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Broadcaster Guide

This guide will help you set up Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) to stream live content to our platform.

Important Note

Stream keys are private and should never be shared. Only authorized broadcasters should have access to stream keys. Contact the news desk if you need a stream key or have questions about broadcasting.

1. Download and Install OBS

If you haven't already, download and install OBS Studio from the official website.

https://obsproject.com/

2. Configure OBS Settings

Use the following recommended settings for optimal streaming quality:

Video Codec: h264

Resolution: 1920x1080 or 1280x720

Framerate: 30 fps

Bitrate: 4000-6000 kbps

Audio Codec: AAC

Audio Bitrate: 128-192 kbps

To configure these settings in OBS:

  1. Go to Settings → Output
  2. Set Output Mode to "Advanced"
  3. Under the Streaming tab, set the appropriate bitrate and encoder
  4. Go to Settings → Video to set resolution and framerate
  5. Go to Settings → Audio to configure audio settings

3. Set Up Stream Destination

Configure OBS to stream to our platform:

Stream Server:

rtmp://live.example.com/live

Stream Key:

Your stream key will be provided by the news desk after approval.

To configure the stream destination in OBS:

  1. Go to Settings → Stream
  2. Select "Custom..." as the service
  3. Enter the Stream Server URL provided above
  4. Enter your Stream Key
  5. Click "Apply" and then "OK"

4. Set Up Your Scene

Create a scene with the sources you want to include in your broadcast (camera, microphone, screen capture, etc.).

OBS Studio interface

Example OBS interface with sources

Example broadcast with graphics

Example broadcast with graphics

For news broadcasts, consider including these elements:

  • Camera feed (main shot)
  • Microphone audio source
  • Lower third graphics with reporter name and location
  • Logo watermark
  • B-roll footage or graphics for reference

5. Start Streaming

Once everything is set up:

  1. Click "Start Streaming" in OBS
  2. Verify your stream appears on our Live News page
  3. Monitor the stream health in OBS (bottom right)

Your stream should appear on our platform within 10-15 seconds after you start streaming.

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues or have questions about streaming, please contact our technical support team:

  • Email: broadcast-support@soapboxnews.example.com
  • Phone: (555) 123-4567