Stream & Encoder Settings – XSplit Broadcaster - Storm Streaming Cloud

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of optimizing the streaming encoding settings in XSplit Broadcaster software specifically for Storm Streaming Cloud.

Video Tutorial

Theory - Preparation

Before we proceed with selecting the most suitable parameters for your stream, it is crucial to consider three essential factors:

1. Internet Connection & Stability

   First and foremost, it is imperative to ensure that your computer or device has a stable and fast internet connection. When we refer to speed, we are specifically addressing the rate of data upload to the internet, which differs from the download speed. Additionally , stability refers to the percentage of lost or dropped packets during transmission to the server. It is important to take responsibility for optimizing your local network while considering the role of your Internet Service Provider (ISP) in this regard.

2. Hardware Computing Power

   The second factor to consider is the hardware itself. Encoding images is a computationally intensive process. While modern devices such as computers, phones, or tablets have no issues playing back images in 4K resolution, image encoding presents more significant challenges. Not all devices possess the necessary capacity to handle this demanding task effectively.

   Furthermore, it is worth noting the occurrence of "thermal throttling." This phenomenon refers to a reduction in performance, typically observed in processors when they overheat. You may notice that initially your stream runs smoothly, but after a few minutes, performance starts to deteriorate significantly.

3. The technical capabilities of your viewers

   The final aspect to address, which is equally important, pertains to the hardware and internet capabilities of your viewers. If you opt for the Transcoding option, your streams will automatically be converted into lower versions with reduced resolution and bitrate. In this case, it is advisable to broadcast with the highest quality feasible. However, when utilizing Passthrough subscriptions, the stream you transmit is precisely what your viewers will see. Consequently, it is recommended to lower the requirements in terms of connection to accommodate a wider range of viewers.

   By considering these three key factors—internet connection and stability, hardware capabilities, and technical capabilities of your viewers—you can effectively optimize your streaming encoding settings in XSplit Broadcaster software for an optimal viewing experience on Storm Streaming Cloud.

   Additionally, here are a few tips from us:
   
   
   • Whenever possible, connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable (Wi-Fi is bad).
   • Mobile LTE-based internet connections usually perform poorly for streaming.
   • Check for packet loss to the streaming server. The packet loss value should not exceed 0.01%.
   • Firewall software and antivirus programs can interfere with streaming. It may be worth temporarily disabling them.
   • Once you have ensured that your internet connection is stable, it's important to consider the hardware aspect. As mentioned before, the video encoding process is resource-intensive. Close unnecessary programs and services on your computer.
   • Computers can experience performance drops during continuous and intensive work, known as Thermal-Throttling. Ensure your device has proper cooling, especially for notebook-class devices.
   • Your computer should have a minimum of 4 physical CPU cores and 16 GiB of RAM.

Practice – XSplit Broadcaster Configuration

1. The encoder settings for XSplit can be found in the RTMP connection configuration. We need to either create a new connection or edit an existing one.
   
2. First thing we need to choose is the right encoder library. The recommended choice here is "x264", but if you have a GeForce graphics card, you can try "NVENC". The selection of the appropriate bitrate depends on the chosen resolution. Below is a quick reference guide:
   
   

   Resolution	FPS	Required upload
   1920x1080	60	9 Mbit/s
   1920x1080	30	7 Mbit/s
   1280x720	60	7 Mbit/s
   1280x720	30	4,5 Mbit/s

   Table 1. required upload speed for different resolutions table
   
3. More detailed settings are available under the gear icon. Clicking on it will bring up another popup. Here, set the "Max Keyframe Interval" to "1.0" and the "Encoder Preset" to "ultrafast".
   
4. After making all the changes, click OK, and you're ready to start your stream.