How to Live Stream: Beginner’s Survival Guide

Even before you think of moving towards the world of live streaming, there is a basic understanding of how live stream actually works. Getting started with the options can be a bit intimidating, but not that difficult. In case you want to start streaming for the first time, make sure to just more than just your basic webcam or smartphone. Moreover, it is vital for you to learn more about the fundamental components associated with online video streaming.

The things that you need:

Don’t waste time and learn the basics of live streaming videos as quickly as possible. It helps you to move forward with knowing steps and ensure that you end up with the perfect result as you have always wanted.

There are some basic things that you need to make your live stream works perfectly. Those points are listed below for your reference.

• You will need a well functional video encoder. It is primarily targeted to be computer software or even a standalone hardware device. It packs videos in real-time and sends it to the internet.
• Moreover, you will need audio and video sources to consider. Some examples are computer screens, cameras, and other image sources. You have to get mixer feeds, microphones, and other sound systems too.
• Check out more about the streaming destination before starting. Remember that the place where you are planning to shoot a video will go online. You need a proper platform for that. Try out Vimeo, YouTube, and Facebook Live as some of your options.
• Focus on the internet connection, as it needs to be strong and well run. It prevents your streaming from freezing, buffering, or even dropping off entirely.

The steps to focus at:

Before you plan to focus on the steps, it is mandatory to take out some examples for a better start. Check out some of the major streaming sites like soccerstream for getting some information and motivations. You can follow their leads and do what they are doing to get a better hold of live streaming as your first try.

Step 1:

At first, you have to work to connect your video and audio sources to the available encoder. You have to be sure that everything has power to it. When you can, try using AC power in place of battery for all the available devices, mainly the camera. Place the camera on a tripod and use a capture card in case you are using a computer with the encoding software within. For hardware encoders, you don’t need capture cards.

Step 2:

In case you are making plans to switch between multiple sources, then be sure to prepare a layout first. Once that is taken care of, then configure most major streaming settings like bitrate, frame rate, and resolution. In case you aren’t sure, then start it off with 1280 x 720 resolutions with 3000 Kbps bitrate and 30 frame rate. Others are all in their default modes. With special software, you have to configure the available setting in-app on the computer.

Step 3:

Now the time has come to configure the settings of the streaming destination. For that, log in to the live streaming platform of your choice and set up a new event. Fill out the description form, privacy setting, and all; you are good to go.

Step 4:

Now, you have to copy and then paste the URL and stream key from CDN into the encoder. Here, you have to tie the encoder and streaming platform together. To know from where you can get video data, CDN has to verify and connect with a streaming encoder. The encoder also needs to know where it must send the data. This is done with a special password, shared between these two platforms, called Stream Name.

Step 5:

Now, click on the “Start Streaming” option on the encoder, and then you are live! Once you press this button, the CDN preview window will tell you if you are receiving a signal from the encoder or not. There remains a general lag of 10 to 30 seconds between a live stream on CDN and Encoder. 

You get to control the live switching right from your encoder UI. Make sure that you must stop the stream also in your encoder UI when you want to give it a halt completely.

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