Zype Live FAQ Zype Live FAQ
  1. Zype
  2. Zype Live
  3. Live Broadcasting

Zype Live FAQ

Table of Contents

How does Zype Live work?

Great question!

Zype Live works in five stages. It begins when you, the customer, films a live event by using on-location cameras and switchers to encode the live event into an RTMP stream. The RTMP stream is then sent to Zype’s encoder where it is then converted to an HLS stream in multiple adaptive renditions, such as 240p, 480p, 720p, 1080p. Each HLS stream is stored in a cloud DVR which gives consumers the ability to rewind live events. The renditions are then served through our CDN depending on the consumer’s internet connection. The basic way it works is Zype takes your live stream, converts it into multiple renditions, and serves it to consumers based on their internet connection quality. The stronger the internet, the better quality stream will be served to consumers.

What is an RTMP stream?

RTMP stands for Real-Time Messaging Protocol. Think of a video being transferred for distribution like a train on tracks. The train cars represent individual bytes of encoded video and the tracks represent RTMP.

How do I create an RTMP stream?

An RTMP stream is created on the camera or encode switcher you are using to broadcast your event. Typically the encoder switcher will require a URL, username, and password so it knows where to send the stream. Zype provides this information to customers.

How much does Zype Live cost?

Zype Live is included with Zype’s Network and Premium pricing plans. If your account does not currently include Zype Live access, please contact your Account Manager to learn about live streaming with Zype. Live encoders typically cost $2 - $4 / hr per encoder, depending on your Zype plan. If you need multiple encoders, please contact your Account Manager for initiation and set up.

What are the prerequisites for live streaming through Zype?

To create a live event through Zype, please make sure to have the following:

  • Live broadcasting content; either an on-demand event or linear feed.
  • Local switcher or camera that supports encoding a live broadcast to RTMP output
  • Reliable internet connection for sending the RTMP stream to Zype
  • Transcoder for converting the RTMP stream into HLS renditions (note, Zype’s cloud transcoding service can fulfill these needs).

What am I (the customer) responsible for?

1. Your live broadcasting content; either an on-demand event or linear feed.

2. We recommend using a local switcher or encoding software to ensure your feed is optimized and can be converted to an RTMP stream.

3. A reliable internet connection to send your feed to Zype.

4. If monetizing, you must set up payment processing and configure your payment plans and video paywalls prior to your broadcast.

Can I use Zype just to live stream a few events for this month?

Yes! You can use Zype’s live streaming as long as you have an encoder provisioned at the time of the stream.

What happens to my live content after my live event is complete?

Zype provides the ability to create a VOD archive of your event. After broadcasting an event you have the option to add it to your library and make it available to your consumers.

What’s the difference between a Linear live stream and an On-Demand Live event?

A Linear live stream is a continuous feed of real-time and/or VOD live video that runs 24x7, much like a cable TV channel. An On-Demand live event is an event that has a discrete start and end time.

 What is a Zype cloud encoder and how do I access mine?

A Zype cloud encoder is a cloud-based service that ingests your RTMP stream and breaks it up into multiple adaptive renditions. This process also converts your stream into HLS and records your content to our cloud DVR. You can easily access your Zype cloud encoders by navigating to the Live section in the Zype dashboard and click “Manage Encoders”. This will redirect you to your Encoder Manager where you can turn on and off an encoder, determine stream connectivity and monitor bitrates.

Do all of my live events have the same RTMP address, or will it change for each event?

The cloud encoder we provision for your Zype account is dedicated to your account only, and are not shared across customers. The RTMP address of your cloud encoder will not change. If you have multiple cloud encoders, you will want to make sure you select the correct cloud encoder when you are creating the event in the Zype admin. 

 

Can I use my own CDN for live streaming?

Yes! You can bring your own live streams to Zype as self-hosted videos. You can learn more about importing and broadcasting self-hosted videos.

 

What happens if my live stream fails?

If you are experiencing an issue with your live stream you first want to ensure your broadcast is still running on-location. Check local switchers and cameras, as well as ensure internet connectivity is available at that location.
Ensure your stream is running on Zype, the best way to do that is to check the “Encoder Management” page if you have an incoming stream. You can also monitor the incoming bitrate of your stream from your on-location encoder. If you are still having issues, please contact our support team at support@zype.com

Common Issue: Network Firewalls

If you are streaming from a location that has a firewall (schools and government buildings are the most common examples), please contact Zype support letting us know. You will want to get in contact with the network or IT administrator on site of the location you are streaming from prior to the event. If you are unable to find this information, a common signal of this is buffering after a few seconds on the player, even when the network has a consistent connection. 

I’m broadcasting a live event on X day… can I get dedicated support for my live event?

Absolutely! Zype provides expert-level professional services engagements for Live Broadcast Configuration, Monitoring, and Streaming Support. Please contact your Account Manager for more details.

What are the bitrate requirements for a stream?

Each stream rendition has bitrate requirements, listed below.

High Bitrate Profile

  • 1080p @ 4.2mpbs
  • 720p @ 2.8mbps
  • 480p @ 1.2mbps
  • 288p @ 0.42mbps (442kbps)

Low Bitrate Profile

  • 720p @ 1.8mbps
  • 480p @ 0.80mbps (800kbps)
  • 288p @ 0.40mbps (400kbps) 

What is the time limit on my Cloud Encoder? 

The default time limit on your cloud encoder is 12 hours for an on-demand event. If you have purchased a dedicated encoder, the encoder does not have a time limit.

Can I disable the DVR on my live broadcast?

You can disable the DVR in Zype's web embeds by adding "dvr=false" as a parameter on the player URL in your embed code. This will remove any seek controls from the live player embed on the web.

Is it possible to use one embed code for several On-Demand live events?

This is not recommended today for on-demand events. We recommend that each on-demand event even is treated as an individual event so that you can archive them, monetize them how you'd like, and embed them separately.

Can I change the monetization setting on my VOD archive? 

Yes, you can! Once the live event is archived, you have the same monetization options as with any other VOD video. Keep in mind that changing monetization does not affect previous consumer’s entitlement for the event. 

Is it possible to offer live streams as a purchase and part of the subscription at the same time?

Yes, it is possible. You can simply toggle both 'Require Purchase' and 'Require Subscription', just like you would with VOD assets! 

Existing subscribers will have access to the stream by logging in, while new consumers will have the option to purchase the event or subscribe to watch.

Where do I input my RTMP URL and credentials in OBS?

OBS is a commonly used tool for internet streaming. Here is where you want to add your Zype RTMP credentials if you're using OBS to broadcast.

Under Settings/Preferences:

  • Service: Custom
  • Server: This is the RTMP URL Zype provides you (e.g. rtmp://Your-Encoder-Name.encode.zype.live/ZypeLive)
  • Stream Key: default

  • User Authentication: true
  • Username: streamclient
  • Password: <encoder password>

Screen Shot 2020-03-25 at 17.02.24.png

Where do I input my RTMP URL and credentials in Wirecast?

Wirecast is a commonly used tool for internet streaming. Here is where you want to add your Zype RTMP credentials if you're using Wirecast to broadcast.

Output > Output settings Menu:

  • Destination: RTMP Server
  • Address: This is the RTMP URL Zype provides you (e.g. rtmp://Your-Encoder-Name.encode.zype.live/ZypeLive)
  • Stream: default

wire1.png

To set User Authentication click on the 'Set Credentials…' button:

  • Username: streamclient
  • Password: <encoder password>

wire2.png

How do I broadcast through Zoom?

You have the ability to connect your Zoom meeting to your Zype cloud encoder for broadcasting. Prior to broadcasting your Zoom meetings, you must complete the following steps: 

1. Email support@zype.com asking to enable your encoder for Zoom broadcasting

2. Enable Custom Streaming Service on your Zoom account (you may need an admin to enable this if it isn't already) 

 After support has confirmed your cloud encoder is configured for Zoom streaming you are ready to connect your Zoom meetings. While in a Zoom meeting, follow these steps to connect:

1. Create a live broadcast in Zype. If you have multiple cloud encoders, use the one support specified is configured for Zoom. 

2. Click the "More" menu in the Zoom meeting and select "Live on Custom Live Streaming Service"

start stream.png

3. Enter your cloud encoder RTMP URL,  Streaming Key, and Live streaming page URL (this information can be found on your live broadcast page). The live streaming page URL is the page on your site where you have the video embedded. If you won't be embedding it, you can enter your website URL. 

mceclip0.png

connect meeting.png

Once this info is entered successfully and you click "Go Live!" that's it! You're connected and broadcasting!

To end the broadcast from Zoom, click the Live overlay in the Zoom meeting, and stop the stream:

stop stream.png

Supported Live Captions

Zype supports different types of captions for RTMP streams:

  • H264-Embedded
  • RTMP onTextData
  • RTMP onCaptionInf

It is always recommended coordinate a test once the service used to embed the subtitles in the stream is configured to ensure there are no additional settings on the encoders that must be considered, as the services that generate the subtitles sometimes require additional configurations.

Note: For onTextData, Zype supports this type of captions via CEA/EIA-607/608 formats specifically.

 

Was this article helpful?

0 out of 0 found this helpful

Articles in this section