What Is External Encoding?

Video encoders are software that allows your digital video to be broadcast live!

CAM4 uses its own encoder, so you just need to click Broadcast to go live on the site. Some sites, like Twitch or YouTube Livestreaming, require you to download external encoders before you can broadcast.

External Encoders can be technical to configure, but they give you many more options for setting up and running your broadcast. With an external encoder, you can fine-tune your video quality, add images or videos to your broadcast, stream video games live, and so much more. Savvy users may even be able to add scrolling lists of top tippers or favorite gifts!

CAM4 has added support for an external encoder to the broadcast window – Open Broadcaster Software (OBS).

You can download OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)here for free.

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Live show Scheduling: How to schedule your shows

Get more viewers and manage your time better with our new Live Show Scheduling tool. Your fans can subscribe to your schedule, which will send them notifications before you go live. You can schedule shows up to 90 days in advance and have an unlimited number of subscribers. This is the perfect way to make more tokens and build more buzz around your shows!

Schedule up to 5 shows per day whether they’re a short morning show or a longer sensual weekend show. Tease your subscribers with a description of what to expect in your show – oil show? Know when you’re bringing a guest on? This is how you’ll build buzz and guarantee more viewers! Preset your goals so viewers know what to expect and when to restock their token stash.

Get your fans can easily subscribe to your schedule from your Cam4 profile, all they have to do is click the orange Subscribe button and automatically receive updates on your naughty plans.

Here’s how you can take your Cam4 shows to the next level:

Sign into your Cam4 account with your username and password you will then need to access your calendar. This can be reached in two ways

1. Click the calendar icon to the top right of the cam4 page

My Account Panel

2. Click My Account to access your profile options and select the Calendar link

Profile Options

Click Schedule Show on the Calendar page

Calendar Options

Now add in the details for your shows:

Schedule Show

1. Your Time Zone – Edit your Time Zone in the Edit Profile Info tab

2. The date your Live Show will take place

3. The Start Time – When your Live Show begins

4. Duration – How long you intend the show to be

5. A brief Description of what the show will involve

6. Repeat Event: For regular shows, please choose from daily, weekly or monthly

7. Repeat For: Choose the number of times to repeat a daily, weekly or monthly event

Finish scheduling your Live Show by clicking Create New Show.

To manage your calendar click the Calendar icon next to your username. From here, you can see when you’ve scheduled a broadcast, edit your scheduled shows by clicking the pencil icon, and add more shows.

FAQ

How many shows may I schedule for one day? You may schedule up to 5 shows on each date.

Am I required to do the shows that I schedule?  We encourage you to keep your schedule up-to-date and make changes to the details of upcoming shows if you are unable to broadcast during the scheduled time. By not performing in the shows that you schedule, you risk upsetting your fans. That may mean losing subscribers and tips!

How do I edit or cancel a scheduled show?  To delete or edit the details of a show, click on the [Edit Show Icon] in the Live Show Schedule.

How do I export my Live Show Schedule to Google Calendar/iCal/Outlook?

a. Sign in to Cam4 with your username and password.

b. Click the Calendar Icon, or click Manage My Calendar in the My Account tab.

c. Below the Calendar, click on the icon for the Calendar application you wish to export your Calendar to.

    i. iCal

    ii. Outlook

    iii. Google Cal

d. Click “OK” to finish the export and update your Calendar.

How far in advance may I schedule a live show? You may schedule Live Shows up to 90 days from the current date.

How do I change my timezone? To change your timezone when scheduling a show, click the Edit Profile Info tab in the Manage My Account page and select your timezone from the dropdown menu.

My show was recorded and uploaded

Whether you broadcast or post images online you run the risk of someone reposting your content. If you find your CAM4 videos/images uploaded to another website please make a list of links to each of the videos/images you wish to have removed and send it to dmca@cam4.com, and we will be pleased to try and help you get them removed.

Please note the following:

  1. While every effort will be made to have your content removed, please be aware that not all websites will honor a DMCA Takedown request.
  2. Please provide the link to each of your videos/images that you wish to be removed, not a Google search result or just the name of the website involved

How Do I deal with problem chatters?

You have several tools available to deal with rude members in your chat. Click on the username of the abusive viewer and select one of the following:

Moderator Options

  • Kick – Removes the user from the room, but they can return. (Please note: Using this option applies a negative mark against a members account. Too many negative marks will result in loss of chat for that member throughout the site.)
  • Ban – Removes the user from the room permanently.
  • Silence – The user may remain in the room, but they may no longer use the chat.

You may also assign someone as a Moderator to give them access to these tools in your room.

Cam4 Private Shows

Private Shows are a great way to make more money. Viewers pay per minute until they end the session or run out of tokens (Price options are in point 11. below). While in a Private Show, you can enable Spy mode. This allows Spy viewers to watch your show but not have access to the chat. And of course, you can chose to disable and enable Private & Spy Show functions at any time.

1.What is a Cam4 Private Show?

Cam4 Private Shows let your viewers get a much more exclusive experience from your broadcast, a personal show featuring a private chat that only you and the viewer can see, while you earn tokens every second.

2.What is a Spy Show?

During a Private Show, other viewers may tune in as Spies. Spies can watch the broadcast by paying a set amount of tokens per minute, but they cannot see or participate in the chat.

3.How do I enable Private Show requests?

Private Show requests can be enabled and disabled from the toolbar below the broadcast window.

4.What happens when the Private Show ends?

When you are ready, you may end the Private Show and return to the public broadcast by clicking End Current Show button.

5.What happens to the rest of my viewers when I accept a Private Show?

While you are in a Private Show, your viewers may remain in the public room and chat while they wait. If you have Spy Shows enabled, viewers may watch the Private Show broadcast (but not see the chat) for a set amount of tokens per minute.

6.Can I disable Spies in my Private Shows?

Yes. Spy Shows can be enabled and disabled from the Private Show Settings window. Remember, enabling Spy Shows is a good way to earn extra tokens and keep viewers watching your broadcast while in a Private Show.

7.What happens to the goals that were active before beginning a Private Show?

The goals on your public broadcast remain in place and will continue once you return to the room when your Private Show ends.

8.Can members tell if I’m in a Private Show?

Yes. During Private Shows your directory thumbnail will include a key-shaped icon, and a notice will be displayed on the broadcast window in your room. Viewers who enter the room while you are in a Private Show may wait for it to finish or watch the Private Show as spies.

9.How do viewers request a Private Show?

If you have Private Shows enabled, viewers may request Private Shows by clicking a Request Private Show button below your broadcast feed.

10.How do I accept Private Show requests?

Notifications for Private Show requests appear on the toolbar below the broadcast window. Pending requests are also found here while you are in a Private Show.

11.How do I earn tokens from Private Shows?

Private Shows have variable pricing, you can choose from any of the following for your shows

12 Tokens/Minute, 6 Tokens/Minute Spy
18 Tokens/Minute, 6 Tokens/Minute Spy
24 Tokens/Minute, 6 Tokens/Minute Spy * (default)
24 Tokens/Minute, 12 Tokens/Minute Spy
30 Tokens/Minute, 6 Tokens/Minute Spy
30 Tokens/Minute, 12 Tokens/Minute Spy

12. How long are Private Shows?

Private Shows continue until the Viewer runs out of tokens, or either you or the viewer choose to stop the Private Show by clicking the [End Private Show] button.

13. What is the difference between Private Rooms and the new Private Shows?

Broadcasters with Gold Memberships may create Private Rooms, which only viewers with the password may enter. All Broadcasters may enable Private Shows on their Public Broadcasts, which creates a separate Private Broadcast for the viewer, which costs tokens per minute.

14. Can I still advertise Private Skype shows for tokens?

Yes. You may still advertise private shows for your viewers. As always, you may only accept tokens in exchange for items and services you advertise on Cam4.

How do I use Manycam with Cam4?

If you wish to use ManyCam with Cam4 please do the following:-

  • Right click where the video should be and take settings from the menu that appears,
  • Click the small cam icon and make sure the dropdown list for the cam source is set to ManyCam Virtual Webcam” or “ManyCam Video Source“.
  • Click the small microphone icon and make sure that ManyCam Virtual Microphone” is selected as the source

Why does my video stop and start?

This can happen for several reasons including:

  • A lot of people moving around on cam
  • Flashing lights
  • Picking up your cam and moving the view to show something in the room to your viewers
  • Poor Wi-Fi or ethernet connection
  • Poor cell phone connection (if using the C4 Broadcaster app or similar)
  • Excessive background animations
  • Incorrect OBS Studio configuration
  • Older, outdated, or poor hardware (computer, camera, or web cam)

Why does it happen?

To make the video flow smoothly, only those pixels that change are transmitted with each frame. There is no reason to keep transmitting static pixels (those displaying the wall behind you for example), this keeps the amount of data being resent with each frame to a minimum and the video is smooth. For example, if you have multiple people moving around or a lot of flashing lights, then there are more changes, meaning more pixels need to be transmitted with each frame.

If you have an 8 Megapixel camera (8 million pixels) that runs at 30 frames per second, that works out to 240 million pixels per second that need to be transmitted to keep up with the movement. The result of this is a jerky video.

Two things to remember!

  1. When you are looking at your own video, this is displayed locally on your computer. So, it will run more smoothly for you than for those watching your broadcast elsewhere
  2. If you move your cam to give your viewers a “quick look” at something, they are unlikely to see what you are trying to show as your cam will start dropping frames as it struggles to keep up with the changes.

Choosing the Best Webcam

A good cam does not have to be expensive unless you opt for high-end quality. Below are some links with the current top cameras at various price points. You can decide which one is best for you.

*Cam4 is not affiliated with any of the merchants below. Links are provided as examples only.

Logitech C925E

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1370830-REG/logitech_960_001075_c925e_webcam.html

Logitech C922 Pro

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1374480-REG/logitech_960_001087_c922_pro_stream_webcam.html

Logitech C930E

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1604031-REG/logitech_960_000971_c930e_business_webcam.html

Logitech StreamCam

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1547008-REG/logitech_960_001280_stream_camera_plus_graphite.html

Logitech BCC950 (with remote)

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/877890-REG/Logitech_960_000866_BCC950_ConferenceCam_Video_Conferencing.html

HuddleCamHD 3X Digital Zoom USB 3 HDMI

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1495842-REG/huddlecamhd_hc_eptz_usb_3x_digital_zoom_usb.html/DFF/d10-v21-t1-x979218/SID/EZ

Panasonic Lumic DMC-G7 Mirrorless Camera

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1208931-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_g7_mirrorless_micro.html

Canon EOS-M50 Mirrorless Camera

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1393461-REG/canon_2680c011_eos_m50_mirrorless_digital.html

How To Buy The Best Webcam

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/how-to-buy-the-best-webcam

How do I get a gold or silver star?

Gold and Silver stars are awarded to winners of our Cam of the Day and Cam of the Month competitions. A Silver Star shows a winner of the Cam of the Day Competition, a Gold Star shows winners of the Cam of the Month competition.

Cam of the Day

This is awarded to the top four cams in the male, male group, female, female group, male-female group and transgender categories each day. The award is given to those broadcasters with the highest number of viewers in a single show.

A list of previous winners can be found at http://www.cam4.com/contest/


Cam of the Month

The award winners for cam of the day are given points for their win as detailed below

  • 1st place – 4 points
  • 2nd place – 3 points
  • 3rd place – 2 points
  • 4th place – 1 point

At the end of the month these points are added up, the 4 broadcasters  in each category with the most points win the prizes below

  • 1st place – $2000
  • 2nd place – $1000
  • 3rd place – $500
  • 4th place – $250

A list of previous winners can be found at http://www.cam4.com/contest/month/

The competition rules can be found at http://www.cam4.com/contest/rules/

Cam2Cam – Broadcaster FAQ

Do I earn more tokens by using Cam2Cam?

Cam2Cam is a free feature – there is no added token cost for enabling Cam2Cam.

However, like all features on Cam4, you may decide on your own token price in the form of a tip or Cam4 Gift as a cost to accept Cam2Cam requests from viewers.

Cam2Cam may also earn you more tokens by keeping viewers engaged in your Private Shows, which earn you tokens per minute.

How do I enable Cam2Cam for my Private Shows?

Cam2Cam requests are enabled by default in your Private Show Settings.

cam2cam settings

 

To disable or re-enable Cam2Cam, uncheck the box in Private Show Settings.

What can spies see during a Cam2Cam Private Show?

During a Cam2Cam Private Show, your spies can still see your video, but cannot see the video of your Cam2Cam viewer.

Spies cannot hear audio for either you or your viewer.

How do I accept Cam2Cam requests?

If you have Cam2Cam enabled, viewers will be able to make Cam2Cam Private Show Requests in the same way normal Private Show Requests are made.

Pending Request

The pop up for the Private Show Request will specify whether Cam2Cam has been requested.

Cam2Cam Popup

 

 Viewers may also request Cam2Cam mode during a regular Private Show. You will receive a new request notification in this case.

Cam2Cam Request

After clicking accept, Cam2Cam mode will begin.

Can I use Cam2Cam in Private Cam Mode?

Cam2Cam is restricted to Private Shows currently, but will be expanded to Private Cam Mode in the future!