Overview
RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) and RTMPS (its secure variant) are standard protocols for streaming video and audio to platforms such as YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Vimeo, Twitch, or any custom CDN endpoint. Hive provides users with a streamlined way to broadcast media from your connected sources directly to these services.
This feature allows producers to route their outputs through a selected Hive Bridge and maintain consistent stream configurations without manually managing each stream’s backend.
How RTMP Output Works in Hive
RTMP and RTMPS streaming in Hive is designed for simplicity and consistency. Users configure their streaming targets through the Output Settings. The source-linked bridge will handle the outbound RTMP traffic for all selected sources. This model avoids the complexity of assigning different bridges per source, simplifying the workflow for operators and producers alike.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up RTMP/RTMPS Output
Launch Hive
Ensure your Studio is active and your desired sources are online.
Go to the Top Output Controls
At the top-center of your Hive UI, locate the Start Output section.
Open Output Settings
Click the gear icon next to the Start Output section to configure RTMP.
Add an RTMP/RTMPS Destination
Select
+ Add RTMP Output.Enter your destination RTMP URL and Stream Key.
Your stream destination will determine whether the stream will be RTMP (insecure) or RTMPS (secure).
Start Output
Enable the RTMP output and monitor the stream from the Monitoring tab.
What to Expect
All selected sources in the Studio will stream from the bridge in which the source is linked to the destination.
There is currently no per-source bridge assignment: the output is unified to keep the workflow manageable.
The output settings are persistent and saved to the Studio.
Best Practices
Use a reliable internet connection (at least 100 Mbps upload per 3 sources).
Verify the stream key and URL from your destination platform before starting the output.
Monitor the stream using the Monitoring tab to check for dropped frames, bitrate, and resolution.
For high-security environments, always prefer RTMPS over RTMP.
Troubleshooting RTMP Output
Stream not appearing?
Double-check your stream key and URL.
Make sure the Hive Bridge has outbound internet access.
Lag or dropped frames?
Inspect CPU usage on your Bridge from the Bridge monitoring button in the upper right corner of your UI.
Consider reducing resolution or bitrate.
Ensure your upload speed meets streaming requirements.
Stream disconnects intermittently?
RTMP connections can drop if firewalls or NAT timeout rules are aggressive.
Use a wired connection when possible to avoid Wi-Fi instability.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use multiple RTMP destinations?
Currently, you can add multiple destinations, but all streams will go through a single Bridge.
Q2: What is the difference between RTMP and RTMPS?
RTMP is an open protocol, while RTMPS is the encrypted version that uses TLS for secure streaming.
Q3: Can I customize encoding settings?
Encoding is managed by Hive at the Studio level. Contact support for advanced encoding options.
Q4: Is it possible to stream and record simultaneously?
Yes, but ensure your Bridge has enough CPU and bandwidth to handle both tasks.
Conclusion
RTMP and RTMPS outputs in Hive allow users to stream video directly to third-party platforms using a simplified and scalable approach. With centralized bridge selection and persistent stream settings, it's designed to make outbound video delivery efficient for productions of any size.