Streaming to Normal-Latency or No-Latency Channels Using Third-Party Streamers (OBS and VMIX as Examples) #
OBS is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. Compared with the Polyv official streaming client, presenters can use OBS to conduct live streams using the video-only template type.
VMIX is a paid video mixer and switcher that can set up multiple video streams for directing. Compared with the Polyv official streaming client, presenters can use VMIX to conduct live streams using the video-only template type.
Note: When streaming with OBS or VMIX, co-hosting is not available, and live room interaction features cannot be used.
OBS download address: https://obsproject.com/zh-cn/download
VMIX download address: https://www.vmix.com/software/
Usage steps:
I. Obtain the streaming address
- Log in to the Polyv live streaming backend and enter the target live room.
- Click [Start Streaming] at the top of the page, and select [Third-Party Streaming] in the pop-up window.
- Copy the [Streaming URL] and [Streaming Key] separately to configure OBS or VMIX.
Notes:
- Third-party streaming requires using a channel whose live template is [Video Only].
- After obtaining the streaming key, you must start streaming within 24 hours. If the validity period expires and you still have not streamed, refresh the backend page and reopen [Third-Party Streaming] to obtain the information again. This validity period refers to the validity period for starting the stream, and does not mean that the stream will automatically end 24 hours after going live.
II. OBS Usage Instructions:
1. Open OBS - Settings
2. Enter the streaming address
- In [Settings] - [Stream], set [Service] to [Custom]. In some versions, [Stream] is displayed as [Streaming].
- Enter the [Streaming URL] from the Polyv backend into [Server], and enter the [Streaming Key] into [Stream Key] or [Streaming Key].
- If what you obtained is a complete streaming address, split it according to the example below; the
?in the key and its subsequent parameters must be retained in full.
Take the following streaming address as an example. The complete address is:
rtmp://push-pp.vidoab.net/recordf/**3f2e7e2cb3165acx7196c4a8?txSecret=38d274e9bcasd268dd65a9a8d6e&txTime=6364dasq2
It needs to be truncated at ..net/recordf/. This part is entered into the server, and the latter part is entered into the stream key.
3. Set the frame rate and bitrate
Before going live, configure OBS according to the following parameters. Both normal-latency and no-latency channels need to have the frame rate, bitrate, and keyframe interval set, and you should continue to complete the encoding parameter configuration for the corresponding channel below.
| Configuration Item | Operation Location | Setting Value |
|---|---|---|
| Frame rate | [Settings] - [Video] - [Common FPS Values] | Change from 60 fps to 25 fps, and select [25 PAL] from the drop-down options |
| Video bitrate | [Settings] - [Output], select [Advanced] for Output Mode, and go to the [Streaming] tab | 1000–2000 Kbps, enter a value within this range, for example 1500 |
| Keyframe interval | Same as above, adjust in the encoder settings | 2 seconds. If the unit is displayed as s, enter 2 |
After completing the settings, click [Apply] - [OK]. The bitrate input box can only contain one specific number; do not directly enter "1000–2000".
The image below is used to locate these three parameters, with the bitrate taking 1500 Kbps as an example. The resolution in the image is only an interface example; x264's bframes=0 and the no-latency channel's baseline still need to be configured according to the instructions below.
4. Normal-latency channel - streaming setting parameters
In Settings - Output - Output Mode, select Advanced. The items that need to be adjusted:
- Keyframe interval: 2 seconds
- x264 options: bframes=0, as shown in the figure below
5. No-latency channel - streaming setting parameters
In Settings - Output - Output Mode, select Advanced. The items that need to be adjusted:
Keyframe interval: 2 seconds
Profile: baseline
x264 options: bframes=0, as shown in the figure below
6. Start streaming
At this point, return to the OBS main interface and click [Start Streaming] in the lower right corner to start streaming.
III. VMIX Usage Instructions:
1. Open VMIX and click the settings button for Stream
2. Enter the streaming address
- In the settings, select "custom RTMP Server" for the Destination item.
- Enter the [Streaming URL] from the Polyv backend into URL, and enter the [Streaming Key] into Stream Name or key.
- If what you obtained is a complete streaming address, split it according to the example below.
Take the following streaming address as an example. The complete address is:
rtmp://push-pp.vidoab.net/recordf/**3f2e7e2cb3165acx7196c4a8?txSecret=38d274e9bcasd268dd65a9a8d6e&txTime=6364dasq2
It needs to be truncated at ..net/recordf/. This part is entered into the URL, and the latter part is entered into Stream Name or key.
3. Normal-latency channel - streaming setting parameters
In the Stream settings, click the settings button next to Quality.
The items that need to be adjusted:
- profile: High
- keyframe frequency: 2 seconds
4. No-latency channel - streaming setting parameters
In the Stream settings, click the settings button next to Quality.
The items that need to be adjusted:
- Profile: Baseline
- keyframe frequency: 2 seconds
5. Start streaming
At this point, return to the VMIX main interface and click the [Stream] button below to start streaming.
