Category Archives: Top Tips

Streaming Equipment Guide 2026: Choose the Right Gear for Your Needs

Your Guide to the Best Live Streaming Equipment Image

By Dacast Editorial Team | Reviewed by Jon Whitehead, COO at Dacast | Updated April 2026 What equipment do you need for live streaming? A complete live streaming setup requires four components: a video/audio source (camera + microphone), a video encoder (hardware or software), a streaming destination platform, and a stable internet connection. This guide […]

What Is HLS Streaming and When Should You Use It [2026 Update]

What Is HLS Streaming and When Should You Use It Image

HLS streaming (HTTP Live Streaming) is a video delivery protocol developed by Apple that breaks a stream into small segments and delivers them over standard HTTP using an M3U8 playlist file. It is the dominant standard for reaching the widest range of devices—from smartphones to smart TVs—with adaptive bitrate playback and CDN-friendly scale. When Flash […]

Best OBS Settings for Streaming in 2026 (Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Dacast)

Best OBS Studio Settings for Live Streaming Image

Live streaming in 2026 isn’t forgiving of “default” settings. Bitrate caps, strict keyframe requirements, and hardware encoder behavior mean your OBS Studio configuration has to be platform-compliant and stable, especially for longer broadcasts. This guide covers best OBS settings for streaming using OBS Studio 32, with copy/paste presets for Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, and RTMP […]

Live Streaming Server – How to Build One, and Should You Do It?

Live Streaming Server – How to Build One, and Should You Do It Image

Setting up your own live streaming server may seem like a straightforward way to broadcast content. The idea of managing everything in-house, on your terms, is appealing, especially since it could save money compared to using private video streaming services. But the reality is a bit more complicated. Building a live video streaming server comes […]

Encoding for Live Streaming

Encoding for Live Streaming Image

  When getting started broadcasting live video streams, people often ask what equipment or software they need. Many people think all they need to stream live video is a camera, a microphone, an internet connection, a computer, and a video streaming solution. While those components are necessary, there’s one more aspect that’s just as crucial–encoding […]