RTMPTutorial

Custom RTMP Destinations

Stream to any platform that supports RTMP using custom RTMP destinations. Set up Rumble, Kick, Telegram, Steam, and any other RTMP-compatible service.

M. Emin
··6 min read

Introduction

While playout.video offers one-click OAuth connections for major platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn, there are many other streaming platforms that use the RTMP protocol. Custom RTMP destinations let you stream to any of these platforms by entering their RTMP URL and stream key.

This means you can stream to virtually any live streaming service in existence, as long as it provides RTMP ingest credentials.

What Is RTMP?

RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) is the standard protocol used to send live video from a streaming source to a platform's servers. When you set up a custom RTMP destination, you're telling playout.video where to send your video stream using two pieces of information:

  • RTMP URL (also called Server URL or Ingest URL): the address of the platform's streaming server

  • Stream Key: a unique identifier that tells the server which channel or account the stream belongs to

Together, these two values create a secure connection between playout.video and the destination platform.

Platforms That Use Custom RTMP

Here are popular platforms you can connect via Custom RTMP:

  • Rumble: growing video platform with a focus on free speech

  • Kick: gaming-focused streaming platform

  • Telegram: live streaming to Telegram channels and groups

  • Steam: stream to Steam's broadcasting feature

  • Amazon Live: product showcase streaming on Amazon

  • DLive: blockchain-based streaming platform

  • X (Twitter): live streaming on X/Twitter

  • Dailymotion: European video platform

  • Vimeo: professional video hosting with live streaming

  • Restream.io: if you use Restream as an intermediary

  • Any custom server: your own RTMP server, Nginx-RTMP, or similar

Setting Up a Custom RTMP Destination

Step 1: Get Your RTMP Credentials

On the platform you want to stream to:

  1. Navigate to the platform's live streaming settings or broadcast settings

  2. Look for the RTMP Server URL (sometimes labeled "Stream URL", "Ingest URL", or "Server")

  3. Copy the Stream Key (sometimes labeled "Stream Key", "Secret Key", or "Broadcasting Key")

Important: treat your stream key like a password. Anyone with your stream key can stream to your channel.

Step 2: Add the Custom RTMP Destination

In playout.video:

  1. Open your live stream's management page

  2. Click Destinations in the sidebar

  3. Click Add Destination

  4. Select Custom RTMP

  5. Fill in the fields:

    • Name: a recognizable name (e.g., "My Rumble Channel")

    • RTMP URL: paste the server URL from the platform

    • Stream Key: paste the stream key from the platform

  6. Optionally enable Auto Start if you want this destination to go live automatically

  7. Click Save

Step 3: Test the Connection

Before relying on the destination for a 24/7 stream:

  1. Start your stream with the custom RTMP destination enabled

  2. Go to the platform and verify your stream is appearing

  3. Check video and audio quality

  4. If everything looks good, you're all set

Platform-Specific Setup Guides

Rumble

  1. Log in to your Rumble account

  2. Go to Studio > Go Live

  3. Copy the RTMP URL (usually rtmp://live.rumble.com/live/)

  4. Copy your Stream Key

  5. Add as a Custom RTMP destination in playout.video

Kick

  1. Log in to your Kick account

  2. Go to Dashboard > Stream

  3. Find the Stream URL and Stream Key under the streaming settings

  4. Add as a Custom RTMP destination in playout.video

Telegram

Telegram supports live streaming to channels and groups:

  1. Open your Telegram channel or group settings

  2. Start a live stream from the channel admin panel

  3. Copy the RTMP URL and Stream Key provided by Telegram

  4. Add as a Custom RTMP destination in playout.video

Steam Broadcasting

  1. Log in to Steam

  2. Go to Steam > Settings > Broadcasting

  3. Find the RTMP credentials for external broadcasting

  4. Add as a Custom RTMP destination in playout.video

X (Twitter)

  1. Go to X's live streaming tools (Media Studio or equivalent)

  2. Create a new live broadcast

  3. Copy the RTMP URL and Stream Key

  4. Add as a Custom RTMP destination in playout.video

RTMP URL Format

RTMP URLs typically follow this format:

rtmp://[server-address]/[application]/[stream-path]

Examples:

  • rtmp://live.rumble.com/live/

  • rtmp://ingest.kick.com/live/

  • rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2

Some platforms provide the full URL including the stream key, while others separate them. If the platform gives you a single combined URL, split it:

  • Everything up to and including the last / goes in the RTMP URL field

  • Everything after the last / goes in the Stream Key field

Managing Custom RTMP Destinations

Updating Credentials

If a platform rotates your stream key or you need to update the URL:

  1. Go to Destinations in your stream's sidebar

  2. Click on the custom RTMP destination

  3. Update the RTMP URL or Stream Key

  4. Save

Multiple Custom RTMP Destinations

You can add as many custom RTMP destinations as you need. Each one operates independently:

  • Start and stop individual destinations without affecting others

  • Schedule specific destinations to go live at certain times

  • Mix OAuth-connected platforms with custom RTMP destinations

Auto Start

Enable Auto Start on custom RTMP destinations just like any other destination. When your stream starts, all Auto Start destinations begin broadcasting simultaneously.

Troubleshooting

Stream not appearing on the platform?

  • Double-check the RTMP URL for typos (even a single character matters)

  • Verify the stream key is correct and hasn't expired

  • Some platforms require you to "start" the broadcast on their end before they accept incoming streams

  • Check if the platform requires a specific RTMP URL format (some use rtmps:// for secure connections)

Connection keeps dropping?

  • Verify the RTMP URL is correct

  • Check if the platform has rate limits or connection restrictions

  • Some platforms disconnect streams that have been idle (no data) for too long

  • Auto-recovery will attempt to reconnect automatically

Video quality is poor on the destination?

  • playout.video sends the same quality to all destinations

  • The platform may re-encode your stream at a lower quality on their end

  • Check the platform's quality settings to ensure they're not limiting your stream

Platform requires RTMPS (secure RTMP)?

  • Some platforms require encrypted connections using rtmps:// instead of rtmp://

  • Make sure you're using the correct protocol prefix as specified by the platform

Stream key expired?

  • Many platforms rotate stream keys periodically for security

  • Check the platform's streaming settings for a new key

  • Update the stream key in your playout.video destination settings

Security Tips

  • Never share your stream key publicly: it grants access to stream on your channel

  • Rotate keys regularly: if a platform offers key rotation, use it

  • Use RTMPS when available: encrypted connections prevent stream key interception

  • Monitor your destinations: if you see unexpected streams on your channel, rotate your key immediately

Next Steps

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Custom RTMP Destinations - Help Center | playout.video