Before you begin
1. Set up your encoder. There are two parts to the encoder setup:
- The encoder settings, such as bitrate, keyframe interval, etc. Learn about the encoder setup.
- Ingest URL Setup based on the Source type you selected earlier:
2. Schedule a live event using one of the options:
- Create a Live Event from the Schedule events page.
- Create a Live Event from the Event templates page if you run an Event regularly.
How do I find the Go Live button?
It’s in the Control Room for your live event.
1. Open Schedule events page > select your event.
2. Click Go to Control Room:
3. In the Control Room, you'll find the Preview button and the Go live button, along with broadcast and source status information. There are 2 tabs:
-
- Ingest settings tab: Contains technical streaming configuration, including channel URL, ingest URLs (RTMP/RTMPS), and stream keys needed to set up your encoder.
- On-screen overlay tab: Allows you to add scrolling text that appears at the bottom of your live stream as a looping crawl message, visible to viewers across most devices and platforms during playback.
If your selected source is already streaming another event, the Control Room will display the details of that active event instead.
This can occur when using the same source for multiple concurrent events. To run simultaneous live streams on separate channels or events, ensure you have a dedicated source for each one.
Starting the live source
If you’re streaming directly from your encoder to RMS or MUX, you’ll need to start the streaming server (live source) by clicking on either Preview (recommended) or Go live. Ravnur Media Services is not an “always on” service, meaning you must activate the live source before sending your stream to the live source to see your contribution feed.
Do not leave the channel running for more than 15 minutes without input from your encoder, or the streaming server may become unstable.
Click on Preview once the setup is completed for a stream.
Previewing ensures that your stream is fully captured and nothing is lost for the viewer.
You can also start a stream automatically, learn more on this page.
Previewing the stream
Clicking on Preview starts the live source. It takes about 60-90 seconds for the live source to start and become ready for input.
If you are starting to stream from the “cold state” of the servers, meaning, there was no activity during the recent 30 minutes, allow an additional 5 minutes for the servers to "warm up." This ensures that all systems are fully operational and ready to handle the live stream.
In the header of the Control Room, you’ll find the Live source state. It will change from Stopped to Starting and finally to Running when it’s ready for data. In the player, you will also see the message “Waiting for stream data” when the live source is ready to receive your encoder data.
Preview does not send the stream to the public. The stream is visible only in the Control Room. This allows you to verify that the stream is stable and that your inputs are correct. During preview, the stream is not being recorded, and the streamed content will not be available in the DVR feature.
Go live
When you’re ready to go live, click the Go live button.
Your preview will disconnect, and the player will stop showing the preview stream - this is normal behavior. It can take up to one minute for the live stream to start, although 30 seconds is normal.
The live stream will begin from the moment you clicked Go Live, but note that the recording of the stream for Video on Demand (VOD) starts from when the actual stream begins broadcasting. The VOD will only capture what was actually streamed live.
Without using Preview, up to 10 seconds of the initial input may be lost when the stream starts.
The player in the Control Room will show the stream that the public is seeing on the channel page.
Stopping the stream
RMS and MUX live sources will automatically shut down after 12 hours of continuous streaming. This limit does not apply to HTTP Live Stream URL sources. The 12-hour limit can be modified upon request - contact Ravnur team to discuss your streaming requirements.
When you are done with your live stream, click on the End live stream button in the Control Room.
When finishing your stream, wait until the media appears in the player in the Control Room (not in your streaming software e.g., OBS) before clicking End Stream. Make sure to allow extra time for data to process fully after streaming to avoid any content loss.
This page is located in “Schedule events” and has the “On Air” status.
At this point, the recording of the stream will stop. As long as the viewer does not refresh the page, the viewer can continue to view the stream by using the DVR feature. The Live source state will change from Running to Stopping and finally to Stopped.