Using IRL Backpack or LiveU as Bonded Networking for OBS Studio

This guide explains how to connect your normal streaming computer to an IRL Backpack or LiveU Solo PRO via HDMI to enable bonded networking for OBS Studio. This allows OBS to handle scene composition while the LiveU device manages encoding and streaming to the internet.

Why would I want to have bonded networking with OBS Studio?

• Unreliable Internet Connection: If your internet connection is unreliable or prone to dropouts, bonded networking ensures that your stream remains stable by using multiple network connections. The LiveU device (with Solo Connect add-on) can bond your home Wi-Fi with cellular networks, providing a more reliable and consistent internet connection for streaming.

• DDOS Protection / Internet Outage: If you are experiencing DOS/DDOS attacks, bonded networking allows you to keep streaming without fear of losing viewers

• Traveling: If you're traveling and streaming from a new location where the internet is not sufficient for a stable stream, the IRL Backpack or LiveU device ensures smooth streaming with its multi-connection bonding technology.

Note: While this setup provides bonded networking for your streaming upload, your computer will still need a reliable internet connection for gameplay or other activities that require an internet connection. Many users opt to use their cell phone hotspot for this, in an emergency.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Step 1: Power on the LiveU device (IRL Backpack or Solo PRO).

• Step 2: Connect your computer to the LiveU device using an HDMI cable.

• Step 3: Disable screen mirroring on your computer if it's enabled. You want the LiveU to act as a second monitor, not a mirrored display.

Configuring OBS Studio

• Step 4: In OBS Studio, right-click on the preview window.

• Select Fullscreen Projector > XLink HDMI

• Once selected, you should see the output of your OBS preview on the LiveU Solo screen.

Setting up Audio Monitoring

• Step 5: Go to Settings in OBS Studio, and click on Audio.

• Under the Advanced section, select XLink HDMI (or try different devices if needed) as the monitoring device.

• Step 6: In the Audio Mixer, click on the gear icon (Advanced Audio Properties)

• Step 7: Set the Audio Monitoring option to Monitor (mute output) for all the audio sources you want to send to the LiveU.

After doing this, you should see the audio meter on the right hand side of the LiveU display activate to indicate audio is being received.

Final Steps

• Step 8: You will use OBS Studio only for scene composition. Do not start the stream from OBS. The LiveU device handles the encoding and streaming.

• Step 9: Configure your streaming destination on the LiveU Solo Dashboard or IRLToolkit (if using IRLToolkit)

• Step 10: Start the stream from your LiveU by pressing the power / start button

Conclusion

With this setup, you can use OBS Studio to manage scene compositions while your IRL Backpack or LiveU device takes care of the encoding and streaming process with bonded networking.