- 31.07.23
- Maverick Renfield
- 0
Select the Perfect Broadcasting Software
We're well into the era of live streaming, and YouTube is one of the kings in this realm. Many a time, though, amateurs and veterans alike find themselves in a sticky situation where they need to play a video while live-streaming. You know, like that time when Sienna, Felix, Octavia and I were doing a family live vlog and suddenly Sienna realized that we'd left out a critical video clip. Let's dive into how you can avoid such a situation, shall we?
First and foremost, you need to get familiar with a broadcasting software tool. Elgato's Game Capture, OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS are among the best software for the purpose. These live broadcasting software allow you to stream your gaming session, yourself talking to the camera, and also play other pre-recorded videos while you're live streaming. My personal favorite is OBS Studio. It's like my trustworthy Beagle, Scout; reliable and easy to get along with.
Setting Up Your Broadcasting Software
Setting up your broadcasting software correctly is paramount to seamlessly live streaming while playing other videos. The setup process is like setting up a BBQ. It seems daunting at first—trust me, I remember my first time juggling sausages and steaks with little Octavia and Felix running around—but with practice, everything falls into place.
Open the broadcasting software and create a 'Scene'. It acts as a canvas upon which you add your sources. Click on '+', followed by 'Media Source' to add the video clip you plan on playing during your live stream. Repeat the process if you have multiple videos to play. Keep in mind the true sequence of events during your live stream, but don't feel restrained. Be flexible; go with the flow. After all, it's your live stream!
Tips for Playback During Your Live Stream
Now that you've got your broadcasting software set up, you may wonder how to bring the video on screen while you're live. This is comparable to when Sienna walked into a live vlog I was doing on 'A Day in the Life of Maverick'. Luckily, my past experiences of multitasking - managing children, pets, and a barbecue all at once - came in handy.
While live streaming, transitioning between scenes can be accomplished by ‘Scene Transition’. You might like an eye-catching 'Fade' transition or a swift 'Cut'. Also, set the 'Media Source' properties for the video to start playing as soon as you switch the play scene. Voila! You are live streaming while playing your pre-recorded video!
How to Keep Your Video Quality High During Live Streaming
Let’s not overlook the importance of maintaining video quality during live broadcasts. Nobody likes a glitch-filled live stream as much as nobody enjoys a half-cooked sausage. Go to 'Settings' within OBS Studio, click on 'Output', then 'Video bitrate'. It's advisable to keep this in the range of 2500-4000 kbps for a smooth, high-quality live stream.
Please note: Your live stream quality also depends on your Internet speed. So, do ensure you're backed by a robust Internet connection. It's a bit like ensuring you have a cooler full of chilled drinks on a hot day at the beach. You cannot afford a letdown upon the arrival of your thirsty guests.
Embedding YouTube Videos in Your Live Stream
Last but not least, let's talk about embedding YouTube videos in your live stream. This might seem like a herculean task but believe me, it's as easy as teaching Scout to fetch the Frisbee. You only need to master the controls once and then it’s a breeze.
Copy the URL of your desired YouTube video and insert it as a 'Browser' source to the desired scene in OBS Studio. Adjust the size to fit your scene. Then it's a simple case of switching scenes once again when you're ready for YouTube's cinematic brilliance to grace your live stream. Your spectators will appreciate this touch of variation within your live stream.
To summarize, playing videos during live streaming requires a well-set broadcasting software, proper scene settings, an idea of how to transition between scenes, maintaining video quality, and embedding YouTube videos in your live stream. Now that you know how it’s done, you’ve got all it takes to spice up your live streams and connect with your viewers even better than before. Good luck, and happy streaming!
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