Platform

Creator Audio and Video

Streams can be set up as audio-only or with video. Audio-only streams display the uploaded thumbnail in place of the video feed.

HotMic supports two streaming modes: Easy Mode (browser-based) and Advanced Mode (external software via RTMP).

Easy Mode (Browser-Based)

In Easy Mode, hosts stream directly from the Creator Studio using their device camera and microphone. This is the recommended mode for most broadcasts.

Device Selection

Before going live, hosts select their preferred camera and microphone from a setup modal. If a device becomes unavailable during the broadcast, the system prompts the host to select an alternative.

Multi-Host Support

A broadcast supports 1 to 6 hosts on screen simultaneously. Additional hosts (co-hosts) join the same session and their video feeds are composited together in real time by the Composer Service.

Quality Adaptation

HotMic captures video up to 1920×1080 resolution, depending on the host's bandwidth and device capabilities. The system automatically adapts quality:

  • If the host's network or device cannot sustain the selected resolution, quality is automatically downgraded.
  • The system monitors bandwidth in real time and adjusts both the host's own feed and co-host feeds independently.
  • Quality upgrades are applied when conditions improve.

Video Controls

During a broadcast, hosts have access to the following controls:

  • Mute Audio Toggles the host's microphone on/off. Indicator turns red when muted.
  • Hide Camera Toggles the host's video feed on/off. Indicator turns red when hidden.
  • Share Screen Shares the host's screen as a video source. Can be used alongside the camera.
  • Layout Switches the active composition template. See Templates for off-the-shelf and custom template options.
  • Settings Opens device selection and stream configuration.

Screen Sharing

Hosts can share their screen (or a specific application window) during the broadcast. The shared screen appears as an additional video source in the composition. Screen sharing can run alongside the host's camera feed.

Advanced Mode (RTMP)

In Advanced Mode, hosts use external streaming software such as OBS Studio, StreamYard, or vMix to send video to HotMic via RTMP. This mode is ideal for professional setups with multi-camera rigs, custom scenes, or pre-produced content.

When Advanced Mode is selected, the Creator Studio displays the RTMP server URL and stream key for that broadcast.

RTMP Connection Details

  • Server URL: Provided in the Creator Studio (format: rtmp://rtmp.hotmic.io/origin/)
  • Stream Key: Unique per stream, displayed in the setup overlay. An alternate key is also available.

| Setting | Value | |---------|-------| | Encoder | x264 or hardware encoder | | Resolution | 1920×1080 (or 1080×1920 for vertical) | | Bitrate | Up to 5000–10000 Kbps (bandwidth permitting) | | Frame Rate | 30 FPS | | Audio Sample Rate | 44.1 kHz | | Audio Channels | Stereo |

OBS Setup Instructions

  1. Open OBS Studio. Go to Settings → Stream.
  2. Set Stream Type to "Custom Streaming Server."
  3. Paste the Server URL from the Creator Studio.
  4. Paste the Stream Key from the Creator Studio.
  5. Go to Settings → Output → Advanced → Streaming:
    • Set Encoder to x264.
    • Enable "Rescale Output" and enter your target resolution.
    • Set Bitrate (up to 10000 Kbps if your upload bandwidth allows).
  6. Go to Settings → Audio:
    • Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
    • Channels: Stereo
  7. Go to Settings → Video:
    • Base and Output Resolution: Match your target (e.g., 1920×1080).
    • FPS: 30

RTMP Forwarding

In addition to streaming into HotMic, broadcasts can be simultaneously forwarded to external platforms via RTMP. Up to 3 RTMP destinations can be configured (e.g., YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Twitch). Forwarding is set up in the stream configuration before going live.

Advanced Mode Limitations

  • Co-hosts cannot join on-page in the Creator Studio (all participants must connect via the RTMP software).
  • Media overlays and image controls are not available in the browser — use your streaming software's scene editor instead.
  • Screen sharing is handled within the external software, not the Creator Studio.

Video Output

Regardless of which mode is used, the Composer Service processes all video inputs and produces the final output:

  • HLS — Adaptive bitrate live stream delivered via CDN to viewers. The viewer's device and network conditions automatically select the best quality.
  • RTMP Forwarding — Optional simultaneous output to external platforms.
  • VOD — After the broadcast ends, the stream is available as video-on-demand for replay.

The Composer Service runs on GPU-accelerated cloud infrastructure, enabling real-time composition of multi-host layouts, overlays, graphics, and media into a single output stream.

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