements or adjustments are made. The broadcast can then be continued by selecting Resume without creating a new stream.

Stream Performance Monitoring

Stream Statistics provides real-time technical information to assist subscribers with monitoring broadcast performance.

Selecting Stream Statistics opens a dedicated statistics panel on the right side of the canvas displaying:

• ● Stream Status: View the current technical status of the stream.
• ● FPS: Monitor the stream's frame rate.
• ● RTT: Review round-trip network latency.
• ● Packet Loss: Monitor network packet loss during the broadcast.
• ● Video Bitrate: Review the current video data rate.
• ● Audio Bitrate: Review the current audio data rate.

YouTube Statistics

For broadcasts connected to YouTube, additional YouTube-specific information is available within the same statistics panel:

• ● Stream Status: View the current YouTube stream status.
• ● Health Status: Review the health of the YouTube broadcast connection.
• ● Recording Status: View the current recording state.
• ● Lifecycle Status: Review the current lifecycle stage of the YouTube stream.

The latest YouTube stream statistics can be retrieved and refreshed by selecting Fetch, providing greater visibility over both technical broadcast performance and the stream's current YouTube status.

Permanently End Broadcast

The Permanently End control permanently terminates the broadcast and prevents it from being resumed.

For additional protection, this control only becomes active after the broadcast has been started for the first time, ensuring it cannot be selected before a broadcast has commenced.

User Interface Enhancements

Stream Studio includes several additional features designed to create a more flexible and efficient broadcast workspace.

• ● Dark and Light Mode: Switch between Dark Mode and Light Mode to suit the subscriber's preferred interface appearance.
• ● Stream Key and Share Link: Access the stream key and share link directly within Stream Studio without returning to the Multi-Lot Auction page.
• ● Exit to Home: Leave Stream Studio and return directly to the Auctions Live environment.

Picture-in-Picture

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) provides a floating camera preview window that can be freely repositioned, allowing subscribers to maintain visibility of the live broadcast while managing other elements of the auction.

This enables subscribers to:

• ● Monitor the Live Camera Feed: Keep the active camera feed visible while managing the auction.
• ● Work Across Auctions Live: Keep the stream visible while working within other areas of the platform.
• ● View Alongside the Public Widget: Monitor Stream Studio while simultaneously viewing the public-facing auction page.
• ● Compare the Viewer Experience: Compare the Stream Studio output with the broadcast being presented to public viewers.

Picture-in-Picture provides greater visibility during a live auction without requiring subscribers to continuously switch between windows.

A Unified Streaming Experience

Stream Studio brings the essential components of Multi-Lot Auction streaming together within Auctions Live.

From camera and audio management to presentation layouts, broadcast controls, performance monitoring and Picture-in-Picture, subscribers can configure and manage their live stream from one integrated workspace.

By reducing reliance on third-party broadcasting applications, Stream Studio provides a more consistent, controlled and streamlined streaming experience for Multi-Lot Auctions.

Availability

Stream Studio requires an active Auctions Live Stream Pro subscription. Once Stream Pro has been activated, eligible subscribers can access Stream Studio through the Rubix Cube or directly from the Multi-Lot Auction View page after a stream event has been created.