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How to stream a live event over RTMP/RTMPS

This feature requires an Advanced or Premium plan, or an Enterprise plan with the Events feature added.

This article explains how to stream a live event from a web-based production studio using RTMP or RTMPS.

In this article: 

What is the RTMP/RTMPS protocol?

RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) and RTMPS (RTMP over a Transport Layer Security (TLS/SSL) connection) are transmission protocols used for streaming audio, video, and data over the internet. 

How do I stream a live event using RTMP / RTMPS? 

You can stream with an external encoder from the web browser while setting up your event. Learn which external encoders Vimeo supports at ‘About Encoders’. 

To stream your live event with an external encoder in the web browser: 

  1. Select your event from your Live Events folder in your Library, or create a new event to access the browser-based production studio.
  2. In the top right corner of the browser studio, select the drop-down arrow next to ‘Go Live’.  
    The Go live dropdown menu expanded, displaying different production modes for a live event. The option 'Use an external encoder', which allows going live with RTMP or SRT, is outlined with a red box.
  3. Select ‘Use an external encoder’.
  4. In the settings pane on the right side of the screen, select RTMP/RTMPS in the header of the Stream menu.
  5. Copy your stream URL and stream ID into your external encoder.
  6. Add any additional information needed for your stream to the Settings pane.

When you’re ready to go live, select Go Live. To preview your stream before going live, select the toggle next to ‘Preview stream before going live’. This will allow you to preview your stream before it is visible to your audience. Your stream will not go live unless you select the “Go Live” button. Read more at Preview your stream before going live.  

How can I monitor the health of my RTMP/RTMPS stream? 

You can monitor your stream stability using the indicator bars above the stream output window in the production studio. The network indicator will change to yellow or red if the connection worsens. When the connection quality is good, the indicator will be hidden.

Select the stream health indicator button A signal strength indicator, represented by four vertical bars of increasing height. to open the stream health pane to monitor your stream’s health specifics. 

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