Create a live stream with an encoder

There are iii ways to stream on YouTube: use a webcam, your mobile device, or an encoder (streaming software or a hardware encoder). Using an encoder lets yous:

  • Share your screen or broadcast your gameplay
  • Use external sound and video hardware
  • Manage an advanced production (like a few cameras and microphones)

The steps below will help you get started with your first live stream.

1. Enable live streaming

Enabling a live stream for the first fourth dimension may accept upward to 24 hours. One time enabled, your stream tin go live instantly. Larn how to start live streaming.

2. Install an encoder

An encoder converts your video into a digital format to stream on YouTube. Some encoders are software apps on your reckoner, while others are standalone hardware.

Lookout this video to learn more about why you should use an encoder and how they work.

Encoder Live Streaming: Basics on How to Gear up & Use an Encoder

YouTube Live verified encoders

Here's a list of YouTube Alive verified encoders. None of these products are made by YouTube. Make sure to evaluate the products and decide which option makes the most sense for you or your business concern.

Software encoders

AWS Elemental MediaLive

AWS Elemental MediaLive is a circulate-grade live video processing service, supporting live streaming all the fashion up to 4Kp60 HEVC.

Melon Live Streaming App

Best live streaming app for professional quality-live streams from your browser. Invite guests with ease. Packed with features, tons of customization options, donations, and no downloads needed.

Open Broadcaster Software

Free and open up source software for video recording and live streaming.

Stage Ten

Use the power of a live product studio and control room in a simple app. Information technology's designed to reduce the complexity of social broadcasting and help you transform your YouTube page into a social Goggle box channel.

Streamlabs OBS
Windows, iOS, Android

Streamlabs OBS is the leading broadcast software for streamers. It'south free, open-source, and packed with powerful features to assist you grow, get to know, and monetize.

XSplit Broadcaster
Windows (Free version available!)

Revolutionary audio/video-mixing app that allows you to create professional person alive broadcasts and video recordings.

Gamecaster
Windows (Free version available!)

The easiest way to stream and record your greatest gaming moments at the click of a button. Perfect for sharing your gameplay.

Wirecast
Windows, Mac

Piece of cake-to-use, award-winning live streaming and production software. Add cameras, live screenshots, titles, graphics, and more than with just a click of a button. Stream directly to YouTube or any RTMP destination. Works with the YouTube API so y'all can manage, create, and schedule or stream your alive channel without leaving the app.

Hardware encoders

AirServer
Windows, Mac

Mirror your mobile device or computer to YouTube.

AWS Elemental Alive

AWS Elemental Live is an on-bounds video encoder that processes alive video for broadcast and streaming to any device.

Elgato Game Capture HD60
Windows, Mac

Tape and stream your Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii U gameplay.

Epiphan Pearl two

The Pearl-two is a video switcher, recorder, streamer, splitter, and scaler all in one. With six video inputs and iv for XLR professional audio, 4K streaming and recording, NDI support, chroma keying, and much more, Pearl-ii brings the pro features and processing power required for the near demanding live events.

LiveU Solo

A video encoding device that offers ane-touch, wireless live streaming.

SlingStudio

The manufacture's offset portable, wireless multi-camera dissemination platform. Monitor, record, switch, edit, and stream alive HD-quality video wirelessly to YouTube.

Teradek VidiU Pro

Stream in broadcast quality on the become from any HDMI photographic camera, switcher, or video source.

Mobile encoders

AirServer
Windows, Mac

Mirror your mobile device to YouTube.

Streamlabs OBS
Windows, iOS, Android

Congenital on OBS, and combines Streamlabs alerts, shortcuts, tipping, face masks, and thousands of free themes and overlays.

Wirecast Get
iOS

Costless download from iOS App Shop. Easily produce professional live broadcasts from your iPhone and stream them to YouTube. Switch shots, add photos, graphics, and more on up to three layers at a time for powerful mobile production. Read YouTube comments and chat in existent time and interact with your audience. Schedule, create, and manage your YouTube live streams directly inside the app. Upgrade from free version to stream to any RTMP destination.

3. Connect your hardware

If you're using hardware, similar a webcam, a microphone, or a headset, connect them and make certain they're fix with your encoder.

Depending on your stream, you may utilise unlike hardware. Here are some typical examples:

Gaming & casual live streams
Many streamers employ an external microphone, webcam, and headphones. Gamers may also use other tools like a greenscreen.

Professional alive streams
Advanced stream setups can include more one microphone, camera, mixer, and hardware encoder.

iv. Connect your encoder and go live

To start streaming, enter your YouTube Alive server URL and stream cardinal into your encoder. If you take audio and video hardware, fix it upwardly with your encoder, besides known as streaming software.

Introducing Live Control Room - for Live Streaming

Start live streaming now

First, create a stream

  1. Go to YouTube Studio.
  2. From the top right, click Go Alive to open up Live Control Room.
  3. Click the Stream tab.
  4. If it'southward your get-go live stream: Edit your stream and click Create stream.
    If you've live streamed earlier: Your previous stream settings will load, including your stream key, which means yous won't need to update your encoder.
    • For users aged 13-17 on YouTube, your default privacy setting is set to private. If yous're 18 or over, your default privacy setting is set to public. All users can change this setting to make their alive stream public, private, or unlisted.
  5. If you're in the YouTube Partner Programme, you can monetize your alive stream. Learn more than.

Next, connect your stream to your encoder, and so go live

  1. In your encoder stream settings, if yous run into the option to stream to YouTube, select that. Otherwise copy the stream URL from YouTube and paste it in to your encoder'southward Stream settings server. It may say RTMP server.
  2. Re-create the stream primal from YouTube and paste it in to your encoders Stream settings where it says Stream Key.
  3. Set up your encoder, then commencement the stream with your encoder. A watch page is now created for your stream, and you're now live on YouTube. Notifications volition be sent and your stream volition show upward in subscriber feeds.
  4. To end the stream, stop sending content from your encoder. All streams under 12 hours volition be automatically archived. Yous can discover previous, current, and upcoming streams in the Alive Tab on your YouTube Studio dashboard. Learn more.

Schedule a live stream

Scheduling a stream lets you promote your stream. Viewers can get reminders on upcoming streams, you tin can share the URL on social media, and more than.

Schedule a stream

  1. Go to YouTube Studio.
  2. From the top right, click Go Live  to open up Live Control Room.
  3. Click the Manage tab.
  4. Click Schedule stream.
  5. You can reuse settings from a previous stream and click Reuse settings, or you tin can create a stream past clicking Create new.
    • For users anile 13-17 on YouTube, your default privacy setting is set up to private. If y'all're 18 or over, your default privacy setting is set up to public. All users can change this setting to make their live stream public, private, or unlisted.
  6. If y'all're in the YouTube Partner Program, yous tin can monetize your live stream. Acquire more.

Tip: Get your audition excited nearly your upcoming live stream by showing a trailer. Acquire more than.

When it's fourth dimension to get-go your stream...

Connect your stream to your encoder, and then go live.

  1. In your encoder stream settings, if y'all see the option to stream to YouTube, select that. Otherwise copy the stream URL from YouTube and paste it into your encoder's Stream settings server. It may say RTMP server.
  2. Copy the stream key from YouTube and paste it in to your encoders Stream settings where it says Stream Key.
  3. Fix upward your encoder, then start the stream.
  4. In Live Control Room, await for the stream preview to show up, and then click Go alive.
  5. To end the stream, click End Stream and stop sending content from your encoder. All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived. You can admission previous, electric current, and upcoming streams in the Live Tab on your YouTube Studio dashboard. Acquire more.

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