> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://gsfcorp.gitbook.io/macula/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://gsfcorp.gitbook.io/macula/administration-guide-v1.33.0/live-podcasts.md).
# Live Podcasts
Macula channels can be shared by streaming over RTMP and thus be used for live casting - either with popular streaming services or with your own RTMP server. This manual covers examples of how to set up live streaming for Youtube and Wowza live casts - working with other RTMP servers is similar.
{% hint style="danger" %}
Before sharing a channel, check its settings and make sure that:
* the channel is enabled in the configuration and video is available,
* stream codec is **H.264** (other codecs will not work!),
* if you want to use substream and/or audio, make sure you have enabled them in the channel properties.
{% endhint %}
To access **shared channel management** in Macula Console, go to the *Configuration* section in the bottom left panel and select the *Live Podcasts* component in the menu on the left.
Click the *+ New live podcast* button in the upper panel to bring up the shared channel creation dialog box.
First, choose where you are going to stream the channel: it can be a specific public service or generic RTMP streaming to a service that is not listed, including your own RTMP server; depending on your choice, settings may vary to suit the specific service. Then, enter streaming configuration.
The table below explains the settings in details.
| Setting | Description | Default value |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- |
| Sharing type | Choose between Youtube, Wowza or generic RTMP streaming | Generic RTMP |
| Channel | Target channel to be streamed | \[none] |
| Use substream | When not enabled, main (higher resolution) stream will be used; enable this option if you want to cast the lower resolution stream | Disabled |
| Enable audio | Enable this option to include sound for the shared channel, works both for main and secondary streams | Enabled |
| RTMP URL | Full URL to be used for casting, the link is normally provided by the RTMP streaming engine | \[empty] |
#### Youtube Live Streaming
Youtube live casting can use RTMP streams from your Macula server for further streaming.
In order to set up live streaming with Youtube, log in to your account on youtube.com and go to Creator Studio tools -> Live streaming -> Stream now. If you have never created any live casts before, you may have to verify your account - just follow the guidelines on the website.
{% hint style="danger" %}
You need to have a valid Youtube (Google) account in order to be able to use this type of streaming, and comply with Youtube live streaming conditions. GSF is not responsible for the third-party service operability and policies.
{% endhint %}
Scroll down to the *Encoder Setup* section: you will need the link and the secret stream key in order to build the RTMP link.
In Macula Console, open the *Shared Channels* section and add a new shared channel, fill in the settings as follows:
* **Sharing type**: Youtube
* **Channel**: target channel from the list of existing channels
* **Use substream**: up to you
* **Enable audio**: up to you
* **RTMP URL**: *rtmp\://\/\*, where
* *rtmp\://* indicates that RTMP protocol will be used for streaming
* *\* is Server URL link provided by Youtube, e.g., *a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/*
* *\* is Stream Name/Key generated by Youtube in the form of xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx
#### Wowza Streaming
Alike Youtube, Wowza streaming engine can receive video feeds from Macula server and stream them out to any device. You need to install Wowza Streaming Engine first and then configure live streaming as described below.
{% hint style="danger" %}
Macula does not include any installation files or licenses for Wowza Media Systems software. Wowza engine is used as a third-party agent capable of receiving RTMP streams; all installation, setup and management of this engine is to be handled by you or your Wowza administrator, and GSF is not responsible for the third-party engine operability and policies.
{% endhint %}
First, go to your Wowza Streaming Engine Manager and create a **new application** of the *Live* type.
{% hint style="danger" %}
Once you have created a new application, go to the *Source Security* settings of that application in your Wowza Streaming Engine Manager and set **RTMP Sources** security to **Open** (no authentication). This is required as Macula currently does not support authentication for RTMP streaming.
{% endhint %}
Then, go to Macula Console, open the *Shared Channels* section and add a new shared channel, then fill in the settings as follows:
* **Sharing type**: Wowza
* **Channel**: target channel from the list of existing channels
* **Use substream**: up to you
* **Enable audio**: up to you
* **RTMP URL**: *rtmp\://\:\/\/\*, where
* *rtmp\://* indicates that RTMP protocol will be used for streaming
* *\* is Wowza Streaming Engine server address - either IP or domain name
* *\* is target (remote) RTMP port, 1935 by default
* *\* is the name of the application you have created in Wowza
* *\* is a custom name for the RTMP stream (can be any name, use underscores instead of spaces), will appear in Wowza automatically
When you have finished, click *OK* to save and exit; the newly created channel share will appear in the item list and Macula server will attempt to stream the data to the target URL at once. If you wish to pause the streaming, use the *Disable* button on the top panel. After sharing the channel, you should be able to view the stream on the RTMP server side and start the casting, if it has not started automatically.
{% hint style="info" %}
If you have trouble receiving the stream on the RTMP server side, check the following:
* make sure all used software is allowed through the firewall(s),
* restart the RTMP server,
* refresh connection list on the RTMP server side or refresh the webpage;
* remove the shared channel in Macula Console and try sharing the channel anew.
{% endhint %}
To edit any of the previously created channel shares, double-click it in the item list or select any with single mouse click and then hit the *Edit* button on the upper panel. Use the *Search* field in the upper-right-hand corner to quickly find the existing items, and the *Disable* button to **disable and enable** channel sharing. Use the  recycle bin button in the upper-right-hand corner to remove one or multiple shares: hold *CTRL* or *Shift* to select several items at once, or *CTRL+A* to select all (actual original channels will not be affected).
{% hint style="info" %}
When you remove the original channel (with or without its originating device), all shared channels based on it are removed from the configuration automatically as well.
{% endhint %}
Filters in the bottom panel allow you to load recently added/modified items.
