Periscope, the Twitter Inc.-owned mobile livestreaming service, has just launched a new program called Periscope Producer, which allows users to stream high-quality video from sources other than their smartphones.

The move puts Periscope in direct competition with other streaming services that focus more heavily high-quality productions, such as Ustream. According to Periscope, its new program is designed with brands and media organizations in mind rather than the average casual streamer.

“When we first launched Periscope, the only way to broadcast live was from a mobile phone,” the Periscope team wrote in a blog post. “We still strongly believe in the power of sharing live video from mobile devices, but we’re also excited to broaden the opportunities for broadcasters to share new types of live video on Periscope.”

Periscope Producer supports live video streaming from external sources, which include livestreaming software like Open Broadcasting Software (OBS) and Xsplit, as well as hardware encoders and professional cameras. This allows brands and professional content creators to stream high-quality video to Periscope rather than relying on shaky mobile phone footage.

Periscope first tried out non-phone streaming earlier this year, when former tennis pro Andy Roddick streamed live commentary during the US open. Since then, Periscope Producer has been tested by a number of organizations, including news media like WPEC CBS12 News and well known brands like Louis Vuitton and Walt Disney Studios.

“Professionally-produced live broadcasts on Periscope has always been part of our vision, and gives our community new types of content to watch together live,” the Periscope team said. “You’ll start to see more produced live broadcasts on Periscope and Twitter, and we’re looking forward to watching new types of live broadcasts with you.”

Periscope Producer is not available to the masses at this time, so those interested in trying out the new streaming tool will need to apply for access by entering their Periscope username, the software or hardware encoder they use, and what sort of content they plan on streaming.

Periscope has certainly become a popular tool for less formal broadcasts, but the new Producer program will cater to both a different type of streamer and a different type of audience.

It is important to note that Periscope is segregating its high-quality streaming tool from its mobile-only app, at least for now, by limiting who can use it. Meanwhile, livestreaming services like Facebook Live and YouTube Live offer both options with no restrictions on who can stream from encoders or other sources.

Image courtesy of Periscope