Desktop app

Getting Started

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Download & Install

In order to use Streamster, please download and install our application for Windows:

64-bit installer

Once the download is complete, double-click the file (Streamster.exe). 

Follow the instructions to install Streamster on your computer. 

Once the installation is complete launch Streamster application, fill login and password fields with your Streamster account credentials and press the “Login” button, or use the “Start without registration” button. 

Setting Up a Scene

Step 1.  Add the first video source by clicking the “Add layer” button.

Step 2. Choose the video source, e.g. “Web camera”, and select the needed camera from the list of devices.

Step 3. Set up the layout for the first source. Set up video filters, use zoom, etc.

Step 4. Click the “Add layer” button again, and choose the second source that should be visible on your video.

Step 5. Do the same with more video sources if needed, and then set up your streaming channels. Add the watermark, create additional screens, customize your video with GIFs, etc.

Step 6. Once all layers are set up, add your first streaming channel.

Setting Up Streaming Channels (Targets)

Step 1. Click the “Add channel” button.

Step 2. Select the needed streaming platform or choose the custom one. 

Step 3. Copy necessary stream data (1). If you don’t know how to set up your live stream on the platform, please follow the link (2) to read the manual. Once it is done, click the “Add channel” button.

Step 4. Click the “Play” button to start your stream to the platform.

Video Guide

Settings

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General Settings

Before starting your stream, please set your preferences and make sure that your stream health is fine.

1) Add layer (To see the option, move the mouse cursor to the video screen). Add one of several layers: video from web camera, screen, window, web browser, or image.

2) Hide/show layer (To see the option, move the mouse cursor to the video screen). Hide any previously set layers and make them visible during the stream or when it stopped.

3) Delete layer (To see the option, move the mouse cursor to the video screen). Remove the layer if you don’t need it anymore.

4) Resolution (To see the option, move the mouse cursor to the video screen). Change your scene resolution by choosing it from the list.

5) Frame rate (To see the option, move the cursor to the video screen). Choose the frames per second number from the list. We recommend choosing “30” or higher.

6) Layout (To see the option, move the cursor to the video screen). Select the preferred layout of the application: No preview (hides video preview and saves your processor resources), Standard, Preview, and states,  Preview only (shows video only without any settings). Besides, you can change the size of the application window for the best experience.

7) Bitrate. Move the scroll bar to change the bitrate value. To increase your bitrate limit, upgrade your pricing plan. Read more about bitrates.

8) Audio source. If you have several audio microphones, please select the needed one.

9) Microphone volume. Please set the needed level of microphone volume for your stream. You can also mute your microphone by clicking on Mic icon.

10) Desktop volume. Besides your microphone, you can also use the sound from your computer. Please set the needed volume level for it, or mute it by clicking on the Audio icon.

11) Additional settings. Encoder and other settings for experienced users.

12) Application info. The current version, the server that you’re connected to, and other information about Streamster and your system.

13) Stream to cloud. By default, stream to Streamster cloud starts once you start broadcasting to one of the channels. But you can enable it manually to check if your network works fine and the bitrate is stable.

14) Recording. You’re able to record your video and save it to your computer.

15) Stream health indicators. Make sure that all streaming indicators are green.  

16) Add channel. Add one or several channels you want to stream to. Read more channels set up.

Layer Settings

There are 2 ways to activate the layer settings menu in the Streamster desktop application:

1) Create a new layer by clicking the “Add layer” button in the left-down corner of your video preview. To see the option, move the cursor to the video screen.

2) Click on one of the existing layer names in the left-down corner of your video window. To see the option, move the cursor to the video screen.

1) Hide/show the layer. You are able to make the layer invisible to retrieve it to your scene later. 

2) Delete layer. Remove the layer if you don’t need it in your scene anymore.

3) Source. Check your current source or select a different one. Please note, that here you can’t change the source type: e.g., if the current layer is a web camera, you can switch it to a different web camera only. And if you require the screen capture layer, you have to create the new one.

4) Effects. Use our chosen video filters, or upload your custom LUT filter in PNG or CUBE format.

5) Zoom your video in and out. We recommend using controlled zoom instead: just move your mouse cursor over the area you want to zoom in and scroll up/down to zoom in/out.

6) Flip your video horizontally if needed (a mirror effect).

7) Change layer order by moving the layer Up or Down.

8) Click the Maximize button to stretch the current layer to full screen.

9) Click the Close button to get back to channels settings.

Channel Settings

Step 1. Click the “Add channel” button to create a new channel.

Step 2. Select the channel from the list using filters if needed (1). If the required target is not on the list, choose the “Custom” option (2).

Step 3. A channel settings window will appear. Paste the Stream Key provided by the streaming platform (1) and the RTMP URL (2) if this field is empty for the chosen channel.

You also can change the name of the channel and web shortcut to access the live stream webpage with one click.

Besides, you can transcode the stream to this channel if the option is available in your pricing plan.

Once the channel is set up, click the “Add channel” button.

Step 4. If you want to change channel preferences, click the “Settings” button for the channel on the main screen.

Features

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Cloud-Based Multistreaming

Depending on your pricing plan, Streamster allows the user to multistream your live video to up to 10 platforms. You can choose the platform from our list, or choose any other website or custom server that supports RTMP streaming. 

To start your multistream: 

Step 1. Click the “Add channel” button to set up your first channel.

Step 2. Choose the channel from the dashboard using filters if needed (1). Or choose the “Custom” option (2) if the required channel is not on the list. 

Step 3. Paste the Stream Key (1) and, for some endpoints, RTMP Url (2). If you’re not sure where to get these values, follow the tutorial link (3). Once all information is added, click the “Add channel” button (4).

Step 4. Add second and following platforms and setup them up in the same way.

Step 5. Start your live stream to certain platforms or all of them.

Transcoding

The transcoding feature allows setting different video quality for different platforms: you are able to choose Resolution, FPS, and bitrate for the original stream, and set different parameters for the transcoded stream. The feature is available for Regular, Professional and Premium pricing plans. 

To set up the transcoded channel, please click the “+/-” icon on the channel control panel.

Alternatively, you can click on the “Settings” button, find the “Transcoding” option, and press the “Show detail” button.

On the pop-up, select Resolution, FPS, and bitrate according to your pricing plan limits for the original and transcoded streams. Then assign your streaming channels to the original or transcoded quality. Thus, you’ll have 2 groups of channels with a different video quality.

If the transcoding option is activated for the channel, the transcoding icon is highlighted in green.

Video Filters

1. Add your video source by clicking the “Add layer” button.

2. Choose the “Web camera” video source and select the needed camera from the list of available devices.

3. Click the “Effects” tab to see the list of available filters.

4.1. Select one of the basic filters to change the levels of Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness, and Opacity.

4.2. Select one of the quick action filters to make your video warmer / colder / darker or lighter.

4.3. Choose one of the preload Streamster LUT filters. Change filter opacity if needed.

4.4. Upload your custom LUT filter in *PNG or *CUBE format by clicking the “Add LUT” button.

Camera Zoom

With Streamster, you can zoom in/out your video during the live stream. The most simple way is just to control your web camera zoom with the mouse wheel. Move your mouse cursor over the area you want to use zoom and scroll up or down to zoom in or out.

You can also control zoom in the layer settings. Choose the needed layer, Click the “Zoom” tab to bring your video closer. Also, here you can set an option to change the camera resolution to improve the video quality.

Channel Preferences Recommendations

Streamster notifies you if your current resolution, FPS and bitrate settings do not match each other. If you see a corresponding warning, hover the mouse cursor on it to discover details.

Also, Streamster app controls if your channel settings meet the platform’s recommendations. If your resolution, FPS, or bitrate is higher than the maximum allowed on the platform, you will see the “Stream may be incompatible” message. Please take it seriously because channel misconfiguration may lead to serious issues with your stream.

VPN

Using VPN (Virtual public network) feature will allow you to establish a secured and encrypted connection to our servers from within the app. The VPN will protect all traffic from/to your computer, including all audio/video streams sent by Streamster, and all other traffic generated by your Web browser and other software.

VPN feature is available in any paid pricing plan.

To activate the feature, just turn the VPN on and off by clicking the toggle on the right from the bitrate slider.        

You may check your VPN health and statistics by clicking on the shield icon on the indicators bar.

Video Recording

With Streamster, you can record your live stream so that you can share it later with a wider audience, even if they couldn’t be there at the time.

The video recording feature is available in the Streamster desktop application for free. Even if you choose not to stream your content live, you can record it, save it on your computer and share it later. In addition to recording video from a webcam, you can also save a recording from your screen or a chosen application.

To start recording your video, you need to:

Step 1. Set up your scene by adding the needed layer(s) to your video.

Step 2. In the app settings, check the folder where your recordings will be saved to and edit it if needed (1). Also, choose the preferred format of the video (2).

Step 3. Click the “Record” button to start your video recording, Click it once again to stop it.

Operating Multiple Stream Sources

Streamster allows switching video sources during the live stream. As a video source, you can use:
– Streamster desktop app (you can use several ones on different PCs);
– External encoder (e.g. OBS);
– Streamster mobile app.

When several stream sources are active, the “sources” icon appears on the right panel.

Remote Control

When you launch Streamster software on different devices simultaneously, each device can be used as a stream source. Besides, each device can control the stream remotely.

To activate the remote control feature, you need just to use log in to the same Streamster account on the desktop app, the web app and/or the mobile app

Sharing Your Live Stream

With Streamster, you can share your live stream directly with a friend without needing to publish it on a streaming platform or while streaming to other destinations. Just generate your unique live stream link and share it with whomever you want. Your live stream will be available with less than one-second latency.

Please note that your link expires when you close the Streamster app, so you can fully control who views your streaming content. Up to 3 viewers simultaneously are able to watch your live video with the Streamster live video link.

To share your live video, you need to:

Step 1. Set up your scene by adding the needed layer(s) to your video.

Step 2. Open the “Settings of the app in the top right corner.

Step 3. In the “Streaming” section, click on the “Show Url” button.

Step 4. Copy the link and provide it to the person you want to watch your live video.

Step 5. Make sure that your stream to the cloud is started to make your live stream visible to the viewer.

Flip Video

With Steamster app, you can flip your video horizontally to avoid the mirror effect.

Step 1. Add the video source by clicking the “Add layer” button. 

Step 2. Choose the video source, e.g. “Web camera”, and select the needed camera from the list of devices.

Step 3. Go to your video source settings and click the “Flip” button.

Tips & tricks

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Settings for the Best Perfomance

Optimal streaming preferences depend on the requirements of the platform you stream to, and on the equipment you have.

Higher resolution and higher frame rate ensure better live stream video quality. The bitrate should correspond to the selected resolution and FPS: the higher video quality requires a higher bitrate.

At the same time, streaming platforms limit streaming quality to reduce the load on their servers. Besides, increasing the resolution and frame rate increases your processor load, as well as high bitrate requires a lot of network resources.

Thus, optimal streaming preferences are always the balance between video quality and resource consumption. Here are factors that affect this:

Bitrate settings. As it was mentioned above, the bitrate should correspond to your resolution and fps. General bitrate recommendations can be found in this table. Besides, the Streamster bitrate recommendation feature is designed to help you set the right bitrate.

Streaming platform requirements. Streaming websites set limitations for broadcasters’ stream quality. If your stream preferences are higher, your video may be invisible on the platform or have issues. We recommend checking the platform’s requirements before you start your stream. 

Web camera specifications. Depending on your web camera, it can support a maximum of 720p, 1080p, 2K, or 4K resolution. It can also support a maximum of 30 or 60 FPS. We don’t recommend set up higher preferences than your web camera can handle because it will not improve your video quality.

Computer specifications. If your video quality is higher than your computer can process, Streamster will show you warnings: your CPU(1) and/or Encoder(2) indicators become yellow or red. Please reduce your Resolution and/or FPS, in this case, to make indicators green.

Internet upload speed. The bitrate you set is the data amount that is sent to the internet per second. So if your upload speed is, for example, 2 Mb/s, we don’t recommend setting more than 1000 kbps bitrate. In case if your internet connection is unable to proceed with the bitrate you set, your Streamster bitrate indicator becomes yellow or red (while other indicators are green). In this case, please reduce your bitrate and Resolution/FPS.

Your Streamster tariff plan. Streamster doesn’t have any limitations for Resolution and FPS in each pricing plan, but has the following bitrate limitations:
Free  – 4000 Kbps;
Lite – 7000 Kbps;
Regular – 10000 Kbps;
Professional  – 15000 kbps;
Premium – 25000 Kbps.
Higher bitrate limits are possible with individual pricing plans, please contact our support team for more information.

Adding Custom Watermark to a Video

Step 1. Click the “Add layer” button and set up your video source (your web camera, screen, window, web page, etc.).

Step 2. Click the “Add layer” button again, choose the “Image” source from the list, and select the needed image on your PC.

Step 3. Change the image position and size with your mouse.

Step 4.  If you want to make your watermark transparent, choose the image layer (1), click on the “Effects” tab (2), choose the “Opacity” filter, and change the opacity level (4).

Streaming from Multiple Webcams

Step 1. Add the first video source by clicking the “Add layer” button.

Step 2. Choose the “Web camera” source and choose the needed camera from the list of devices.

Step 3. Set up the layout for the first camera.

Step 4. Click the “Add layer” button again, choose the “Web camera” option, and add the second camera.

Step 5. Do the same with the third and other cameras if needed.

Step 6. Change your sources’ locations and sizes with the mouse to create a perfect scene.

Step 7. Close the layer settings window, and click the “Add channel” button to set up your stream to one or multiple platforms.

Making the Skin Smoother on a Video

Step 1. Add the video source by clicking the “Add layer” button.

Step 2. Select the “Web camera” as your video source. 

Step 3. Click on the “Effects” tab. 

Step 4. Select the “Pastel” filter from the list of Creative video filters. 

Step 5. Select the “Pastel” filter from the list of Creative video filters. 

Starting/Stopping Stream to All Channels at Once

Step 1. Go to Settings – Streaming – Start stream to cloud when: “I do it manually”.

Step 2. Set up your channels and start streaming to each of them using “Play” buttons.

Step 3. Click the “Stream to cloud” to start streaming to the channels at once.

Step 4. Click the “Stream to cloud” button again to stop streaming to all channels at once.

Adding a GIF Animation as a Layer

Step 1. Save the GIF file on your PC.

Step 2. In the Streamster desktop app click the “Add layer” button.

Step 3. Select the “Web page” source.

Step 4. In the “Url” field, write the local to the path to the .gif file starting with file:/// For example, file:///c://folder/file.gif (1).

Change the “Page size” option to “Custom” (2), choose the width (3) and height (4) of your gif*, and click the “Add” button (5). If needed, change the size and aspect ratio of the layer manually.

* – to find out your GIF file dimensions, open the file location with the explorer, right-click on the file, choose “Preferences” and then open the “Details” tab.

Creating the "Be Right Back" Scene

With Streamster, you can use GIF and JPG files as layers to set them up as “Be right back“, “Starting soon“, “End stream” or similar scenes.

Step 1. Create your “Be right back” background. We recommend using video or graphic design services like Canva. Save it as a GIF file. If you already have the scene as a video (MP4, MOV, etc.) use the online converter (like this one) to transform it into a GIF.

Step 2. Add the new layer to your stream scene in the Streamster desktop app. Select the “Image” button (1) for .jpg image files or the “Web page” button (2) for .gif files. If needed, read more articles:

How to set up a scene

How to add a GIF layer to your scene

Step 3. Click the “Maximize” button (1) to stretch your layer to full screen. Ensure that your “Be right back” layer is always on top of other layers. Otherwise, use the “Up” button (2) to bring it forward.

Step 4. Make the layer invisible.

Step 5.Once you need to show your “Be right back” scene to viewers, hover your mouse on the video preview and make the layer visible.

Switching the Server

Each time you launch Streamster, you connect to one of our servers, considering your location and current servers load. However, in some cases, it is not the best choice due to network issues. Therefore, if your bitrate is not stable, switching the server manually may be one of the possible ways to resolve the issue.

Please note, that if you change the server during your live stream, your video will be interrupted for a couple of seconds. Some platforms require re-launching the stream after its interruption.

To change the server you need to:

Step 1. Open the Settings screen of the desktop app.

Step 2. In the “General” section find the “Server connection” option and click the “Change server” button.

Step 3. Wait a few seconds while Streamster is reconnecting.

Streaming from Zoom (Free Account)

Stream from Zoom with free Zoom account

Step 1. Start your Zoom Meeting app. Host or join a meeting or a webinar.

Step 2. In the Streamster desktop app, click the “Add layer” button.

Step 3. Select the “Window capture” option.

Step 4. Click the “Zoom meeting” button.

Step 5. Move and resize your Zoom source. Click the “Maximize” button to fit in the full screen.

Step 6. Close the layer settings screen.

Step 7. Add one or multiple platforms you want to stream to.

Read more about setting up streaming channels.

Stream from Zoom with paid Zoom account

Although you can use the same method if you have a paid zoom account, we recommend direct streaming to Streamster server and using Streamster web app in this case. More details can be found here.

Troubleshooting

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Unable to Launch the App

If you have an issue once you try to launch the Streamster desktop app, please pay attention to the error message that you can see below the authorization form:

“Wrong user name/password or your account is not active” – likely you’re using the wrong credentials. Please use this link https://app.streamster.io/reset-password to recover your password or to remind your user name. Please note, that the user name may be different from your e-mail.

“Server overload” – likely you’re using a very old and outdated version of the app. Please download the new one at https://streamster.io/start/download-now/

If you have any other error messages or don’t see any, please contact our support team by creating a ticket.

Bitrate is Lower than Expected or Unstable

There are at least 3 possible reasons why your bitrate may be unstable and 3 different solutions for this issue. Streamster indicators will help you to understand what causes the problem in your case.

Case 1. Processor/Encoder overloaded. CPU load indicator (1) and/or Encoder indicator (2) are red.

Solution 1. Close unnecessary applications or decrease video quality.  Use your Windows task manager to understand what applications have high CPU capacity and close them if it is possible. Reduce video resolution of FPS using Streamster main settings or encoder video quality using additional settings. Read more about encoder overload.

Case 2. Network problems (bad internet connection). The First 3 indicators are green, but the Bitrate indicator is yellow or red.

Solution 2. Use a cable internet connection instead of wireless, or switch the Streamster server. If the issue still persists, contact your internet provider. 

Case 3. Streaming platform’s issue. All 4 Streamster indicators are green, but the website bitrate is lower than expected.

If the issue is not resolved, please submit a support ticket.

Encoder Overload

Encoder overload affects your stream quality. Please keep attention to stream health indicators. If the “gear” indicator is red, the encoder is overloaded at the moment.

Case 1. One of the video or audio sources is unavailable. It may happen if you plug out the web camera that was used in your scene, or if another app uses it. In this case, the layer or audio device is highlighted light-red. 

Solution 1. For video devices/layers: ensure the device is available for the app or the data comes from a different source (web page, window, etc.). Or simply remove this layer. For audio devices: make sure that the device is connected, choose a different device, or mute the audio.

Case 2. The quality you set for the video is too high for your CPU.

Solution 2. Try to reduce your processor load with the methods, described in this article.

If the issue is not resolved, please submit a support ticket.

How to Reduce Your CPU Load

If, according to stream health indicators, your encoder is overloaded and/or your CPU load is close to 100%, you need to decrease your recourse usage to avoid issues with your live stream. 

1. Close unnecessary applications

Live streaming requires a lot of computer resources. Thus, please open your Windows Task Manager to check what other applications are using your CPU recourses and close unnecessary ones. 

2. Make sure that the encoder is set to Hardware/Auto.

Go to the app settings. In the “Encoding” section, find the “Encoder type” setting and switch it to “Auto” or “Hardware“.

3. Switch your "Performance vs. Quality" setting to "Speed".

Go to the app settings. In the “Encoding” section, find the “Performance vs. Quality” setting and switch it to “Speed“.

4. Fit your video to the full scene size.

Open the layer setting (e.g. your web camera). Click the “Maximize” button to fit your video source feed to your broadcasting scene. 

5. Remove unnecessary layers.

Click on the video preview, check the list of layers that are visible on your video, and delete unnecessary ones. 

6. Decrease your Resolution and/or FPS.

Click on the video preview. Select a lower value for your video resolution and/or FPS. 

Stream to Platform Error

Case
The channel is highlighted red and the stream doesn’t start.

Solution
Make sure that you copied the correct Stream Key (for some platforms, also RTMP URL) to the channel settings. If needed, read our manuals. If you’re sure that your settings are correct, but the stream still doesn’t start, please contact our support team.

Case
The video quality is low / the bitrate is unstable.

Solution
Check the stream bitrate.