Running a Test Stream
Testing your Stream - minimum 2 working days before your event
It's important that you run a test stream ahead of your first live stream, or any subsequent steams in different venues or using different equipmment, to ensure that your streaming set up has no issues when connecting to Recast. It's easy to run a test stream, in such a way that it does not show to the public. Here's how:
Firstly, please let us know when you are planning on running your test stream so we can arrange to be on hand to support. Email us at partnersupport@recast.tv to agree a time.
Schedule your Test Stream Event
- Log in to Recast for Business
- Go to Sell > Live Events and click on the ‘+ Live Event’ Button
- Select Schedule a Live Event, as you would have already done when scheduling your actual event.
- IMPORTANT - To get this to work in such a way that the public will not see this on your widget(s), you need to make sure the Title starts with ‘recastTest’ (minus the quotes) exactly as typed here. (The capital T is important!)
- You can add a space at the end and add some more text if you wish.
- Just fill in the rest of the details and your test event is all set up.
- You should “un-publish” the event as soon as you’ve created it. It’ll still be visible to allow you to continue your later on.
Create your Stream Input
Streaming with Recast requires you to connect your broadcasting equipment to Recast, using a stream input method. Recast supports live streaming using two different streaming protocols: RTMP or SRT. Those managing the stream will have a preference.
One you've determined which streaming protocol you'd like to use, you need to set up the stream input:
- Go to Technical Tools, and click Stream Inputs
- Click the "+ Stream Input" button
- Choose between RTMP and SRT, and then give the Stream Input a name in accordance to the event / equipment it'll be connecting to i.e. "World Cup - Pitch 1 Camera"
- Finally, copy all of the information on the details page - you'll need this when initiating the Test Stream in the next step.
RTMP Example
Connect your Test Stream
Firstly, make sure your streaming equipment is on, and that it's sending a signal to Recast via the stream input method you selected. You do this by inputing the information you copied in the step above into the relevant fields in your streaming solution.
For SRT this is typically the Endpoint, Stream ID and Passphrase.
For RTMP this either the Endpoint, the Stream Key, or a combination of both which makes up the Stream URL.
Go Live with your Test Stream
- Go to Live Events, and click, Live & Upcoming
- Find your Test Stream
- Click 'start steaming' on the test event
- When you click "Start streaming", select the Stream Input method you have just set up. Or you can use your own URL.
- Click Setup Stream
- Your stream will be set up and will begin previewing (please note this can take up to 1 minute).
- Once it has previewed and you are happy that video and sound are coming through ok, the test has succeeded.
- You can now tap 'Go live' followed by 'End Broadcast' at which point our system will shut down all resources.
- Once you are back on the Live events list, if you prefer, you can navigate to the 'Past events' tab and delete the test event using the trashcan icon.
- If you experience any issues then please let us know as soon as possible at partnersupport@recast.tv.
