How to Live Stream Outside Successfully: A Step-by-Step Guide [2024 Update]

Live streaming outdoors opens up new and exciting possibilities for sharing real-time events and experiences with a global audience. To successfully navigate how to stream outside, there are several key factors to consider. Most importantly, understanding how to live stream outdoors requires a reliable outdoor streaming setup, including robust internet connectivity and durable equipment. To stream outside effectively, focus on portability and versatility is essential.

An outdoor live stream also requires selecting the right live stream outdoor camera and ensuring it can handle varying weather conditions. Furthermore, streaming on the go or live streaming on the go also involves managing power sources and securing your gear. 

In this guide, we cover all aspects of how to set up an outdoor live stream. We provide tips on selecting the best equipment, optimizing connectivity, and addressing potential challenges. Whether you’re planning an outside live stream sporting event, a travel vlog, or anything else, mastering the essentials of outdoor streaming. By the end, you’ll be able to live stream on the go and create outdoors streaming that is seamless and engaging for your audience.

Table of Contents:

• Access a Fast, Reliable Internet Connection
• Outdoor Live Streaming Equipment
• Prepare for Wind, Water, and Rough Weather
• How to Live Stream Outside Successfully
• Conclusion

Accessing a Fast, Reliable Internet Connection

To broadcast live events of any sort, you need a fast and reliable internet connection or a wifi hotspot for live streaming. There’s no workaround for this key component of live streaming. We generally recommend an internet speed of 25 Mbps (Megabits per second) for live-streaming high-definition video. You can measure the speed of your current connection at TestMy Internet Speed Test

Keeping these speed limitations in mind, there are four main options for getting online and live-streaming outdoor events. Let’s examine each approach one by one to get a better idea of how to livestream outside.

Ethernet Cable or Wi-Fi hotspot

If there is a nearby business or institution with a fast internet connection, you may be able to use their network to live stream outdoor content. Since a hardwired connection will always be faster and more reliable than a Wi-Fi hotspot (and thus, better for live streaming), this is a great option. It’s also cheap and easy to set up.

However, this approach isn’t practical in most locations. Why? The maximum distance that you can run an Ethernet cable is around 300 feet.

Find a Cell Phone or Mobile Hotspot

In many cities and urban areas, 5G LTE networks are fast enough for use in live streaming. A cell phone or mobile hotspot is cheap, easy to set up, and probably already something you have. You can’t beat this option for simplicity and ease of use.

However, the main drawback here is reliability. For example, will your cell phone battery last for a continuous 6-hour broadcast? (Consider a power brick.) Relatedly, the event you plan to broadcast live will likely attract a crowd. If those people also all use their cell phones, the local cell network may become congested and slow down.

There are other concerns as well. A simple one is bandwidth: live streaming can rapidly suck it up. As a result, overage charges (or worse yet, bandwidth throttling in the middle of your live event) can create challenges.

Use Cellular Bonding

One way to overcome the issues of cell network congestion is to combine multiple cell provider networks into one superfast internet connection. This is called cellular bonding. Unless you’re renting a satellite truck, cellular bonding is the most reliable, professional method for streaming outdoor events.

Cellular bonding combines the speeds of multiple networks—including 2.5G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, and Wi-Fi—into a single fast and reliable internet connection for broadcast purposes. This creates a reliable, redundant internet connection. In particular, this setup should provide broadcast-quality speeds even during major public events. For example, many television stations use these systems for live streaming.

Finally, what if you need the highest quality and reliability, or you to broadcast in locations where cell networks simply don’t exist? In those cases, you should consider a satellite linkage. This is the nuclear option: it’s expensive and may be overkill, but it will get the job done.

Outdoor Live Streaming Equipment

Live streaming outdoor events require the same basic outdoor live streaming equipment as any other live stream. In a previous article, we wrote a comprehensive introduction to mobile video gear before.

To recap, here’s a quick overview. Essential outdoor mobile live-streaming equipment includes:

• Reliable Camera for Live Streaming
• Audio Capture Equipment
• Stabilizing Equipment
• Portable Lighting Gear
• Encoding software or hardware
• Mixing/production setup (optional, or can be located off-site)
• Extra Batteries

In an outdoor setting, you’ll most likely use a mobile on-camera hardware encoder, such as those by Mushroom NetworksTeradek. These devices generally use an H.264 encoder to compress your video footage in real time. Some cellular bonding devices can transit directly to your CDN with no need for another server. You can also configure these devices to transmit directly to your studio. At that location, you can mix that video content with other footage and insert it into an ongoing broadcast.

On-camera hardware encoders that include cellular bonding require external USB modems from cellular providers. You purchase this outdoor streaming equipment separately and then plug it into your encoder to provide reliable internet connectivity. In general, you want to purchase a USB modem from each major cellular provider in your area. This will help you to avoid dead spots.

In addition, you’ll need a data plan for each one. Often this entails securing at least 4 data plan subscriptions. However, sometimes as many as 8 are needed for the highest-quality broadcasts.

Prepare for Wind, Water, and Rough Weather

Though bandwidth is the main issue for outdoor events, it’s not the only challenging factor. The second major consideration is the weather. Wind can play havoc with audio recording. Therefore, any outdoor audio recording should include the morbidly named “dead kitties” (or windscreens) on all microphones.

Rain and other precipitation are also a major concern for live streaming outdoors. B&H Photo Video stocks a wide range of rain covers for different types of cameras and other recording equipment. Make sure to use weather-resistant cabling for outdoor broadcasts.

Another major logistical challenge to an outdoor recording is power, given that you may not have access to electrical outlets. The solution here is batteries: lots and lots of batteries. For continuous live streaming, you may need a battery system that allows “hot-swapping” without interrupting the stream.

How to Live Stream Outside Successfully

In addition to all the best practices described above, the key to a successful outdoor live stream is the proper live encoder settings. Streaming outdoors largely depends on the final destination for your broadcast. That said, we can make a few general recommendations for users on the Dacast platform:

• Video Codec: H.264 AVC or X264
• Audio Codec: AAC or AAC-LC
• Video Resolution: Your Choice
• Video Bitrate: see detailed recommendations here.
• VBR: We recommend Variable Bitrates
• Frames per second (FPS): 30 is standard, but 24, 25, 50, and 60 are also common.
• Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds

Additionally, with the Dacast platform, users can choose multi-streaming settings for video content, whether it’s a video on demand (VOD) or live streaming. You’ll want to choose from a set of renditions that include the bitrates and resolutions that suit your intended audience.

Dacast suggests this set of live encoder resolution & bitrate settings for most broadcasters:

Best Apps and Solutions for Outdoor Live Streaming

Outdoor live broadcasting has become more accessible and dynamic with the progression of advanced apps and solutions. For those looking to engage in outdoor live video streaming—especially for activities like live sports—a combination of high-quality apps and reliable equipment is essential.

Here are some of the best apps and solutions available for outdoor, on-the-go streaming.

Twitch: Twitch remains a premier platform for outdoor live broadcasting. It offers features tailored for a smooth streaming experience. Learning how to stream outside on Twitch involves using a mobile device or a more sophisticated setup with an outdoor live streaming camera. The Twitch app supports on-the-go streaming, making it convenient for many outdoor events.

Streamlabs: Streamlabs is another great option. It provides an intuitive interface and powerful customization tools. It integrates seamlessly with multiple platforms, including Twitch, and supports a plethora of outdoor streaming equipment.

Teradek: For those wanting the highest quality outdoor live broadcasting solutions, Teradek offers high-quality video encoders. This ensures stable streams, even in challenging environments. Paired with an outdoor webcam for streaming or a more advanced camera, it provides superior video quality.

IRLTV: This solution is designed for live streaming in public spaces. That means it supports a wide range of outdoor streaming equipment, such as mobile devices like smartphones to dedicated outdoor live streaming cameras. 

A successful outdoor live broadcast requires investing in the right equipment to stream live sport outdoors and any other event. This includes being equipped with durable cameras and a reliable internet connection to deliver a seamless viewing experience outdoors.

Conclusion

Outdoor live streaming can be a challenge, but the results are worthwhile. As we mentioned above, outdoor live-streaming events are some of the most exciting and important to cover.  Luckily, the technology required—such as professional-grade cameras with live streaming capabilities and a stable internet connection—for live streaming outdoors successfully has come a long way in recent years. With the tips we’ve covered in this article, you hope you can pull off streaming on the go with minimal issues.

Do you need an online video platform for hosting and live-stream delivery? The Dacast platform is here to help!

Dacast includes CDN-delivered live streaming and VOD hosting video monetization, streaming analytics, and more—all at affordable prices.

You can try Dacast and all its features free for 14 days, today.

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Finally, if you have special concerns about outdoor streaming, feel free to contact our team directly to discuss your needs. We’re here to help, and we’d love to walk you through any problems or concerns!

For more regular tips on live streaming, as well as exclusive offers, you can join our LinkedIn group. Thanks for reading, and best of luck with your live-streaming endeavors.