Question / Help Two remote PCs -> obs server -> splitscreen on twitch ?

[derobert]

Is it possible to setup some kind of OBS stream server to download streams from 2 PCs (pc's are also using obs), join those two gameplays like splitscreen and stream it forward to twitch?

I made a picture :) I want to setup some kind of stream server so my friend on PC2 can stream his gameplay over internet to this server (placed in my home), where i would stream too from my PC1. Then join our gameplays as one (like split screen or scene switching) and send it to twitch. Is it possible? If yes, what should be this server specifications? (good cpu? much ram?)

 

[dping]

Is it possible to setup some kind of OBS stream server to download streams from 2 PCs (pc's are also using obs), join those two gameplays like splitscreen and stream it forward to twitch?

I made a picture :) I want to setup some kind of stream server so my friend on PC2 can stream his gameplay over internet to this server (placed in my home), where i would stream too from my PC1. Then join our gameplays as one (like split screen or scene switching) and send it to twitch. Is it possible? If yes, what should be this server specifications? (good cpu? much ram?)

I believe there is but I cant recall if all the pieces and parts are there in OBS MP.

In the past, combining the streams part would be the issue. this is because the tool used couldn't combine streams as far as I know.
Second, NginX is what was used. it can record or restream multiple rtmp transmission but due to avconv not having proper support for CBR and padding, ffmpeg will need to be used, which will need to be compiled manually and can be somewhat difficult to find all the dependencies.

Currently, OBS MP is said to either eventually support rtmp sources or already does. Just be aware that the video from different locations will not be in sync with eachother. Maybe up to 2 seconds apart.

 

[derobert]

I believe there is but I cant recall if all the pieces and parts are there in OBS MP.

In the past, combining the streams part would be the issue. this is because the tool used couldn't combine streams as far as I know.
Second, NginX is what was used. it can record or restream multiple rtmp transmission but due to avconv not having proper support for CBR and padding, ffmpeg will need to be used, which will need to be compiled manually and can be somewhat difficult to find all the dependencies.

Currently, OBS MP is said to either eventually support rtmp sources or already does. Just be aware that the video from different locations will not be in sync with eachother. Maybe up to 2 seconds apart.

So if I could modify my idea: i can stream 2 streams into server, and on the server select which one to stream forward? like switching PC1/PC2 with key shortcut or something?

What software should i use for this "server"? nginx or obs? Can OBS download stream and stream it forward?

 

[dping]

So if I could modify my idea: i can stream 2 streams into server, and on the server select which one to stream forward? like switching PC1/PC2 with key shortcut or something?

What software should i use for this "server"? nginx or obs? Can OBS download stream and stream it forward?

the switch with nginx will not be fluent. in fact, the switching would be a few seconds while it stops the old stream and begins the next. and again, the audio, would not be able to stay with the stream as you would think.

I said IF OBS MP supports it, I have not checked recently. it was brought up as a possible future feature but not sure if it is in there.

 

[Harold]

I have tested OBS MP with rtmp input, it does work.

 

[dping]

I have tested OBS MP with rtmp input, it does work.

@derobert given what Harold said, you can use OBS MP to stream to each location then setup an OBS MP RTMP server to receive. the instance external will be an issue with your firewall/router to which you will have to forward to port to your streaming machine (OBS MP RTMP server) the port to be forwarded is TCP 1935. make sure your rtmp server is live before the "OBS MP clients" are

 

[Harold]

nginx with a video source is how it works. There is no internal rtmp server afaik.

separate stream key per input, and because all sources are global per scene collection in MP, it'll work.

 

[dping]

nginx with a video source is how it works. There is no internal rtmp server afaik.

separate stream key per input, and because all sources are global per scene collection in MP, it'll work.

ok, Maybe I need to try this first, do you have a writeup on the flow of data?

 

[Harold]

Source Computers to rtmp server
OBS-MP pulls from RTMP server using media source plugin (one per source computer)

Switching happens there and feeds out to streaming service.

 

[dping]

Source Computers to rtmp server
OBS-MP pulls from RTMP server using media source plugin (one per source computer)

Switching happens there and feeds out to streaming service.

Ok, so @derobert

4 PCs needed with your setup.

2 stream PCs will stream to a linux machine running Nginx (doesn't need to be super powerful) each PC will stream to a separate stream key on the nginx server.

the forth and final device will do the majority of the work (stream PC) using OBS MP. it will use the rtmp as a source, to which can be controlled which stream shows, and possibly which audio is used? you can arrange the scenes on the stream PC then go from there.


going back to the remote PC, this will need to have the port forwarding done in your router to the nginx box

 

[Harold]

The nginx server will be more bandwidth bound than cpu bound. A raspberry pi will be enough processing power.

 

[derobert]

@Harold @dping This 4 PCs setup is unfortunate, i have only 1 machine for server, hmm... I have also a laptop with windows. Could this laptop be 4'th PC sucking stream from linux+nginx and streaming it to twitch?

It is getting more complex than i thought, i wish there would be solution requiring less hardware ;)

OR could this nginx server + OBS MP be on 1 machine? Also ports forwarding etc are my less concern, its easy.

 

[Harold]

nginx could run on the same machine as the obs mp instance.

 

[derobert]

@Harold so:

PC1 + PC2 stream to [nginx server] which will then stream to [OBS MP] which will stream to twitch/YT.
Does it require some special plugins? Will I find some configs on forums guides?

p.s. So this server will do only bandwidth (lightweight) tasks mostly, its some old AMD Opteron, i think it will be ok.

 

[dping]

@Harold so:

PC1 + PC2 stream to [nginx server] which will then stream to [OBS MP] which will stream to twitch/YT.
Does it require some special plugins? Will I find some configs on forums guides?

p.s. So this server will do only bandwidth (lightweight) tasks mostly, its some old AMD Opteron, i think it will be ok.

Think of NGINX as a relay. so its listening for rtmp streams and when it gets it, it will relay it to where you want it to go. I built one a while back, and played with it to relay and record a few streams. It works.

EDIT: I will be trying part of your setup tonight if I can.

 

[Harold]

OBS MP contains all the plugins needed to pull from an RTMP feed.