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How to Stream a GoPro to Callaba and Use It in VLC, OBS Studio, and vMix

Oct 11, 2022

Use this tutorial when you want one GoPro camera feed to go into Callaba over RTMP and then be reused in VLC, OBS Studio, or vMix.

Important: The VLC, OBS Studio, and vMix sections all depend on the same preparation stage below. Complete that stage once, keep the GoPro stream running, and reuse the same RTMP URL everywhere.

Workflow overview

GoPro camera -> RTMP -> Callaba -> VLC / OBS Studio / vMix

Preparation stage: Send the GoPro to Callaba over RTMP

Before you start

  • A GoPro model with live streaming support
  • A phone with the GoPro Quik app
  • Stable Wi-Fi with internet access
  • A Callaba account
  • VLC, OBS Studio, or vMix installed if you plan to use them

Configure the GoPro and phone

  1. Turn on the GoPro. Open Preferences > Connections and set Wireless Connections to On.
  1. Still in Connections, open Connect Device and choose GoPro App. Install GoPro Quik on your phone and pair the camera.
  1. In Quik, tap Control Your GoPro, switch to Go Live, tap Set Up Live, and select Other/RTMP.
  2. Choose the Wi-Fi network the GoPro should use for streaming. During setup, keep the phone and GoPro on the same Wi-Fi network or band.

Create the RTMP destination in Callaba

  1. Sign in to Callaba. If you have not set it up yet, start with How to use Callaba.
  2. Open RTMP Servers and click Add new.
  3. Enter a Name, Port, and Buffer length. Start with at least 5 seconds of buffer for stable playback, then save.
  1. In the RTMP Servers list, click Info and copy the RTMP URL. You will use this same URL in the GoPro app and later in VLC, OBS Studio, and vMix.

Start the GoPro live stream

  1. Return to Quik and paste the copied RTMP URL into the RTMP field.
  2. Tap Continue, then start the stream from the app or directly on the camera.

When the GoPro is live, you should see bitrate activity in the app. Keep the stream running. The next sections all reuse the same RTMP URL from this preparation stage.

Use the same prepared stream in VLC, OBS Studio, or vMix

Reminder: Do not create a new stream for each app. VLC, OBS Studio, and vMix all use the same RTMP URL from the preparation stage above.

Open the stream in VLC

This section depends on the completed preparation stage.

  1. Open VLC and go to File > Open Network or Media > Open Network Stream, depending on your platform.
  1. Paste the same RTMP URL into the network URL field and click Open or Play.

Wait a few seconds for the Callaba buffer to fill. If the GoPro is still live, the video should appear.

Add the stream to OBS Studio

This section also depends on the same preparation stage and the same RTMP URL.

  1. Open OBS Studio and create a new Media Source.
  1. In the source properties, clear Local File, paste the same RTMP URL into Input, and click OK.
  1. If OBS is in Studio Mode, click Transition to move the source to program output.

After a short delay, the GoPro feed should be available as an OBS source.

Add the stream to vMix

This section depends on the same preparation stage and the same RTMP URL.

  1. Open vMix, click Add Input, and open the Stream/SRT tab.
  2. Set Stream Type to VLC (RTMP, UDP, RTCP, TS).
  3. Paste the same RTMP URL into the URL field.
  4. Set a playback Buffer. Start with about 5 seconds, then click OK.

After the buffer fills, the GoPro feed should appear as a normal vMix input.

Troubleshooting

No video in VLC, OBS Studio, or vMix

  • Make sure the GoPro is still live in Quik and bitrate is changing.
  • Verify that you pasted exactly the same RTMP URL from Callaba.
  • Wait 5 to 10 seconds if buffering is enabled.
  • Restart the GoPro live session and reconnect the player if needed.

The GoPro will not start streaming

  • Confirm that your GoPro model supports RTMP live streaming.
  • During setup, keep the phone and GoPro on the same Wi-Fi network or band.
  • Check that the selected Wi-Fi network has internet access.

Playback is unstable

  • Increase the buffer in Callaba and in the player to around 5 seconds or more.
  • Improve Wi-Fi signal strength or move closer to the access point.
  • Avoid changing networks after the GoPro has started streaming.

Next steps