TechZerg is reader supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
If you’re interested in streaming content but don’t want to pay for a monthly subscription, consider using OBS. OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free and open-source video streaming program that allows you to create a virtual broadcast studio on your computer. Many content creators use OBS for their live-streaming needs, but can it stream to multiple platforms?
Can OBS stream to multiple platforms?
By default, OBS enables only single-platform streaming, but there are several third-party tools that can allow you to stream on multiple platforms from your OBS application. These third-party services include Restream, and plugins like Multiple RTMP Output.
With Restream, you can stream to over 30 platforms at once, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and many more. Moreover, Restream offers an easy-to-use dashboard that enables you to manage all your streaming activities from one place.
On the other hand, Multiple RTMP Output plugin allows you to stream to several platforms by creating multiple outputs for each of the platforms. Therefore, you can stream to different platforms simultaneously by creating multiple outputs and configuring your stream settings for each platform.
How Many Platforms can OBS Stream to Simultaneously?
By default, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) only supports streaming to one platform at a time. In order to achieve simultaneous streaming on multiple platforms, one must utilize a third-party service such as Restream.
Restream is a multistreaming platform that allows content creators to stream their live video content to multiple platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook at the same time, without the need for additional encoding or hardware. With Restream, you can broaden your audience reach, increase your online presence, and get more engagement from your viewers across various platforms.
Restream works by receiving the video stream from OBS and then relaying it to the selected platforms. Restream also provides additional features such as chat aggregation, analytics, and scheduling, making it a convenient and useful tool for streamers who want to expand their reach.
What Video Platforms Does OBS Support Natively?
OBS natively supports various social media video platforms that employ the Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Because OBS is an open-source software, it utilizes RTMP for video broadcasting. This implies that as long as the video platform is compatible with RTMP, OBS can effortlessly stream to it.
What is RTMP?
RTMP stands for Real-Time Messaging Protocol and it plays a crucial role in the world of live streaming. Initially designed for Adobe Flash Player, RTMP has now evolved into an encoding tool for online video platforms.
RTMP’s low latency streaming feature is what makes it indispensable in live streaming. It significantly improves the real-time broadcast performance by minimizing buffering issues, thus providing a more pleasant viewing experience.
In addition to its low latency, RTMP also offers other benefits such as allowing viewers to rewind or fast-forward videos. It is also utilized by certain tools for video conferencing.
How Hard is it to Set up Multistreaming?
Multistreaming is the process of streaming video content to multiple platforms simultaneously. While it is a great way to expand your reach and audience, setting up multistreaming can be challenging.
Compared to Streamyard, setting up multiple streamings to different channels on OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is not as straightforward. In order to achieve this, you will need to use third-party services like Restream or plugins such as Multiple RTMP Output.
Among these options, the plugin is the better choice because it is free, although it is not officially a release or feature by OBS. Despite the additional setup required, the benefits of multistreaming are worth the effort as it allows you to reach a wider audience and increase your online presence.
How Do you Set up Multistreaming with OBS?
Are you interested in broadcasting your live stream on multiple video platforms at once? If you’re looking for a free option, you can use the Multiple RTMP Output plugin which can be downloaded here.
After installing the plugin, open OBS and select “Add a Destination”. Enter the video platform you want to broadcast on (such as YouTube or Facebook), the RTMP server, and the RTMP key. The RTMP key is a unique combination of letters and numbers, so it’s essential to be careful when copying and pasting it into OBS as one mistake could negatively impact your live stream.
Once you’ve added the first destination, click on “Add a Destination” again and repeat the process for each new video platform you want to broadcast on. After setting up all your video platforms for the broadcast, proceed with streaming as usual.
Another option is to use Restream, which offers a free plan and allows streaming to up to 30 platforms.
To enable Restream on OBS, go to settings and select “Stream” on the left side of the window. Under service, choose either Restream.io or Restream RTMP, then open your Restream dashboard and copy the RTMP key. Finally, paste the key into OBS.
Next, go to output and select “Advanced” in the Output Mode. In this menu, uncheck “Enforce Streaming service encoder settings” and “Rescale Output”. Set the rate control to CBR and the bitrate to 3800. Adjust the keyframe interval to two seconds and the profile to “Main”.
Then, click on the “Video” submenu and set the base resolution and output resolution to 1280 x 720. Finally, click on “Advanced Settings” and set the color format to NV12 and the color space to 709.
Is OBS Popular for Multistreaming?
OBS is a prevalent streaming platform among users who seek free streaming software with an array of features that allow them to manage various parameters, including source volume.
Due to its open-source nature, OBS has gained widespread acceptance as it empowers developers to make necessary changes to enhance streaming performance.
Can I use Multiple Cameras with OBS?
Yes, OBS offers support for multiple camera views during a broadcast.
You have the option to connect up to eight (8) cameras, beyond which you will require an external switcher for additional connections.
The Multiview feature in OBS is responsible for managing the multiple camera views. With just one click on this feature, you can effortlessly switch between camera views.
Can you End Streaming on one Platform without Disconnecting Others?
In today’s world of online video content, it is common to stream on multiple platforms simultaneously to reach a larger audience. However, what if you need to end streaming on one platform without disconnecting others? Is it even possible?
The good news is that it is indeed possible. Most video platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch, treat each streaming window as a separate entity. Therefore, ending broadcasting on one platform will not interrupt the others.
This feature is particularly beneficial for content creators who have subscription-based memberships and want to offer exclusive streaming to a Facebook group. By ending the broadcast on other platforms, they can ensure that the content is only available to the selected group.
What Else do I Need to Stream to Multiple Platforms?
Are you planning to stream your content to multiple platforms but don’t know what else you need? OBS, the popular streaming software, has provided a list of system requirements for its users. These include:
- For Windows users: Windows 8, 8.1, or 10, and a DirectX 10.1 video card.
- For macOS users: macOS 10.13 or later, Intel processors, and an OpenGL 3.3 compatible video card.
- For Linux or Unix users: X Window System, and an OpenGL 3.3 compatible video card.
Moreover, to ensure a smooth streaming experience, it is recommended to have a computer with at least 8 GB of memory and a fast internet connection of 10 Mbps or more. This speed is suitable for streaming at 720p resolution, which should suffice for all platforms except for YouTube. If you plan to stream to YouTube, you may want to consider a faster connection for 1080p resolution.
How Does OBS Compare to Streamyard?
In the realm of live streaming, OBS and Streamyard have established themselves as highly regarded tools for broadcasting your content across various platforms. While both of these tools are capable of streaming to multiple platforms, there are significant differences between them that might influence your decision to choose one over the other.
OBS, which stands for Open Broadcaster Software, is a free and open-source software that provides a vast array of customizable options for streaming. With OBS, you can personalize your stream to your preferences, including adding overlays, custom transitions, and adjusting audio settings. It is well-suited for advanced users who want complete control over their live stream and are comfortable navigating its complex interface.
On the other hand, Streamyard is a web-based platform that simplifies the streaming process, making it an excellent choice for beginners. It provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface that allows you to create high-quality streams without the need for technical knowledge. Additionally, Streamyard offers a wide range of features such as screen sharing, branding, and guest appearances, making it a popular choice for interviews and panel discussions.
In conclusion, the choice between OBS and Streamyard ultimately depends on your level of expertise and the features that you require for your live stream. While OBS provides more customization options and advanced features, Streamyard simplifies the streaming process and provides a user-friendly interface. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate your needs and choose the one that best suits them.
OBS and Streamyard: Which One Should You Use
If you’re looking to stream videos to your preferred platforms, OBS and Streamyard are two popular broadcasting tools worth considering. Both tools enable multiple streaming platforms, but they have significant differences worth noting.
To start with, OBS is an open-source software that is free to use and modify, provided you know how to tinker with source codes. On the other hand, Streamyard is a proprietary browser-based service that requires payment to unlock additional features, even though it offers a free version. OBS gives you the full suite during installation, while Streamyard offers the full range of features as you pay for the service.
One other notable difference is that OBS is software that you download, which takes up storage space in addition to your memory usage. Streamyard is browser-based, which reduces storage usage on your computer but still uses memory.
When it comes to video platforms, OBS supports most of them provided they use RTMP, while Streamyard offers native support for RTMP videos, reducing errors during broadcast. If you’re interested in setting up multiple streaming, Streamyard natively supports various streaming, while OBS requires you to download an additional plugin to enable this function.
Additionally, OBS natively supports up to eight (8) cameras with the Multiview feature for multiple camera setups, while Streamyard supports numerous camera setups through a switcher or by sending individual links to other devices.
If you plan to stream to multiple platforms, it’s important to consider the chat function. OBS requires you to download add-ons, while Streamyard offers native chat features in its interface. Streamyard also natively supports multiple guests, meaning you don’t need third-party services like Zoom, while OBS supports single views by default, and you will need services like Zoom to do guesting.
Other notable factors that affect the broadcasting experience include the interface and features. Streamyard has a simplified interface, equating to fewer features, while OBS has a lot of features but can be complicated for beginners. OBS has an edge in recording since you get to tweak audio sources. Streamyard allows recording and stores things on the cloud, but with limitations to editing. At most, you can add overlays to your video.
If you’re looking to improve the broadcasting experience, OBS has an edge with plugins, since you’re likely to find a plugin to fix missing features. Streamyard does not have this feature, and there are limitations to plan upgrades.
In conclusion, Streamyard is a better option for multiple streaming for beginners, while OBS is suitable for power users or anyone with the patience to tweak plugins and settings. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Final Thoughts
Although OBS lacks built-in support for multiple streaming, leveraging third-party tools can unlock a multitude of streaming options and enable you to connect with a larger audience.
Due to its open-source nature, OBS provides immense potential for becoming your go-to tool for reaching out to your audience. You can effortlessly connect with various platforms even if you have just one camera.