Webcaster X1 for YouTube user guide

Configure automatic streaming

Webcaster X1 can be set up to automatically broadcast to your YouTube channel or to a YouTube Live Event. By automatically, we mean as soon as you connect your Ethernet cable and turn on your Webcaster X1 (you will want to also connect your HDMI source!), it connects automatically to your YouTube (Google) account and starts streaming with your pre-configured settings.

 

These instructions walk you through configuring your system for automatic streaming. Once configured, it will automatically broadcast the next time you use it (and for Stream Now, any subsequent times until you change the settings or de-authorize Webcaster X1 from your YouTube account).

ClosedWhat do I need?

To pre-configure streaming you need:

    • A YouTube channel that is verified and has no live stream restrictions
    • Your HDMI camera to stream
    • Your Webcaster X1 for YouTube
    • An HDMI display (that supports 1080p video)
    • A USB mouse
    • Optionally, a USB keyboard

    • An Internet connection with 4 Mb/s uplinkClosed Note that by default each Webcaster X1 for YouTube you connect to your network needs a constant uplink bandwidth of 4 Mb/s. You can use popular internet speed tests to determine the peak bandwidth you have available, but be cautious with this value as other people and devices, including voice over IP phone systems, can use a significant portion of your available uplink.

This examples shows you how to stream an HDMI camera, but you can use any other HDMI source you like (camera, computer, video mixer, etc.), as long as your source (or media) does not have High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP).
  1.  Connect everything and turn on Webcaster X1.
    1. Connect your display to the HDMI OUT port.
    2. Connect your Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port.
    3. Connect your mouse to one of the USB ports.
    4. (OPTIONAL) Connect your keyboard to another USB port.
    5. Turn on Webcaster X1 using the toggle button at the back; Webcaster X1 executes its boot-up sequence.
  2. If not already logged in, authorize Webcaster X1 to stream to your YouTube channel.
    1. Click the Preferences icon at the lower right corner of the screen; the preferences screen opens.
    2. Scroll to the bottom of the list and ensure Automatic start streaming after user login is not checked.
    3. Click the Right mouse button to return to the main screen.
    4. Authorize Webcaster X1 for YouTube to your YouTube channel.
      5. ClosedUse the device code
      • Ensure your Webcaster X1 is connected to the Internet.
      • Open a web browser on your computer, tablet or mobile device.
      • Go to google.com/device.
      • If needed, login to your Google account.
      • If you manage more than one YouTube channel, pick the channel you want to stream to.
      • On your display attached to Webcaster X1, a message box says Log in with YouTube (if this message does not appear, click the Login icon ). Type the code in this box into the device code box on your Google device pairing page.
      • (OPTIONAL) Alternatively, the same device code is available from Webcaster X1's screen. Enter this code in the device code box on your Google pairing page.
      • Click Next, then Allow in your Google pairing window to authorize Webcaster X1 to live stream to your YouTube channel.
  3. (OPTIONAL) If you want to stream to a Live Event and have not already created it, create your Live Event on YouTube.
      ClosedShow me how to create a Live Event on YouTube
      • Open a browser window on your computer, tablet or mobile device.
      • Go to the YouTube live events page www.youtube.com/my_live_events.
      • Click Schedule a new event.

      • Enter a date, time, name and description for your event. 
      • Select your event privacy and Click Create event.

      • On the next page, select a bitrate (and resolution) that match the upload bandwidth you'll have when streaming your event.
      • No need to configure anything else! Your Live Event is ready.
  4. Configure your live stream settings.
    1. Click the Preferences icon at the lower right corner of the screen; the preferences screen opens.
    2. Click Publish destination in the YouTube details section; Webcaster X1 asks YouTube for a list of your events and displays these (along with Stream Now) in the Publish destinations settings box.

    3. Select Stream Now or the Event you want to stream to.
    4. Note: The information in brackets after event names shows the event's state and privacy setting.
    5. (OPTIONAL) If you selected an event you can choose to enable the Preview feature of your YouTube Live event. Check the Use YouTube to Preview before going live checkbox.
    6. (OPTIONAL) Configure aspects of your YouTube stream. (Note that when streaming to a Live Event, Privacy and Video title are only configurable through your YouTube Live Event dashboard.)
      7. ClosedSee viewer comments
      ClosedWhat does show comments do?
      • You can use Webcaster X1 to monitor YouTube video comments on your attached HDMI display.
      • At the top of the screen, viewers comments are displayed with most recent at the bottom.
      • Below the comments you can see thumbs up and thumbs down count, as well as a count of total views and live viewers.
      • You can choose to have these shown either on the left or right side of the screen.
      • If not already on the Preferences page, click the Preferences icon at the lower right corner of the screen; the preferences screen opens.
      • Click Show comments in the YouTube Details section.
      • Select the location for the comments.
      • When your stream starts, you will see a live viewer count and comments on the chosen side of the screen.
        • During your livestream, click the left mouse button of your mouse connected to Webcaster X1 to show or hide the Webcaster X1 overlay (including comments, if you have your device configured to show them).
      • If you are done with YouTube settings for your stream, right click to exit the Preferences menu.
      Your USB mouse or keyboard must be connected to Webcaster X1 for YouTube before boot-up.
      ClosedConfigure your stream's privacy
      ClosedWhat does setting the stream privacy do on YouTube?
      • You can use Webcaster X1 to configure the privacy of the video streamed to your YouTube channel.
      • The stream's privacy setting affects who is notified of your live stream as well as who can see it.
      • You can also change the stream's privacy setting from the YouTube live dashboard once your stream is live.
      • Note: During a broadcast, Webcaster X1 is not updated to reflect the current privacy level of your live stream (e.g. if you change it using YouTube, Webcaster X1 is not updated with your changes). This option only controls the initial privacy setting of your stream.
      • If not already on the Preferences page, click the Preferences icon at the lower right corner of the screen; the preferences screen opens.
      • Click Privacy in the YouTube Details section.
      • Select an initial privacy setting for your live stream.
      • Note: When you first get your Webcaster X1 for YouTube, the default privacy setting is Private to avoid accidentally streaming something you didn't mean to stream. On all subsequent uses after your first use, the default privacy setting is whatever you set last time.
      • If you are done with YouTube settings for your broadcast, right click to exit the Preferences menu.
      Your USB mouse or keyboard must be connected to Webcaster X1 for YouTube before boot-up.
      ClosedSet a video title
      ClosedWhere is the video title used on YouTube?
      • You can see the video title while watching the video (see below the video):
      • The video title is also visible (and editable) from your live dashboard (see the Basic Info section) :
      • And the video title is also used in other YouTube locations like on your list of videos, in search results, etc.
      • You can also change your video title and add a description by editing the text from the YouTube live dashboard.
      • Note: During a broadcast, Webcaster X1 is not updated to reflect the current video video title for your live stream (e.g. if you change it using YouTube, Webcaster X1 is not updated with your changes). This option only controls the initial video title for your stream.
      • When you first get your Webcaster X1 for YouTube, the default video title is:

        • Live Video Stream Title from the Epiphan Webcaster X1 For YouTube

      • If not already on the Preferences page, click the Preferences icon at the lower right corner of the screen; the preferences screen opens.
      • Click Video Title in the YouTube Details section.
      • Use your USB keyboard or the on-screen keyboard to type a title for your video.
      • Click OK to save your changes (or Cancel to go back without saving).
      • Note: When you first get your Webcaster X1, the default Video title is generic. On subsequent uses, Webcaster X1 automatically uses your the most recent title you entered (or if you don't change them, it continues to use the defaults).
      • If you are done with Facebook settings for your broadcast, right click to exit the Preferences menu.
      Your USB mouse or keyboard must be connected to Webcaster X1 for Facebook Live before boot-up.
    7. (OPTIONAL) Configure your stream settings, being sure to match the bit rate and resolution you configured for your YouTube Live Event.
      8. ClosedConfigure stream resolution
      ClosedWhat is stream resolution?
      • The resolution is the size of each frame and is sometimes called frame size.
      • Usually these values are expressed as a pair of values such as 1280×720. The first value describes how wide your picture is (in pixels) and the second how tall it is.
      • Some resolutions also have short forms. For instance 720p or HD means 1280×720.
      • The higher (larger) the resolution, the more data needed to accurately describe everything in your video.
      • If you have limited uplink bandwidth, you need to find a balance between frame size and frame rate that makes your video look as good as possible at your current bit rate.
      • You can configure the resolution that Webcaster X1 sends to YouTube.
      • Note: You cannot change the resolution during your live broadcast. If you change it while streaming, the change only takes effect when you stop the current stream and start another.
      • If not already on the Preferences page, click the Preferences icon at the lower right corner of the screen; the preferences screen opens.
      • Click Resolution in the Stream Details section.
      • Use your connected USB mouse to select the bit rate for your live stream.
      • Note: When you first get your Webcaster X1 for YouTube, the default resolution is 1280×720. On all subsequent uses after your first use, the default frame size is whatever you set last time.
      • If you are done with settings for your live stream, right click to exit the Preferences menu.
      Your USB mouse or keyboard must be connected to Webcaster X1 before boot-up.
      ClosedConfigure stream frame rate
      ClosedWhat is stream frame rate?
      • The frame rate is a measure of how many frames are sent each second and is often referred to as frames per second and abbreviated fps.
      • The higher the frame rate, the smoother the action in your video. This is particularly true for video that has a lot of movement.
      • The higher the frame rate, the more data you're sending over your uplink.
      • If you have limited uplink bandwidth, you need to find a balance between frame size and frame rate that makes your video look as good as possible at your current bit rate.
      • YouTube has specifications for the maximum frame rate they accept. Currently this value is 30 fps.
      • You can configure the frame rate that Webcaster X1 sends to YouTube.
      • Note: You cannot change the frame rate during your broadcast. If you change it while streaming, the change only takes effect when you stop the current stream and start another.
      • If not already on the Preferences page, click the Preferences icon at the lower right corner of the screen; the preferences screen opens.
      • Click Video frame rate (fps) in the Stream Details section.
      • Use your connected USB mouse to select the frame rate for your live stream.
      • Note: When you first get your Webcaster X1 the default frame rate is 30. On all subsequent uses after your first use, the default frame rate is whatever you set last time.
      • If you are done with YouTube settings for your broadcast, right click to exit the Preferences menu.
      Your USB mouse or keyboard must be connected to Webcaster X1 before boot-up.
      ClosedConfigure stream bit rate
      ClosedWhat is stream bit rate?
      • The bit rate is a measure of how many bits of data are sent each second and is often referred to as kilobits per second and abbreviated kbps.
      • The higher the bit rate, the more data per frame, and therefore the more detail you'll see in your video.
      • Higher bit rates send more data over your uplink, so sometimes having a bit rate is necessary to avoid overloading your Internet connection.
      • You can configure the bit rate that Webcaster X1 sends to YouTube.
      • Note: You cannot change the bit rate during your broadcast. If you change it while streaming, the change only takes effect when you stop the current stream and start another.
      • If not already on the Preferences page, click the Preferences icon at the lower right corner of the screen; the preferences screen opens.
      • Click Video bit rate (kbps) in the Stream Details section.
      • Use your connected USB mouse to select the bit rate for your live stream.
      • Note: When you first get your Webcaster X1, the default bit rate is 4096. On all subsequent uses after your first use, the default frame rate is whatever you set last time.
      • If you are done with YouTube settings for your broadcast, right click to exit the Preferences menu.
      Your USB mouse or keyboard must be connected to Webcaster X1 before boot-up.
    8. Scroll to the bottom of the list and check the checkbox for Automatic start streaming after user login.
    9. If not checked, check the checkbox for Automatic login after the device restarts.
    10. Click the Right mouse button to return to the main screen.
  5. Turn off Webcaster X1
    1. Use the toggle button to turn off the device.
    2. (OPTIONAL) Disconnect the cables and move Webcaster X1 to your broadcast location.
  6. When you are ready, begin your broadcast!
    1. (OPTIONAL) Connect an HDMI display and USB mouse to Webcaster X1.
    2. When you are ready to start streaming, turn on Webcaster X1 using the toggle button at the back; Webcaster X1 executes its boot-up sequence.
    3. After boot-up, Webcaster X1 starts streaming with your saved settings and the front display shows the elapsed streaming time.
    4. (OPTIONAL) If streaming to a Live Event, use the YouTube Live Control Room for your event (can be found from the YouTube My Live Events page) to view the preview of your stream and to start the stream when you are ready.
    5. If an HDMI display is attached, it updates to let you know how long you have been streaming.

      During your broadcast, click the left mouse button to show or hide the Webcaster X1 overlay (including comments, if you have your device configured to show them).

  7. End your broadcast .
    1. If you are streaming to Stream Now, do any one of these three things:
      • Click the Stop icon .
      • Click the Logout icon to log out of your Facebook account (you will need to re-authenticate before using Webcaster X1 again.)
      • Turn off Webcaster X1.
    2. If you are streaming to a Live Event:
      • When your live broadcast is over, click the Stop Streaming button in your YouTube Live Control Room to complete the event.
      • Webcaster X1 stops transmitting to YouTube.
      • Now that your YouTube Live Event is complete, you can no longer stream to it. Webcaster X1 updates its publish destination to Stream Now.
    By default, if you turn off the device without logging out, you will be automatically logged in next time you turn on Webcaster X1. You can change this behavior by following the steps here: Stay logged in.