Before starting
2. Set up your encoder. There are two parts to the encoder setup:
-
The encoder settings such as bitrate, keyframe interval, etc. Read more about the encoder setup here.
-
Ingest URL Setup based on the Source type you selected earlier.
-
Ravnur Media Services (RMS): Ravnur Media Services provides RTMP and RTMPS ingest points, each with an ingest URL for your encoder. We recommend using both to improve the resiliency of your stream. The ingest URLs are shown on the control room page for the event and can also be found on the Live source’s details page (Live streaming> Configure live source). Example of an ingest URL: rtmp://726-amsrmpdevwe-euwe.channel.media.azure.net:1935/live/{unique-value}
-
HTTP Live Stream URL: Use a .m3u8 playlist manifest URL and send it to the player without additional configurations. Example of a manifest URL: https://portal-admin.ravnur.com/channels/{unique-value}/master.m3u8
-
How do I find the Go Live button?
It’s in the Control Room for your live event.
-
Open Schedule events page > select your event.
-
Click on the blue Go to control room button on the left side of the live event info panel
-
In the Control room, you’ll find the button to preview your stream as well as the button to go live. There is also information about the status of the channel, meeting details, and a link to the event page on the channel where the live event is scheduled.
Starting the live source
If you’re streaming directly from your encoder to RMS, you’ll need to start the steaming server (live source) by clicking on Preview or Go live. Ravnur Media Services is not an “always on” service, which means that you’ll need to start the live source before you can send your stream to the live source and see your contribution feed.
Do not let the channel run for more than 15 minutes without input from your encoder or the streaming server may become unstable.
There are two ways to start the live source. You can click on Preview or Go live. Both will start the live source.
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. But don’t worry, this does not mean there is an error. It can take up to one minute for the live stream to start, although 30 seconds is normal. Despite this temporary interruption, the live stream will begin at the point when you click on Go live. The recording of the live stream (converting to VOD), however, begins at the point where the actual stream begins.
The player in the control room will show the stream that the public is seeing on the channel page.
Stopping the stream
When you are done with your live stream, click on the End live stream button in the Control room.
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.