External Encoders

What is an external encoder?

External encoders, such as OBS, allow you to push a higher quality stream to SoulCams by giving your more control over the encoding settings for your broadcast. High definition streams up to 4k are supported through external encoding. We then transcode the stream into multiple quality levels to allow viewers on any connection to enjoy your stream. Encoding is the process of converting the data from your camera into a stream that can be sent over the Internet and then decoded in your viewer’s browser. There are multiple software or hardware encoders available and can be used to broadcast on SoulCams if capable of RTMP output. Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is an open source tool which is free to download and use on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

OBS

How to set up OBS

Open Broadcasting Software (OBS) is an open source streaming software which provides broadcasters control to configure stream settings and customizable plugins so they can enhance viewer experience.

How to set up OBS on SoulCams

1. Download OBS Studio

Download OBS Studio from this link: https://obsproject.com/

2. Set Up Authorized SoulCams Stream Key

• Log into your Performer account here
• Click on the Go online button (New SoulCast) and hit Settings in the SoulCast model streaming app and select 'OBS' at the Streaming source section. Hit 'Save Settings'.

3. Configure OBS Settings

• Open OBS studio and click on Tools menu and Auto Configuration Wizard. Select Optimize for streaming, recording is secondary and hit 'Next'
• Video settings:
  • Base (Canvas) Resolution: select Use current (1280x720)
  • FPS: select Either 60 or 30 but prefer 60 when possible. Hit 'Next'
• Stream information:
  • Stream type: choose Custom Streaming Server
  • Server: paste this URL there: rtmp://bintu-stream.nanocosmos.de:1935/live
  • Stream key: FCXZp-0Jh7Y
  • Leave the 'Prefer hardware encoding' and 'Estimate bitrate with bandwidth test' selected and hit 'Next'
  • At the left-bottom corner of OSB software look for the box 'Sources'. Click on the '+' sign and select 'Video Capture Device'. 'Leave the 'Create new' selected, give a desired name to the preset or leave it 'Video Capture Device' by default and hot 'OK'.
• Properties for 'Video Capture Device':
  • Device: select your webcam brand here
  • Resolution/FPS type:

Stream Settings

In OBS Studio click on 'Settings' button (bottom-right corner of the software) and select 'Stream'

• Stream type: choose Custom Streaming Server
• Server: paste this URL there: rtmp://bintu-stream.nanocosmos.de:1935/live
• Stream key: FCXZp-0Jh7Y

====Output Settings==== 

Click on 'Output' settings and leave everything as it is, except the following:

• Video Bitrate: 3000

Video Settings

• Base (Canvas) Resolution: 1280x720
• Output (Scaled) Resolution: 1280x720
• Common FPS values: 30