A poor quality stream loses viewers fast. Fortunately, most quality problems have simple fixes that cost nothing. This guide covers the most impactful improvements you can make to your live stream quality, from video and audio to encoding settings.
Fix your lighting first
Lighting has a bigger impact on video quality than your camera choice. A cheap camera in good light produces a better image than an expensive camera in bad light. For indoor events, make sure the subject is well-lit from the front, not backlit by windows or stage lights.
Outdoors, avoid pointing your camera directly at the sun. Position it so natural light falls on the subject from the side or behind the camera. Overcast days actually produce the most even, flattering light for streaming.
Upgrade your audio
Viewers will tolerate average video but they will not tolerate bad audio. If people cannot hear clearly, they leave. An external microphone is the single best upgrade you can make after a tripod.
For speech and commentary, a wireless lapel mic is ideal. For music events, take a feed directly from the sound desk via an audio interface. If neither is possible, position your camera closer to the sound source rather than relying on the built-in microphone from across the room.
Optimise your encoding settings
In OBS or your encoder, set the bitrate to match your upload speed. For 720p, use 2,500 to 4,000 kbps. For 1080p, use 4,500 to 6,000 kbps. Going higher than your connection can sustain causes buffering and dropped frames.
Set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds. This is a requirement for most streaming platforms and ensures smooth playback. Use CBR (constant bitrate) rather than VBR (variable bitrate) for live streaming as it produces a more consistent viewer experience.
Use a wired connection
Switching from Wi-Fi to a wired ethernet connection eliminates the most common source of quality problems: intermittent packet loss. Even brief Wi-Fi dropouts cause visible stuttering in a live stream.
If a wired connection is not possible, get as close to the router as you can and keep the path between your device and the router clear of obstacles. Turn off other devices on the same network to free up bandwidth.
Stream in broadcast quality
PassCast uses Mux infrastructure to deliver your stream in the highest quality your connection supports, with adaptive bitrate playback for every viewer.
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