Streamlining Fitness Content Creation with Medialooks Direct Convert

Our client, Ulf Soderqvist, runs a subscription-based online fitness program that offers live-streamed workouts three times a week and a library of hundreds of pre-recorded sessions, named JAM Malibu Online. Using a green screen studio, their fitness content is delivered to subscribers via YouTube, and higher-tier members get access to interactive classes through Google Meet, where instructors can provide real-time feedback.

Challenge

As their setup grew in complexity, Ulf's team encountered a problem with synchronizing their audio and video feeds. They used VR software (such as Aximmetry) for virtual sets, which introduced issues like audio delays, clicking sounds, and overall system instability when trying to process both video and audio through a single pipeline. The team needed a lightweight, efficient solution to keep audio and video separate while maintaining high production quality, all without adding cumbersome hardware to their already gear-heavy studio.

Solution

After searching for a software solution, Ulf discovered Medialooks Direct Convert, which quickly became an essential part of JAM Malibu Online workflow. Direct Convert allowed simplifying and stabilizing the setup by:

• Converting the audio feed from the mixing station via USB into NDI format using Direct Convert.
• Combining the NDI video feed from Ecimetry with the audio feed in Direct Convert before sending it to OBS for streaming.
• Adjusting for any latency differences directly within Direct Convert by fine-tuning delay settings.

By separating the audio and video paths until the final stages, they were able to reduce technical issues, streamline their process, and ensure smooth live broadcasts and recorded content.

Results

Since adopting Direct Convert, Ulf's team has experienced:

• Stability: No more latency or sound issues during live streaming, allowing for a seamless experience for both viewers and instructors.
• Simplicity: Direct Convert is easy to set up and requires minimal CPU and GPU resources, making it perfect for a demanding production environment with VR elements.
• Flexibility: The ability to merge and output multiple streams in various formats without relying on additional hardware has significantly simplified their setup. Ulf particularly appreciated Direct Convert’s ability to handle multiple resolutions and formats simultaneously, whether streaming to YouTube or interacting live with clients on Google Meet.

Ulf’s team has been using Medialooks Direct Convert for over two years, and they have no intention of switching. They considered hardware-based alternatives but found them unnecessary thanks to Direct Convert’s robust software capabilities. Reflecting on its role in the workflow, Ulf said:

"It's an essential piece of our puzzle. We couldn’t function without it—it just works perfectly for what we do."

Medialooks Direct Convert has proven to be a critical solution for this fitness content provider. By offering a stable, flexible, and efficient way to manage audio and video feeds in a dynamic production environment, Direct Convert enables Ulf’s team to focus on delivering high-quality fitness experiences to their subscribers without worrying about technical hiccups.