OBS Guide – Video

Before installing OBS please do a speed test using http://speedtest.xcdnpro.com This will test your connection with our servers.

Based on your results here are our recommendations regarding the resolution and Bitrate (you will need to set this once you configure OBS)

1. Download OBS software from https://obsproject.com/download 
    Please Note: There is a phishing campaign at the moment that encourages downloading OBS from non-official sites. Please make sure you download the version available on the official website only

• Select the Operating System (Windows / MacOS / Linux)

• Click on Download Installer

2. Once the download is finished, install the application
3. Open OBS software
4. The first time you open OBS you will be asked if you want to Auto Configure OBS → Click CANCEL

5. Click on + To add a new Video Source

• Select Video Capture Device
• Input desired name
• Check “Make source visible”
• Click OK

• Device: Select desired Webcam (ex: Logitech C920)
• Check “Use Preset”
• Resolution: Select the Recommended resolution based on the speed test
• Frame rate: 30
• Click OK

6. Click On SETTINGS

• Choose the STREAM TAB

• Select Service → Show All… → CAM4

• Select Server → CAM4

• In order to get the Stream Key you need to open the Broadcast Window on Cam4
• Choose External Encoder
• Choose Get Stream Key
• Copy the Stream Key

  

• Choose External Encoder
  
• Choose Get Stream Key

  

• Copy Stream Key

• Paste the Stream Key from cam4 into the input field

• Choose the OUTPUT TAB

Go to Output Mode – Select Advanced from the dropdown list

IF Encoder is x264 use the following settings:

• Rate Control: CBR
• Bitrate: Based on internet speed (see above table)
• Keyframe Interval (seconds, 0=auto): 1 CPU Usage Preset (higher=less CPU): veryfast or superfast (depending on hardware)
• Profile: main
• Tune: zerolatency x264 Options (separated by space): bframes=0
• Note: For x264 options you need to copy+paste the values manually

IF Encoder is QuickSync use the following settings:

• Check the box for Enforce streaming service encoder settings
• Target usage: balanced
• Profile: main
• Keyframe Interval (seconds, 0=auto): 1
• Async Depth: 1
• Rate Control: CBR
• Bitrate: The one recommended (see above table)
• B frames: 0
• Check the box for Content Adaptive Quantization

7. Choose the VIDEO TAB

• Base (Canvas) Resolution: Use the recommended resolution based on the speed test (ex: 1280×720)
• Output (Scaled) Resolution: Use the same resolution as the Base (Canvas) Resolution
• Downscale Filter: Bilinear
• Common FPS Values: 30

8. Choose the ADVANCED TAB

• Scroll down to Network Area and check the following box: “Dynamically change bitrate to manage congestion”

9. Click OK
10. Click Start Streaming

11. Open Broadcast window on CAM4 → Select External Encoder
12. Allow flash (if it asks for it 1.1)
13. Click Start Broadcast (1.2)

Related Articles

• OBS tips and Tricks
• OBS Virtual Camera
• What is external encoding?

• Show / Hide video button for better performance → Recommended for outdated hardware

When the Led indicator is Green (Show Video) the video is displayed on the left side of the chat. In this situation there will be more resources used for streaming

When the Led indicator is Black (Hide video) the video will be replaced by a “black cover”resulting in less resources being used while broadcasting

• the Video Capture in OBS does not fit the whole screen

In case the image appears as in the above screenshot, you need to Select the Video Capture Device (a red rectangle will appear when selected) → Transform → Fit to Screen

Broadcast Quality

OBS offers feedback and metrics related to the ongoing broadcast such as CPU Usage, Time since starting broadcast, FPS, Dropped Frames, and Bitrate

A green square means that everything is working perfectly, as opposed to a red square indicating there are some issues that maybe caused by high load of CPU, network etc.

In case of HIGH CPU Load close any other windows that you might have (ex: if you have 10 tabs opened in your browser and you don’t need them it’s better to have them closed)

In case of issues with FPS / Bitrate / Dropped Frames – revise the Streaming settings and go down a resolution. In case you’ve initially opted for 1280×720, go down a resolution and see how that works.

Related Articles

• OBS Guide
• OBS Virtual Camera
• What is external encoding?

For an optimal streaming experience on CAM4 please use the ‘OBS External Encoder’ option. We suggest using the ‘OBS Virtual Camera’ option only if you intend to stream on multiple sites simultaneously, or if your primary camera isn’t working on CAM4.

1. Download OBS software from https://obsproject.com/download. Select your Operating System (Windows / MacOS / Linux)

• Click on Download Installer

2. Once the download is finished install the application
3. Open OBS software
4. The first time you Open OBS you will be asked if you want to Auto Configure OBS → Click CANCEL

5. Click on + To add a new Video Source

• Select “Video Capture Device”
• Input desired name
• Click OK

• Device: Select your desired Webcam (ex: Logictech C920)
• Check “Use Preset”
• Click OK

1. Open broadcast window on CAM4

! NOTE: You may need to restart your computer to see the Virtual camera in the list

7. Start Virtual Camera

8. Select the OBS Virtual Camera from the drop-down menu in the CAM4 broadcast window

Related Articles

• OBS Guide
• OBS Tips & Tricks
• What is external encoding?

To assist in keeping track of your tippers’ spending behavior to prioritize your attention during a live show. Integrated within your CAM4 chat, this tool now allows you to identify viewers tipping habits!

Note: Gold members who have chosen to watch and tip anonymously will remain anonymous in this feature

We are currently seeing issues with Romanian users being unable to connect to CAM4 services. This is due to certain Internet service providers blocking some Google services which we and many other sites rely on to operate streams and chat. 
We are currently working together with Google on resolving this problem but cannot estimate when this will be resolved at this time. 
We of course still want you to be able to use CAM4 during this time and you can do so by either:

Using a VPN

Connecting from outside Romania by using a VPN. This is the simplest way to circumvent all restrictions and it adds an extra layer of security to your connection.

The VPN options that we recommend for Romanian users are:

• ProtonVPN

• PrivadoVPN

Contacting your ISP

You can request to your internet service provider (ISP) that they remove the restriction. This may not be an immediate resolution and the ISP may refuse but we have seen instances of this being resolved with some ISPs upon users making a complaint. If you choose to do this, please give your ISP the following message: 

“Buna ziua,

Recent aparut o problema in cadrul retelei care nu imi permite sa ma conectez la s-usc1c-nss-280.firebaseio.com care are adresa 35.201.97.85.

Mentionez ca s-usc1c-nss-280.firebaseio.com care are adresa 35.201.97.85, este parte din serviciul Google Firebase care pare sa fie blocat. 

Va rog sa deblocati acest serviciu cat se poate de repede.

Multumesc”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my streaming disconnect sometimes after a couple of minutes of streaming with a message called “Disconnected due to poor network” ?

C4Broadcaster has a built-in mechanism in which it adapts the quality of the stream depending on your network condition (both wi-fi and mobile data). In general, disconnecting occurs after a certain time period due to the stream becoming unviewable because of the bad network conditions, so we automatically disconnect you.

In order to let you know when you’re in a zone where the signal strength of the network is low, we have added a signal icon with three tiers of colors. When pressing the icon, a popup is shown with extra details regarding your estimated network speed and network connection quality.

Why is there a size limit for uploading videos on the MyShop from inside C4Broadcaster?

C4Broadcaster’s main role is to enable broadcasters to stream and record their shows from anywhere. Videos uploaded from the application must have a maximum size of 100MB. Videos larger than that should be uploaded from the your device’s browser or from a PC.

Why can’t I see the chat, see viewers or notifications?

If the chat connection fails, you won’t be able to see chat messages, the viewers count or tips received. Keep an eye on the chat connection indicator on the main chat room.
Note that even in case the chat connection is down, the streaming is a separate component which can work in parallel.

Having problems logging in, what should I do?

Please make sure the credentials you are using are correct. If you receive a “Server is unreacheable error” then please follow the instructions in the error.
If you’re still having problems, please contact CAM4 support

Face masks and image filters are not available on my device

Not all devices support face masks and image filters. We are doing our best to support as many devices as possible.

Having issues with pairing/connecting my Lovense device

Please make sure that Bluetooth is turned on and the GPS sensor is active. If it still doesn’t work, then the device may not compatible with your phone

How can I silence, kick or ban someone from the chat?

The Moderation Popup can be opened by long-pressing on a chat message from a viewer. This will allow executing certain actions towards or against that user.
The supported actions are:

• Add as friend / Remove friend

• Add as favorite / Remove favorite

• Add as moderator / Remove moderator

• Silence / Unsilence

• Kick

• Ban

Additionally, the private show rating, the gold membership status and the avatar of the user are shown.

How can I contact customer support from the application?

Open the menu by sliding from left to right and click on the Customer Support item to open Intercom. From there, follow the steps needed to open a chat with a customer support representative.

How can give feedback on the application?

We always welcome feedback from our users and our application is tailored on their needs. Opening the Intercom from the menu is the simplest and fastest way to talk to a CAM4 representative and propose your ideas!

How can I access account management features such as the broadcaster dashboard via C4 Broadcaster?

The menu allows you to navigate between sections of the application. In order to access it, swipe from left-to-right.

The menu gives you the ability to access: Your broadcaster dashboard Manager your documentation Upload a video (max limit. 100MB) Handle your incoming friend requests Contact support via Intercom FAQ Start the tutorial Logout

How can I see the insights of my broadcasts?

Open the menu by sliding from left to right and click on the Broadcaster’s Dashboard item. It will open the broadcaster dashboard and from there you can go to the Insights Tab

My camera preview is too dark, what can I do?

If your camera preview is too dark, swipe right-to-left and toggle the “Increase camera brightness” option. This should allow the camera to capture more frames while reducing the framerate of the video. Recommended for usage in dark environments

I have updated my application and it doesn’t work anymore

If after an update, you are experiencing issues with the application, please contact the CAM4 support so we can address this issue as quickly as possible and offer you a solution for the best experience.

How do I turn off my microphone?

Swipe from the right of the screen to open the menu, then turn the microphone toggle off. If the option is not present then unfortunately it is not possible for your device.

Can I set a moderator from C4 Broadcaster?

Yes, long click on a user’s name will bring up the moderation popup. From there, you can add him as a friend/favourite or as a moderator.

Can I set a password for my room?

No, password-protected private rooms are not available on C4 Broadcaster

How can I have my viewers’ chat messages translated?

To enable the Chat Translator on C4Broadcaster, go to the Settings page and look at the Chat Settings category.

You can enable the chat translator by pressing on the toggle on the row.

To change the translator language, select the desired one from the languages list

Streaming tips:

The network conditions are key to a good streaming experience. Wi-Fi is usually recommended since it’s more stable than an indoor mobile data connection. Also, keep an eye on the signal state of the network, going too far from the router or going in certain places where the signal is low, might disrupt the streaming experience both for you and your viewers.

Lightning is another key component to a good streaming experience. Usage of the device’s flashlight is recommended in dark rooms or environments, as well as turning on the Increase camera brightness.

Keeping the device steady will also contribute to a good experience. Using phone stands or selfie sticks might prove useful.

If you own an eligible Samsung device, you can use Your Phone app to mirror your screen onto your PC.

In order to pair up your Lovense device with C4Broadcaster, you need to do the following steps:

• Press and hold the power button on your Lovense device

• Open up C4Broadcaster, go to the Settings page and click on the Lovense toggle

• A popup will appear with devices found around your mobile phone

• Click on the device you want to pair. A notification will appear on top once the pairing has been successful.
  
  

  Note:

  After an initial pairing, each time you will start the Lovense device after entering C4Broadcaster, it will be automatically connected to your phone

   

As of version 6.5.0 (released February 2022), we have added the ability to use C4 Broadcaster as an External Encoder. This means you can benefit from using the powerful camera of your mobile device while interacting with your viewers via the broadcast window on your PC. This works in the same way as if you were using OBS, but without the setup that would be required there to get it to work.

In order to do this, please follow these 3 simple steps:

• Start C4Broadcaster and press on the external encoder button next to the regular Start Broadcast button.
  
  
  
  

• Navigate to https://cam4.com and click on Broadcast. In the Broadcast Window, switch to the External Encoder tab. The camera preview from your mobile phone should appear in the player.
  
  

• Press the Start Broadcast button in the Broadcast Window and have fun.
  
  
  

  You can now use your mobile device to move around while managing your room through the broadcast window.

  • Place the mobile phone anywhere you desire, forget about cables, external cameras or carrying your laptop from room to room

  • Make good use of the quality of your phone cameras. If your network connection and device supports it, you can stream in FullHD resolution from your device

  • Avoid the potential painful OBS or any 3rd party software configuration

  • If your wi-fi connection is sketchy, you can always switch to mobile data (4G/5G) in order to provide a better experience for your viewers

  When finishing your show, remember to close both the Broadcast Window and also stop the stream from C4Broadcaster

  Note:
  While streaming in External Encoder mode, viewer interactions and some features are disabled on C4Broadcaster. They are available in the Broadcast Window