Live stream publishing information on Streamio

About live streaming through Streamio:

Streamio receives video using the RTMP protocol, which is the most common solution for high-quality live streaming of audio, video, and data.

Video and audio

Video should have a fixed “constant” bitrate of max 3000 kbps. By staying below 3000 kbps, you can be sure that the live broadcast is of a high quality, with a margin. Keep in mind that it is not only the video file, but also the audio track that draws bandwidth. We recommend encoding with H.264 and delivering the audio with AAC/48 kHz, more if recommended settings come below!

Internet connection

Make sure there’s plenty of margin on your internet connection. 3000 kbps is 3 Mbps, which sounds a bit but you should have at least 5 free megabits for there to be margins. There may be others using the connection as well. This is especially relevant if you use mobile/4G/LTE connection to broadcast, as this in itself varies greatly in quality over time.

Ingestion settings:

protocol:

• RTMP

video:

• H.264,
• constant bitrate (CBR)
• Suitable bitrate is max 2500 kbps

sound:

• AAC,
• 48kHz,
• appropriate bitrate 128 kbps normally
• Max bitrate: 3000 kbps (read more below).

address:

• See Library – Live! – “Streaming settings” below the player.
• Port: 1935
• Application Name, Stream Name, Token: See Library – Live! – “Streaming settings” below the player.

Recommended settings for live streams:

This is not an absolute recommendation, but more things need to be considered to choose the right quality.

What’s the result?

What are you broadcasting? (panel debates require less than sport)

Where are our viewers, and what is their bandwidth?

What’s my equipment capable of?

What can my internet connection handle?

Below we suggest some setting values that can serve as a basis for self-experimentation. If you need more tips and advice, you can always contact us, either by chat in your Streamio account, by email or phone!

Normal quality

Resolution: 540p, 960x540px
Frames per second: 25-30 fps
Bitrate: 1200-1500 kbps
Audio bitrate: 128 kbps
Audio sample rate: 48 kHz

High quality

Resolution: 720p, 1280x720px
Frames per second: 25-30 fps
Bitrate: 2000-2500 kbps (consider the risk of going above 3000, see below)
Audio bitrate: 128 kbps
Audio sample rate: 48kHz

The higher the quality of the live broadcast, the higher the risk of any user experiencing interference. This, of course, depends on the target group and where these are accessed, as well as the content broadcast. If you are worried, you can lower your settings further. A lower bitrate increases the number of recipients who receive a good reception. Test your way through and you will see which settings are best for you!

Also, keep in mind that constant bitrate, as a rule, varies greatly. If you pan the camera while streaming, or have a lot of movement in the fram, then this will rise. As bitrate rises, you approach 3000 kbps where Streamio cuts, and you also approach the limit of when more and more users get into trouble.