Zoom RTMP Ingest: Connection Options and Setup

Zoom and RTMP can work together in two directions, so decide which one you need before you change any settings. Zoom's documented RTMP feature sends a meeting or webinar out to a custom streaming service. To bring an external feed into a meeting, such as an encoder or production software, the usual method is a virtual camera on the computer that joins the call. This guide covers both routes and explains how to confirm that each one works.

Before you start

First, name the direction. Ingest means video enters Zoom from another source. Streaming out means Zoom delivers the meeting to a platform that accepts an RTMP stream. The requirements are different for each, and a setting for one direction does nothing for the other.

• Streaming a meeting out: you need a Zoom account whose plan and admin settings allow live streaming to a custom service, a host role (or a role the host has permitted), and the server URL and stream key from the destination platform. Some platforms also ask for a public page address for viewers.
• Bringing an encoder into a meeting: you need desktop production software with a virtual camera output (OBS Studio has one built in), the Zoom desktop client on the same computer, and operating system camera permission granted to Zoom.
• Direct RTMP input into Zoom: check your account's product documentation, or ask your administrator, whether your meeting, webinar or event type offers an external encoder input. Don't plan a production around this option until you have seen it in your own account.

The virtual camera route runs on your computer. Zoom treats the feed like any other webcam and sends it through its service as normal call video. With custom live streaming, Zoom generates the outgoing stream for the destination platform, not an encoder on your machine. The stream key works like a password for the destination channel, so keep it private. The destination platform's own settings control how it stores or records the stream, so check those settings there.

Step-by-step instructions

Feed an encoder or production scene into a meeting

• 1. In your production software, build the scene and set the output resolution and frame rate. A 16:9 canvas such as 1280x720 or 1920x1080 at 30 frames per second is a common choice. Zoom may still send a lower resolution depending on your settings, plan and network.
• 2. Start the virtual camera in that software.
• 3. Open the video settings in the Zoom desktop client and make the virtual camera the selected camera. If it isn't listed, quit Zoom completely, then reopen it while the virtual camera is running.
• 4. If Zoom shows no camera at all, check the operating system's privacy settings and allow camera access for Zoom.
• 5. Pick one audio path. Either route the production audio through a virtual audio device and select it as Zoom's microphone, or keep a physical microphone. If you use both, the audio may double or echo.
• 6. To undo the setup, switch the selected camera and microphone back to your physical devices, then stop the virtual camera.

Stream a Zoom meeting to an RTMP destination

• 1. On the streaming platform, create a stream or event and copy its server URL and stream key.
• 2. In your Zoom account settings on the web, turn on live streaming for meetings and allow the custom live streaming service. If the setting is locked at the account or group level, an administrator has to enable it.
• 3. If your account shows live streaming fields on the scheduled meeting's page, you can enter the stream details there in advance.
• 4. Start the meeting, open the More menu in the meeting controls, and choose the custom live streaming service option. Enter or confirm the server URL, stream key and page address, then start the stream.
• 5. To stop streaming, use the same menu or end the meeting. If the key was shared with anyone, generate a new one on the destination platform afterwards.

Menu names and locations change between client versions, and meetings and webinars have separate live streaming settings. If something described here is missing, update the Zoom client first. Then check the settings for the specific product you are using.

Check the output

For a virtual camera feed, look at the preview in Zoom's video settings before you join. If on-screen text appears reversed, turn off video mirroring. Mirroring only changes your own self-view. To see what other people receive, join the same meeting from a second device with its audio muted, and check sharpness, motion and audio sync.

Zoom adjusts resolution and frame rate to the available bandwidth and your account's video settings, so your full production canvas may not reach viewers. For camera-based scenes, good lighting improves the picture more than a higher output resolution does. Small text and fine graphics suffer most when Zoom lowers the quality.

For an outgoing stream, open the destination platform's preview or viewer page and confirm that both video and audio arrive. Expect a delay behind the live meeting. Zoom shows participants an indicator while a meeting is being live streamed.

Common problems and next steps

• Virtual camera not listed: start the virtual camera before you open Zoom, restart Zoom, confirm camera permission, and update both applications.
• Black or frozen video: another application may be using the camera, so close it. Then check that the virtual camera is still running and the scene isn't empty.
• Echo or doubled audio: keep one audio source selected in Zoom and mute any duplicate feeds in the production software.
• Custom live streaming option missing: the setting may be off or locked by an administrator, your plan may not include it, or you may not be the host.
• Stream won't connect: copy the server URL and stream key again without extra spaces, make sure the key is still valid, and confirm the destination stream is set to accept incoming video.
• Need an encoder to feed Zoom directly: check whether your plan or a different Zoom product offers an external encoder input before you redesign the setup.

Before any important session, run a short private meeting with the same devices, scene and destination. That catches permission, device selection and stream key problems while they are still easy to fix.