Live streaming to your network on desktop is made possible using RTMP (Real Time Messaging Protocal). This method gives you ultimate control & flexibility when it comes to what you live stream from a video and audio perspective. It's what pro streamers on Twitch and other platforms use for control and flexibility in order to create amazing live stream experiences. of course, that flexibility and control comes with a litte bit of complexity, which is what this article is here to will help with.
What Is RTMP?
RTMP is a tried and true protocol for real-time "messaging" (Real Time Messaging Protocal", including real-time video and audio streaming. RTMP provides a Stream URL (the feed the audio and video stream comes from) and a Stream Key ("privacy"). You will add the stream URL and stream key to the streaming software you're using to send the audio and video from that software to your stream. Your Honeycommb network then picks up on that stream and shares it with your network in a Livestream post.
Why Does Honeycommb Use RTMP?
One of Honeycommb's primary tenants is "Control." Instead of boxing network owners in to use a proprietary, bare-bones live streaming solution, we opted to give network owners a path that offered them the ability to make amazing live streaming experiences using tried and true tools that offered tons of features.
How To Create a Livestream Post on Desktop
These will be abbreviated instructions. For detailed instructions on how to create a post in the Control Center, see "Creating & Editing a Post".
To create a live stream post to stream on the desktop;
Go to the Control Center > Posts and click the "Create New Post" button
In the "Media Type" section, select "Livestream RTMP"
Complete all other required fields and click the "Create Stream URL & Key" Button.
NOTE: This will create a livestream post to manage in the Control Center BUT will not create an active livestream post for members to see in the network. The livestream post will only be available for members once the stream is connected and actively streaming.You will be taken to the post details page where you can see that the Stream URL and Stream Key have been created.
Copy and paste the Stream URL and Stream Key into your streaming software, like OBS, Streamyard, or Zoom.
Click the "Go Live!" or "Start Streaming" button on your streaming software. Your livestream will now be available to members in the network.
To end your livestream, first end it in your network either by;
In your Control Center, go to Posts > click the livestream post in the table > click the "End Livestream" button in the top right.
-or-
View the livestream post in the network logged in as profile the livestream author and click the "End Livestream" at the bottom of the viewport.
Be sure also to click the "Stop Streaming", "End Call", or "End Livestream" button in the streaming software you're using.
How To Create a Livestream Event
You can only create a livestream event using Desktop RTMP (stream key and stream URL) and streaming software like OBS, Streamyard, or even Zoom.
For Detailed Information on how to create a livestream event, see How To Create a Livestream Event
Streaming Software To Use With RTMP / Stream Key & Stream URL
There is a handful of streaming software where you can plug in a stream key and stream URL to stream to. A few of the most common are below.
Free desktop app
Multi-camera, image, and audio
Multi-streaming
Learning curve: Medium to High
Free desktop app with paid features
Offers a free mobile app where you can use RTMP to then stream from your phone to your Honeycommb network.
Multi-camera, image, and audio
Multi-streaming (paid feature)
Learning curve: Medium to High
Free option (limited) Web Application
Multi-camera
Multi-streaming
Learning curve: Low to Medium
A Pro Zoom account is required. Read, "Livestreaming With Zoom" Zoom Help Center Article.
Web, Desktop, and mobile applications
Multi-person video interface
Learning curve: Low to Medium
Best Practices
A few notes on things to consider when managing your desktop livestream.
Make sure your wifi connection is solid. Turn off all unnecessary applications on your computer as applications like OBS can be very memory intensive.
Use a good microphone. They can be pretty inexpensive while improving the quality a ton.
Test your setup by creating a livestream post in a private group. If you're new to it, it can take a minute to get comfortable with livestreaming setups.
When ending your livestream, make sure to first end the livestream in your Honeycommb network either in the Control Center or in your network logged in as the post author before ending the livestream from your streaming software.
For networks with mobile apps, create a scheduled mobile notification, scheduled a few minutes before the event, that has a tap target pointed to the post. Create a custom mobile notification (if you have dedicated mobile apps) in the Control Center: Engage > Mobile Notifications.
Start your stream a few minutes before you had planned and hang for a bit to allow notifications to go out and for people to join.
Start your livestream with a quick story that doesn't pertain to the meat of the livestream. This allows stragglers a few minutes to join before the event kicks off.
It's also nice to have someone with you to help manage the livestream, especially if you have the chat feature turned on. It can be hard to host your livestream and watch the chat stream at the same time.
Good luck and have fun with it. And be kind to yourself. Your members will love seeing and hearing from you and your livestream guests.