iPad Console: Troubleshooting live broadcasting to YouTube

Streaming live to YouTube should normally work very well. But there can still be some hiccups. If you're having difficulties, here are some things to look at.

For step-by-step instructions on setting up a YouTube live broadcast, see the article linked below.

Internet connection

For YouTube live broadcasting to work:

• Your SlingStudio unit must be connected to the Internet, either via its Wi-Fi, or via an Ethernet cable connected directly to the SlingStudio (using the USB-C Expander).
• You can connect to Wi-Fi using Internet settings under Options (the gear icon) in the upper-left of the SlingStudio Console app.
• To connect to a network using an Ethernet cable, use the Ethernet port provided on the optional SlingStudio USB-C Expander.

When you're done, the Internet LED indicator on the SlingStudio should be glowing green. If it is glowing amber, then your SlingStudio is connected to your network but not to the Internet itself. You'll need to investigate your network to determine the problem. If the Internet indicator is off, then double-check the Wi-Fi connection process or Ethernet cable.

YouTube account

Be sure that you are properly signed on to your YouTube account with a Gmail account (via a web browser on your computer) and that YouTube is ready to accept the live broadcast from the SlingStudio. You need to set up a new event in YouTube before you do anything else.

Within SlingStudio, you can log into YouTube when you set up your project (or later, by tapping the file icon ... the three horizontal lines in the upper-left corner of the Console app ... and then choosing Project Settings). At the bottom of the PROJECT SETTINGS box, tap LIVE BROADCASTING to turn it on, and then tap Select a Destination. You can then log in.

Check upload speed

Using the SlingStudio Console app, check the upload speed that's available to you with your network. To do that, connect the Console app to your SlingStudio, then tap the Dashboard icon (the meter icon in the upper-left corner of the Console app) to open the Dashboard. There, under the INTERNET CONNECTIVITY section, tap Upload Speed and wait a moment for SlingStudio to determine the currently-available upload speed. Note that it's best if your network has an upload speed of greater than 8Mbps.

Check program output bit rate versus upload speed

It is important that the Program Output Bit Rate that is chosen for the YouTube broadcast is lower than the upload speed of your network connection; otherwise, the YouTube broadcast is likely to have quality problems.

To check video bit rate settings:

1. Go to the Console app, and tap the Dashboard icon on the left side of the Console screen.
2. In the Dashboard, under the INTERNET CONNECTIVITY section, look for Upload Speed. Tap the circular arrow to get the current upload speed reading, and make a note of it.
3. Close the Dashboard, and tap the File open/close icon. Go to Project Settings.
4. Is the current PROGRAM OUTPUT BIT RATE lower than the current upload speed? If not adjust it.

You're ready to broadcast!

Want to review Internet connectivity quality as you stream video?

You can do that in either of two ways.

First, make sure that you're streaming video. Then:

• In SlingStudio Console, along the bottom of the Program window, where you see info about your stream, tap Quality.
  The Live Broadcasting Quality Indicator opens, displaying real-time network streaming info.
• Or, you can tap the Dashboard icon (in the upper left corner of the SlingStudio Console main window) to open the Dashboard.
  At the bottom of the Dashboard, you see the INTERNET CONNECTIVITY thumbnail image displaying real-time bit rate data, just as the Live Broadcast Quality Indicator does.

For more information about the Live Broadcast Quality Indicator, see the links below.