Starting to stream?

vihilio

Hey guys, I just signed up and wanted to get into streaming.

However, I can't find any information on how to even begin, there is a message saying "First time broadcasting? Check out the Streaming Apps", but the link just goes to the same page you are on, regardless of which page you are actually on.

Maybe I'm missing something very obvious, but I really can't find *anything* regarding how to actually stream.

havokk

Download and install xsplit.

Add channel with Twitch account info.

Configure xsplit for you PC/bandwidth.

Add screen capture region.

This guide should get you off the ground: http://gamercide.org/posts/a-guide-to-broadcasting-with-xsplit/

For further help please post info on your setup, PC specs and results from http://www.speedtest.net/.

If you have any specific questions I would be happy to help.

vihilio

Hey havokk00,

thanks a lot for your kindness.

My PC specs are as following:

GTX 580 3GB

Core i7 920, 2.66Ghz 8MB (not overclocked)

12 GB High-performance gaming ram(corsair, forgot name but it's one of the recent models)

First generation 64 GB Corsair SSD(not nearly as fast as current SSD's but still very good, only windows on it)

1 TB @ 7200 RPM HD

I'm at work currently but I'll update later with speedtest results. I know my upload rate is usually between 9-10 mb/s at these tests, and download between 50-70 m/s (swedish internet owns :)) I'll post them later tonight :)

What steps should I take to stream at least at 720p, and maybe 1080p? I've read a bit and maybe my CPU isn't fast enough, I could probably OC it to 3 GHZ-ish with my current cooling, do you think this will be needed/is it enough?

Fire

For 1080p likely not (1080p eats machines alive, it's really heavy to push), as you'd want to use your entire 10mbit upstream for 1080p, which isn't really a good idea (you'll hit your cap and start stuttering/chopping on the stream side), 720p it should be fine for.

You'll want to speedtest to the nearest XSplit server location (I think yours would be London?) to get an accurate speed. Also make use of the build-in bandwidth tester inside XSplit :]

vihilio

Speedtest results below

Local(Stockholm)

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1717619325.png

London

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1717623311.png

Recommended stream settings for this?

havokk

@dracoincedia is right, shoot for 720p. Set your resolution under View>Resolution to 1280x720, fps 25, bitrate 2000kbps+ if you can, and vbv buffer should be a 1:2 or 1:1 ratio with your bitrate. As far as servers, I've heard good things from London Secondary and Frankfurt.

vihilio

I got everything set up and it runs smoothly at 720p, looks really great. Only problem is the computer crashes with bluescreen(it's actually greenish) after about 1 min, every time :/ 

bgeorge

What error message do you get on the bluescreen?

vihilio

I'll have to check with a dumpfile viewer when I get home, since the screen isn't actually blue but greenish :p

Fire

@vihilio a green screen crash sounds like a graphics card error. Are your drivers up to date?

vihilio

Yeah - latest drivers, downloading latest beta drivers and going to test after it. 

x4ryuusei

If anything, reroll to your previous graphics card drivers if necessary as well.

vihilio

Alright, latest beta drivers didnt even allow me to start the game so I reverted back and fixed the GPU issue by upping the cards voltage a bit, runs perfect now :) 

Im poking around a bit trying to make it smooth at 1600x900 resolution(1280x720 looks kinda "mushy") but it keeps freezing on the stream, probably an upload issue? What settings are recommended for that resolution in terms of  bitrate and the likes?

Really appreciate the help so far, feels like I'm on the right track just a few tweaks and tidbits and I'll be all set :)

havokk

You will need to use 4000kbps+; but run xsplit's built in bandwidth test to see what connection you actually get to Twitch that might be the biggest factor on what bitrate you can sustain. Try a couple of the servers too, you should find the best one for you.

vihilio

Thanks havokk, your input made me realize what does what in the settings.

Im streaming at 1900x1200 resolution @ 23 FPS with 10 quality and 2950 kbps for video @ 1:1 ratio with 12800 for audio. Not dropping any frames and it actually looks kinda nice :) My upload seems to be the limiting factor right now, tried London secondary and adjusted my kbps until i got green and 0 frames dropped while streaming.

Thanks for all the information and feedback guys, special thanks to dracoincendia, havokk00 and thanks to everyone else as well, I'll provide more info about my experience here when I manage to increase my stream quality for anyone to take part of when starting to stream.

havokk

Goood stuff :D Your very welcome; GL with your stream!

Fire

Yupyup; high quality audio you'd actually want 160k-192k, and video you want to shoot for 25-30fps (ideally 30) though since you're streaming at such a high resolution you might not be able to up the framerate.

Just some tips :)

guneyturk

Hi, 
I've also begun streaming, I am having a little issue when it comes to my audio output for streaming, it sounds really muzzly (bad quality). I was reading above and I was wondering where can I edit the stream settings, I managed to find fps and resolution, but where is quality, kbps, ratio and audio quality to be found on xsplit? Hoping for response, Regards Guney

havokk

@ guneyturk, It's in your channel settings(Broadcast>Channel); Like where you entered your Twitch.tv account info. This guide should help you out quite a bit: http://gamercide.org/posts/a-guide-to-broadcasting-with-xsplit/

feltos2

I got xplit and i want to stream from twitch.tv but when i go to my xplit channels there is no twitch.tv and when i try to add twitch.tv it says "unable to install due to missing installation files. Please try again or contact Xplit support" please help

havokk

@feltos2, And did you try reinstalling xsplit?

feltos2

Yes i re-installed xsplit and it works fine now but now my mic isn't working and nobody can hear me please help

Fire

Make sure your microphone is set to the correct device in xsplit's options

feltos2

it is, my microphone doesn't work on anything but it worked perfectly fine before i installed xsplit

Fire

Define "doesn't work or anything". Does it work in other programs, like skype/teamspeak/mumble/tf2 ? Do you have the mic muted in xsplit? Is the mic muted in windows itself (sound -> recording devices -> properties -> levels)

XSplit can not "break" your microphone. If it comes down to it, try restarting your computer

feltos2

My Microphone doesn't work on anything now (skype, vent etc) and it is not muted in windows itself 

feltos2

Also, i did restart my computer a few times and my mic is still not working

feltos2

Nevermind i fixed it on my own