Arts Organization > What settings should I use for OBS or Showstream for my live stream (LS)?

What is OBS:  Open Broadcaster Software is free open source broadcasting/streaming software for Mac and Windows desktop computers. This software allows you to stream your live content to the Showtix4U platform. There are a number of helpful videos available to get an idea of the capabilities of OBS.

IMPORTANT: Do Not Use Auto Configuration Wizard

When configuring OBS for your event, do not use "Auto Configuration Wizard" in OBS. Using this feature to detect your possibly settings could likely lock in incorrect settings. For instance, you may find that your stream gets stuck in 4:3.

 

Adding RTMP credentials (URL + Stream Key) into OBS/ShowStream:

1. Open OBS software application
2. Click on "Settings" in lower right or chose OBS, Preferences from the main menus.
3. Click "Stream"
4. Choose "Custom" from drop down.
5. Login to ShowTix4U.com and click on either “Rehearsal Stream Credentials” (Rehearsal) under the event poster gear icon OR “Live Stream Credentials” (Live Show) under the date gear icon.
6. Copy the RTMP URL from the ShowTix4U window
7. Go back to OBS and paste the ShowTix4U RTMP URL into the "Server" field in OBS.
8. Go back to ShowTix4U and copy the “Stream Key”
9. Go back to OBS and paste the ShowTix4U Stream Key into the Stream Key field in OBS.
10. You do not need authentication.
11. Click "OK"
12. You Stream will now stream into your ShowTix4U event when you go live.

Setting Encoder/Resolution Settings in OBS/ShowStream:

• Test your internet speed before your event. You can test your internet speed using this website. While not required, it is highly recommended you use an internet hard line to your computer. For a list of adapters click here.
• Take the upload speed the above test gives you, NOT the download speed, and compare to the “Upload Speed” chart below to see what resolution your network can handle.

Upload Speed	Resolution	Required Bitrate
Under 1.5 Mbps	360p	300-800 kbps
1.5 Mbps to 5 Mbps	480p	500-1500 kbps
5 Mbps to 10 Mbps	720p	1000-3000 kbps
10-20 Mbps	1080p	2000-5000 kbps

 

• Once you determine your upload speed and what resolution your network can handle, you can update those settings in OBS. Open OBS and click on "Settings" in lower right or chose OBS, Preferences from the main menus.

Click on Output Tab (see below screenshot)

• Choose "Simple" from the dropdown list.
• Set the Video Bitrate in the middle of what your network can handle using the chart above.
• Set the encoder to Software (x264)
• Set Audio Bitrate to 128

 

Click on Audio Tab (see below screenshot)

• Set Sample Rate to 44.1
• Set Channels to "Stereo"

Click on Video Tab (see below screenshot)

• If your internet speeds allow you to stream 1080p, set both the Base and Output Resolution to 1920 X 1080
• If your internet speeds allow you to stream BELOW 1080 set the Output Resolution (second field) to what your network allows based on the chart above and set the Base Resolution to the highest quality of your camera or video content (ie. if your cameras or video content comes in at 1080 set to 1080. If it comes in at 720 set to 720.
• Set the Downscale filter to Bicubic
• Suggested frame rate is max 30fps but refer to your cameras frame rate.
• Click OK

 

Audio:

• It is recommend you use an audio interface with your computer to get the best sound. Here is a link to our recommendations: https://showtix4u.helpsite.com/articles/57271-recommended-streaming-audio-interfaces.

Go Live!

• Click the "Start Streaming" Button in the lower right to go live. It can take up to 30 seconds for the stream to be seen in ShowTix4U.

Connecting Cameras to OBS:

• Mobile devices (to use their cameras): https://showtix4u.helpsite.com/articles/57284-connecting-mobile-devices-to-obs
• DSLR Cameras: https://showtix4u.helpsite.com/articles/57267-connecting-dslr-cameras-to-obs

Integrations:

Integrate Skype calls into OBS via NDI

https://www.skype.com/en/content-creators/

 

Recommended Tips: 

• Test your internet speed before your event. Test here. This is a reminder to set your resolutions based on upload speed and review the live stream settings here. 
• If you can hardwire your internet, DO IT. Wireless will work, but wired is more stable and eliminates a key failure point.
• Have a backup device prepared in case of hardware failure.
• Do not watch the stream on the same network as you are uploading. It's not an issue for rehearsal but a NO for your live show.
• Go live EARLY! You can stream up to 4 hours, no need to wait until showtime to stream. This will give you time to troubleshoot any issues and it will also give your patron time to troubleshoot their own experience as well. Think about going live 15-30 minutes with a welcome title slide and pre show music.