When live streaming, having a good internet speed with a stable connection is crucial. But how can you ensure that? What is the ideal upload speed for seamlessly streaming your live show without compromising quality?
We’ve got you covered with guidelines on how to test your upload speed, factors that affect it, methods to increase it, and what to do if you have low upload speed. We’ll also provide recommendations to help you resolve such issues.
It’s time to hit the jackpot and uncover the tips and tricks to achieve a good upload speed, avoiding common challenges. This blog will guide you through the easiest ways to get started with live streaming and ensure you have a the right ideas to get started. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What is Download and Upload speed for Live Streaming?
The world is always ready to expend on online content in any form. People never stop chasing their favorite streams, watching or consuming them, storing, recording, or downloading to rewatch or save their favorite pieces on their devices. To perform these actions, their devices must be ready to ingest data received in the form of bits and bytes.
| 📥 Download Speed The term download speed signifies how swiftly you can extract or transmit data from a server, from which you receive a signal on the Internet, to the device you are using with a stable Internet connection. |
| 📤 Upload Speed On the other hand, the term upload speed implies the measurement of how quickly your device and Internet connection can send data to the Internet for streaming. |
Knowing these criteria, you can now easily get your devices and Internet connection ready with good download and upload speeds to start your live streaming today! Let’s explore the technical aspects of the actual range that you should maintain and optimize to achieve good quality streaming.
What Is A Good Upload Speed For Live Streaming?
A good upload speed is what makes your live streaming flawless in reaching the audience at its best streaming quality. Attaining a good upload speed is not derived from one single factor, you need to focus on major aspects like :
- Content Type
- Resolution rate in progressively displayed pixels
- Storage capacity
- Recording option
- Streaming capabilities
- Live streaming platform
- Multistreaming facilities
- Custom RTMP server
For instance, let’s say you are looking for a good platform to live stream your talk show, there are various platforms available in the market, that let’s you both live stream in a single platform or multistream to multiple platforms.
Let’s talk about a good upload speed that some of the live streaming social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Twitch recommends that we thought you should know.
✅ Facebook: Facebook Live strictly recommends a range between 2,250 and 6,000 Kbps for video, and mostly 4000 kbps plus a max audio bitrate minimum of 96 Kbps and the maximum of 128 Kbps.
✅ YouTube: If you are planning to live stream in YouTube, a good upload speed ranges between 1500 kbps – 4000kps, also there is yet another range discussed in certain source that suggests a range between 3,000 and 8,000 Kbps for video, plus 128 Kbps for audio.
✅ Twitch: Twitch requires a recommended range between 3000 to 4500 Kbps for a better quality video and 160 kbps for audio.
✅ LinkedIn: LinkedIn needs only 5 Mbps upload speed with 720p maximum resolution.
Now that we have discussed about the requirements of the major platforms, its also equally important to know the usual video resolution for live streaming which is 720p, at 30 frames per second as per the guidelines.
But there are certain live streaming platforms like OnTheFly that allows streaming with the resolution quality of upto 1080p If you are streaming you will need at least 6 Mbps, and the platform supports to achieve it.
With 720p resolution you can upload a stream that requires 4,160 kilobits, or 4.16 Mbps, of data per second. Mostly a bandwidth of around 4 Mbps itself is more than enough is what we may think!
But you may need 4,160 kilobits of data per second constantly, which is higher than the usual range. The reason is, sometimes with this kilobits of data uploaded per second, you may face speed fluctuations leading to 30 % to 40 % of buffering.
This usually happens when there is an unstable internet connection which leads to buffering, in such cases a good upload range may reach up-to 5,700 kilobits per second, or 5.7 Mbps.
Because of this difference, make sure to test your upload speed, using the online speed test, before you start streaming. At the end of the test, you should be able to stream with 5.7 Mbps in 720p streaming HD quality.
How Can I Test The Speed Of My Live Streams?
Why should you test the speed of the live stream before you get started? Why is it crucial to do that? Only when you test the speed, you can pre-check the resolution quality of the broadcast.
Lets see how to check your upload speed in just few second.
Click on Fast.com and check the speed, before you start streaming!
What Affects My Live Streaming Speeds?
There are four main factors that are considered to affect the live streaming speed:
- Visual pace
- Wireless network
- Bandwidth.
- Overcrowding of platforms.
📌 Visual pace
The first and foremost thing that affects live streaming speed is the visuals, if the platform you are live streaming promises a higher visual resolution, some lets you stream with a minimum of 720p and a maximum of 1080p, in that case. When the resolution is higher, it might affect the speed, in that case, its good to stick on to the minimum quality.
📌 Wireless network
Wifi or other wireless networks are more prone to signal degradation, manual interference, weather iteruptions and much more. To overcome these problems, switch to ethernet.
📌 Overcrowding of platforms
Sometimes, when the platform you are using is overcrowded, you need to ensure that it doesn’t affect your video quality or compromise your upload speeds, as these are critical factors for live streaming.
📌 Bandwidth
Your livestreaming speed gets affected for various reasons, but as a foremost thing you need to consider the bandwidth. As bandwidth is usually measured in bits per second, and it is highlighly responsible for managing networks capacity for downloading and uploading data. If you planning to upload a larger amount of data or information , the larger the bandwidth you need.
How to Increase Your Upload Speed for Streaming?
Upload speed can fluctuate while streaming. When it decreases, you can use the following methods to technically improve it:
✔️ Software updation : Keep you software updated perdicocally to get your device ready to avoid performance issue that hinders your delays your stream.
✔️ An intuitive platform: Try live streaming form a premium live streaming platform, that supports your upload speed inspite of all the external hindrance, using such platforms increases your upload speed.
✔️ Device limitations: Make sure that there is no extra devices connected to your steaming device to avoid unnecessary bandwidth and data sharing.
✔️ Ethernet connection: Ethernet cable is far more better than other wireless devices, so opting for it will increase your upload speed no matter what.
✔️ ISP Network: If you are running a bigger business and are prone to live stream often, ISP will be a better option to manages both download and upload speed equally.
✔️ Speed draining factors: Unwanted tabs, and high efficient running apps may drain the speed, make sure to close all those before you begin streaming.
Following these steps would definitely help you increase your upload speed while streaming.
How to Stream With a Low Upload Speed?
If you experience low upload speeds, try streaming pre-recorded videos instead. This method not only conserves bandwidth but also allows you to deliver a polished stream. You can edit and present the recordings smoothly and flawlessly.
Recommended Upload Speeds for Streaming by Use Case
Now let’s some of the use cases that recommends a good upload speed for you to stream.
⚡ Education
Streaming educational content usually requires only lower upload speed of 1 Mbps as they higher resolution visuals. But for streaming fitness classes you definitely need a higher resolution visuals fro which the upload speed must be high, in that case you definitely need 4 to 5 Mbps upload speed.
⚡ Religious services
To stream a church worhsip or a live stream of any religious servives or occasions, you definitely need a HD resolution quality streaming of upto 1080p which needs an upload speed of upto 4Mbps. If you feel that the streaming resolution of 720p is enough then you only need 2 Mbps upload speed.
For live worship concert or events your upload speed must be between 2 to 5 Mbps as it needs to be streamed in a better resolution.
⚡ Gaming
Gamers needs to stream highly graphical content for which they definitely need a greater upload speed that varies between 6 to 8Mbps.
⚡ Sports
As sports events have a bigger audience group and there will be more viewers who shares the bandwidth, you need a upload speed of 11Mbps if you would like to stream in 720p resolution. If you wish to stream in 1080p your upload speed will get affected and you need it higher than 11 Mbps.
⚡ Music & Concerts
In case of conducting paid music concerts, you need a streaming quality of 1080p and 60fps. To achieve this, you need a minimum upload speed of 5.6 Mbps, with an ideal range between 7 and 8 Mbps.
⚡ Marketers
If you are going to focus on streaming marketing related videos like product launch, demos, case study or interviews you need an upload of 5.6 Mbps. If you plan to focus on streaming less quality streaming content like product to-do videos, then 2.2 to 5.1 Mbps upload speed is more than sufficient.
Conclusion
Now that you have a handful of information on what is a good upload speed and the required internet speed for streaming, it’s time to start streaming today. Its time to get started with your streaming goals without facing any hindrance or drawbacks. You’re all set! Just go and stream incredible content across the internet!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a good upload speed for live streaming?
A good upload speed ranges between 4 to 6Mbps for live streaming. For high resolution vidoe streaming you may need an upload speed of upto 11 Mbps.
What Kind of Internet Connection Do You Need in Order to Stream?
To stream flawlessly, you need a stable ethernet connection. You can also stream via Wi-Fi, but ethernet is highly recommended for the best performance.
What is a good Internet Speed for Live Streaming?
A good internet speed for live streaming requires a minimum of 5.5 Mbps for HD quality.
How to Test Internet Speed before You Start Live Streaming?
Test your internet speed using tools like fast.com before you start your live streaming.
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Srinivasan is a Digital Marketer who is passionate about live streaming based solution. He believes in spreading the latest tech trends. He is an avid reader and Loves to share views on the latest technologies, tips, and tricks.