This article describes how to configure an RTMP upstream in your STREAMBOXY videoplatform and which encoder settings are required.

Prerequisites

1. You have a Live Encoder that outputs RTMPs, is TLS 1.2 capable and supports Constant Bitrate Streaming - CBR (e.g. Telestream Wirecast from 13.0.2, OBS Studio, VMIX, Cambria Live from 4.3, FFmpeg, Haivision KB)
   Due to serveral negative experiences, we currently don't recommend Restream in combination with STREAMBOXY.
   
   
2. Your internet upstream speed is at least 12 Mbits für a fluid 1080p stream with 30 Frames per second
   
   
3. Your firewall allows outgoing TCP-Connections over port 2935 and 2936 (RTMPS), optional as Fallback TCP-Port 1935 and 1936 (RTMP)
   
   
4. You have created a Livestreamin STREAMBOXY and have the authorization to manage the upstream (You are at least speaker)

In case of problems and malfunctions during your livestream, you will find possible causes, possible solutions and recommendations in our Livestream Troubleshooting Guide. 

Caution: Livestreams without conncected encoder will be stopped after 4 hours.

Proven upstream settings

Below we have compiled a list of proven settings for a good upstream result for you

Streaming Best Practices

Stream Connection

• Use a wired connection if possible and make sure your connection has at least the double amount of upstream bandwidth of your planned streaming bitrate
• Check, especially in corporate networks if your Streaming Ports are not blocked by a firewall one day before the event
• Use a second identical Encoder with another Internet Connection and STREAMBOXY's high available Livestream feature.

Stream Stability 

• If you are using a software encoder, please close all other unnecessary programs
• Changing the encoder configuration once the stream was started can impact the Stream in a negative way. Reset the stream using the STREAMBOXY reset feature (described below) if you have changed encoder settings
• Test and validate new Encoder Hard- or Software versions before you use them in production. The Encoders described here, are not regularly checked for updates, etc.
• Monitor your Streaming Hardware resources (CPU, RAM, etc.), since encoding may exhaust your hardware resources
  
  

Stream execution and organization

• Carry out a test run a few days before the event. This is included in the STREAMBOXY licence and ensures that you are ready to go on the day of the event. Use the event copy function to ensure that your event reporting is not distorted by the test run.
• Make sure you take enough time to set up your event. We recommend starting the stream in the preview 30-60 minutes before productive streams. Play trailers, placeholders or similar with background music at a later broadcast volume.
• This allows participants to check the picture and sound in advance and support can resolve any difficulties before the broadcast.
• Check the stream from the participants‘ perspective using a separate end device so that you always have an overview of the participants’ experience.
• Ideally, distribute the video and sound direction and content moderation across several shoulders so that everyone can concentrate on their own work.

Static Upstream URLs

• STREAMBOXY offers static upstream endpoints within specific conditions. Rule of thumb: You get a new set of URLs every time you reset your session.
• You can avoid resetting your session, by pausing your upstream.
  • Request your URLs, configure your encoder and try upstreaming or dry run your production setup. If you want to keep your upstream URLs do not change the sessions state to 'Running', but pause your upstream.
• Please always reset your session if you want to stream with changed encoder settings, especially after a change in resolution, FPS or bitrate.

Setting up, starting and ending the stream in STREAMBOXY

Open STREAMBOXY room and request upstream URL

A livestream can be played either in the main room or in the individual session. So if you want to start a livestream in a session, you must first navigate there.

To request the upstream URL, the room must be opened for speakers. This allows anyone with this role to make the streaming settings and view the preview.

1. Open the STREAMBOXY Stage as Speaker or Administrator and Navigate to the desired Breakout room with the Livestream.
   
   
2. Open the Session Administration Panel using the Tools Icon in the left navigation bar.
   
   
   
3. Now click on the ‘Open room’ button.
   
   

4. The stream control will then appear. Click on ‘Create livestream’ to generate the stream URL. 
   
   

   
   

5. The upstream URL is automatically generated and displayed as primary and secondary upstream URL. 

   The second upstream URL allows you to send an optional backup stream in case an encoder loses an internet connection or one of our data centres fails.

   Please note that both upstreams must be sent with identical encoders in identical configuration for automatic switching to work. 

   You'll find more information abou high available livestreams in this article.

   
   
   

6. Attention: 

   Please start the upstream in STREAMBOXY before you start your encoder. Starting the stream can take up to 40 minutes. 

   Now click on ‘Start livestream’.

   If the stream has already been attempted to start, some encoders have problems resolving the stream URL correctly afterwards because the DNS name is in the cache.

   In case you run in that issue you can manually empty dns caches. For Software encoder see this guide (external Link).
   
   
   

7. As soon as the live stream has been started in STREAMBOXY, you can also start it in your encoder. Configure the encoder with the generated upstream URL and key and start the stream; We recommend the freeware OBS Studio as software encoder, because of the simple configuration of OBS Studio for STREAMBOXY.
   

   Please note: It may take a few seconds to display the live stream. The preview is only visible to speakers and administrators, participants cannot see the preview. 

    

Checking the preview in STREAMBOXY

Once the stream has been successfully configured and started in the encoder, you will see the preview of the stream.

The preview is only displayed to you and all other speakers or administrators; the participants continue to see a waiting screen.

The functions of the Livestream Preview Player are identical to the functions of the Participant Player. 

Stage when the preview of the livestream is displayed:

Start livestream for participants and recording

You can only start the livestream for participants after connecting to an encoder. To start for participants, click on the ‘Start for participants’ button.

From now on, the participants will also see the livestream. The recording will also start from this point onwards.

Stop livestream

To end the livestream in STREAMBOXY, click on the ‘Stop livestream’ button and on the ‘Stop session’ button.

Reset session 

You now have the option of permanently deactivating the session or resetting it to the planned status. 

Deactivation deletes all session-specific information and cannot be restored.

By resetting your session, you have the option of going through the entire livestream process again. 

Please note: This action will also be displayed in your event dashboard and analytics and may also distort them in case of doubt.