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How to Set Up a Live Stream with MEDIAL (Using OBS)



Setting up a live stream should feel empowering, not mysterious. With MEDIAL and OBS, you can launch a clean, branded live experience that runs smoothly on any page. The workflow is straightforward: configure your live channel and what displays during each moment, then connect OBS using the RTMP details MEDIAL provides.


Here is the full setup flow, written step-by-step and organized so you can follow it without getting lost.



Table of Contents



1) Create or select your MEDIAL live stream channel


Start in your MEDIAL dashboard.


  1. Click the Live Streaming icon in your dashboard.

  2. If you have not created a channel yet, set up a new live stream channel.

  3. Select your channel and click Edit

  4. Once you click edit, you land in what MEDIAL calls the director view.


2) Use director view to control what happens during the event


The director view is where MEDIAL helps you manage live and pre-live moments. This matters because a live stream rarely starts with a hard cut from nothing. You typically want a holding screen, a pre-roll, and a smooth switch into the main event.


Preview scenes before you go live


At the top of director view, you will see a Preview option. This lets you switch between scenes without affecting the actual live stream. In other words, you can confirm that everything looks right on the page before you push it live.


Schedule transitions automatically (based on time)


MEDIAL also includes a based on time option. This is ideal for events with predictable timing.


For example:


  • At 4pm, show a pre-event holding slide

  • At 5pm, switch to the live stream

  • At 6pm, move to an interval scene


You can fully automate these transitions so you are not manually changing scenes every time a segment ends.


Assign a user for live production


There is also an assigned user option. This is a big win when someone else is managing production on the day. You can give a specific user access to log in and control the live stream, while you focus on the event content rather than the switches.


3) Configure appearances: what viewers see at each stage


With director view set up, the next step is to decide what appears to audiences across each stage of the event.


Go to Appearances. For every stage, you can choose exactly what the viewer sees.


Options include:

  • Pre-recorded video

  • Static images

  • Custom HTML

    (for example, linking to your websites)

  • MEDIAL default videos

  • Uploaded branded content


This is where your stream starts to feel like your brand, not a generic player. A holding slide that matches your colors. A pre-roll that matches your event identity. Then the live segment begins when you want it to.


4) Enhance the experience with page modules


Next, click Page Modules. This is where you can elevate the viewer experience further during the stream.


Common enhancements include:


  • Enabling messaging

  • Creating branded headers

  • Displaying text during any part of the event

  • Adding hyperlinks


These details make a big difference, especially for professional webinars, conferences, product launches, and internal company events. The goal is simple: keep the stream polished and aligned with your brand while supporting your event goals.


5) Set destination and archiving for post-event playback


Once the live stream is configured, head to Settings, then focus on Destination.


In Destination, you decide what happens after the live stream ends.


  • If you enable archiving, MEDIAL will automatically record the event and save it to your library for on-demand playback

    This is useful for compliance, community access, and repurposing content later without re-recording anything manually.


6) Select the correct playback page before connecting OBS


Before you open OBS, confirm you are on the correct playback page in director view. The key idea: make sure the scene you want audiences to see when the live stream starts is the one currently selected. This avoids a common mistake where the stream begins but the wrong page is live.


7) Connect OBS to MEDIAL using RTMP


Now you move to OBS.


  1. Open OBS

  2. Go to Settings

  3. Navigate to the Stream section

  4. Set the Service to Custom


Next, you copy the RTMP details from MEDIAL and paste them into OBS.


What to copy from MEDIAL into OBS


  1. In MEDIAL, copy the server name

  2. Paste it into the URL field in OBS

  3. Ensure the URL includes RTMP: and starts with // (two forward slashes) before the rest of the server URL.

  4. Copy the application name from MEDIAL and add it to the end of the server URL.

  5. Copy the file name from MEDIAL and paste it into the stream key field in OBS.


The username and password are provided by MEDIAL Support.


Start streaming


Once all fields are entered correctly, click Start Streaming in OBS. That is it. Your OBS stream is now being pushed into MEDIAL.


Quick checklist for a smooth first go


  • Director view has the correct playback page selected before you start streaming.

  • Appearances are configured for each stage you need (pre-roll, live, interval, etc.).

  • Page Modules are set up to match your brand and event goals.

  • Destination archiving is enabled if you want automatic on-demand playback.

  • OBS is set to Service: Custom and RTMP values are entered correctly.

  • OBS Start Streaming is triggered only after the setup is complete.


FAQ


Do I need to use OBS to stream with MEDIAL?


MEDIAL supports live streaming workflows where OBS is commonly used. In this setup, you configure MEDIAL and then connect OBS via RTMP settings provided by MEDIAL.


What does the director view preview do?


The preview lets you switch between scenes for checking purposes without changing what is actually live. This helps you confirm the correct layout and content before going live.


Can scene changes be automated?


Yes. MEDIAL includes a based on time option, so you can schedule transitions at specific times, such as pre-event, live start, and interval screens.


Where do the RTMP values go in OBS?


In OBS, set Stream service to Custom, then paste the server name into the URL field (with RTMP and //), add the application name to the end of the URL, and place the file name into the stream key field.


How does archiving work?


If you enable archiving in MEDIAL destination settings, MEDIAL will automatically record the event and store it in your library for on-demand playback.


Final thoughts


The best part of this setup is how clearly it separates responsibilities. MEDIAL handles the event experience and timing. OBS handles the live video input. When you connect them with the right RTMP settings, you get a reliable, brand-aligned live stream that can also be archived for later.



 
 
 

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