Lightstream Studio Basics

Introduction#

Lightstream Studio lets you stream straight from your web browser, making it a powerful broadcasting solution. If you’re looking to stream without downloading, installing, and configuring an application, Lightstream Studio is for you.

This guide walks through the basics of Lightstream Studio so you can stream in minutes. Although Lightstream Studio already provides a fantastic tutorial, use this guide as a reference piece and clarification on any steps to help you get going quickly.

Subscription Service#

It’s absolutely free to use Lightstream, however there are a few limitations:

• Free accounts may only stream for four hours a month
• Streams have Lightstream branding. This appears as a small banner on your stream that says “Powered By Lightstream” visible by everyone.
• Output settings limited to 30 FPS

Lightstream does offer subscription plans with different benefits and you can find a comparison on their website here.

Register#

Start by registering with Lightstream.

1. Visit golightstream.com
2. Click the Get Started button
3. Click Lightstream Studio
4. Select your platform
5. Log in
6. Agree to Terms of Use

Note: Your browser may ask for permission to access your webcam and microphone. You must give permission to use these devices while streaming.

What Are You Streaming?#

Lightstream Studio asks what kind of content you’d like to stream. This choice affects the kind of tips you’ll get while using Lightstream. While writing this guide, we picked “Gaming”

Project View#

This is the Project view. You’ll spend most of your time here. Let’s jump in and look at each section as we get ready for our first broadcast.

Name Your Project#

Projects contain a collection of scenes and settings. Let’s name our current project. Click on Name your project in the upper left corner of the screen and enter a name.

Select Resolution#

Set your resolution to what works best for your setup. In the top right corner of the screen, you’ll see a resolution list. Clicking it gives you options:

Lightstream recommends 720p at 30 Frames Per Second (FPS) for most users. If you wish to stream at a higher FPS, you must upgrade your Lightstream plan.

Putting It All Together#

A Scene contains your layout for what appears on stream. At bare minimum you’ll want a layout for gameplay and perhaps a webcam.

How do you add your gameplay and webcam to a Scene? These additions are called layers. Building a scene may require multiple layers. Let’s put a scene together for gameplay.

Note: Ensure you have the game you’d like to capture running while you build your Scene.

• Start by finding the LAYERS section on the left side of the screen and click the + Symbol to add one.

• Click on Screenshare to browse sources to add.

• There are a few options here, but let’s use “Your Entire Screen” and choose the screen the game is current shown on. In the example below, it’s shown on Scene 1. Check the Share Audio box to add the game’s audio to your stream. Finish by clicking Share.

Note: Everything on Screen 1 will be shown on screen with this selection. Be careful about dragging or opening other windows on this screen because they will automatically be shown to your viewers!

Alternatively, you can select Application Window and then select the desired source, like the game you want to broadcast. If you do this, ONLY the game or application you choose will be shown on screen no matter what.

• Let’s add a camera next. (If you don’t have one skip ahead to the Microphone section.)
• Click on the + symbol under LAYERS again and click Camera. You’ll see a list to choose from. Find your camera and choose it from the list.
• This step also adds a microphone as an audio source. You can choose your mic from the dropdown under the camera preview.

Resize and move your camera to the desired location and size. To do this:

• Click the camera on your list.
• Resize by dragging the handles on corners, top, or bottom of the camera preview.
• Click and drag the camera preview to position it.

• When you added your camera, it also added a microphone. But if you skipped that step let’s add one now. From the Add Layer Menu, select Audio Source. Select the desired microphone from the list.

Checking Your Audio#

Once all sources are added, double check audio levels. In the lower left corner is the Audio Mixer. The mixer has visual indicators of how loud a given source can be. Here, you can adjust the volume of individual sources.

Adding More Scenes#

Now that you understand adding layers to a scene, feel free to add more by clicking the Add Scene button on the lower bar of the screen. You may swap the active Scene by clicking on it.

Going Live#

So now we have our Scenes, Layers and Audio all set up. It’s time to smash that Go Live button in the upper right corner and start your first stream!

You’re Now Broadcasting with Lightstream Studio!#

Once you’re live the Stream Output displays what’s being sent to your channel. Below the Stream Output you can check your Stream Chat. That’s it, you’re now broadcasting from Lightstream Studio!