There’s actually quite a few different ways to do what you want depending on your budget, audience size, show format, etc.

Using Ustream’s desktop app, Producer Pro ($199) or LiveStream’s Procaster app (free) will give you the ability to share you desktop and switch back and forth between that view and a camera view or even set up a picture-in-picture.

Or you could opt for one of many web conferencing services. Most of them will charge a bit, but you won’t get ads like you do with free services. I like Adobe’s Connect Pro.

Or, if you’re on a Mac, you could use CamTwistStudio (a great free app) to mix a desktop capture and video. If you’re going for a free or low budget solution, I like this method best because I can combine it with using Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder (also free) to encode my stream locally. FMLE gives you exact control over every aspect of how your video stream is encoded, which can make the difference between your video looking really great and just mediocre.

Feel free to call or email me if you have other questions or want to talk more specifically about your live streaming production and how you might want to set it up.

Ideally, I’d like to be able to live stream quality video and audio AND have chat and screen sharing functionality. Know of anything that fits the bill?

MANY thanks!