Articles on: Creators - Getting Started

How to use RTMP for live streams



Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) allows creators to use external live stream tools (ex: StreamYard, OBS, etc) to manage their stream while it's live for a more engaging experience while broadcasting it to different platforms such as Locals.


You may only start a stream using RTMP from the community website.


Be sure to check out the right stream settings below


Click here to see the recommended settings.


OBS Settings


Click here to see the recommended settings for OBS.


Starting a RTMP Stream


  1. Create a Live Stream as you normally would


Create a live stream


Step 1


Step 2


On step 2, you now have an option to set an automatic timer for when you want to switch the live stream into a supporters only stream. You can skip this if you still wish to turn it on manually when you start the stream. To learn more about this, click here.


The countdown will start once you start your stream and viewers who are not supporters will get their notice 60 seconds before the stream becomes supporter only. For example, if you set the automatic time for 10 min, then at around the 9 min mark, non-supporters will get their notice that the stream is about to become supporters only in 60 seconds.


If you did set an automatic timer, once you go live, you will not be able to edit this timer again so if you do want full control of when this goes off, do not use the automatic timer option.


  1. Inside the post, you will see an option to either start the stream normally without RTMP or choose to stream with RTMP. Click the "switch to RTMP" option


Select RTMP option


If you scheduled your stream, the option to get your Stream settings will be available at least 24 hours before the scheduled time.


  1. On the RTMP option screen, you will no longer see yourself and there will be an option to get your Stream settings


RTMP Option Screen


Click on the Stream settings button (or if you want to return to not using RTMP, click to return back)


The stream settings will open up a pop up with the information you need to connect to RTMP


Stream Settings


  1. Copy the Stream URL and Key to your desired streaming tool and plug those in.


  1. Start your stream on the streaming tool. Locals should start broadcasting it soon after. For the host, you will know you went live on Locals because you will see your normal stream time limit countdown at the bottom


Host View for Started Stream


Most of your stream will be managed on your streaming tool but keep your Locals page open to view/manage when the supporter only toggle goes on and to view your chat. You will not be able to see a preview of what users are seeing on Locals under the account you are using to stream. But if you would like to see it, you will need to have another account and login as a different user in a different browser.


Ending a RTMP Stream


If you plan to end your entire stream, end it on your streaming tool first, followed by clicking the End Stream button on Locals. If you forget to click "End stream" on Locals, we will automatically end the stream if we detect that there is no host for at least 2 minutes. Note that in this case, the replay of the stream afterwards will include 2 minutes of black screen time at the end.


If you stream to multiple platforms and want to end the stream on Locals first, then simply go to Locals and click the End Stream button without ending it on your streaming tool.


Please note that streaming time limits still apply so if your community has a limit and that passes, we will automatically end your stream on Locals even if you are still broadcasting from your streaming tool so keep an eye out on the timer.



Click here to see the recommended settings.


OBS Settings


Click here to see the recommended settings for OBS.



Troubleshooting


For cases when the option to switch to RTMP does not populate or it says the camera is in use by another application. For the best experience the stream should be set up on Locals first, then once you have RTMP URL and Key open streaming software


  1. closeout web browser and streaming software
  2. reopen only the web browser
  3. log back into locals and open stream > navigate back to stream studio
  4. Switch to RTMP
  5. open stream settings
  6. open stream software


If the above does not resolve your issue, please try using another web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, etc.



Updated on: 15/05/2024