Stream BBB with OBS

    If a large number of viewers are expected, it makes sense to use a stream instead of a video conference. This means



    a fixed core meets in a BBB conference and talks there

    This BBB conference is streamed via screen capture to a live streaming platform (YouTube Live, Vimeo Live, Twitch, ...)

    this livestream can then be attended by virtually unlimited participants

    If a feedback channel (for questions etc.) is desired, one person in the conference can take over the representation of the Internet

    This means that a stream is an elegant method of dividing a video conference into a stage and an audience and ensuring that the video conference part does not exceed the limits.



    How do you stream?

    (Please make sure to do a test before making announcements to avoid stress and problems)



    Create a stream page on YouTube

    There are different streaming platforms, but what they all have in common is that they support the RTMP protocol. This means that as long as we can send an RTMP stream to these platforms, we are compatible with them. In this guide, we will look at this using YouTube Live as an example:



    1. Log in to your own YouTube account or register a new account (ATTENTION: To be able to stream, you have to wait 24 hours the first time before you can stream!)

    2. Click on the icon with the plus in the top right-hand corner and then click on Start livestream:

    3. A stream can be scheduled here. Unlisted streams are only semi-public - this means that only people who know the link can see this stream. You can also enter a time and date. Click on Create stream at the end

    4. Click on the stream in the list and copy the stream key on the next page:

    5. This stream key must be entered in OBS



    Provide stream source with OBS

    OBS (Open Broadcast Studio) is an open source software for recording and providing video streams. The software allows different sources (screenshare, webcam, text, videos, images, ...) to be combined, edited and streamed live

    Setup

    Download the software at obsproject.com (select the respective operating system and install the software)

    When starting OBS for the first time, you will be asked how to use the software - select streaming here



    Set up stream

    1. Join the BBB conference in a separate web browser window (e.g. private window in Firefox). ATTENTION: if the BBB conference itself has been started, the URL for joining the conference is visible in the chat, so it is advisable to hide the chat or fill it with so many empty messages that this URL is no longer visible.

    2. Click on ‘Settings’ at the bottom right

    3. In the settings under Stream > Service select Youtube and paste the copied key from Youtube under Stream Key. Then click on OK:

     4. Click on the + button in the Sources area and add a source. The Window Capture source is particularly suitable for recording BBB, as it is attached to the window. Click OK in the following window.

     5. In the next window, select the browser window with the BBB conference. If you do not want the mouse to be visible, deactivate the Capture Cursor option. Parts of the image can also be cut off to make it more aesthetically pleasing. Then click on Ok:

    Tags
    BBB
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