Live streaming looks simple — until your audio echoes, your video lags, and your chat explodes with complaints.
Internet
Upload speed minimum: 5 Mbps (720p), 10 Mbps (1080p), 20 Mbps (4K). Use ethernet, not WiFi. Test with speedtest.net before going live.
Software
OBS Studio (free, all platforms). Streamlabs (Windows, easier UI). Both support Twitch, YouTube, and custom RTMP simultaneously.
Settings
Bitrate: 4500 kbps (1080p30), 6000 kbps (1080p60). Encoder: x264 or NVENC (GPU). Keyframe interval: 2 seconds. Audio: 160 kbps AAC.