In Socialive, completing a tech check before a recording session helps ensure a smooth, high-quality recording or livestream by identifying and resolving potential technical issues that could prevent connection, recording, or produce a low-quality output, such as laggy frame rates, distorted audio, or network problems.
This article will review the steps to complete a basic tech check using portal.socialive.us/tech-check/. Note that, in addition to Socialive users having the ability to complete a basic tech check here, Guests joining the Green Room are prompted to go through the Tech Check process when they enter the Green Room.
Navigating a Basic Tech Check
Process
Common Scenarios that Generate Warnings
FAQs
Navigating a Basic Tech Check
Process
For best results, use the same device, network, and configuration you plan to use for recording or joining the live session. If you change devices or networks, rerun the tech check.
If the tech check identifies any issues that could prevent recording or livestreaming, you will receive recommendations and can reach out to your session host or Socialive support for further assistance.
To start a basic tech check, visit tech check from the account menu or portal.socialive.us/tech-check.
When ready to run the basic tech check, click Run tech check.
If any technical issues are found, they will be listed to be addressed.
Once addressed, select 'Re-run tech check' to confirm that items have been successfully addressed.
Common Scenarios that Generate Warnings
If you encounter any of these issues, a recommendation will be provided to help resolve or mitigate the problem.
Low storage space—Socialive creates a local backup recording on your device in case any issues with the streaming recording are encountered. These local recordings are automatically uploaded and removed when the session ends, but they cannot be created if your device has insufficient space.
Overtaxed device—If your device's operating system or browser is out of date, if your browser has a large number of tabs open, or if your device is running multiple applications in addition to the browser, there may not be enough processing power to produce a high-quality recording.
Camera and microphone access - If you have not granted permission to the browser to access your camera or microphone, or if there is a network or IT policy that prevents you from granting permission, you won’t be able to record.
FOR WINDOWS USERS - if you have a desktop application running, even in the background, that has already ‘taken over’ your camera or microphone, such as a videoconferencing tool, or if you have a browser tab open where you have already granted permission to use the camera or microphone, you may not be able to record using your browser until those applications or tabs are closed.
Reachability - if you are on a Virtual Private Network (VPN), or if your network security or firewall is preventing a good connection to the Socialive cloud, you may not be able to connect to the session or your recording may be low quality, especially if you are livestreaming
FAQ
Details for how the device tests work
Once you have granted permission through your browser to access the camera and microphone, Tech Check will check your currently selected device’s capabilities to ensure you are ready to make a high-quality recording.
You can change the selected devices below your preview image if you want to check (or connect) a different camera or microphone.
Details for how the system tests work
Tech check will check your current browser and operating system to ensure your version of each is up-to-date enough to make a high-quality recording and participate in a livestream. It will also check if you have enough storage space to create a local version of your recording as a backup.
Details for how the network tests work
Tech check will run a brief connection test to ensure you have direct and high-bandwidth connectivity to the Socialive cloud service, so your livestream will not be interrupted by network congestion. This test is a point in time, and doesn’t guarantee that your future network connection will be the same quality. This is designed to check for serious issues before you begin, but network connection health is also automatically monitored throughout your session.
Still, looking for an answer?
Contact Socialive Support via live chat, email at support@socialive.us, or submit a support ticket.