If you frequently use the option to perform live on Instagram , this will interest you. We tell you everything you need to be able to broadcast from the PC and thus raise the quality of your live shows. If you want more customization control among other advantages, you should see how it is done. Because it is not complicated at all.
Requirements to perform direct on Instagram from the PC
Those who use Instagram regularly are likely to continue asking for two things today: an application adapted for iPad and the same functions existing on the phone on your computer. The first we are going to leave in standby mode , on the second it seems that the batteries are being put. Recently they added the option to answer messages from the desktop , but there are still some options like those that other platforms do enjoy: the option of doing direct from the computer.
On Instagram this is not something that is officially supported, but there is an option to do it and it is not complex. You just have to know some specific applications and have a little patience. After this, you can say that your live shows make a leap in quality. If you are interested in knowing how to do them, these are the requirements:
- OBS Studio , an application for video recording and live streaming. There are other options, but this one is free and works quite well. You can download it from its official website for both Windows and macOS and Linux
- A webcam or grabber to be able to use an external video source, such as a DSLR camera or similar
- Service capable of generating RTMP key to publish to your Instagram account. Two options are: Instafeed and YellowDuck .
Once you have this, the process is as simple as following these step-by-step directions. Of course, what we are going to show you is the base, from here you should investigate what options to personalization or how you could take advantage of that greater control to enrich your live shows.
How to make direct on Instagram from the computer
The first step is to download OBS to your computer and run the application. Once opened, in the main window create a new scene that you can call, for example, Direct Instagram. Now that you have it, tap on the settings button.
In the settings, if you go to the video section, you will see that you can set the base resolution of the canvas and the output resolution. There you must use the resolution 750 x 1334 pixels . This will give a format with an aspect ratio that is the one that is displayed in the direct of the social network.
The next step is to add the rest of the elements and fonts that you want to show. For example, if you are going to use the webcam of the team, then you select it, and if it is the image from a camera through a capture machine, well. Go to the Sources section and there we select the + icon to add it. In the dropdown you select the font type.
In the case of DSLR or mirrorless cameras, you will have to connect them through their video output to a capture device. Not long ago we showed you some recommended models when we talked about how to use your smartphone or other cameras as a webcam . Our favorite models are these:
The same can also be done with the microphone or audio sources you want to use, select those that interest you and keep in mind that you can adjust the levels independently.
Finally, you can customize some aspects such as the background design if the video does not occupy the entire canvas, place overlapping elements, etc. Here it is a matter of investigating everything that OBS offers.
With everything just how you want it, the last step is to send that content that you are capturing with OBS to your Instagram account. For this you will need to use a service capable of generating an RTMP key to send audio and video.
If you don’t know what the RTMP code is, we will explain it to you quickly. RTMP is a protocol that allows the transmission of video, audio and other data over the internet . A large majority of streaming platforms are compatible with it and generate a password and URL so that you can send the signal from applications such as OBS or similar.
Instagram does not natively support this option, but through services like Instafeed or YellowDuck you can generate them and they then take care of connecting to your account to issue. For this you will have to provide them with your username and password. It’s safe, but keep that in mind anyway.
If you opt for InstaFeed, you will only have to access its website. In the case of YellowDuck there is an application for Windows and macOS. Once you run it and log in with your Instagram profile you will see that they provide you with RTMP address and Stream key . Those two values are the ones that you will have to copy and go back to OBS and go to Settings -> Issue and in Service select Custom. Enter the copied data, accept and go. You can now start broadcasting live on Instagram from your computer.
