Exact way to stream with FME to JTV - READ HERE

[Tim]

So you want to multibox in World of Warcraft and stream your video gaming in live video? Want that done in high def style? Search no further!

If you liked this article and it helped, please link back to it on your video streaming page!

Here is a 3 part video stream I have made detailing exactly what needs to be done to do HD/HQ streaming from your PC to the Justin.tv network.

EDIT: All of the clips below suddenly are pointing to the wrong videos. I'm working with the JTV staff to get this corrected.

Justin.tv - Tutorial - How to stream HD to JTV 1/3 UPDATED 11/14/09
Justin.tv - Tutorial - How to stream HD to JTV 2/3 <-- Clip is broken ATM, working to get this resolved (05/03/10 -Tim)
Justin.tv - Tutorial - How to stream HD to JTV 3/3

Here is a step-by-step, soon with pictures, on how to do this. Ask your questions here in this thread!

Step #0 - Create Justin.tv Account

Duh! Justin.tv - Live Video and Chat for Everyone

Step #1 - Get Software

Download and install Adobe (FME) Flash Media Encoder 2.5 (NOT 3.x) . FME3.x is far, far slower (~400% slower) than FME2.5.
Do not run FME
Download and install VHScrCap


Step #2 - Set up VHScrCap

Run Start Menu\Hmelyoff\VHScrCap\Config.exe
Select "Create new one"
Click Settings, Frame rate to 30, only have Align Video, Show mouse, Show clicks checked, nothing else (for full resolution)
Click Capture, Do not click any boxes, click Select, click the window desktop of the monitor with your WoWs
Close the VH Screen Capture Driver dialog

Step #3 - Create batch file for FME

Create c:\fme\ folder
Notepad c:\fme\justin.bat with this info:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Flash Media Encoder 2.5\FMEcmd.exe" /p c:\fme\justin.xml

Replace the path to FMEcmd.exe if you installed to a different directory.

Step #3.5 - GET INITIAL XML

Run Flash Media Encoder 2.5. Select the sound capture device that you wish (Eg. Stereo Mix). Then select "Save Profile". Then open up that file you have saved and locate the following line:

<device>Line In (Realtek High Definitio</device>

Note: It will have the name of the audio device you selected. Cut/paste that entire line into a new notepad document for step #4. You may now close the profile you opened up as well as the FME graphic interface.


Step #4 - Create FME XML

Notepad c:\fme\justin.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>
<flashmediaencoder_profile>
    <preset>
        <name>Custom</name>
        <description></description>
    </preset>
    <capture>
        <video>
        <device>VHScrCap</device>
        <crossbar_input>0</crossbar_input>
        <frame_rate>60</frame_rate>
        <size>
            <width>1920</width>
            <height>1080</height>
        </size>
        </video>
        <audio>
        <device>Line In (Realtek High Definitio</device>
        <crossbar_input>0</crossbar_input>
        <sample_rate>44100</sample_rate>
        <channels>2</channels>
        <input_volume>75</input_volume>
        </audio>
    </capture>
    <process>
        <video>
        <crop>
            <left>0</left>
            <top>0</top>
            <right>0</right>
            <bottom>3</bottom>
        </crop>

        </video>
    </process>
    <encode>
        <video>
        <format>VP6</format>
        <datarate>1000</datarate>
        <advanced>
            <keyframe_frequency>5 seconds</keyframe_frequency>
            <quality>Avg Quality - Great Framerate</quality>
            <noise_reduction>None</noise_reduction>
            <datarate_window>Medium</datarate_window>
            <cpu_usage>Dedicated</cpu_usage>
        </advanced>
        </video>
        <audio>
        <format>Mp3</format>
        <datarate>128</datarate>
        </audio>
    </encode>
    <restartinterval>
        <days></days>
        <hours></hours>
        <minutes></minutes>
    </restartinterval>
    <reconnectinterval>
        <attempts></attempts>
        <interval></interval>
    </reconnectinterval>
    <output>
        <rtmp>
        <url>rtmp://live.justin.tv/app</url>
        <backup_url></backup_url>
        <stream>YOURJTVFMESTREAMID</stream>
        </rtmp>
    </output>
    <metadata>
        <entry>
        <key>author</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>copyright</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>description</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>keywords</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>rating</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>title</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
    </metadata>
    <preview>
        <audio></audio>
    </preview>
    <log>
        <level>100</level>
        <directory>C:\fme\</directory>
    </log>
</flashmediaencoder_profile>

Edit the Width, Height, and be sure to cut/paste in your audio device as listed in step 3.5. Go down to the Save options and make sure to select UNICODE!

Next, you need your stream ID. To get this JTV stream ID, log into JTV and then click here. This will download a file to your desktop. Open up that file and locate the following line:

<stream>YOURJTVFMESTREAMID</stream>

The stream ID will be listed there. Cut/paste into the XML file justin.xml in the correct section.

Step #4.5 - SET YOUR BITRATE

Open up your justin.xml file and locate the following line:

        <datarate>1000</datarate>

The datarate of 1000kbps is enough for a decent quality stream. However, if your internet connection upload speed is high enough, it is recommended to change this number to between 1500 on up. Give it a few tests to find that "sweet spot" where you can stream high quality as well as not have any internet issues with a bitrate too high for your internet connection.

Note: Whatever datarate you set, please keep in mind that your users (viewers) will require a data stream rate to match. Also, the higher the datarate, the higher the CPU requirements will be to watch the stream.

For example, I stream at 2500 kbps average, which can peak to 5000 kbps. Because my stream is so high quality, based on feedback I have, I would estimate 10-15% of users cannot view my stream smoothly. I have set mine so high because my typical audience has faster PCs and internet connections.

The higher the datarate, the better your video will be, but at the same time, you may be excluding people with slower connections/computers.

Step #5 - Start streaming! IMPORTANT NOTE

Simply run the justin.bat file and it should pop up a black window that scrolls some stats about FPS and bitrate. Now you're streaming!

A very important note: The way the Adobe FME command-line program works is that it reveals your stream ID in the scrolling window of information. This stream ID is essentially like a password, giving you access to stream your video to your channel.

BLOCK THIS FROM SHOWING!

If you have 2 monitors, make sure to run the fme.bat file from your other monitor that is not being streamed.

If you have 1 monitor, make sure to cover up the FME command box immediately after starting it, such as minimizing it.

USER FEEDBACK:

Lindline added an awesome note to automatically make FME be "high" in its CPU priority, increasing your FPS output of streaming.

Modify your FME.bat to include this if you have a hyperthread quad-core CPU such as the i7.

CD "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Flash Media Encoder 2.5"
start /affinity 80  /high FMEcmd.exe /p c:\fme\console.xml

Modify your FME.bat to include this if you have an quad-core CPU.

CD "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Flash Media Encoder 2.5"
start /affinity 8 /high FMEcmd.exe /p c:\fme\console.xml

Modify your FME.bat to include this if you have an dual core CPU.

CD "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Flash Media Encoder 2.5"
start /affinity 2 /high FMEcmd.exe /p c:\fme\console.xml

Modify your FME.bat to include this if you have any random CPU

CD "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Flash Media Encoder 2.5"
start /high FMEcmd.exe /p c:\fme\console.xml

If you don't want to worry about showing your stream ID when you launch the .bat file, create another batch file. You will run this file whenever you want to start streaming. Inside of it, type this

start /min justin.bat (or whatever your batch file is called)

MISC LINKS:

If you need the Stereo Mix but don't see it in Windows, this is the RealTek driver that most motherboards are using:

Realtek

Cheers!

DIGG THIS: World of Warcraft LIVE video streaming - Multibox video!

EDIT HISTORY:
- 12/24/10 Added Nghtmare9999's recommendation to minimize
- 11/08/10 *by Tim* Added new link to VHScrCap to download
- 04/20/10 *by Lindline* Fixed the CPU affinity info for the "user-feedback" BAT file
- 04/16/10 Changed the FME 2.5 link
- 03/30/10 Added link to RealTek driver
- 03/18/10 Added that you should hide your FME window to not show your stream key
- 03/15/10 Added Lindline feedback on cpu priority
- 03/08/10 Modified the JTV FME XML link to the new one
- 11/16/09 Added mention of user download requirements
- 11/14/09 Redid first video link since it broke
- 11/12/09 3 video links added that explain it all
- 11/12/09 Lots of rewriting, preparing for video insertion
- added Digg link
- added step 5 to run the batch file
- added where to download software from

[Roadspill]

FIRST!!

Haha, just had to do it..

But why do we not download 3.x FME? something different about it that jtv doesn't like?

[Azzie]

ok awsome, I am set up as far as Step 4. Lost after that. Anyone else still up and can help?

[necrimus]

This is good. I set mine up without FME and I am stuck at a 4:3 ratio :/

[Retzpal]

I have 2 questions, is the stream saved to my hdd? Do I need tons of free space to stream?

[Poyzon]

Ugh. My upload is only 0.4Mbps. Needless to say the quality of my stream sucks worse than Alliance (I know, hard to imagine).

I may have to bag the streaming and focus on making movies.

[Tim]

Just added the final step 5, oops! For the XML I listed, nope, its not saved to your HD.

[Azzie]

Invalid Profile. The file selected is not a valid Flash Media Encoder profile.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>
<flashmediaencoder_profile>
    <preset>
        <name>Custom</name>
        <description></description>
    </preset>
    <capture>
        <video>
        <device>VHScrCap</device>
        <crossbar_input>0</crossbar_input>
        <frame_rate>60</frame_rate>
        <size>
            <width>1280</width>
            <height>1024</height>
        </size>
        </video>
        <audio>
        <device>Realtek HD Audio Input</device>
<crossbar_input>0</crossbar_input>
        <sample_rate>44100</sample_rate>
        <channels>2</channels>
        <input_volume>75</input_volume>
        </audio>
    </capture>
    <process>
        <video>
        <crop>
            <left>0</left>
            <top>0</top>
            <right>0</right>
            <bottom>3</bottom>
        </crop>

        </video>
    </process>
    <encode>
        <video>
        <format>VP6</format>
        <datarate>1000</datarate>
        <advanced>
            <keyframe_frequency>5 seconds</keyframe_frequency>
            <quality>Avg Quality - Great Framerate</quality>
            <noise_reduction>None</noise_reduction>
            <datarate_window>Medium</datarate_window>
            <cpu_usage>Dedicated</cpu_usage>
        </advanced>
        </video>
        <audio>
        <format>Mp3</format>
        <datarate>128</datarate>
        </audio>
    </encode>
    <restartinterval>
        <days></days>
        <hours></hours>
        <minutes></minutes>
    </restartinterval>
    <reconnectinterval>
        <attempts></attempts>
        <interval></interval>
    </reconnectinterval>
    <output>
        <rtmp>
        <url>rtmp://live.justin.tv/app</url>
        <backup_url></backup_url>
        <stream>STREAMID HERE</stream>
        </rtmp>
    </output>
    <metadata>
        <entry>
        <key>author</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>copyright</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>description</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>keywords</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>rating</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
        <entry>
        <key>title</key>
        <value></value>
        </entry>
    </metadata>
    <preview>
        <audio></audio>
    </preview>
    <log>
        <level>100</level>
        <directory>C:\fme\</directory>
    </log>
</flashmediaencoder_profile>

[Poyzon]

Make sure you save the justin.xml file with UNICODE encoding.

For example, if you use Notepad.exe you want to do the following:

File
Save As...
File name: justin.xml
Save as type: Text Documents (*.txt)
Encoding: Unicode

[Yazoo]

I started to set up my stream yesterday with the same kind of settings, but I downloaded FME 3.0 so I might try 2.5 tonight to see if I see a difference.
I have roughly 1mbps upload so it's not really great. I broadcast at a 800bitrate with a 800*500 resolution (my native window is 1680*1050 so I kept the 16:10 ratio). The quality isn't great imo.

I'll be streaming Trial of the Crusader 25 normal full + some hard modes hopefully tonight starting 8:30 - 9 pm (GMT + 1) so in 4 hours from this post aproximately. I'd really enjoy some feedback from you people, and you might even enjoy some good PvE action (usually we do TotC 25 normal in less than an hour, last time we did the 10 man version, we cleaned the normal mode in 17 minutes and we finished the Hard Mode with 50 trys left (tribute to insanity or something) so we are a average-good guild.
PoV is Enhancement Shaman so it might not be too boring to watch. Plus you might see me die a lot because it's my speciality so you can taunt me on the chat ^^

This is my stream : Guild Insane Raiding on Justin.tv

I'll update this post before streaming starts, hope to see you guys here