tencent cloud

PC CSS Overview

Tencent Cloud PC CSS is used to push compressed and encoded images (such as live events, teaching, projection or games) to the push URL of Tencent Video Cloud by using push software (OBS (recommended) or XSplit) installed on PCs (windows/mac). Meanwhile, viewers can see real-time images using the playback URL corresponding to the push URL.

PC CSS Procedure

You can implement PC CSS easily by following the steps below:

• Where are the streams pushed to: Get a push URL and 3 playback URLs from Tencent Cloud CSS console.
• What is pushed: Set audio/video sources for push and encoding parameters in the third-party push software.
• Viewer can watch CSS using our RTMP DEMO to set playback URL. This helps push the content to the viewers.

1. Before CSS

• Activate cloud CSS service on Tencent Cloud.
  If you have not activated the Tencent Cloud CSS service, click here to apply for the service.
  

1.2 Generate push URL

If you don't have a push URL, you can generate a push URL and 3 playback URLs by clicking Access Management -> CSS Code Access -> Access Configuration.

The one whose domain name is livepush.myqcloud.com is the push URL:

1.3 Select the network for CSS

• Network selection

It is recommended to use cable network if possible, which is more stable than WIFI to make signals less disruptive. For event CSS, it is recommended to use WIFI for convenience.

• Upstream bandwidth test
  The requirement for upstream bandwidth depends on the video quality and resolution. Generally, a better video quality with a higher resolution means a higher requirement for upstream bandwidth. The upstream bandwidth should not be less than 1 Mbps. To check the condition of upstream bandwidth, you can conduct a test using speedtest.
  

1.4 Install push software

• OBS installation
  You can download an installation package on OBS official website to install according to default settings. OBS is supported in such systems as Windows/Mac/Linux. You should make sure it is Open Broadcaster Software. OBS also provides OBS Studio which is not discussed in this document.
  

• XSplit Installation
  You can download an installation package on XSplit official website to install it according to default settings.
  XSplit is not a free software. As an alternative, you can use OBS (Free). For game CSS, XSplit has a separate installation package. It is recommended to use BroadCaster for non-game CSS.
  

2. Software parameter configuration

2.1 Set push URL

If you get the following push URL:

rtmp://3891.livepush.myqcloud.com/live/3891_test?bizid=3891&txSecret=xxx&txTime=58540F7F

You need to set two parts separately:

The front part of the push URL "rtmp://3891.livepush.myqcloud.com/live/" is called FMS URL
The latter part of the push URL "3891_test?bizid=3891&txSecret=xxx&txTime=58540F7F" is called stream code.

• OBS push URL configuration

  Click Settings, select Broadcasting Settings, and then set Mode to CSS Stream, Streaming Service to Custom, FMS URL to the first part of push URL, and Playback Path/Streaming Code to the second part. You're recommended to check Automatic Reconnection, which means push reconnection is triggered automatically when OBS detects an exception (such as network disconnection).

• OBS Studio push URL settings

  Click Settings in the lower right corner of the page, select Stream, and then set Streaming Type to Custom Streaming Media Server, URL to the first part of the push URL, and Stream Key to the second part.

2.2 Set audio and video sources

Audio and video sources are just like the contents of the package to be sent. There are three formats:

• From video capturing devices, such as camera or video recording devices.

• From PC windows or game sources;

• From media files stored in PC, such as video images.

• OBS audio and video sources settings

• Note*: Click the right mouse button in Source box. The left button is not applicable. The Add menu is popped up, followed by Acquire from Window, Acquire from Screen, Image Source, Slide Show, Text Source, CLR Browser, Video Capturing Device, Game Source, etc. We generally use Acquire from Window and Video Capturing Device. Other sources are configured in a different way. Next, we will introduce how to configure Video Capturing Device.

• OBS Studio audio/video source settings
  For more information, please see OBS audio and video sources settings.

2.3 Set audio and video formats

After the video source is configured, even though you can get the audio and video signals, the original ones are not applicable for spreading in the network because they need more bandwidth. Therefore, it is important to configure the audio and video encoding parameters before CSS starts.

• OBS audio and video formats configuration

• OBS Studio audio/video format settings

3. Playback verification

3.1 Confirm playback URL

If the push URL (livepush) is:

rtmp://3891.livepush.myqcloud.com/live/3891_test?bizid=3891&txSecret=xxx&txTime=58540F7F

the playback URL (liveplay) is:

3.2 VLC playback verification

Click here for VLC Download URL. You can install according to the default settings. Open the software, click Media Menu, select Open Network Stream, enter the playback URL, and click Play.