Common Live Streaming Issues
Last updated: 2025-03-25
Issue 1: Blurry Image When Streaming with Third-Party Tools
Cause: The streaming bitrate and resolution parameters are too low.
Recommended parameters are as follows:
Prioritize smooth playback Resolution: 720p-1080p Audio/Video Bitrate: 1000Kbps-2000Kbps Video Codec: H264 Audio Codec: AAC(LC) Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds Frame Rate: 25 fps Profile: High
Prioritize image quality, ignoring some network lag Resolution: 1080p Audio/Video Bitrate: 2000Kbps-3000Kbps Video Codec: H264 Audio Codec: AAC(LC) Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds Frame Rate: 25 fps Profile: High
Issue 2: No Video After Streaming with Third-Party Tools
Cause: An expired streaming URL was used.
Solution: The backend address has hotlink protection enabled by default and changes automatically upon refresh or after 30 minutes. It is recommended to contact Polyv after-sales support to fix the streaming address, but fixing it carries certain risks. If this address is obtained by someone else, they can also use this stream address to push content, and their stream will be visible on the viewer page. Please evaluate carefully.
Issue 3: Black Screen During Screen Sharing
Cause: The broadcasting computer has dual graphics cards interacting, and the default graphics card is not supported.
Solution: Disable one graphics card to resolve the issue.
For specific steps, please refer to the documentation: https://help.polyv.net/index.html#/live/product/live_form/live_client/live_client_common_question?id=%e4%b8%80%e3%80%81%e5%85%b1%e4%ba%ab%e6%a1%8c%e9%9d%a2%e9%bb%91%e5%b1%8f
Issue 4: White Screen When Starting Broadcast from Client
Cause: High CPU usage.
Solution: Close unnecessary software, free up computer memory, and restart the broadcast.
Issue 5: Audience Cannot See Video During Co-streaming
Cause: Audio-only co-streaming is being used.
Solution: Video co-streaming is required to see the corresponding image. The host should select "Video Co-streaming" when initiating the co-stream.
Issue 6: Guest Screen Sharing Flickers During Live Stream
Cause: The guest's network environment is unstable, causing the video image to constantly update and experience packet loss.
Solution: Re-adjust the network. It is recommended to ensure stable network connections for both the host and guest during the live stream to avoid issues caused by network anomalies.
Issue 7: Co-stream Video Stuttering, Audio Out of Sync
Cause: Co-stream participants have unstable networks, and device CPU usage is high.
Solution: Maintain network stability and monitor device status. It is recommended to ensure stable network connections for both the host and guest during the live stream to avoid issues caused by network anomalies. Also, try to close other software besides the broadcasting software during the stream to free up CPU memory and prevent high CPU consumption from causing streaming abnormalities.
Issue 8: Viewers Cannot See Video When Broadcasting from Phone
Cause 1: The broadcasting environment has a weak network.
Solution: Switch to mobile data and restart the broadcast. It is recommended to ensure a stable network for the broadcasting end.
Cause 2: Test mode is enabled. When test mode is on, new viewers cannot see the live stream.
Solution: Disable test mode. After logging in to broadcast via the web, there is a test mode switch on the right side of the channel number display in the top left corner. Click to turn it off.
Issue 9: Cannot See Guest Video During Co-streaming
Cause: The guest has not turned on their camera.
Solution: The guest can be seen normally after turning on the camera.
Issue 10: Pull Stream Has Audio but No Video on Viewer Page
Cause: The source stream is abnormal and inherently has no video.
Solution: Adjust the source stream.
Issue 11: Blurry Live Stream Image
Cause: The image is blurry with low resolution. Checking the stream status reveals a bitrate as low as 40-60.
Solution: The live stream resolution and bitrate are too low. Change the network. It is recommended that the broadcasting network has at least 20 Mbps upload and download speed.
Issue 12: Students Cannot See the Live Stream After the Client Starts Broadcasting
Cause: The client used a guest account to start the broadcast, so the audience cannot see the stream.
Solution: Use the lecturer's channel number and password to start the broadcast.
Issue 13: Pseudo Live Stream Video Does Not Play for the First 3-5 Seconds
Cause: This is a cloud provider link issue where the initial loading fails. It is recommended to switch the cloud provider to c1 for pseudo live streams for better stability.
Solution: Please contact dedicated after-sales technical support for assistance.
Issue 14: Distorted Colors or Uneven Brightness
Cause: Incorrect camera white balance settings, poor lighting conditions in the streaming environment, or incorrect color and brightness settings in the streaming software.
Solution: Adjust the camera's white balance settings for more realistic colors; optimize lighting in the streaming environment using fill lights or adjusting light source positions; check and adjust the color and brightness settings in the streaming software.
Issue 15: Subject Motion Blur in Live Stream
Cause: The stream uses 1080i 50fps interlaced scanning, causing blur during motion.
Solution:
- Adjust the camera's capture parameters to 1080p 50fps.
- Enable deinterlacing in the streaming software settings to avoid interlaced scanning.
Issue 16: Live Stream Image Alternates Between Clear and Blurry
Cause: The clarity of the live stream is mainly affected by the bitrate. However, bitrate stability depends on the network bandwidth used for streaming. If the network bandwidth is insufficient for high-bitrate streaming or fluctuates significantly, the image will become unclear.
Solution:
- Lower the streaming parameters.
- Switch to a dedicated live streaming network with higher bandwidth.
Issue 17: OBS Stream Shows Flickering or Artifacts
Cause: This is usually caused by unstable image capture from the device, leading to flickering.
Solution:
- Remove the source in the streaming software and re-add it for capture.
- Check the connection cables of the capture card.
Issue 18: Camera Freezes When Chroma Key is Enabled During Stream
Cause: Device performance (CPU, memory, graphics card, etc.) is insufficient. When the device cannot handle high-intensity video processing, freezing occurs.
Solution: Upgrade device hardware (CPU, memory, graphics card, etc.) to meet the demands of high-intensity video processing. Also, close programs and applications that consume network resources to ensure smooth streaming.
