Streaming Setup on a VPS with OBS, MistServer, and Tailscale
from WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com to selfhosted@lemmy.world on 27 Dec 23:55
https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/34305654

I’m trying to set up a streaming server on a VPS. I’m using OBS Studio and MistServer in a Debian docker container with noVNC access to control it.

MistServer is supposed to be able to detect a stream on the local network and then create a custom RTMP key so that it can be passed to OBS studio and then streamed to multiple platforms simultaneously.

I was thinking that I could use Tailscale to create a virtual network, and that should connect the camera to MistServer. If I do that, could I just use the Tailscale IP as the RTMP IP address and then have it treat the camera as if it is on a local network?

Essentially:

Camera wired to iPad > Tailscale > MistServer > OBS Studio > Multiple Streaming Platforms

Is there some better way to do this that I’m totally missing?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Edit: to clarify, I’m talking about a livestream of my own live content that I create, not a Plex stream of media or anything.

#selfhosted

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justinthegeek@lemmy.sdf.org on 27 Dec 23:59 next collapse

Why use the VPS? I’m missing something but as long the bandwidth is high enough and the latency is low enough it should work. As with any VPN, you’re not “directly” on the network so auto detect might not work.

WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 28 Dec 01:23 collapse

My apartment has internet that is just ok—I wanted the more reliable connection. I will be streaming IRL, so I can’t be on the local network.

They have streaming server services, but they are $100 per month, and I can get a high bandwidth VPS for much cheaper, and I have the tech skills to set things up myself. Just stumbling at the final hurdle here.

just_another_person@lemmy.world on 28 Dec 00:59 next collapse

Why?

WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 28 Dec 01:23 collapse

To stream IRL in Mexico.

just_another_person@lemmy.world on 28 Dec 01:34 collapse

Simpler ways to do that…

WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 28 Dec 01:38 collapse

Care to give me a hint?

just_another_person@lemmy.world on 28 Dec 02:03 collapse

This is not a forum on how to pirate

WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 28 Dec 02:18 collapse

Bruh, pirate? I’m talking about a livestream. A livestream of me that I will broadcast to an audience. Totally legal, no copyright—my original content.

just_another_person@lemmy.world on 28 Dec 02:24 collapse

Why all the hoops in your post then? Just stream it.

WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 28 Dec 02:30 collapse

Because OBS studio allows me to have more control of the stream, do overlays on the screen, etc. I need to remotely connect to that software, and then it broadcasts it to Kick, YouTube, etc.

If I stream directly, then it will cut the stream if I lose cell connection, which is likely at times in Mexico, and I will basically be stuck to streaming on one service at a time.

The other advantage of having overlays with my username is that it will help people find me if I get clipped and put on YouTube by viewers.

This is an example of a service that does what I’m trying to do, but I’m trying to do the same thing for much cheaper:

irltoolkit.com

warmaster@lemmy.world on 28 Dec 02:45 collapse

Maybe I’m missing something. But why not stream from your ipad to your OBS Studio on your PC via Tailscale?

If you want to stream to multiple services why not use Datarhei Restreamer instead of Mist server?

WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 28 Dec 02:59 collapse

I’m basically trying to do exactly what you are describing in your first paragraph. As I understand it, OBS Studio wants the camera directly connected to the device it is on, and MistServer allows it to be remotely connected from a different device on the local network. I’m trying to use Tailscale to create a local-ish network environment.

I haven’t heard of Dararhei before—I will definitely investigate that to see if it is a better solution than MistServer. From a cursory look, it seems like they basically do the same thing.