Introduction
We’ll look at how to use a standalone encoder to live broadcast to several web destinations. Welcome to this space where we learn and grow. One approach to live streaming is using OBS with a computer, but today we’ll talk about another approach to live streaming: utilizing a standalone encoder. To understand the distinction, consider the components of any live streaming system. To begin, any live-streaming video system will require a video source. A single camera or the output of a video switcher with numerous cameras and graphics could be used.
Then there’s an encoder. The encoder compresses the video and audio so that it can be streamed over the internet. An internet connection is required. Finally, we have the places to which we are broadcasting. In a nutshell, any live streaming system will include one or more of these components. The encoder is often a computer with a video interface device bringing in the video and audio and then running software like OBS, VMIX, or Wirecast to execute the encoding. This strategy is an easy and inexpensive way to start live broadcasting. Most individuals already have access to a computer of some kind, and video interface devices are relatively affordable, but this strategy has significant limitations. The software is difficult, numerous settings must be configured, and you are also reliant on a computer with adequate specs to work efficiently.
It must be updated, as must drivers and virus protection, thus it may not be the greatest alternative for live streaming for some users. A standalone encoder is a device with a video input and a network output for streaming that is only dedicated to live streaming video. There are numerous possibilities available, and they come in a variety of configurations, some with buttons and some without, and you must control and set it using a web interface.
We’ll show you how to live to stream with the YoloBox, which is a good option for a standalone encoder because it’s really simple to use and gets your stream up and running quickly without a lot of fuss and configuration, unlike some other standalone encoders, which make you do the same work you’d do on a computer, just through a web interface.
The YoloBox
The YoloBox, with its touchscreen operation, is simple to use and accomplishes a lot for you. So let’s see how this works.
- First, we’ll connect a network wire for Internet access and
- an HDMI camera to the HDMI input.
When you initially turn on your computer, you must create an account using your email address. They will email you a verification number, which you will type into the box before creating a password.
- You will be using that account on the box from then on unless you instruct it to log out.
- To start a live stream, touch the red + icon down on the bottom-right corner and give it a name.
- This is the title that people will see when they watch your live stream on social media. This results in the creation of the thumbnail for the stream.
- Tap it to enter the streaming interface, and this is where the magic begins.
Streaming Destinations
You should notice your camera source already flowing in, and if you haven’t already set up any streaming destinations, you’ll see a list of destinations with a link button next to it under platforms on the right.
- So start with YouTube. You will be taken to a Chrome browser when you click the link button.
- Accept and proceed by tapping the accept button.
- All you have to do is enter your email address and password from your YouTube account.
If you have more than one YouTube account linked to that email, choose the one you wish to stream to, and you should see a little green success check mark.
- Tap the X in the upper left corner to reveal your YouTube account.
- Return to our streaming interface, and you’ll notice a slider switch next to our YouTube account.
- So, if I wanted to stream to YouTube now, I’d press it to enable it, and it would ask me whether I wanted the stream to be private, unlisted, or public.
- Typically, you’ll pick public and then done, and we’re now ready to stream to YouTube.
So, from power on to configuration, You’re ready to start broadcasting in no time. But, before you begin streaming, let’s configure some of the other locations and see how they perform. - Tap the link button and sign into your Facebook account.
- You must now provide YOLO Live permission to post on your account before we can see the green success button. When we enable Facebook in the streaming interface, we must select a few options for the broadcast to appear where we want it.
- If you just want to go to your personal accounts timeline, leave this set to the timeline, but I’m guessing most people want to go to their church’s page, in which case you’ll need to be an administrator account for that page and you’ll be able to see the sites you control mentioned here.
- Tap done after selecting the page to which you want to stream.
We can now stream to Facebook and YouTube directly from this gadget but let’s go a step further.
Streaming to other destinations
- Let’s create a new RTMP destination. An excellent example would be Vimeo, where to broadcast to them you must enter a URL and stream key for your destination.
- The YoloBox handles this a little differently than the other platforms in that when you press the link button,
- you now get a button that sends an email to the email address you used to register your YoloBox account.
- When you press the red button, it may not appear that it has been sent; however, wait a second and you will receive a confirmation message.
- Now we’ll go to my inbox and click this link, which leads me to a webpage where I can enter my server and stream key.
- So we going to copy the server URL from Vimeo and paste it in, followed by a slash.
- Then you click submit, and you would see a success message.
- When you return to the YOLO box, you’ll find a slide switch next to custom that I may enable.
So, this box is now ready to begin streaming to all three destinations at the same time.
- We’ll begin broadcasting by tapping the video’s red circle icon.
Live Stream
So, let’s go to YouTube and look for our stream. There’s also our Facebook stream. And our stream has appeared on Vimeo. So you see how simple it is to put in your camera and begin streaming with your standalone encoder.
Extra Features
But it can do a lot more, so let’s have a look at some of the great extra functions it has.
- The first and most important feature is the option to attach a second HDMI input. So let’s take another camera and attach it. And then the second camera appears. And simply tapping on the image, we may change which camera is live on our broadcast.
This is enormous for churches. You may now alternate between a wide image and a close-up shot.
There is no need for a switcher or computer hardware because everything is contained within this one box. If you truly need a third camera, you can connect a USB webcam to the USB port, which will appear as a third camera. I believe the YoloBox is ideal for the one-man show, where just one person is responsible for running cameras and controlling the broadcast.
- It includes a quarter-twenty mount on the bottom, so you can mount it directly on top of your camera or to your tripod for a small but powerful configuration.
- Another nice aspect is that inserting an SD card into the YoloBox offers two additional functionalities. For starters, you can now record your video on an SD card while streaming. So you can have a local recording of your video to edit later.
- To do so, hit the camera symbol at the top right of the screen, which will inform you how long you may record on the SD card, and then
- tap Start Recording.
- The second thing you can do with an SD card is watch a video. If you already have several video clips on the SD card.
- Simply touch add video source, pick SD card, and then select your video clip. This now appears as a video source, and
- when you tap it, it begins to play out over your screen, as well as on Your recorder.
- You can simultaneously record to and playback from the SD card. This would be ideal for a pre-show welcome video or a post-show roll video to play before or after your live stream.
- There are plenty of other features that you will enjoy discovering with this device.
- You can make some simple overlays or even load PNG files from your SD card to use as overlays over your video.
- There is a rudimentary sound mixer that allows you to select where you want your audio to come from.
So, for example, if audio from a mixer is flowing into one of your cameras, you can use that camera as your audio source even if you move to another camera for video.
Device & Accessories
YOLO Live is constantly updating the firmware and improving it. We’ve been talking to them about some features we’d like to see them implement, so hopefully we’ll see some of those in the future, and We’ll keep you updated if they do.
Check out the YOLO Box if you’re seeking an extremely volunteer-friendly, simple, and quick solution to the living stream. Here are links leading to where you can get the YOLO box, as well as a few other accessories that you might find useful, such as the arm for mounting it to a tripod.
We’d appreciate it if you could use this link whenever you want to buy these items, it gives us a little commission and some extra motivation to keep giving you good content. Chao
