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FAQ

Getting it​

What does Live Stream need?​

WordPress 6.0 or later, PHP 7.4 or later, and a WordPlus Cloud subscription that includes live streaming. Hosts going live from the browser need the site on HTTPS. See Getting started.

Where do I download it?​

From the Downloads page of your WordPlus Cloud account. It isn't on WordPress.org yet.

How much does it cost?​

Live Stream comes with a WordPlus Cloud subscription. See WordPlus Cloud for the subscription.

My site runs Better Messages. Is it connected already?​

Yes, if Better Messages runs its WebSocket version with an active licence: Live Stream uses the same licence, a Better Messages WebSocket licence or a WordPlus Cloud subscription. The header of Live Stream → Studio says where the site stands.

Does it need Better Messages?​

No. Live Stream is a plugin of its own and works without Better Messages, with its light chat. With Better Messages on the site, a stream's chat can be a Better Messages chat room instead, saved on your site with history and export (Which chat). The two also share the emoji style.

Streaming​

Where does the video go?​

To WordPlus Cloud's servers, which pass it on to everyone watching, with the chat. Your WordPress server doesn't carry the video.

How many people can watch?​

During the beta, up to 50 viewers a stream at once. The next ones wait and join as soon as a place frees up. See The beta.

Do viewers need an app?​

No. They watch in the browser, on the page that shows the stream.

What quality does a stream go out in?​

HD (720p) or Full HD (1080p). The host chooses before going live, and each viewer gets what their player's size and connection need. See Quality.

Can I stream from OBS?​

Yes, from OBS 30 or later or any encoder that streams over WHIP. See Streaming from OBS.

Can I stream with RTMP?​

Not yet. OBS and other encoders stream in over WHIP. RTMP is planned.

Can I record a stream, or play it back later?​

Not yet. Recordings and replays are planned.

Can hosts go live without being administrators?​

Not during the beta: administrators host every stream.

Can more than one person be on camera?​

Not in the first release: the host is the one on camera. Bringing viewers on stage with their own camera and microphone comes later.

Your site​

Can a stream be private?​

Yes. Each stream is for everyone, for logged-in users, or for chosen roles, and membership plugins can decide with the easy_stream_can_watch filter. See Who can watch.

Can I put the chat in a sidebar?​

Yes. Use the Stream chat block or [easy_stream_chat id="12"] wherever you like. Beside the player it's as tall as the player; elsewhere it takes the height you choose.

Does it work with page builders?​

Every block has a shortcode, which works wherever shortcodes do: page builders, widgets and templates. See Shortcodes.

Does it work with page caching?​

Yes. A public stream's page carries what a visitor needs to join, so a cached page works.

How do I show which streams are live?​

With the Live now block or [easy_stream_live]. See Live now.

Is it translated?​

Every word goes through WordPress's own translations, with the easy-stream text domain. See Translations.