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RTMP Push

Ingest live video from encoders into StreamDev

How RTMP Push Works

RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) Push allows you to send a live video stream from an external encoder directly to your StreamDev server. Your encoder connects to the StreamDev RTMP ingest endpoint, and the platform automatically converts the incoming feed into HLS for playback on any device. This is the most common method for getting live content into StreamDev.

Supported Encoders

StreamDev accepts RTMP Push from any standards-compliant encoder. The most popular options include:

  • OBS Studio — Free, open-source software for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Wirecast — Professional live production software by Telestream
  • vMix — Full-featured live video mixing and streaming software for Windows

Any hardware or software encoder that supports RTMP output (such as Elgato, Blackmagic, or Larix Broadcaster) will also work seamlessly with StreamDev.

Server URL & Stream Key

To configure your encoder, you need two pieces of information from the StreamDev dashboard:

  • Server URL: rtmp://your-server:1935/live
  • Stream Key: Found in the stream settings of your StreamDev panel

Port 1935 is the standard RTMP port. Ensure that this port is open in your server's firewall and any upstream network equipment. Without port 1935 access, encoders cannot connect.

Automatic HLS Conversion

Once your encoder begins pushing an RTMP stream, StreamDev automatically converts it to HLS (HTTP Live Streaming). HLS is the industry standard for adaptive-bitrate delivery and works natively in web browsers, mobile devices, smart TVs, and set-top boxes. No manual conversion step is required.

OBS Studio Configuration

Follow these steps to configure OBS Studio for streaming to StreamDev:

  1. Open OBS Studio and navigate to Settings > Stream
  2. Set Service to Custom...
  3. Enter the Server URL: rtmp://your-server:1935/live
  4. Paste your Stream Key from the StreamDev dashboard
  5. Click Apply, then close the settings window
  6. Press Start Streaming to begin your broadcast

For optimal results, configure your OBS output settings to use the x264 or hardware (NVENC/QSV) encoder with a keyframe interval of 2 seconds. A bitrate between 2,500 and 6,000 kbps is recommended for most 720p–1080p streams.

Troubleshooting

  • Cannot connect: Verify port 1935 is open and the server URL is correct
  • Stream drops: Check your upload bandwidth; it should be at least 1.5x your target bitrate
  • High latency: Reduce the keyframe interval to 2 seconds and consider lowering the bitrate