IPC RTMP FAQ - Configuring and Troubleshooting RTMP Streaming for Exvist IP Cameras

FAQs: RTMP of IP Camera

RTMP Protocol

What's RTMP?

RTMP stands for Real-Time Messaging Protocol. It is a streaming protocol developed by Adobe Systems for transmitting audio, video, and data over the internet in real-time. RTMP is commonly used for live streaming and interactive multimedia applications. It enables a direct connection between an encoding device and a server, allowing for low-latency streaming and real-time communication. RTMP has been widely used for live video streaming on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, although newer protocols like HLS have been gaining popularity in recent years.

Can we use H.265 encoding when streaming by RTMP?

Negative. RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) only supports H.264 encoding and does not support H.265 encoding. Adobe has announced that there will be no further updates or maintenance for RTMP, which limits its support to H.264 encoding. Therefore, when pushing streams using RTMP, it is important to ensure that the video encoding is set to H.264.

Why is H.264 required for RTMP streaming?

  1. RTMP Specification: RTMP, as defined by Adobe, was developed to support H.264 and AAC as the standard video and audio codecs. It does not include support for newer codecs like H.265 (HEVC).
  2. YouTube's Compatibility: YouTube's live streaming platform, which relies on RTMP for input streams, adheres to this standard, requiring video streams to use H.264 for compatibility.

RTMP URL

What's the correct format of RTMP PUSH URL?

The correct format of an RTMP push URL for streaming to YouTube is as follows: rtmp://[YouTube-Stream URL]/[YouTube-Stream-Key], separated by a forward slash ("/").
In this format:
  1. [YouTube-Stream-URL] is the RTMP server address provided by YouTube for streaming.
  2. [YouTube-Stream-Key] is a unique key assigned by YouTube for the specific stream you're pushing.
So the complete RTMP push URL would have the format: rtmp://[YouTube-Stream-URL]/[YouTube-Stream-Key]

RTMP Push to Youtube

Why is streaming camera failed to push live stream to YouTube?

It's important to ensure that all the necessary settings and configurations are correctly set up to successfully push a live stream to YouTube. Here are some troubleshooting steps to consider:
  1. Verify that the audio is enabled and set to use AAC encoding, as YouTube requires specific audio formats for live streaming.
  2. Confirm that the video encoding is set to H.264, as RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) doesn't support H.265 encoding.
  3. Verify that the bitrate is appropriately set. It may be necessary to adjust the bitrate, especially if it's initially set too high, as this can impact the streaming quality and stability.
  4. Check the default DNS settings to ensure they are available and functional, especially in the EU. Consider changing the DNS settings if needed.
  5. Verify that there's sufficient uploading bandwidth available for the live stream. If bandwidth is limited, adjusting the bitrate to a lower value can help ensure a more stable stream.
By addressing these points, the issues that may prevent the successful pushing of a live stream to YouTube can be identified and resolved.

Why does YouTube require the audio codec to be set to AAC, even when streaming video without sound using my codec?

YouTube requires the audio codec to be set to AAC, even when streaming video without sound, because of the platform’s standardization and compatibility requirements. Here are the key reasons:
  1. Standardized Codec: YouTube supports and recommends using AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) for audio because it is a widely adopted and highly efficient codec. Even if there is no audio in the stream, YouTube may expect an audio track to be present for compatibility with its encoding systems and streaming protocols.
  2. Container Format: Many video containers (such as MP4) require an audio stream to be present alongside the video stream. Even if no audio is included, YouTube expects an AAC track to ensure seamless processing and playback across different devices and platforms.
  3. Streaming Protocols: When streaming, some protocols (like HLS or DASH) may require an audio stream in the metadata, and the AAC codec is a default for YouTube’s systems. Setting the codec to AAC ensures proper streaming and synchronization with YouTube's infrastructure.
  4. Playback Consistency: Using AAC ensures that the stream remains consistent for users across a variety of devices, including mobile phones, smart TVs, and browsers, which may have native support for AAC audio playback.
In summary, even for video-only streams, YouTube requires an AAC audio codec to maintain compatibility with its encoding, container, and streaming requirements, ensuring a consistent user experience.

Can we stream live video to YouTube and Facebook simultaneously?

Yes, it is possible to stream live video to both YouTube and Facebook simultaneously. To achieve this, you'll need to ensure that:
  1. Sufficient Bandwidth: Verify that your network bandwidth can support simultaneous live streaming to both platforms. Streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously will require higher bandwidth compared to streaming to a single platform.
  2. Different RTMP URLs: Configure your video encoder to support streaming to multiple platforms by inputting the correct RTMP URLs for both the main stream and sub stream for each platform. This allows you to push a separate stream for each platform.
By ensuring these elements are in place, you can effectively stream live video to both YouTube and Facebook simultaneously.

How can we resolve the problem of not being able to stream to YouTube using a WiFi camera?

If you are experiencing issues with streaming live video to YouTube using a WiFi camera, there are several potential factors to consider. It's important to ensure that the setup is correctly configured for stable and reliable WiFi connectivity.

Here are some common reasons why streaming live video to YouTube via a WiFi camera may encounter issues:
  1. Inconsistent or Weak WiFi Signal: If the WiFi signal strength is not robust or if the WiFi network experiences interference, it can lead to unstable connectivity, packet loss, and interruptions in the live video stream.
  2. Bandwidth Limitations: Streaming live video requires sufficient bandwidth to maintain a stable connection and transmit data without interruptions. If the WiFi network has limited bandwidth capacity or is shared with multiple devices, it could impact the ability to sustain a reliable live video stream to YouTube.
  3. WiFi Interference: Interference from other electronic devices, neighboring networks, or physical obstacles can disrupt the WiFi signal, leading to connectivity issues and potential streaming problems.
  4. Network Configuration: Improper network settings, firewall restrictions, and WiFi router configurations can impact the ability of the WiFi encoder to establish and maintain a connection to the YouTube streaming server.
Based on the steps provided for using the WiFi camera, it's essential to ensure that the WiFi network is stable, properly configured, and capable of delivering the necessary bandwidth for live video streaming. Additionally, verifying that the WiFi camera is connecting to the WiFi network successfully and maintaining a stable connection is crucial for trouble-free live streaming.

If the WiFi camera continues to experience difficulties streaming live video to YouTube, it may be beneficial to troubleshoot the network environment, review the WiFi network configuration, and consider factors such as signal strength, interference, and bandwidth availability.

By addressing potential WiFi-related issues and ensuring a robust network setup, you can help facilitate successful live video streaming to YouTube using the WiFi camera.

RTMP Push to Facebook

Is it possible to stream to Facebook Live via RTMPS with my streaming camera?

Yes, RTMPS (RTMP Secure) is fully supported by RTMP camera. To use this feature:
  1. Set up the camera for RTMPS streaming.
  2. Copy the Stream URL and Stream Key provided by the streaming platform (e.g., YouTube, Facebook Live).
  3. Paste the complete URL (combining the Stream URL and Key) into the RTMP URL field in the camera settings.
For example, if the platform provides an RTMPS Stream URL like:
rtmps://live-api-s.facebook.com:443/rtmp/
And a Stream Key like:
abcd1234xyz,
You would enter:
rtmps://live-api-s.facebook.com:443/rtmp/abcd1234xyz
Once configured, the camera will securely push the stream using RTMPS. This ensures an encrypted and secure transmission of your live video.

Uploading Bandwidth

What's uploading bandwidth?

Uploading bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be sent from a device, such as a computer or a mobile phone, to the internet or a network. It is the capacity of the connection to transmit data from the user's device to the internet or a server. Uploading bandwidth is crucial for activities such as sending emails, uploading files to a cloud service, live streaming, video conferencing, and other tasks that involve sending data from the user's device to the internet.

Why does RTMP use uploading bandwidth?

RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) uses uploading bandwidth for the transmission of data from the source, such as an encoder or a camera, to the server or streaming platform. This is because RTMP is primarily used for real-time communication, particularly for live video streaming and interactive applications. By utilizing the uploading bandwidth, RTMP ensures that the data, including audio, video, and other media content, is efficiently transmitted from the source to the server in real-time, enabling smooth and uninterrupted streaming for the viewers. In essence, the use of uploading bandwidth ensures that the content is delivered promptly and with minimal latency, offering a seamless viewing experience.

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