How to Stream Video Live

Find an online service to broadcast. To stream live from your webcam, you need to log into an online platform. These platforms offer the bandwidth necessary to share your stream with others. Many websites allow you to stream live without the need for encoding software. Below are some popular services:

• Ustream
• YouNow
• Bambuser
• Livestream
• Google+ Hangouts On Air

Create an account. All live streaming services require you to create an account before you can use them. They all offer free accounts, with additional benefits for paid accounts, such as removing ads and increasing viewership.

Use the built-in broadcasting tool on the web service. Most services allow you to stream without needing to download or install any software. However, using the built-in web broadcasting tool may result in lower quality compared to using downloaded software. The process may vary slightly depending on the service.

Create a channel or room. Many sites have a button labeled 'Broadcast Now' or 'Go Live' to start your live stream.

Enable Flash to access your webcam. You only need to do this once when you start streaming, then click 'Remember' or 'Always Allow.' You may need to update your Flash version.

Start broadcasting. Once the camera is detected, you can begin streaming immediately.

Download streaming software to enhance quality. Many services offer free versions of broadcasting software or allow you to use third-party programs like Flash Media Live Encoder or Open Broadcaster Software. Explore online articles for more detailed information.

Embed a live video on your personal website. After setting up your channel, you can use embed codes to place the video on your own site. You need editing access to the website's code, so contact the web developer if you don't have personal access.

Log into YouTube with the account you wish to use for live streaming.

Access youtube.com/features after logging in.

Click on the Enable button next to "Live events". Your account must be in good standing.

Read the terms and conditions, then click the I Agree button to proceed.

Click the "Create Event" button to create a new event.

Enter the basic event details, including the title, description, and tags.

Set the schedule. You can either set a start time or start streaming immediately.

Click on the "Public" menu to select privacy options. Public events can be found and viewed by anyone. If the event is unlisted, only those with the link can access it, and for Private videos, viewers need to sign in with their Google+ account.

Remember to choose "Quick". This option activates Google Hangouts on Air, using the Hangouts plugin and webcam. The "Custom" option is for more complex events requiring an encoder program.

Check advanced settings. Click on the "Advanced settings" tab to explore all options. You can adjust comment settings, age restrictions, analytics, streaming delay, and more.

Click "Go live now" to launch Google+ Hangouts. If you haven't installed the Google+ plugin yet, you'll be prompted to install it at this step.

Wait for the video to load. The Hangouts window will appear, and your webcam will be activated. You'll see the percentage increase in the lower corner of the screen. Once it reaches a certain point, you can begin streaming.

Click "Start broadcast" to begin, then click "OK" to confirm. You can stream for up to 8 hours.

Click the "Control Room" option to manage viewers. This feature allows you to mute or remove viewers who are disrupting the broadcast.

Share and embed your live video. Click the "Links" button in the lower corner of the Hangouts window to view share information and the embed code. The shortened URL allows you to share the video on Twitter and other social networks, while the embed code lets you easily add the video to a blog.

Sign up for a live streaming service. To stream while gaming, you need to register for a service that allows video broadcasting. The service provider will offer bandwidth, chat tools for interacting with viewers, and broadcasting tools for gaming. Here are some popular game streaming sites:

• Twitch.tv
• Ustream.tv
• Twitch is one of the leading platforms for live game streaming, where you can reach a large audience.

Download screen recording software. To stream your gameplay, you need screen recording and broadcasting software. Many programs are available online, both free and paid. Here are two popular free options:

• FFSplit
• Open Broadcaster

Install a video capture card (optional). If you want to stream from gaming consoles like Xbox One or PlayStation 4, you'll need to install a video capture card in your computer. This hardware connects to the gaming system to capture live video. Your computer will then record the video and audio from the console.

• You don’t need this card if you’re streaming from your computer’s game.
• Installing a capture card is similar to installing a graphics card.

Ensure your computer is powerful enough for streaming. Live streaming while gaming consumes a lot of system resources, as you’re gaming and broadcasting simultaneously. Twitch recommends the following computer specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz or equivalent AMD processor
• Memory: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM
• Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium or later

Link the software to your streaming account. Open the Service tab or menu in your broadcasting software. Select your streaming service from the available options. Programs like FFSplit come pre-integrated with Twitch and Justin.tv.

• Enter the Stream Key. To start using the software, link your Twitch or Justin.tv account with the Stream Key. You can find the key on Twitch by clicking the Streaming Apps button on the Twitch website, then selecting Show Key. Copy and paste the displayed key into the corresponding field in your broadcasting software.
• Select a server. In FFSplit, you will see a list of servers below the Service list. Click the “Find Best Server” button to automatically detect the best service for your location.

Select the encoding option. In the Encoding menu, you can adjust the encoding settings that will impact the video quality and live streaming speed. Many programs and services recommend configurations based on the game type and network speed.

Try broadcasting a few times. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the broadcasting software and check if your encoding settings are optimized.

Download and install encoding software. An encoder is a program that converts input (such as camera, capture card, microphone, etc.) into a video stream for live broadcasting. Although many websites provide built-in encoding solutions, using a dedicated encoder will improve video quality and give you better control over your stream. It's recommended to use encoders for more advanced broadcasts, such as those with multiple cameras or requiring high audio quality. There are many encoding programs available, but most require payment for full features.

• Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is a free, open-source encoder with many advanced features. For this tutorial, we assume you're using OBS, as it is the best free software. OBS comes with pre-configured profiles for popular live streaming services.
• Wirecast is an encoder that lets you quickly access the interfaces of streaming services like YouTube Live Streaming. The free version only supports one input camera.
• Flash Media Live Encoder (FMLE) is a professional-grade product from Adobe with many features, but it comes at a high price. You can easily access streaming services by downloading the FMLE profiles they provide.

Determine your connection speed. This speed will dictate the encoding quality so that viewers can watch the video clearly. You can test your connection speed at speedtest.net. Make sure to record the results, as you'll need them.

• Read this guide to learn how to test your internet speed.

Open the Settings menu. This is where you'll set up OBS.

Click on the "Encoding" tab. This section determines the quality of your live stream, which depends on your internet speed.

• "Max Bitrate" is the maximum encoding speed. It's recommended to set it to half of your upload speed. For instance, if your upload speed is 3 mb/s (3000 kb/s), set the max bitrate to 1500 kb/s.
• Set the "Buffer size" to match the max bitrate value.

Click on the "Video" tab. Here you can adjust the resolution and frame rate of your live stream. These settings are highly dependent on your upload speed.

Set the "Base Resolution" to match your display's resolution.

Use the "Resolution Downscale" menu to modify the output video resolution. Here are some recommended settings based on your max bitrate:

• 1920x1080 (1080P) - 4500 kb/s
• 1280x720 (720P) - 2500 kb/s
• 852x480 (480P) - 100 kb/s

Set the FPS to 60 if the service allows it. Some streaming services only support 30 FPS. YouTube and several other platforms have started supporting 60 FPS videos.

Click on the "Broadcast Settings" tab. This tab lets you configure your connection with the streaming service.

Select a streaming service from the "Streaming Service" menu. There are many preset services available to help you reduce the need for copying and pasting URLs. If your service isn't listed, choose Custom.

Enter the stream key/stream name. After you start a live stream on your selected service, you'll receive a unique key to paste into the "Play Path/Stream Key" box. This allows the service to receive the live video feed from the encoder software.

Exit the Settings menu.

Right-click on the "Sources" section and choose "Add Sources". This will allow you to add an input source for your broadcast.

• If you want to stream from your computer screen, select "Monitor Capture".
• If you wish to stream from a webcam, choose "Video Capture Device".
• If you're streaming from a video game capture card, opt for "Game Capture".

Begin broadcasting from the encoder first. Before using any other services, test the stream through the encoder. Once you verify that everything is functioning smoothly, you can send the video to your live streaming platform.