EDIT: Before you read this guide, please keep in mind that my guide is for those who don't have super high internet upload speed connection and a super good gaming computer (like me). This guide is never meant to compare LiveStream's streaming quality to other broadcasting websites' quality such as ustream.tv, justin.tv, own3d.tv, etc. Also, this guide is not meant to provide perfect streaming quality but hopefully better. And lastly, I'm not forcing you to use this guide.
I've been experimenting around with what broadcasting program brings HD quality on livestream.com when streaming SC2 in windowed fullscreen mode so that checking on your own channel's chat is easier (NOTE: don't stream SC2 in Fullscreen mode), and I found a program called XSplit Broadcaster. You can download it from this link, which is the XSplit Guide that you should read: http://www.own3d.tv/content/19/#help_xsplit (then just click on the link "Register for XSplit Broadcaster Beta here", register, and download it)
Go to menu Broadcast -> Edit channels... -> General tab. For Screen Capture, check "Optimize for motion picture", "Boost capture framerate", and "Disable capture of layered windows". For Audio, use Stereo Mix. Next, on Channels tab, click "Add..." -> "Custom RTMP" and fill out your Livestream channel's info in there.
For RTMP URL, you type yours in the following format:
NOTE: RTMP URL is case-sensitive. Please make sure that you type your info right with correct upper and lower case letters.
WARNING:
On January 06 2011 02:49 SugarBear wrote:
Just wanted to add that passing username and password data in cleartext as part of a URL is a VERY VERY poor security practice. I would not use this program if you use the same username/account for any other service (email, bank accounts, school sites, etc.). I would also make sure you don't mind having your stream account hacked if you use this.
The last two codes, aspectWidth = 16 and aspectHeight = 9, allows XSplit Broadcaster to stream in 16 : 9 aspect ratio to your Livestream channel. You can change your resolution from either (1) View -> Resolution or (2) Broadcast -> Edit channels... -> Resolutions. I set my resolution to 1280 x 720 (16 : 9) - HDTV (video). And you should set your frame rate to 20 fps or 25 fps from the menu View -> Frame rate. Too little or too much fps will make your stream look choppy and laggy.
You have to add a screen region as Scene 1 from the menu File -> Add screen region... then drag your whole screen from the top left to the bottom right. And go to the menu Broadcast -> Edit channels... -> Hotkey tab for "Switch to Scene #", check more than one boxes for shift, ctrl, and alt keys for all the scene #'s in order to not conflict with hotkeying your units in SC2. Otherwise, your streaming channel will blink furiously when you spam your hotkeys in SC2. :O
If you want to add a new resolution, go to the menu Broadcast -> Edit channels... -> Resolutions tab -> Add... button. Then, you should change the aspectWidth and aspectHeight values in your RTMP URL accordingly and resize your Scene 1 by dragging your whole screen. NOTE: If you don't see your resolution change immediately, restart your XSplit Broadcaster and try again.
Lastly, set Video Encoding and Audio Encoding settings according to your preferences. Or, you can do it my way since mine looks pretty smooth and awesome:
Video Encoding: Quality: 10 (not recommended in higher resolutions), Max Bitrate: 500 kbps (leave preset, resolution, and Buffer Size alone for now) Audio Encoding: Format: 44,100 KHz 16 bit stereo, Bitrate: 64000, Codec: MP3
By the way for the maximum bitrate, XSplit may occasionally stream above 500 kbps but not for long, and it goes down a bit since Livestream prevents this from happening to free users. And when you first start broadcasting, your channel will say "LIVE" and will show black screen for about 10~15 seconds, and then it will actually show your screen. Just be a bit patient. Happy streaming SC2.
EDIT 2: The major problem I've been told from some users of XSplit is that they experience horrible lag. I'm trying to find the answer to this problem. It seems like the lower your computer specs are, the more lag you will have. Sorry if your horrible lag doesn't go away.
UPDATE: I found another XSplit guide which deals with adjusting XSplit settings regarding your computer specs. Here's the link:
UPDATE 2: If you absolutely still cannot get Xsplit to work on your livestream channel, then you can use other streaming programs. Or, you can also use XSplit on your JustinTV, UStream, and/or Own3D channel by clicking on Broadcast -> Edit channels... -> Add... -> JustinTV, UStream, or Own3D and fill out your information and set your settings there. Also, you can send an e-mail to support@xsplit.com.
"To save your stream VODs as Video On-Demand at your livestream channel, you go to http://livestream.com/studio website, log in, then go to Video On-Demand tab (top side), look for Recordings folder (left side), choose your epic streaming session, then drag it to the right side." - ProHellZerg
"If you still experience lagging or choppiness after adjusting values in Video Encoding: Quality, Max bitrate, Buffer Size, and Audio Encoding for countless hours, try lowering your resolution (but not your screen region) by clicking on the View menu -> Resolution and choose one that is smaller than your screen resolution but in the same aspect ratio, e.g. 16 : 9 to boost your FPS."
"If your game resolution is not the same as your desktop resolution, u might want to set up your screen region to your sc2 resolution and not the desktop resolution" - Bambipwnsu
"I have solved the blinking problem by setting my game video mode to Windowed (Fullscreen), because before that everytime I played on my standard "FullScreen" setting, the game would stream and blink pitch black, but if I were to just stream my desktop, everything would be normal. So I figured that it was a game video setting issue." - XothermeK
Do we have some sort of guide collection to put that in, so that this remains available and easy to find? It sounds like immensely useful information, but I'm afraid that the thread will disappear into the depths of inactivity.
On December 11 2010 15:31 enzym wrote: Do we have some sort of guide collection to put that in, so that this remains available and easy to find? It sounds like immensely useful information, but I'm afraid that the thread will disappear into the depths of inactivity.
(I'm no streamer myself)
I found what you are looking for under General Forum -> Tech Support -> Support FAQ and Guides thread. I will PM Plexa about my guide and hopefully he will add mine in there.
Don't know why but when I run the xsplit broadcaster it gives me this weird ticking/buzzing sound every 3 seconds. When I turn it off the sound goes away, strange. Its a very nice program thats for sure.
Edit: Whatever the problem was that was causing the static/noise has randomly gone so its fine.
I wonder what the future will be for this program? I'm guessing they aren't going to charge as own3d is free to use but then they get you to login. Maybe thats just for bug reporting reasons atm. Definately a nice program.
Edit: I figured out what the static noise was, turns out if I turn on xsplit & don't have any sounds playing then the static comes. The second any sounds are playing then the static comes back. Must be something to do with using USB speakers or something.
On December 11 2010 16:30 nalgene wrote: For the video encoding, 10000-14000kbps would be like broadcast quality from a tv capture
Are you able to set the Audio to 192000 / 24 and raise the resolution to 1920x1080?
nice fix thanks
You can set the Audio Bitrate to whatever you like. You can add 1920 x 1080 resolution in the menu Broadcast -> Edit channels ... -> Resolutions tab -> Add... button.
Sorry, but Xplit is actually terrible for livestreaming. Quality wise, and FPS wise, it isn't nearly on par with its former self (VH Multi Cam Studio) + a host program (Adobe FMLE or Procaster). I did extensive tests on both ustream and livestream with the Explit beta. The best way to up the quality on livestream is to stream at a higher resolution, and use the VP6 codec. (Also, there is no annoying watermark with vh multi cam like there is with xplit.)
Also, a common misconception is there is a limit on the kbs on livestream. I've been streaming on there for a while, and there is no limit. (They say 500kbs, and if anything over, then you get put in the time out corner) Never had any issue streaming @ 1mbs with no premium. I know many streamers on TL actually go higher without premium. (Most of the HQ streams on TL use this method)
The one thing that xsplit does have going for it is the fact that it uses the x264 codec to encode its video. Which is the most amazing codec out there.
On December 11 2010 17:17 hellsan631 wrote: Also, a common misconception is there is a limit on the kbs on livestream. I've been streaming on there for a while, and there is no limit. (They say 500kbs, and if anything over, then you get put in the time out corner) Never had any issue streaming @ 1mbs with no premium. I know many streamers on TL actually go higher without premium. (Most of the HQ streams on TL use this method)
I doubt that you can stream over 500Kbps. Show me some proof.
@OP. I don't see how this is better than the normal setup. You're still limited by 500Kbps.
On December 11 2010 17:17 hellsan631 wrote: Sorry, but Xplit is actually terrible for livestreaming. Quality wise, and FPS wise, it isn't nearly on par with its former self (VH Multi Cam Studio) + a host program (Adobe FMLE or Procaster). I did extensive tests on both ustream and livestream with the Explit beta. The best way to up the quality on livestream is to stream at a higher resolution, and use the VP6 codec. (Also, there is no annoying watermark with vh multi cam like there is with xplit.)
Also, a common misconception is there is a limit on the kbs on livestream. I've been streaming on there for a while, and there is no limit. (They say 500kbs, and if anything over, then you get put in the time out corner) Never had any issue streaming @ 1mbs with no premium. I know many streamers on TL actually go higher without premium. (Most of the HQ streams on TL use this method)
The one thing that xsplit does have going for it is the fact that it uses the x264 codec to encode its video. Which is the most amazing codec out there.
My guide is probably useful for those people who can't stream with high upload internet speed connection. And you contradict yourself on which codec is the best with the following two statements: "The best way to up the quality on livestream is to stream at a higher resolution, and use the VP6 codec." with "The one thing that xsplit does have going for it is the fact that it uses the x264 codec to encode its video. Which is the most amazing codec out there." And my guide is irrelevant for UStream.
And there is no watermark on this XSplit Broadcaster Version 1.2.1.25 Core Beta 4 (0.10.3.2.).
On December 11 2010 17:17 hellsan631 wrote: Also, a common misconception is there is a limit on the kbs on livestream. I've been streaming on there for a while, and there is no limit. (They say 500kbs, and if anything over, then you get put in the time out corner) Never had any issue streaming @ 1mbs with no premium. I know many streamers on TL actually go higher without premium. (Most of the HQ streams on TL use this method)
I doubt that you can stream over 500Kbps. Show me some proof.
@OP. I don't see how this is better than the normal setup. You're still limited by 500Kbps.
Yes, it's still limited by 500 Kbps, but your channel looks more crystal clear than before.
On December 11 2010 17:07 theqat wrote: Can it be set to 16:10? Sorry to ask a petty question in your thread, but I can't try out the program at the moment
I don't know but what I would do is set aspectWidth=16 and aspectHeight=10 for your RTMP URL. I hope that works.
On December 11 2010 17:33 ProHellZerg wrote: My guide is probably useful for those people who can't stream with high upload internet speed connection. And you contradict yourself on which codec is the best with the following two statements: "The best way to up the quality on livestream is to stream at a higher resolution, and use the VP6 codec." with "The one thing that xsplit does have going for it is the fact that it uses the x264 codec to encode its video. Which is the most amazing codec out there." And my guide is irrelevant for UStream.
And there is no watermark on this XSplit Broadcaster Version 1.2.1.25 Core Beta 4 (0.10.3.2.).
I actually contradict myself. With procaster, you have 2 choices of codec. VP6 and H264. H264 is multi-threaded, however, it lacks the quality of VP6.
The best way to up the quality on livestream is to stream at a higher resolution, and use the VP6 codec.
X264 is most likely the best codec out there if quality per size is concerned. However, it is the settings that matter. A CRF of 25 (Which is 10 quality, aka max, on xplit) is hardly "high" quality, compared to what VP6 offers.
(CRF = constant rate factor, is the basis of quality in the codec. Its similar to Variable bit-rate, in that is tries to maintain a constant quality without having to vary the bit-rate.)
But options, options options. I have no problems with streaming at low quality (For all intensive purposes, when I am laddering, I run at 500kbs upload), but I still find the above to be true.
I do not have any issue with what your trying to do (spread the word of streaming and xplit), because it is just another option for streaming. Its not as good as what they've (Hmelyoff Labs) done in the past, but that's ok. I do however, take issue you with claiming that there is a correlation between live stream premium and how high your quality can be in regards to pixelation, while using only procaster (which is just untrue), and also limiting your application of xplit to livestream, when it can be used on pretty much any streaming service.
On December 11 2010 17:32 T.O.P. wrote: I doubt that you can stream over 500Kbps. Show me some proof.
@OP. I don't see how this is better than the normal setup. You're still limited by 500Kbps.
On December 11 2010 17:33 ProHellZerg wrote: My guide is probably useful for those people who can't stream with high upload internet speed connection. And you contradict yourself on which codec is the best with the following two statements: "The best way to up the quality on livestream is to stream at a higher resolution, and use the VP6 codec." with "The one thing that xsplit does have going for it is the fact that it uses the x264 codec to encode its video. Which is the most amazing codec out there." And my guide is irrelevant for UStream.
And there is no watermark on this XSplit Broadcaster Version 1.2.1.25 Core Beta 4 (0.10.3.2.).
I actually contradict myself. With procaster, you have 2 choices of codec. VP6 and H264. H264 is multi-threaded, however, it lacks the quality of VP6.
The best way to up the quality on livestream is to stream at a higher resolution, and use the VP6 codec.
X264 is most likely the best codec out there if quality per size is concerned. However, it is the settings that matter. A CRF of 25 (Which is 10 quality, aka max, on xplit) is hardly "high" quality, compared to what VP6 offers.
(CRF = constant rate factor, is the basis of quality in the codec. Its similar to Variable bit-rate, in that is tries to maintain a constant quality without having to vary the bit-rate.)
But options, options options. I have no problems with streaming at low quality (For all intensive purposes, when I am laddering, I run at 500kbs upload), but I still find the above to be true.
I do not have any issue with what your trying to do (spread the word of streaming and xplit), because it is just another option for streaming. Its not as good as what they've (Hmelyoff Labs) done in the past, but that's ok. I do however, take issue you with claiming that there is a correlation between live stream premium and how high your quality can be in regards to pixelation, while using only procaster (which is just untrue), and also limiting your application of xplit to livestream, when it can be used on pretty much any streaming service.
You are right, sir. They don't have to use only XSplit Broadcaster to get better streaming quality on livestream; it's just a way that I found out today.
EPT
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/DIDUD.jpg)
