LiveLab Broadcaster is a browser-based streaming platform used for real-time interaction with online audiences. This project is supported by NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program and CultureHub. Shows produced in the broadcaster include Take 21 (2022), A Few Deep Breaths (2022), Fractals of Prometheus (2023), Downtown Variety Ukraine Edition (2023) and Medea (2024).
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Real-Time Streaming - This venue uses WebRTC-based (Web Real-Time Communication) video, audio and data streaming, which means that performers and audience members can interact with one another with significantly less than one second of latency (much like a video call). By comparison, other forms of live streaming typically add 5-15 seconds of latency. This lower latency allows for many paradigms of audience interaction (question and answer, call and response, stand-up comedy, etc.) which simply do not work with higher latencies.
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Custom Interactions - This venue has a web-based javascript editor, which allows creative technologist to add custom interactions which can be triggered during an event or performance. Ask the audience to respond to a prompt, control projections with their mouse or join the stage with live video or otherwise affect the action of the show.
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[Upcoming] Integrations with Traditional Performance Systems - Using OSC and the included electron app, it is possible to trigger changes in the venue using traditional live performance and theatrical software and systems including QLab, TouchDesigner and others. This bi-directional integration also allows remote performers and audience members to trigger custom queues / interactions in your in-person venue.
This guide assumes some familiarity with your the command line (a text-based interface for your computer) and with web-development technologies. So when you see blocks of code below, these should be entered into your MacOS Terminal 💻 or Windows/Linux equivalent.
First, set up a MongoDB database using their hosted solution: guide
# download this repository and change directory (cd) into the root folder
git clone https://github.com/AidanNelson/virtual-venue.git
cd virtual-venue
# install all dependencies for the nextjs server and front end
npm install
# copy the example environment file to a local .env file and update values as needed
cp example.env .env
# the backend uses mongodb for a database. Create two files: db-cert.pem and db-key.pem and update with the certificate and key from your database
touch db-cert.pem
touch db-key.pem
# start the development server
npm run dev
# open a second terminal window for the realtime server
# install all dependencies for the websocket server
cd server
npm install
#start that server from the root of the project
cd ..
npm run start-server
# You should now be able to access the venue from your web-browser at http://localhost:3000/