Streaming using twitch.tv
Twitch.tv is one of the more popular RTMP based streaming services offered. As Steam has a Linux client available, some people may be in search of solutions to stream their games or Linux desktop. As there are no well known Linux broadcasting programs just yet, most solutions at this point are CLI based. The info included here should serve as a list of such solutions.
Twitch streaming Guidelines
From Twitch.tv support:
Video Requirements
- Codec: H.264 (x264)
- Mode: Strict CBR
- Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds
Audio Requirements
- Codec: AAC-LC or MP3, Stereo or Mono
- Maximum bit rate: 160 kbps (AAC), 128 kbps (MP3)
- Sampling frequency: any (AAC), 44.1 KHz (MP3)
Other Requirements
Not listed on their page is a requirement of the Y'UV420p pixel format, as Y'UV444 is not widely supported just yet.
FFMPEG solutions
.bashrc script method
One method of streaming to twitch using FFMPEG makes use of a simple script that is placed in a user's .bashrc file located in your $HOME folder.
Supports OpenGL applications
The script can be used by typing
streaming streamkeyhere
into a terminal. sound sources can be manipulated by using pavucontrol. The .bashrc script is as follows:
streaming() {
INRES="1440x900" # input resolution
FPS="15" # target FPS
QUAL="fast" # one of the many FFMPEG preset
STREAM_KEY="$1" # use the terminal command Streaming streamkeyhere to stream your video to twitch or justin
URL="rtmp://live.justin.tv/app/$STREAM_KEY" #flashver=FMLE/3.0\20(compatible;\20FMSc/1.0)"
ffmpeg -f x11grab -s "$INRES" -r "$FPS" -i :0.0 \
-f alsa -ac 2 -i pulse -vcodec libx264 -crf 30 -preset "$QUAL" -s "1280x720" \
-acodec libmp3lame -ab 96k -ar 44100 -threads 0 -pix_fmt yuv420p \
-f flv "$URL"
}
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| ffmpeg | The converter |
| -f x11grab | -f forces input to be from x11grab |
| -s "$INRES" | -s sets a specific image size, relying on the variable $INRES |
| -r "$FPS" | -r sets framerate to be the value equal to $FPS |
| -i :0.0 | -i gets input, in this case its pulling in screen :0.0 from x11 |
| -ab 96k | -ab sets audio bitrate to 96k. -b:a is the alternate form of this command |
| -f alsa | forces input(?) to be from alsa |
| -ac 2 | sets audio channels to 2 |
| -i pulse | gets input from pulse |
| -vcodec libx264 | sets video codec to libx264 |
| -crf 23 | sets the ffmpeg constant rate factor to 23 |
| -preset "$QUAL" | sets the preset compression quality and speed |
| -s "1280x720" | specifies size of image to be 720p |
| -acodec libmp3lame | sets audio codec to use libmp3lame |
| -ar 44100 | sets audio rate to 44100 hz |
| -threads 0 | sets cpu threads to start, 0 autostarts threads based on cpu cores |
| -pix_fmt yuv420p | sets pixel format to Y'UV420p. Otherwise by default Y'UV444 is used and is incompatible with twitch |
| -f flv "$URL" | forces format to flv, and outputs to the twitch RTMP url |