This article covers the basic technical requirements to broadcast to StreamGuys.
Streaming Encoder
Streaming Encoders are software or hardware appliances that convert audio or video into an internet friendly format. Our expertise starts at the encoder, so this information addresses the streaming encoder, but doesn’t cover the audio production that happens upstream from the encoder. When you open an account with StreamGuys, we’ll provide you with the encoder settings needed to connect to our streaming services.
Common Audio Encoders include:
– Telos Z/IPstream (hardware and software options)
– StreamS HLS Encoder (hardware and software options)
– Wheatstone StreamBlade or Duo (hardware)
Common Video Encoders include:
– Videon LiveEdge (hardware)
– OBS (software)
These are not conclusive lists – talk with StreamGuys if you need recommendations. StreamGuys advocates for a standards based approach to internet streaming, using professional grade hardware and software for encoding. We have no proprietary encoding hardware or software of own that we require our broadcasters to use.
IT Requirements
When your account is created, StreamGuys will provide domain name(s) and ports to broadcast to. The underlying IP addresses can’t be provided ahead of time. However, we can predict the ports that your encoder will use to connect to our streaming services:
– Port 1935 for RTMP
– Port 8000, 80, or 443 for ICY
– Port 80 or 443 for HLS
All of these use TCP as the underlying protocol.
Hardware Requirements
If you chose a software encoder, you’ll need a computer to run the encoder software. Consult the encoder manufacturer’s website for exact specs. Generally the system requirements are minimal for audio encoders. Multiple vendors list 1Ghz CPU, 2GB of RAM, 200MB of storage, and a supported Windows version as the minimum specifications.
You’ll also need a sound card or way to get audio into the computer.
If you choose a hardware appliance, you’ll manage it via a HTML5 webpage that loads at the encoder’s local IP address.
Network Requirements
Network reliability is very important for streaming. We recommend having 50% overhead available in upload bandwidth. If you’re streaming a 64Kbps stream, that means you only need 96Kbps of upload bandwidth to broadcast. However, packet loss and jitter in latency will impact your broadcast quality. It is important that you have no packet loss in the path between your facility and the ingest servers.
StreamGuys’ network monitoring tool, Pingplotter Cloud, is very helpful for diagnosing network issues when they occur. Often network issues in the building and ISP are transient, and there’s no trace of where they occurred once the event is over.
Playing Your Stream
StreamGuys will also give you the Stream URLs to hear or watch your stream. This is often HLS or ICY protocol. For your audience, you’ll want a website or app where they can tune in to your stream. Take the streams provided by StreamGuys, and give them to your app provider, or put them in your app provider’s management portal. There are a variety of media players available for your website. StreamGuys offers the SGplayer as an option as well.
If you have further questions, contact StreamGuys support.