The backup stream automatically switches between your main and backup live video feed to prevent interruptions, ensuring worry-free streaming for high-stakes events.
How to set up a backup stream
From your home screen, click New Stream and select RTMP | Encoder.
💡 If you have already created an RTMP stream, click on it in your list of streams to open the setup.
Click Settings and select Backup stream.
RTMP: You'll have two identical RTMP URLs and two different streaming keys:
Primary stream 1 is your main source.
Backup stream 2 is your emergency "fallback" source.
SRT: You'll have two different SRT links:
Primary Stream 1 (SRT) is your main source.
Backup Stream 2 (SRT) is your emergency "fallback" source.
Set up two separate encoders - the first streaming to Primary, the other to Backup.
Select "Custom" service in your stream settings to use the exact RTMP URL or SRT link provided by Restream.
After setting up both encoders, start streaming.
If your main source fails, the system will seamlessly switch to the backup
Requirements
This feature is available to specific paid plans. You can read more here.
Backup stream is available for RTMP and SRT.
This setup requires two distinct encoders.
Two separate network connections are recommended to prevent complete feed failure if one connection goes down.
If the primary source recovers, we will not switch back to it unless the backup source disconnects.
FAQ
Does the backup stream work with scheduled events, too?
Does the backup stream work with scheduled events, too?
The backup stream is fully compatible with scheduled events.
Just click RTMP Setup on the event card and follow the steps above.
How will I know whether my stream has switched to the backup source?
How will I know whether my stream has switched to the backup source?
When previewing your stream on Restream, you will see a "primary stream 1" indicator if you're using the primary source and a "backup stream 2" indicator if you're using the backup source.
How can I make the switch as natural as possible?
How can I make the switch as natural as possible?
On our side, the transition will be seamless.
On your side, we recommend setting up identical streams for both encoders. This means the camera angle and overall feed in the backup source should closely resemble the original.
Can I have a backup stream in Studio?
Can I have a backup stream in Studio?
The backup feature is designed for streams done with third-party encoders.
Can I use a server region of my choice when using backup?
Can I use a server region of my choice when using backup?
You can switch your default server selection from auto-detect to a specific region here, which will also update the backup links.
It's advisable to use the same region for both primary and backup to avoid network issues.
Can backup support very long streams?
Can backup support very long streams?
Restream doesn't guarantee that a stream will be live for more than 24 hours, even with the backup feature. If you stream continuously for more than 24 hours, the server you're connected to may undergo maintenance and be restarted. To avoid potential issues, we recommend restarting your stream once every 24 hours.
To stream for more than 24 hours, you can contact our Sales team for a custom plan.
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