The RTMP Streamer actor allows you to stream video and audio to services like YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and more.  This article is a quick start guide that is meant to get you streaming to these platforms in minutes.

This plugin is compatible with Isadora 3.1 or later; you cannot use it with an earlier version of Isadora.

Minimum System Requirements: macOS Mojave or Windows 10

The RTMP Streamer actor is compatible with macOS Mojave and later or Windows 10. It will not appear in Isadora if you are running macOS High Sierra or earlier.

Keep Stream Key Private!

You need to keep your stream key private, otherwise, others could stream to your channel without your permission! The stream key is hidden from view in Isadora but can be read by others when someone clicks on the 'stream key' input value of the RTMP Streamer actor. If you need to share a file that includes the RTMP Streamer actor, you must be sure to clear the 'stream key' input first!

Requirements

  • Isadora 3.1 or later.
  • RTMP Streamer actor (available from the Add-Ons Page).
  • Active account details for YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, or whatever streaming service you use.
  • A reliable internet connection.

Using the RTMP Streamer Actor

Step 1: Install the RTMP Streamer Actor

Since the RTMP Streamer actor is distributed as an external add-on through the TroikaTronix Add-Ons Page, it is necessary to download and install the actor for use with Isadora.

Step 2: Prepare the RTMP Streamer Actor

Before setting up the 'stream URL' and 'stream key' input properties of the RTMP Streamer actor, you should set up the other inputs:

video in: This is the input property where you will provide the video for streaming. For best performance, it is important that the resolution of the incoming video stream is one of the standard HD (High-Definition) or SD (Standard Definition) sizes like 1920x1080, 1280x720, 640x480, etc.

a/v mode: Leave it set to both. (Eventually, we'll allow you to stream just video or just audio, but for now, don't change this input property.)

h264 profile: Leave this set to auto. (If you are an expert regarding h264 profile levels, you can switch between the base, main, and high profiles. We recommend you let the encoder decide.)

video rate kbps: This controls the average kbps (thousands of bits per second) allowed for the video stream. For 1280x720 video at 30 fps use 2500; for 1920x1080 at 30 fps use 4000. This table from Google gives additional suggestions for other resolutions and frame rates.

audio source: For the moment, the RTMP Streamer actor accepts audio only from a normal audio input device on your computer. To choose a source, simply click on this input property – a popup menu with all the available audio devices will appear.

On Windows, you can choose the system audio output as the audio input source. On macOS, you need to do a workaround to create an "aggregate audio device". This article explains how to do this for OBS; you can follow the same procedure for the RTMP Streamer actor.

audio rate kbps: This controls the average kbps (thousands of bits per second) allowed for the audio stream. Only certain rates are allowed. To choose a rate, right-click or control-click this input property to choose the possible rates from a popup menu.

audio offset: This input property allows you to offset the audio in relation to the video to improve sync. You should leave this set to zero unless you are experiencing sync issues.

logging: This input property should remain set to none unless TroikaTronix support instructs you to change this setting to aid in a technical support issue. The setting change only takes effect after restarting Isadora.

broadcast: Once you've set the 'server url' and 'stream key' input properties, you can turn this input 'on' to start streaming, and turn it 'off' to stop.

Step 3: Set the Server URL and Stream Key

To use the RTMP Streamer actor, you need two things from your streaming service: the stream ingestion URL and the stream key.
These articles outline how to find these values for YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook.

For further instructions on how to stream to these services, please consult the support pages offered by those services.

If you are connecting to another service these articles will still help you understand the requirements and it is suggested you read the Twitch article since Twitch requires additional steps not required by the other two.

Step 4: Connect Your Video Input and Set Broadcast to On

Now that the way RTMP Streamer actor is configured a video source needs to be connected to its 'video in' input property. This video source can be anything in Isadora that provides vid-gpu formatted video output.

Finally, switch the 'broadcast' input property from off to on. (See the 'broadcast' input property in the input list above.)
You will see the 'broadcasting' output property change from off to on, and the 'status' output change providing additional feedback regarding the current connection status.

NOTE: Please be patient! Some services can take several seconds before they display an image. (It shouldn't take more than 60 seconds though – if you don't see an image, try turning this input property off and then on.)