Live Streaming Requirements
Who can use this feature
Site Admin, Channel Admin
Supported features: Live Events, Managing a Live Event
Live Stream Encoders
Software
Below are some popular software encoder solutions. You can download any of the encoders by clicking on its link below. Watch an overview video to get a glimpse of how it works.
- OBS download — Free (Windows & Mac)
- vMix download — Paid (Windows only)
- Wirecast download — Paid (Windows & Mac)
Mobile
There are mobile apps that allow for a smartphone and its camera to broadcast a live stream right from the device itself. The app we’ve tested and recommended is available for both iOS and Android called Larix.
Your Apple device (iPhone 7 or newer/iPad Air 2 or newer), or Android device (version Pie or better), will need to be on the latest version of their operating systems.
- Larix (download app)
- Larix Broadcaster iOS (3 videos)
- Larix Broadcaster Android (3 videos)
There are some apps that even allow for your smartphone to be used as a camera input with live stream encoders like OBS. One that we’ve tried and like is IVCam.
Hardware
Hardware encoders are a good option as they’ll work fantastically out of the box with minimal setup. Their downfall is that they can be very expensive and can become outdated overtime as technology progresses.
We recommend the Videon Edgecaster:
Suggested alternative:
Cameras with built-in RTMP Encoders
Some cameras, usually at the professional levels, have a hardware streaming encoder built-in to them. These make for a fantastic single camera solution, but they can be expensive.
We recommend the JVC GY-HM250 Series:
- JVC GY-HM250HW - Best used for faith organizations
- JVC GY-HM250SP - Best used for sports events
- JVC GY-HM250U - For general use
Computer Hardware Requirements
Minimum
Use the table below to see the minimum computer hardware requirements needed to run a high definition live stream for any type of event.
Component |
Windows 10 |
Mac/Macbook |
| Version | Windows 10 | Latest Catalina Version |
| Processor | 2.9 GHz base frequency | 2.9 GHz base frequency |
| Ram | 16GB | 16GB |
| Hard Drive | 1TB HDD | 1TB HDD |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GTX 10 Series if not using x264 | Built-in |
| USB | 1 x USB 3 Port | 1 x USB 3 Port |
| Camera | 720p Webcam w/ Microphone | 720p Webcam w/ Microphone |
| Microphone | Integrated Webcam Mic. | Integrated Webcam Mic. |
Recommended
Use the table below to see our recommended computer hardware requirements. The main difference between the minimum and the recommended is in the processing power of the computer to sustain a high definition live stream with more ease.
Component |
Windows |
Mac |
| Version |
Windows 10 | Latest Catalina Version |
| Processor | 3.4 GHz base frequency | - |
| Ram | 32GB or more |
32GB or more |
| Hard Drive | 1TB SSD | 1TB SSD |
| Storage (Local Recordings) | 1-2 TB HDD | 1-2 TB HDD |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GTX 10, 20, or RTX 30 Series | Built-in |
| Microphone | USB or XLR Microphone - (external mixer required for XLR) | USB or XLR Microphone - (external mixer required for XLR) |
| Capture Card | Elgato or Decklink Products |
Elgato |
Network Speed
Only use up to half of your maximum upload bandwidth for all streams combined. If you go over half the maximum, buffering errors can occur. If you don't know your maximum upload bandwidth you can run a speed test to determine the bandwidth available to you.
- If you are on a shared connection, the upload speed available to you can change depending on who else is using the connection
- It's recommended to run a speed test as part of your pre-event test to ensure you have the correct bitrate configured in the live stream encoder
- After running a speed test, use the table below to calculate your minimum/maximum bitrate, resolution, and frame rate that you can live stream
The recommended resolution and frame rate for streaming to Vidflex™ is currently 1080p at 30fps
Bitrate Conversion
*30fps is recommended for all live streams to the Vidflex™ Platform
Now that you know your network limitations for your live stream. Use the table(s) in the topics below to set up your encoder video profile, and output settings.
Recommended Encoder Set-up
Use the recommended encoder information below if you're using OBS, vMix, or Wirecast. You can still use these tables as a reference for other live stream encoders not listed here.
If the table you're looking at indicates to ' Choose your best option from the table below' look at the corresponding table from Common Encoder Profile Setting section.
Supported Formats
OBS Settings
Video Tab
*30fps is recommended for all live streams to the Vidflex™ Platform
Output Tab
vMix Settings
Stream Quality Settings
Wirecast
Encoder Preset
Common Encoder Profile Settings
Understanding your Upload Speed is a prerequisite to this section
Use the table below to help determine which encoder profile settings to use for your live stream.
If your computer or laptop is using a NVIDIA graphics card use the right tables. Otherwise, use the x264 tables for recommended encoder profile settings.
Importing OBS recommended profile
For complete instructions and list of all importable profiles visit our OBS Profile Imports article
- Use WinRAR to extract the folder - Download WinRAR here
- In OBS, import the extracted folder
- Find the folder in the profile menu to select it
1080p 30fps
| x264 Base Processor Encoding |
NVIDIA NVENC Windows & Linux GPU |
| 1080p 30fps | 1080p 30fps |
| Resolution: 1920x1080 | Resolution: 1920x1080 |
| Bitrate: 4000 | Bitrate: 4000 |
| Rate Control: CBR | Rate Control: CBR |
| Framerate: 30fps | Framerate: 30fps |
| Keyframe Interval: 2 | Keyframe Interval: 2 |
| Preset: Very Fast - Medium | Preset: Max Quality - Quality |
| Profile: Main / High |
Profile: Main / High |
| Download OBS Recommended Profile Import |
B-frames: 2 |
720p 30fps
| x264 Base Processor Encoding |
NVIDIA NVENC Windows & Linux GPU |
| 720p 30fps | 720p 30fps |
| Resolution: 1280x720 | Resolution: 1280x720 |
| Bitrate: 2500 | Bitrate: 2500 |
| Rate Control: CBR | Rate Control: CBR |
| Framerate: 30fps | Framerate: 30fps |
| Keyframe Interval: 2 | Keyframe Interval: 2 |
| Preset: Ultrafast - Medium | Preset: Quality |
| Profile: Main / High / Baseline | Profile: Main / High / Baseline |
| Download OBS Recommended Profile Import | B-frames: 2 |
480p 30fps
| x264 Base Processor Encoding |
NVIDIA NVENC Windows & Linux GPU |
| 480p 30fps | 480p 30fps |
| Resolution: 720x480 | Resolution: 720x480 |
| Bitrate: 1000 | Bitrate: 1000 |
| Rate Control: CBR | Rate Control: CBR |
| Framerate: 30fps | Framerate: 30fps |
| Keyframe Interval: 2 | Keyframe Interval: 2 |
| Preset: Ultrafast - Fast | Preset: Quality |
| Profile: Main / Baseline |
Profile: Main / Baseline |
| Download OBS Recommended Profile Import | B-frames: 2 |
1080p 60fps
| x264 Base Processor Encoding |
NVIDIA NVENC Windows & Linux GPU |
| 1080p 60fps | 1080p 60fps |
| Resolution: 1920x1080 | Resolution: 1920x1080 |
| Bitrate: 6000 | Bitrate: 6000 |
| Rate Control: CBR | Rate Control: CBR |
| Framerate: 60fps | Framerate: 60fps |
| Keyframe Interval: 2 | Keyframe Interval: 2 |
| Preset: Very Fast - Medium | Preset: Max Quality - Quality |
| Profile: Main / High |
Profile: Main / High |
| B-frames: 2 |
720p 60fps
| x264 Base Processor Encoding |
NVIDIA NVENC Windows & Linux GPU |
| 720p 60fps | 720p 60fps |
| Resolution: 1280x720 | Resolution: 1280x720 |
| Bitrate: 3000 | Bitrate: 3000 |
| Rate Control: CBR | Rate Control: CBR |
| Framerate: 60fps | Framerate: 60fps |
| Keyframe Interval: 2 | Keyframe Interval: 2 |
| Preset: Very Fast - Medium | Preset: Quality |
| Profile: Main / High | Profile: Main / High |
| B-frames: 2 |
480p 60fps
| x264 Base Processor Encoding |
NVIDIA NVENC Windows & Linux GPU |
| 480p 60fps | 480p 60fps |
| Resolution: 720x480 | Resolution: 720x480 |
| Bitrate: 1500 | Bitrate: 1500 |
| Rate Control: CBR | Rate Control: CBR |
| Framerate: 60fps | Framerate: 60fps |
| Keyframe Interval: 2 | Keyframe Interval: 2 |
| Preset: Ultrafast - Fast | Preset: Quality |
| Profile: Main / Baseline | Profile: Main / Baseline |
| B-frames: 2 |