Live Stream Encoder Configuration and Required Dacast Settings

Table of Contents

Introduction To Live Encoding

To ensure your Dacast live stream is stable and fully functional, you MUST configure your encoder to use the settings defined on this page. These settings have been chosen to ensure the maximum compatibility with the Dacast platform as well as with newer and older devices that are used for live streaming on your website ( Desktop, Mobile, SmartTVs, etc.) In this article you will find:

Common Settings that must be used for all live streaming on the Dacast platform
Resolution & Bitrate Settings that differ based on the desired size and quality of your stream
Unsupported Settings that must not be used or you will see problems with your stream
Encoder Download Links to get your hands on a software encoder

1. Required Live Encoder Settings

The following settings are required for live streaming with Dacast, regardless of your selected resolution and bitrate:

Video Codec	H.264 (x264 may work)
Frame Rate	25 or 30
Keyframe Interval	3 seconds
Scanning	Progressive
Rate Control	Constant (CBR)
Audio Codec	AAC-LC
Audio Bitrate	128 kbps
Audio Channels	2 (Stereo)
Audio Sample Rate	48 kHz (48,000 Hz)

2. Resolution & Bitrate Settings

Please select one of the following video configurations and ensure your encoder is set up with these exact settings to help prevent streaming issues:

	ULD	LD	SD	HD	FHD
Name	Ultra-Low Definition	Low Definition	Standard Definition	High Definition	Full High Definition
Video Bitrate (kbps)	350	350 – 800	800 – 1200	1200 – 1900	1900 – 4000
Resolution Width (px)	426	640	854	1280	1920
Resolution Height (px)	240	360	480	720	1080
H.264 Profile	Main	Main	High	High	High

IMPORTANT: Due to COVID19, internet companies throttle download and upload speeds at various times, and therefore a lower bitrate on the lower side of the range is recommended.

Before going live, we invite you to do a speed test first (testmy.net/) at the place where you will be live streaming. If you have any questions about your encoder settings, you can reach out to our support team and send screenshots of your encoder settings.

3. Unsupported Settings

Note that the following settings are unsupported and will break your stream:

Baseline H.264 Profile
Interlaced Scanning

Any questions or need help/access to this feature? Please contact us. Not yet a Dacast user, and interested in trying Dacast risk-free for 14 days? Sign up today to get started.

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Additional Resources

1. More on Video Transcoding

Encoding is a process used to convert the RAW video files captured by a camera into digital files suitable for live streaming over the internet. This process uses either a hardware or software encoder.

2. More Relevant Topics:

Rich Jenkins

Director of Product at Dacast with experience in enterprise, start-ups and everything in-between. Believes coffee and kale do compete and enjoys consuming both.