Live streaming RTMP: What is the best way do I encode and stream live video
It's not obvious, but the internet is filled with protocols are used every day. For example, if you've viewed video through platforms such as Facebook Live, Youtube Live, Linkedin Live, you could have used RTMP.
What exactly do you mean by RTMP? How does it connect to live streaming?
RTMP refers to "real-time message protocol." It's an extremely powerful streaming protocol, designed by Adobe (previously Macromedia) for live streaming.
In this blog article, we'll dive into issues like: what exactly is streaming with RTMP? How do you setup it? We'll go over the nuances of RTMP vs HTTP streaming.
Do you want to know more? Grab your belts.
RTMP stream: three important issues
Before we deal with the technical aspects, let's take three minutes to answer the questions. The words in the three questions quite often.
What is a streaming protocol?
A streaming protocol is running your live stream through the transmission of data, audio, and video via the internet from your set up station on the monitor of the viewers.
RTMP stream is just one streaming protocol but it's the most powerful. Some other popular names include HTTP streams, MPEG DASH, MSS and many morewhich we'll explore later.
What is latency?
The term "latency" refers to the period between your action and a web app's response. When it comes to live video streaming, latency is the time it takes for transfer of information from your side to your viewer's side.
Frankly, you can't compromise by allowing this kind of delay. Live streaming can cause simple lag can disrupt both the viewer experience and the pace of the conversation, particularly with tools such as Live chats, Q&As in real time, and audience polling.
What is ABS?
ABS is an adaptive bitrate stream commonly referred to as ABR streaming. This is a method used to compress and alter the quality of a video stream in order to increase the bandwidth available.
For a simpler explanation, ABS is what ensures that viewers see the most superior quality of video using the bandwidth available. If bandwidth is not sufficient, say due to poor connections to networks, ABS automatically takes the video quality down to what is available in bandwidth.
What is RTMP streaming?
RTMP stream is a live streaming protocol which provides high-performance transmission of audio, video as well as data from an encoder to a server that broadcasts the data over the internet.
When it was in its prime, RTMP streams enjoyed some fame and recognition as the primary protocol used for live streaming that was used in conjunction with Adobe's Flash Player.
Even though Adobe has decided to end their Flash player, RTMP streaming continues on with the help of encoders that are RTMP compatible. In fact, many streaming providers and encoders offer live streams using RTMP, including .
What's the reason for keeping RTMP video streaming alive and running? We'll look at the benefits and setbacks to make sure you have a full view.
The pros in RTMP streaming:
- Applauded for low latency streaming.
- Provides reliable streaming by ensuring constant contact between the player and server - an advancement over its predecessors.
- Provides secure, cloud-based streaming through RTMPS, which offers convenience as well as security for live streaming needs.
What exactly is RTMPS?
Pros of RTMP streaming:
- It doesn't support high-resolution video or compression methods for video such as VP9, AV1, and others.
- RTMP live stream is no longer accepted in iOS, Android, most embedded players, and several browsers. What's more, certain networks block the RTMP port by default that requires firewall adjustments to permit access through the network that is blocked. Again, this limits scalability.
- RTMP live streaming is prone to data loss. In the case of problems with the network, it could swiftly lose data within just a couple of seconds. This could interrupt the streaming.
How does RTMP streaming function?
A RTMP stream works by chopping the data into smaller pieces of audio and video known as packets. The packets are then sent out in separate ways through a variety of virtual channels specified as part of the stream protocol that is the reason for what makes RTMP live streaming efficient.
Does RTMP use TCP as well as UDP?
RTMP uses the transmission control protocol (TCP) which facilitates the transfer of data between devices in a network. The RTMP stream is atop of TCP which uses a handshake that is three-way. facilitates data transfer. Here's how: the initiator solicits server assistance to initiate a connection (first handshake). If the server replies (second handshake), the initiator acknowledges the response (third handshake) and a stable connection is established.
RTMP has two use cases:
1. First-mile delivery
Also known as video contribution. RTMP stream is used to transfer video to an encoder as well as a server.
2. Last-mile delivery
In this instance, RTMP live stream is used to transmit data between servers to a device that uses the Flash player.
Since streaming video with RTMP isn't compatible with every video device, RTMP streaming isn't used to deliver last mile delivery any longer. RTMP encoders, however, help with first-mile delivery.
If RTMP is working only on the first-mile delivery front and only, what happens to the last-mile delivery roll? Good question.
In order to deliver the last mile, the industry uses other streaming protocols with the two most prominent:
- Apple's HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) (or HTTP in short
- MPEG Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH)
Two other names are often mentioned along with them include:
- Microsoft's Smooth Streaming (MSS)
- Adobe's HTTP Dynamic Streaming (HDS)
But, we won't discuss these issues in detail because MSS is no longer available and HDS can't be used in conjunction with HTTP servers, which limits the usage of it.
Streaming protocols for last-mile contribution
Once their introductions are off the table we can look over the pros and drawbacks of every streaming service:
HTTP, also known as HTTP Live streaming (HLS)
It was developed by Apple, HLS is widely used by browsers, mobile phones, as well as other streaming players. Because it's used widely, it's also easy to scale, that's its biggest benefit.
On top of that, HTTP uses ABS streaming. It automatically alters the quality of video based on the viewer's bandwidth availability.
But, HLS shows high latency that ranges from 6 to 30 seconds. It's a serious downside in contrast to an RTMP live streaming. It's been reported out there that certain broadcasters consider implementing HLS overly complicated.
MPEG-DASH
MPEG-DASH is the creation of a leading industry professional on video and audio standards Moving Pictures Expert Group, as it is known (MPEG).
The protocol is open source and is praised for its codec-agnostic nature. Meaning, it can utilize content encoded using any codec format, such as VP9, H.265, and others.
However, here's the problem Because Apple prioritizes their software it's support for MPEG-DASH comes in second. Also, it has greater latency, ranging from 6 to 30 seconds. This is also more than RTMP offers.
WebRTC
It's a third open-source streaming protocol used to transmit data through browsers with sub-500 mg latency. The ultra-low latency of WebRTC is what gives WebRTC the huge amount of credit WebRTC gets.
It's not, however, scaleable as it's intended for broadcasts with small amounts. WebRTC must be customized to work with large-scale live streaming.
RTMP and HTTP streaming
At this point, you ought to know how the RTMP and HTTP streams compete against one the other.
RTMP streaming gets the limelight because of its low latency and limited buffering. The streaming's strength is weakened when it comes to the ability to scale.
However, HTTP is a streaming champ thanks to its extensive use and enhanced quality of viewing, due to ABS. The issue? Low latency - something viewers don't like as they're more likely to aren't willing to watch a slow streaming service that is delayed by less than 60 seconds. Below, we've laid out the key differences among RTMP and HTTP with regard to the playback and latency issues, firewall restrictions, and audio and video codecs.
But, contrary to what you think, HTTP and RTMP protocols work with each and not against each other. How? By complementing one another, working where one lags ahead. This is precisely what live streams do today.
How to set up the RTMP server for your live stream
You now have a full rundown of RTMP streaming, its features, how it compares to other streams and the way things function within the industry of live streaming. Let's walk through how to setup an RTMP stream in live mode.
For the first time, you'll need a RTMP-enable encoder as well as an RTMP server. You'll find details on these two devices below.
For now, here are the steps you need to follow for setting up a RTMP stream with Live specifically:
- Set the RTMP stream to Livestream Studio's setting under the inputtab.
2. To configure the server, authenticate your stream using the gearwheel icon by adding your username and password.
3. Set up your encoder by putting in your stream name as well as RTMP URL. Find these on the Livestream Studio, under the General tab. In your third-party encoder start your settings for RTMP and type in the RTMP URL as well as the stream name from the Studio in the appropriate fields.
To get a more in-depth understanding of this set up, check out how to set up Livestream Studio to function as an RTMP Server.
How do I use RTMP?
For a RTMP live stream you'll require an RTMP-enabled encoder and a server to receive and broadcast the data that you receive. Make use of Live as your RTMP receiver server and pair it with a compatible encoder that is RTMP enabled to begin streaming.
Top RTMP encoders that work with live streaming
Select from the following RTMP-enabled Hardware encoders. What's the best part? They're all compatible with Live:
Want more details regarding how to setup an encoder with Live? Check out this tutorial on how to set up an encoder.
A RTMP server that is live
The server will distribute an RTMP stream to the audience's users by changing the RTMP stream into another streaming protocol for last-mile delivery.
Looking for more production tips for setting up a live stream?
Check out the Master Class session on live streaming technology, equipment and set-up.
"It's very easy for people who don't have a technical background to start. It's plug-and-play. You can access a large global audience with no need of technical knowledge" David Haug, Senior video producer, Deloitte
What is my RTMP URL?
The answer is dependent upon the live streaming software that you are using. In the case of Live, you can find the RTMP URL by pressing the editor icon, then selecting the Live Tools menu. Scroll to the bottom until you spot the RTMP input option. Click Get Link from there and you will receive your Stream Key along with an Server URL.
Then, wrap up and stream wherever using RTMP
The end of the day, RTMP is a technical technology for streaming video. The greatest advantage is that it's accessible across various platforms, including social networks such as Facebook, Youtube, and Linkedin allowing streamers to stream anywhere and anyplace. Furthermore, with RTMPS, you have an encrypted cloud solution that puts secure streaming at your fingertips.