Offering a live stream on your video platform is one of Tradecast's unique broadcasting features. Live streaming on your own video platform can be done in two ways: in a professional setup with one or multiple cameras and in a more straight-forward way with the free iOS app 'Live TC', which allows you to stream live from a mobile device that runs on Apple's iOS operating system. In this article, we explain how to create and manage a live stream from your platform's CMS, that broadcasts the signal from one or more cameras on your platform.
To live stream from a multi-camera setup on your video platform - for example, when you want to show a live event, performance or discussion on your platform - you need to set up a few elements:
- Administrator access to the CMS of a Tradecast video platform;
- One or more cameras to record the event;
- A computer and cabling to receive the camera signal;
- Live streaming software, like OBS or Wirecast;
- A stable internet connection, preferably a wired connection;
- Optional: an external video transcoding device, to be placed between your camera(s) and the internet-connected computer, for a more stable streaming process.
RTMP streaming
The Tradecast platform supports live streaming using the RTMP protocol. Therefore, choose a live streaming software tool that supports RTMP streaming, such as the OBS or Wirecast options mentioned above.
Setting up a new live stream
With access to a Tradecast platform's CMS and to live streaming software on an internet-connected computer, you can now set up a new live stream using the 'Live streaming' button in the main menu on the left side of the CMS. There you click on the '+ Create Livestream' button in the top right corner. Next, you get to choose from two different types of live streams engines:
- A Premium live stream:
- The ideal engine for premium/paid live streams;
- Additional live streaming data charges apply (please contact Tradecast Support for more information);
- Live streaming in a higher quality, in a maximum resolution of 4K;
- A better live stream viewing experience;
- Multi-bitrate live streaming;
- More stabile live streaming experience then with single-bitrate live streaming;
- Flexible support for checking and adjusting live streaming settings.
- A Basic live stream:
- The ideal engine for offering free-to-air live streams;
- No additional live streaming costs;
- Live streaming in a maximum resolution of 720p HD;
- Standard live stream viewer experience;
- Single-bitrate live streaming;
- Basic stability and support;
- Live stream settings must fully comply with the corresponding specifications.
You can decide which type of live stream you want to create, but in general we recommend to offer (commercially) important live streams through the Premium live stream engine and (free) ad-hoc live streams through the Basic live stream engine. Choose the type of live stream you want to create and click 'Continue'.
Live stream presets
If you've just picked a Premium live stream, on the next screen you will choose what is called a 'live stream preset': a set of rules that together determine the quality and encoding settings for your live streaming plans. Make a choice between one of the following presets:
- 720p 30fps: stream at a maximum of 720p and up to 30 fps. Ideal for standard streams with lower conditions;
- 1080p 30fps: stream at a maximum of 1080p and up to 30 fps. Ideal for standard streams that need a higher quality but not a high frame rate;
- 720p 60fps: stream at a maximum of 720p and up to 60 fps. Ideal for streams that don't need Full HD, but do need 60 fps, such as sports and high-action streams;
- 1080p 60fps: stream at a maximum of 1080 and up to 60 fps. Ideal for streams that require Full HD and 60 fps, such as sports and high-action streams.
Pick a live stream preset and click 'Continue'.
Information and availability
In the next screen you provide your live stream with basic information - such as a name, description and an on demand category - and any availability information - such as a period during which the live stream should only be viewable to registered users on your platform.
Starting and stopping your live stream
In this screen you can also determine when your live stream should start for viewers on your video platform and when it should stop again. To do this, use the 'Publish date' options. Here you can set a date and time when your livestream video should be visible on your video platform and when it should disappear again. Make sure that within this publish period the technical resources are also available to live stream. You can read more about making the technical livestream resources available below, under the heading 'Resources available from...'.
Recording your live stream
By placing a check mark in front of the 'Record live stream' feature, you can determine if the live stream should (also) be recorded by the Tradecast platform, while broadcasting it on your video platform. This recording will be separate from any recording you may make via the live streaming software such as OBS or Wirecast and will contain the same interruptions, glitches or other video artefacts that are broadcasted live on your video platform during the stream. Therefore, it is always advisable to at least record the live stream in the live streaming software you are using, as this will be the most direct video feed.
After your live stream has ended, you can download the recording of your live stream from the 'View' button under the 'Live Streaming' button in the main menu. You can then upload this video via 'Media' -> 'Add' in the main menu of the CMS. Uploading the downloaded live stream is seen as uploading a regular video, so the regular transcoding process will occur.
Sending a push notification
By checking the box 'Send push notification (Only available with apps)', registered users who have signed in to any iOS and Android apps developed with your video platform will receive a push notification as the live stream is about to start.
'Resources available from...'
Next, from the 'Resources available from...' dropdown menu, choose one of the options for when the technical live streaming resources need to be ready for use. When choosing one of these options, also factor in the time you will need to test the live connection, because you will also need these live streaming resources for a live stream test.
Note*: starting by filling in the stream start and end date is not very useful; only the publication date will make the live stream visible on your video platform. The live stream will remain visible until broadcasting has stopped.
Note**: we advise users of the live stream functionality to test their live stream one (working) day before the actual live stream starts, if possible in cooperation with their Tradecast Support contact. In addition, we also recommend testing the technology on the day of the live stream itself, at least two hours in advance.
If you have any questions about setting up or managing a live stream on your video platform, please contact Tradecast Support.