Viduo uses RTMP, or Real-Time Messaging Protocol developed by Adobe Systems for streaming audio and video over the Internet. RTMP remains popular for live streaming applications because of its low-latency and real-time capabilities.
Key Features of RTMP:
- Low Latency: RTMP allows for real-time streaming, minimizing the delay between capture and playback, making it suitable for live broadcasts, gaming, and interactive applications.
- Adaptive Streaming: RTMP can support adaptive bitrate streaming, enabling a smoother viewing experience on varying network conditions. This means that the quality of the stream can adjust dynamically based on the viewer’s bandwidth.
- Streaming Protocol: Initially designed for streaming audio and video, RTMP allows for the transmission of live streams and on-demand videos. This makes it a versatile choice for broadcast, esports, and webinars.
- Connection Types: RTMP uses a persistent connection which maintains a steady stream of data. It can operate in various modes: RTMP (for streaming over TCP), RTMPS (secured via SSL), and RTMPT (encapsulated in HTTP for firewall traversal).
- Metadata Handling: RTMP can carry metadata about the media stream, which enhances the quality and functionality of applications built around it.
Use Cases:
- Live Streaming: Widely used for sports streaming, online events, gaming broadcasts, and other live content where latency is critical.
- Interactive Applications: Suitable for applications that require real-time communication, such as video conferencing and interactive gaming.
- Content Delivery: Used to deliver media content from a server to a player, particularly in scenarios where high performance and quick delivery are required.
Key Components:
- RTMP Server: A server that handles incoming RTMP streams from the encoder or broadcaster and distributes them to viewers. Popular RTMP servers include Youtube, Facebook, Twitch, Restream, Adobe Media Server, Wowza Streaming Engine, NGINX with the RTMP module, and Red5.
- RTMP Encoder: A tool or software that converts audio and video into an RTMP-compliant format for streaming to an RTMP server. Examples include Viduo, OBS Studio, Wirecast, and vMix.
- RTMP Client/Player: The application or player that receives RTMP streams and plays them back. While Flash Player was the original client, modern alternatives like HTML5 players and applications built using frameworks such as Video.js or JW Player are now used, often with support for RTMP.
RTMP in Viduo:
RTMP continues to play a significant role in the live streaming landscape, enabling real-time audio and video dissemination. At Viduo, we’ve introduced an easy-to-use interface that lets you multistream to various RTMP servers, including those with SSL connections.

RTMP Server URL:
Select a destination URL with a server that is close to your location. Platforms such as Twitch provide multisite options to ensure optimal latency and connection. Usually, you’ll receive an rtmp or rtmps link that you can easily copy into the Viduo Streaming dialog.
Stream Key:
The stream key is used to ensure that only authorized users can stream to a particular server or application endpoint. This helps prevent unauthorized access and ensures that only legitimate streams are accepted. By requiring a stream key, you add a layer of security to your streaming setup. The key must be known by both the client and the server, helping to protect against spoofing and potential misuse of your streaming service. It allows streaming services to control who can broadcast content. When a user attempts to establish an RTMP connection, they must supply the correct strream key; otherwise, the connection will be rejected. Stream Key is hashed in Viduo application