Streaming to Gradual

Event Stages

From within the dashboard, you will navigate to the livestream or hybrid event, to Event Setup, and to the Stage Settings tab. Here you can edit stage names, add stages, and find all the information to conduct live streaming into your event.

All events will automatically configure one stage and title it 'Stage 1'. If you want to change the name of the stage, select Edit, enter a new title, and select Submit to save your work.

If you are hosting a multi-track event where you will be streaming video for two or more sessions at the same time, you will need to add stages to accommodate multiple stream feeds. Each stage in Gradual requires it's own RTMP feed.

You add a stage by selecting the + Add A Stage button in the upper right. You will need to name each additional stage and the platform will automatically build a Stream Key and Stream RTMP URL for you.

Connecting to a streaming service

Because Gradual does not have a native streaming service, the platform supports any streaming service or encoder that can output an RTMP stream.

When it's time to connect your streaming service to the stage(s) in Gradual, you will navigate to the Stage Settings tab within the event dashboard, and select 'View' beside the stage you're linking to the streaming service. Here is where you will find the Stream RTMP URL and Stream Key.

Event Stage(s) URL and Stream Key

The Stream RTMP URL and Stream Key are the two pieces of information you'll need from your event dashboard.

RTMP URL: This will never change for your Gradual account, and is considered the address you're streaming to

Stream Key: This changes for each stage and is considered the password for the event's specific stage

Navigate to the Stage Settings tab within the event dashboard, and select 'View' beside the stage you're linking to the streaming service. Have this tab open when setting up the streaming destination.

Encoder Settings

Gradual uses a standard RTMP streaming protocol. Details below are provided as a starting point. It is strongly recommended to test your content thoroughly to ensure smooth playback.

Twitch has a clear and concise guide to broadcast encoder settings. YouTube has a bit more detailed guide as well. Here are basic recommendations and parameters for your stream setup:

Common

• Video CODEC - H.264 (Main Profile)
• Audio CODEC - AAC

Great - 1080p 30fps

• Bitrate - 5000 kbps
• Keyframe Interval - 2 seconds

Good - 720p 30fps

• Bitrate - 3500 kbps
• Keyframe Interval - 2 seconds

Works - 480p 30fps

• Bitrate - 1000 kbps
• Keyframe Interval - 5 seconds

Supported Streaming Encoders

Here are a few software encoders we have used and are familiar with - reach out should you have another service you're hoping to use, and we can help you connect it to Gradual.

• Streaming to Gradual from Restream
• Streaming to Gradual from Zoom
• Streaming to Gradual from Riverside.fm

Testing the stream

We recommend testing the stream in the actual event environment ahead of the event to ensure all settings are in place, and the stream displays in Gradual.

Set up the RTMP URL and Stream key in the streaming platform or service for the event (following specs above), and ‘go live’ with the stream. We recommend a motion graphic, video or live recording with audio to test the stream.

Access the event early with the preview link and ensure that the stream appears in Gradual. If no stream displays, check the stream destination specs and try again.

Stream Recording

Gradual does not record your livestream. To record your livestream, we recommend you do this at the encoder-level or from the main program output being sent to the stream. Most commercially available streaming software has an option to record your stream output.

Backup Stream

For major events (>1,000 expected attendees) or upon request, Gradual can generate a backup streaming destination. This uses a content delivery service other than the primary service used on Gradual should the primary CDN have an outage. You can stream to this destination as a "hot" or "cold" backup depending on your preference.

"Hot" backup - The same stream content is sent to both destinations concurrently. If destination 1 has an outage, Gradual will switch to destination 2 with minimal interruption. This method requires multiple encoders or "simulcasting" your stream with a service. To truly be a backup, we encourage using a completely separate streaming chain (internet connection, encoder, etc).

"Cold" backup - You stream only using 1 encoder. Should the primary stream destination have an issue, you will end the stream, change the stream destination, and restart the stream again. This requires no additional encoder or connection, but will result in some outage experienced by attendees.