The plan: build a cheap, do-it-yourself version of the LiveU Solo ($995). This piece of equipment incorporates hardware channel bonding and real-time video transcoding for maintaining uninterrupted video quality while moving around outside. So we installed Speedify channel bonding software on a Raspberry Pi 4. We were able to incorporate the bonding part of the technology right off the bat. As for other main components: * Video camera: Sony AS-300 * Capture card: Elgato Cam Link * Remote: Circuit Playground Express * Mobile connections to combine: USB cellular dongles, tethered smartphones We programmed the remote buttons to control the stream. We're using ffmpeg on the Pi to live stream in 720p at 24 fps on Twitch.
Here are our requirements for this setup:
- we want to stay pretty close to a standard IRL streaming setup on the outside, keeping cables as concealed in the backpack as possible.
- we also want to be able to use any standard HD video camera. So, to make it work with the Raspberry Pi, we need a capture card capable of transcoding the raw camera footage into a format that the Pi can upload.
- we also need to program a button that can start and stop the stream.
- to keep the stream stable and reliable while moving around outside, we want to incorporate channel bonding. This way, we could send data out over multiple 4G mobile connections from different carriers at the same time.
There were 3 main processes we need to have working:
- Getting video from the camera into the Pi.
- Turning that raw live video footage into a streamable format.
- Broadcasting it through Speedify’s channel bonding VPN to Twitch.
After deciding on the components, the budget is about $600, which is still about $1000 cheaper than the Gunrun backpack. Plus – you may not need to purchase all of this equipment if you already have similar items available.
We tried building OBS on the Raspberry Pi, but it is too unstable and ffmpeg works completely in the command line. This is ideal for being able to operate this setup, without an interface, in a backpack. If you need OBS features, other on-the-go streaming setups use cloud streaming services like Psynaps Servers for adding overlays, alerts, and controlling scenes. You would be able to use them with this setup as well.
So, after programming the remote (see here on GitHub), you can live stream online to Twitch in 720p at 24 fps. We’ve also tested it at 1080p and up to 60 frames per second, but the performance is not as reliable and the Pi is more at risk of overheating. If you’re using the Psynaps cloud streaming servers recommended by the Gunrun Backpack, you’re capped at 720p regardless.
Speedify is set to automatic start so it runs as soon as the Pi boots up. This way, we don’t need a UI for the Pi once we get everything together
Get the full story and details here: https://speedify.com/blog/how-to/build-irl-streaming-backpack-complete-guide/
- 1 × Raspberry Pi 4 For live streaming and bonding multiple Internet connections
- 1 × Sony HDR-AS300 Popular video camera used for streaming. You can use any HD camera that works with a USB capture card.
- 1 × Micro HDMI to HDMI cable Connect the video camera to the capture card
- 1 × GeeekPi Acrylic Case for Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, Raspberry Pi Case with Cooling Fan & 4 Heatsinks Protect the Raspberry Pi and cool it
- 1 × Adafruit Circuit Playground Express Enclosure Protect the Circuit Playground Express, as you'll use it outside
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Install Raspbian on your Raspberry Pi 4
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Install Speedify channel bonding software on Raspberry Pi 4
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Install ffmpeg on Raspberry Pi 4
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Lu1 wrote 09/30/2020 at 05:10
I've ran into the same issue as jimmy it seems, I'm trying to reach speedify for help
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theNetImp wrote 06/24/2020 at 08:55
theNetImp wrote 06/20/2020 at 00:14
I'm having a hard time installing FFMPEG on the Raspberry Pi following those instructions.
ERROR: gnutls not found using pkg-config
gnutls is installed. I have set the CONFIG_PATH
That is what I get, anyone have any thoughts as to what may be the problem? I am using Buster Lite as the OS. I've try dropping it down to whatever version of Raspbian was out when the post was initially made, but have the same problem.
Speedify Labs wrote 09/27/2019 at 20:08
... and not only! From what we tested, it's got similar functionalities to more expensive setups that are used by IRL streamers on Twitch, YouTube, etc.
It seems the original poster is MIA... Maybe no longer with the company.
I was trying to build a docker container that I could publish this so people didn't have to deal with it themselves, but there is actually an issue with the compilation process, and it is beyond my experience. I am going to try and link up with some friends and see if they can help some. If I can get past the error I am getting I'll let you know...