A test stream is always an essential step before the actual stream went live. Testing helps you see the hidden issues that can only be identified when it goes live.
Before running the test stream, you can run through an essential checklist first to make sure you have had everything ready:
Stable internet connection: It is recommended that you use a wired instead of a wireless network to get the best internet speed and stability for livestreaming.
Audio and video stream settings: Your stream might have choppy visual or not working audio caused by the settings or the devices.
Streaming platform configuration: Make sure your stream follows the platform's restrictions and policies to avoid the stream gets cut off during the live broadcast.
Live streaming pre-recorded videos: If you are streaming pre-recorded videos using Castr, make sure your video is set up following our recommendations for pre-recorded videos to stream in the highest quality
Step 1. Stream and monitor live video with Castr preview
1. Toggle all the added platforms on Castr to OFF
2. Start the stream from your encoder
3. If your stream is set up correctly, it will reach Castr's preview player without problems
Pro tip: Ensure you have enough upload speed from your internet connection. Plus, avoid using mobile networks for livestreaming as it can cause unstable and laggy streams when you are live.
Step 2. Start a private stream on your added platforms
After the stream has been successfully sent to Castr, you still need to do a test run on the actual platforms. It is possible to create a private stream on almost every streaming platform.
To enable the private mode, you need to do the manual switch from the platform's streaming configuration.
On the Facebook Live Producer page, you can set up privacy for your stream easily. Choose Only me and start streaming to test your stream to Facebook.
YouTube
To test livestreams on Youtube, you can start an Unlisted Stream or Private Stream.
It would be best to keep the test stream running as long as the real event is planned to last. It helps to prevent any issue that can only be spotted when live.
During the test stream, monitor your feed received by Castr at Analytics>Input Health.
You can read more about it here
.
If you need more help getting started with livestreaming, check out other helpful docs or contact our 24/7 support team for any further requests.