Learn how to use an SRT encoder as the video source for a Wowza Video™ live stream. The Wowza Video service can connect to H.264 or H.265/HEVC encoders that support the Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) protocol. SRT is an open source video transport protocol that is designed to deliver secure, high-quality, low latency live streams over unpredictable network conditions.
To learn about other live stream or transcoder settings you might see in the user interface, see Live Stream Setup page in Wowza Video or Transcoder Setup page in Wowza Video.
You'll need to choose which workflow you'll use, live stream or transcoder, before you begin this task. See Decide between a live stream or transcoder workflow for more information about these workflows.
Notes:
- Closed Captions and Source Security aren't available for SRT.
- Wowza Video supports SRT version 1.4.
Video tutorial: Stream SRT to Wowza Video
SRT is a more secure and reliable option for live streaming compared to RTMP. This streaming protocol can be used for ingest by Wowza Video through software encoders such as OBS Studio and Wirecast.
Live Stream workflow
1. Create a live stream
In the live stream workflow, we'll automatically configure the transcoder, output renditions, and stream targets to get you started quickly. This is the preferred workflow for most of our customers.
Note: The Live Stream Type and Billing Mode can't be changed after the live stream is created.
- Sign in to Wowza Video.
- Click Add Live Stream.
- On the Live Stream Setup page, enter a Live Stream Name, choose a Broadcast Location, and then click Next.
- On the Video Source and Transcoder Settings page, select Other SRT as the video source you want to use to connect to Wowza Video.
- For Live Stream Type, select Adaptive bitrate. Alternatively, select Passthrough to send the source video directly to the hosted page or other target without performing transcoding.
- For Closed Captions, use the default setting, None. Closed Captions aren't available for SRT.
- Specify the other video source settings, and then click Next.
- Complete the steps to finish creating the live stream.
Wowza Video creates the live stream and displays the Overview tab of the live stream detail page.
2. Set up the encoder
Make sure you have the latest firmware for your encoder installed. See the encoder's user guide for details about how to update firmware as well as how to operate the device and how to specify settings such as resolution, bitrate, and frame rate.
See the Source Connection Information values on the Overview tab of the live stream detail page for the information that your encoder needs to connect to Wowza Video.
- URL is formatted as:
srt://[stream key].[primary server]
Where:- Stream key is the stream name value, such as b01bda67.
- primary server is the ingest location of the server
- Host Port is the port (by default 10000)
Note: When ingesting the stream, Wowza Video functions in SRT listener mode when establishing a handshake with a peer.
3. Test the connection
- In Wowza Video, select the live stream that uses the SRT encoder as its video source.
- Click Start Live Stream at the top of the live stream detail page.
- Click Start to confirm that you want to start the stream.
- Start the encoder.
- In the Wowza Video web manager, confirm that the live stream is playing by looking at the Video Preview in the Overview tab of the Live Stream Details page.
The video preview displays a frame from the live stream every 5 seconds. The started date and time appear under the preview. Source stream, transcoder, and delivery metrics begin to update.
- Click Stop Live Stream at the top of the live stream detail page to end your test stream, and then stop the encoder.
Note: If you configure a camera or encoder to push video to the Wowza Video service, it may take up to 10 seconds once the live stream or transcoder has started for the encoder to connect. This is due to DNS lookup of the host server's IP address. For a more immediate connection, in the encoder settings, use the IP address that's visible in Wowza Video after the live stream or transcoder has started. See Speed up the connection to a transcoder in Wowza Video for more information.
Transcoder workflow
1. Create a transcoder
In the transcoder workflow, you'll manually configure the transcoder, output renditions, and stream targets to fit your specific streaming solution.
Note: The Transcoder Type and Billing Mode can't be changed after the transcoder is created.
- Sign in to Wowza Video.
- Under Advanced on the left navigation bar, click Transcoders, and then click Add Transcoder.
- On the Transcoder Setup page, enter a descriptive Transcoder Name.
- For Transcoder Type, choose Adaptive bitrate. Alternatively, select Passthrough to send the source video directly to the hosted page or other target without performing transcoding.
- Select a Broadcast Location that's as close as possible to where your stream will originate, and select whether or not you want to record the stream as it passes through the transcoder.
- For Closed Captions, leave the default setting, None. Closed Captions aren't available for SRT.
- For Source Protocol, select SRT.
- For Source Delivery Method, select Push to Wowza Video to send the stream to the transcoder at its Broadcast Location.
- Specify the other transcoder setup options.
- Click Add.
Wowza Video creates the transcoder and displays the Outputs & Targets tab of the transcoder detail page. - Complete the transcoder by adding output renditions and stream targets. For more information, see Create a custom transcoder with many outputs and targets in Wowza Video.
2. Set up encoder
Make sure you have the latest firmware for your encoder installed. See the encoder's user guide for details about how to update firmware as well as how to operate the device and how to specify settings such as resolution, bitrate, and frame rate.
See the Host Server and Host Port values on the Overview tab of the transcoder detail page for the information that your encoder needs to connect to Wowza Video.
- URL is formatted as:
srt://[stream key].[primary server]
Where:- Stream key is the stream name value, such as b01bda67.
- primary server is the ingest location of the server
- Host Port is the port (by default 10000)
Note: When ingesting the stream, Wowza Video functions in SRT listener mode when establishing a handshake with a peer.
3. Test the connection
- In Wowza Video, select the transcoder that uses the SRT encoder as its video source.
- Click Start Transcoder at the top of the transcoder detail page.
- Click Start to confirm that you want to start the stream.
- Start the encoder.
- In the Wowza Video web manager, confirm that the live stream is playing by looking at the Video Preview in the Overview tab of the Transcoder Details page.
The video preview displays a frame from the live stream every 5 seconds. The started date and time appear under the preview. Source stream, transcoder, and delivery metrics begin to update.
- Click Stop Transcoder at the top of the transcoder detail page to end your test stream, and then stop the encoder.
Note: If you configure a camera or encoder to push video to the Wowza Video service, it may take up to 10 seconds once the live stream or transcoder has started for the encoder to connect. This is due to DNS lookup of the host server's IP address. For a more immediate connection, in the encoder settings, use the IP address that's visible in Wowza Video after the live stream or transcoder has started. See Speed up the connection to a transcoder in Wowza Video for more information.
