On Thursday, the startup announced Broadcaster: a tiny red box that plugs in to any camera, encodes the video in real-time HD and uses either a wireless connection or a 3G/4G USB modem to upload it to the Livestream site -- all without any need for a computer.
The device can also be used as a battery-powered desktop encoder, and it will be sold on the Livestream site for $495.
That may seam expensive, but its a big improvement over the price of what Broadcaster replaces. Other HD encoding equipment that Livestream recommends costs between $1,000 and $5,000.
Livestream's new product wasn't developed out of a desire to become a hardware company (in fact, it would someday like to give away the equipment for free). Rather, Broadcaster is about making Livestream's online service -- unlimited HD streaming for $45 per month -- accessible to more people.
"The missing link to accelerate adoption was seamlessly integrating live video from any prosumer camera to our service without the need for a computer,” Livestream CEO Max Haot said in a statement.
Every purchase of Broadcaster includes three months of Livestream service.
Free apps from startups such as Ustream and Bambuser suit most individuals' live broadcasting needs just fine. But Livestream's hardware may entice another level of professional events to its platform, which has hosted videos for ABC News, CBS News, AT&T, PepsiCo and The Academy Awards.
