While most of the live streaming software provides the service of multistreaming, the number of destinations remains restricted. You can barely stream to 2-3 destinations using the free version of the software where you can't even upload your logo. To increase the number of streaming destinations while leveraging custom branding, you need to buy their paid plans.
However, if you're using the OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), you can multistream to a large number of destinations without paying a single penny.
Software And Plugins Required To Multistream:
1. OBS
Download OBS from its official website obsproject.com
2. OBS Multiple RTMP Outputs Plugin
By default, you can stream to only one destination using OBS. Download and install the OBS Multiple RTMP Outputs Plugin to send your stream to multiple destinations simultaneously.
3. Aitum Vertical Plugin For OBS
OBS was initially designed for the landscape (horizontal) video format. However, when it comes to streaming to platforms that support portrait (vertical) video format, you need to download and install the Aitum Vertical plugin for OBS.
Here, we'll multistream to three destinations:
- YouTube
Before we start, please ensure:
- You've activated live streaming on YouTube.
- You've switched to the Professional account on Instagram.
- You know how to find the Stream URL and Key of YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Additionally, you need to know how to set up vertical video in OBS. Setting up vertical video is particularly important in the case of platforms like Instagram that support portrait (vertical) format.
The following interface of OBS shows the Multiple RTMP Outputs Plugin and the Aitum Vertical Plugin placed on either side of the default screen.
Connecting YouTube To OBS
We'll add YouTube on the default screen. Click Settings, under Controls.
Click Stream.
Copy the Server URL and Stream key from your YouTube Studio and paste them into the respective boxes under Destination. Click OK at the bottom.
You've now successfully connected YouTube to OBS.
Connecting Facebook To OBS
Once you've logged into your Facebook account, go to your profile and click the bar where you update your status.
Click the meatballs menu (three horizontal dots).
Click Live video.
Click Go live.
Of the two options under Select a video source, click Streaming software.
Under the Streaming software setup box, you can see the Stream key.
Below the Stream key, click Advanced settings to see the Server URL.
Go back to OBS and click Add new target in the Multiple RTMP Outputs Plugin.
Enter a name (we've used Facebook in this demonstration), and enter the URL and Stream key after copying from your Facebook. Click OK at the bottom.
You've successfully connected your Facebook account to OBS.
Going back to Facebook, add post details on the right panel of your screen.
Add a title and description before clicking Save at the bottom.
Connecting Instagram To OBS
Click the settings icon in your Aitum Vertical Plugin in OBS.
Click Streaming.
Enter a name (we've used Instagram) and your Instagram's Server URL and Stream key before clicking OK.
You've successfully connected your Instagram account to OBS.
In this demonstration, we've used the OBS virtual camera. Therefore, we'll click Start Virtual Camera under Controls.
Starting Multistreaming With OBS
1. Going Live On YouTube
Since YouTube has been set on your default screen, you need to click Start Streaming under Controls to start live streaming.
Click Yes on the next pop-up.
Live streaming on YouTube has begun. To confirm, you can visit your YouTube Studio and check.
2. Going Live On Facebook
Facebook has been added under the Multiple outputs plugin. Visit the plugin and click Start.
Go back to Facebook. On the left panel of your screen, click Go Live.
You're now live streaming to Facebook using OBS.
3. Going Live On Instagram
Click the stream icon in the vertical plugin.
Go to the page where Stream URL and Key are located. On the top-right corner click Go live.
You're now live streaming to your Instagram account using OBS.
By setting up your streams with care and following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can effectively multistream to social media platforms and other Custom RTMP destinations. However, to ensure a smooth multistreaming experience, it's essential to take a few precautions.
- Ensure your system meets the recommended requirements for OBS, including a powerful CPU and sufficient RAM, as streaming to multiple platforms can be resource-intensive.
- Your internet connection should have a stable upload speed, ideally 10 Mbps or higher, to handle the data load without causing lag or interruptions.
- Monitor your CPU and network usage during your streams to prevent potential issues.
- Consider testing your setup with a private stream to troubleshoot any potential problems before going live.
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