The “Live Shell” Lets You Broadcast Live Video Via Ustream Without A PC

Serkan Toto

Dr. Serkan Toto is an independent consultant and advisor focusing on Japan’s web, mobile and social gaming industries. Based in Tokyo, he works together with financial institutions and startups worldwide. Serkan has been the Japan contributor for TechCrunch.com since 2008. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. → Learn More

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
cerevo featured

Japan-based startup Cerevo took the wraps off the so-called “Live Shell” [JP] yesterday, a small device that makes it possible to stream live video to the web (via Ustream) without using a PC. It’s a significant improvement over the similar “Livebox” the company introduced last year.

The Live Shell is sized at just 68×120×26mm, weighs 106g and is officially approved by Ustream (it has the “Ustream Compatible” mark). It connects to the web via IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, a mobile router or Ethernet.

The device comes with HDMI, USB, and composite interfaces and can livestream video in 704×528 resolution at 1.5Mbps max.


After setting up an account on Cerevo’s website, users just need to plug their camera into the Live Shell to start streaming for 3 hours on 3 batteries (buyers get an AC adapter, too). The broadcast can be managed via the Cerevo site on the web or smartphone (see below for the smartphone dashboard).

Cerevo already accepts pre-orders and plans to start selling the device within this year (online and in Japan only, for the time being). The Live Shell will cost US$350 (this camera livestreams video from Cerevo’s Akihabara office using the device).


Company: Cerevo
Website: cerevo.com
Launch Date: April 10, 2007
Funding: ¥3.8M

Cerevo stands for Consumer Electronics REVOlution. The Tokyo-based company is active in both the web and consumer electronics fields. Cerevo is currently preparing the launch of a digital point-and-shoot camera called “Cerevo Cam” that will go on sale within the year 2009. The Wi-Fi and 3G-enabled camera is able to directly upload pictures to an online photo management service called “Cerevo Life”, which is also provided by Cerevo.

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