Case Study: Full Time Travel IRL Streaming with Awkwards_Travel

Introduction to Awkwards_Travel

In the dynamic world of live streaming, few have managed to capture and sustain viewer interest quite like Gaspard and Tallulah, the duo behind Awkwards_Travel. Starting their journey as the first travel channel on Twitch eight years ago, they have since become synonymous with authentic, boundary-pushing content. As full-time travelers, their channel encompasses a broad spectrum of experiences, from SCUBA diving and sailing to living abroad as expats.

Evolving With Their Audience

Initially, broadcasting live from remote locations using just a smartphone sufficed to attract an audience. However, as technology advanced and competition increased, so too did audience expectations.

"Oh the audience’s expectations evolved a lot! [...] just go live from any remote location, streaming from your phone at 320p was all you needed to gather an audience. The stream was cutting all the time, nobody really minded: it’s not like there was any way around it back then," Gaspard recalls.

Today, viewers demand high-quality, innovative content that breaks new ground, and Awkwards_Travel has risen to meet these expectations with the help of UnlimitedIRL and LiveU solutions.

Transition to LiveU Solo and LiveU Solo PRO

After a chance encounter with the LiveU team at TwitchCon 2019, Gaspard and Tallulah upgraded to the LiveU Solo, and eventually to the more advanced LiveU Solo PRO. The capabilities of LiveU Solo and later the Solo PRO have significantly enhanced the quality and reliability of their streams, transforming their output from simple video calls to broadcasts comparable to professional television quality.

My biggest “WOW” moment when I got my hand on the Solo was the HDMI port. I come from a professional photography and movie background: filming with a phone is extremely restrictive for me! But with the HDMI port I can use any camera! From a tiny action cam to a massive DSLR, and that’s what we did. As soon as we got it, we plugged my work camera into the Solo PRO and the quality of our streams went from bad FaceTime call with Nana to Discovery Channel level! Gaspard states.

With the enhanced stability and quality provided by the LiveU Solo PRO, Gaspard and Tallulah have ventured into new territories, both geographically and in terms of content. "The Himalayas! That was always a dream of ours, to stream Nepal and get as close as possible to the Himalayas. We didn’t get close, we were there!" Tallulah shares, highlighting a milestone in their streaming career made possible by their upgraded gear. The Solo PRO's capability to combine up to six internet connections—including 5G and 4G via four external USB modems, WiFi, and Ethernet—utilizes LiveU's LRT™ cellular bonding protocol to ensure stable and high-quality broadcasts, even in remote locations like the Himalayas.

Streamlining Connectivity with LiveU Solo Connect

Solo Connect has streamlined the logistics of international streaming, allowing creators like Gaspard and Tallulah to maintain stable and high-quality broadcasts wherever their travels take them. "The modems in the backpack are ready to stream as soon as the plane lands, and in most places, you can even pick your provider. This lets you choose the best one or you can spread the load between different carriers, which makes your stream even more stable," Gaspard notes on the benefits of the service. This solution includes the option for unlimited worldwide data plans, starting at $165/month, which can be managed directly through the LiveU portal. The Solo PRO Connect kits, available with two or four modems, ensure seamless connectivity and broadcasting capabilities, eliminating the need for creators to worry about finding compatible carriers or modems for their IRL Backpack.

These features make it easier for creators like Gaspard and Tallulah to focus on producing engaging content rather than managing the complexities of connectivity, thus enhancing their ability to deliver live, high-quality video from anywhere in the world.

For aspiring creators, they offer this advice: "Do your thing! Be true to yourself, don’t try to replicate what others are doing. Passionate people are fascinating… no matter what they are passionate about. So find your calling and go with it. There is no niche too small."

LiveU Solo and IRL Backpack

The LiveU Solo empowers creators to deliver high-quality live video without being tied to a studio, giving the creator reliability and versatility in various streaming environments, from urban landscapes to remote outdoor locations.

Building on this technology, UnlimitedIRL has developed the IRL Backpack, an all-in-one mobile live streaming solution designed specifically for travel and in-real-life (IRL) streaming. The IRL Backpack integrates the advanced capabilities of the LiveU Solo PRO, ensuring broadcasters can deliver professional-grade video content directly to their audiences on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. UnlimitedIRL is offering an exclusive discount of $100 off on any order of LiveU Solo PRO or IRL Backpack with code GUNRUN, when paired with a Solo Connect modem kit.

For those looking to elevate their live streaming experience, UnlimitedIRL also offers personalized support & guidance.

Have questions about IRL streaming hardware? Send us an email at support@unlimitedirl.com or join our Discord at unlimitedirl.com/discord

Check out the full video interview with Gapard and Tallulah below: