Going live
Best OBS encoder settings for multistreaming
Settings that every platform in the chain will accept, so nothing has to be re-encoded on the way through.
| Setting | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920×1080 | Accepted everywhere; downscaled by platforms as needed |
| Frame rate | 30 or 60 | Match your content; 60 costs roughly a third more bitrate |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds | Required by every major platform |
| Video bitrate | 4500–6000 kbps | Comfortable for 1080p; stay under your plan's ceiling |
| Video codec | H.264 | The only codec accepted by all destinations |
| Rate control | CBR | Platforms expect a steady rate |
| Audio | AAC, 48 kHz, stereo, 128–160 kbps | Universally accepted |
The keyframe rule
If you set only one thing from this page, set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds. A longer interval is the single most common reason a stream connects to EchoStream but is rejected by a platform further down the chain.
Your upload speed
You need headroom above your video bitrate, not an exact match. As a rule, upload at least 1.5 times your total bitrate. At 6000 kbps video plus 160 kbps audio, that means roughly 9 Mbps of reliable upload.
Because EchoStream fans out on its side, adding destinations costs you no extra upload at all.