Audio-Video Production Guidelines

Production Quality Starts at the Source

Professional webcasting quality begins with proper production practices at the source. Even the best encoding and delivery infrastructure cannot compensate for poorly captured audio and video. These guidelines establish baseline requirements for production quality that support professional results across all webcasting applications.

Video Production Standards

Camera Requirements

Professional webcasts require cameras capable of delivering at minimum 1080p resolution at 30fps with consistent color reproduction and exposure control. Cameras should support manual control of focus, exposure, and white balance. Auto-focus systems must track subjects reliably without visible hunting or delays.

Lighting Standards

Lighting should provide even illumination of subjects without harsh shadows or overexposure. Key light intensity should maintain skin tones within natural ranges. Color temperature should be consistent across all light sources with target of 5600K for daylight or 3200K for tungsten environments.

Framing and Composition

Subject framing should follow standard compositional guidelines with appropriate headroom and lead room. Camera angles should convey professionalism and engagement. Multiple camera setups should provide visual variety while maintaining consistent technical quality across all sources.

Audio Production Standards

Microphone Selection

Professional webcasts require appropriate microphone selection for the application. Lavalier microphones for individual speakers ensure consistent audio levels. Shotgun microphones for panel discussions provide flexibility while maintaining directional pickup. Room microphones for audience capture should be positioned to minimize feedback risk.

Audio Levels

Audio levels should peak at -6 dB with target average around -18 dB to provide headroom for dynamics while maintaining signal strength. All audio sources should be balanced to consistent levels before mixing. Target integrated loudness of -24 LUFS as specified in streaming quality standards.

Room Acoustics

Recording environments should minimize reverberation and ambient noise. Background noise levels should not exceed -60 dB in quiet passages. Acoustic treatment should control reflections without creating unnaturally dead sound. HVAC and equipment noise must be addressed before production.

Integration with Streaming Standards

Audio-video production quality directly impacts achievable streaming quality. Source material must meet production standards before encoding parameters specified in encoding format specifications can deliver professional results.