Have you ever experienced this? You’re streaming live and suddenly realise that your viewers are reacting to comments that you haven’t even seen yet. Or even worse: during an important live event, your stream is delayed so much that the interaction with the audience is completely out of control. Welcome to every streamer’s nightmare – the dreaded latency.
But don’t worry, you’re not alone with this problem. As experts in livestream technology, we know exactly how frustrating delays can be. In this article, we’ll show you how to get your streaming latency under control and finally achieve the smooth, lag-free transmission you’ve always wanted.
What is latency and why does it make your life difficult?
Latency is nothing more than the time delay between the moment something happens in front of your camera and the moment your viewers see it on their screens. Imagine waving to the camera and your viewers waving back seconds later – that’s latency in action.
This delay is caused by various technical processes. Your video must first be recorded by the camera, then compressed, transmitted via the Internet, processed on a server and finally forwarded to your viewers’ end devices. Each of these steps takes time.
The bitrate trap: why more is not always better
Many streamers think that a higher bit rate solves all problems. The bit rate describes how much data is transmitted per second. More data means better quality, but also longer transmission times. It’s like a water pipe: the more water you want to push through, the bigger the pipe needs to be – otherwise a traffic block will result.
With bitrate video streaming, the right balance is important. Too high a bitrate will overtax both your upload speed and the download capacity of your viewers. The result? Delays and dropouts that nobody wants.
Adaptive bitrate streaming is the intelligent solution here. This technology automatically adapts the data rate to the available internet connection. Poor connection? Lower bitrate. Good connection? Higher quality. This keeps your stream stable and latency low.
Streaming protocols: each has its place
RTMP: the workhorse of the streaming world
RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) is the proven protocol for uploading from your studio to the server. OBS, vMix and hardware encoders use RTMP to transfer your streams reliably. It is stable, widely used and works well even with fluctuating internet connections.
SRT: developed for unstable networks
SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) is the modern alternative to RTMP, specially developed for unstable network connections. Ideal for mobile applications or outdoor transmissions where the internet connection is unpredictable. SRT can automatically correct data loss and also works securely over public Internet connections. However, you will need a server with SRT support such as Wowza or appropriately configured OBS installations. If you are looking for an SRT server, we can also offer you an SRT server hosted by us.
HLS: the one-way street to the viewer
HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is a receiving protocol – it can only receive data from a server, but not send it back. Your browser uses HLS to receive and play the stream. This also explains why HLS typically has 6-30 seconds of latency: The stream is split into small segments that are loaded one after the other.
Important: HLS cannot send directly back to the server. You need additional technologies for interactive functions.
WebRTC: real-time interaction
WebRTC was specially developed for genuine bidirectional real-time communication. It enables latency times of less than one second and is perfect for interactive applications such as live chat, video conferencing or gaming streams.
But beware: WebRTC cannot be converted directly to RTMP or SRT. To do this, you need a media server that handles the protocol translation. You can also book this media server through us.
The Livestream Server: Your invisible partner
A powerful Livestream Server is the centrepiece of any professional broadcast. Think of it like a digital traffic controller that ensures that your data finds the shortest route to the viewers.
Geographical proximity plays a decisive role here. A video stream server in Germany can deliver data to German viewers much faster than a server abroad. This is why professional providers such as livestream-server.de rely on worldwide server networks with optimised routes. These specialised streaming servers are designed to process large amounts of data with minimal delay.
But a modern media server is more than just a fast data distributor – it is the invisible mediator between all protocols. Without it, modern streaming architecture would not be possible.
The way from your studio to the viewer
In a professional streaming environment, everything starts with your source: OBS, vMix or a hardware encoder send your video to the media server via RTMP or SRT. RTMP is the proven standard, while SRT comes into its own with unstable internet connections. Media servers such as Wowza or Ant Media receive this data and convert it for various target groups.
The server then intelligently redistributes your stream: HLS reaches large numbers of viewers via web players with acceptable latency, WebRTC enables real interaction for live chat and meetings, and RTMP Push ensures that your stream runs simultaneously on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook or Twitch. Finally, viewers get exactly the format that is optimal for them – HLS as the main stream in the browser or WebRTC for direct interaction.
Low latency streaming: the supreme discipline
Low latency streaming is not magic, but the result of clever technology and optimised configuration. The key is to choose the right protocol for the respective use case. WebRTC creates real interaction with less than a second’s delay, low-latency HLS serves large audiences with only 2-6 seconds of latency, while standard HLS offers maximum compatibility with 6-30 seconds.
Modern encoders such as the MINE MEDIA Q8 or Q9 support several protocols simultaneously. This allows you to optimally serve different target groups: WebRTC for interactive participants and HLS for passive viewers.
Video stream optimisation: The finishing touches
A professional video stream requires more than just good hardware. The right configuration of your streaming software can work wonders. Programmes such as OBS Studio offer free access to professional streaming features, while vMix scores particularly well for live productions with its advanced functions.
Practical tips for immediate improvements:
- Test upload speed: Many Internet connections have asymmetrical speeds. For streaming, you mainly need upload capacity.
- Use a cable connection: WLAN is practical, but Ethernet is more reliable for streaming.
- Minimise buffering: Reduce all buffer settings to the absolute minimum. Although this increases the risk of short dropouts, it eliminates unnecessary delays.
- Keep resources free: Close all unnecessary programmes. Your encoder should have absolute priority.
Future-proof streaming: What’s next?
Streaming technology is developing rapidly. New codecs such as AV1 promise better compression with the same quality, and 5G networks could revolutionise mobile streaming. Edge computing brings servers closer to users and further reduces latency.
But despite all the technology, don’t forget the most important thing: content is king. The best latency optimisation is useless if your content does not captivate your viewers.
Latency is beatable
Streaming without delay is no utopia, but easily achievable with the right architecture. The key lies in understanding the various protocols and their roles:
WebRTC for real-time interaction, SRT for secure transmissions over unstable networks, RTMP for reliable studio uploads, and HLS for delivery to large audiences – with a media server providing the link between all protocols.
Don’t forget: perfection is a process. Test different settings, analyse the results and continuously refine. With the right equipment and the correct understanding of the technology, you will soon be producing streams that feel as if your viewers are sitting in front of you live.
Ready for the next level? You’ll find everything you need in our Livestream Shop: from professional encoders to complete streaming solutions. Say goodbye to latency problems once and for all and find your perfect streaming setup for transmissions that react exactly as you want them to.