Configure OBS Studio for Amazon IVS Streaming

Setting up OBS Studio to stream to Amazon Interactive Video Service (IVS) allows you to deliver low-latency live video to your global audience. This guide provides a direct, step-by-step walkthrough on how to retrieve your Amazon IVS stream credentials, configure the stream and output settings in OBS Studio, and start your live broadcast successfully.

Step 1: Retrieve Your Amazon IVS Credentials

Before configuring OBS Studio, you need the ingest endpoint and stream key from your AWS Console.

  1. Log in to the AWS Management Console.
  2. Navigate to the Amazon IVS console.
  3. Click on Channels and select the channel you want to stream to (or create a new one).
  4. Scroll down to the Stream configuration section.
  5. Copy the Ingest server URL (it will start with rtmps://).
  6. Copy the Stream key. Keep this key private.

Step 2: Configure Stream Settings in OBS Studio

Once you have your credentials, you must input them into OBS Studio to direct your broadcast to the AWS servers.

  1. Open OBS Studio.
  2. Click on Settings in the bottom-right corner (or go to File > Settings).
  3. Select the Stream tab from the left sidebar.
  4. Set the Service dropdown menu to Custom….
  5. Paste the Ingest server URL you copied from AWS into the Server field.
  6. Paste your Stream key into the Stream Key field.

Step 3: Optimize Video and Encoder Settings

Amazon IVS has specific input requirements to ensure low-latency playback. Use the following settings to optimize your stream:

  1. Navigate to the Output tab in the Settings window.
  2. Change the Output Mode at the top from Simple to Advanced.
  3. Under the Streaming tab, configure the following encoder settings:
    • Encoder: Select x264 or your hardware encoder (like NVIDIA NVENC H.264).
    • Rate Control: Set to CBR (Constant Bitrate).
    • Bitrate: Set this according to your channel type. For Standard channels, 4500 Kbps to 6000 Kbps is ideal for 1080p at 60fps. For Basic channels, keep it under 3500 Kbps (720p).
    • Keyframe Interval: Set this strictly to 2 (seconds). Amazon IVS requires a 2-second keyframe interval.
    • CPU Usage Preset (for x264): Set to veryfast or faster.
    • Profile: Set to main or high.
  4. Go to the Video tab on the left sidebar:
    • Set Base (Canvas) Resolution to your monitor’s native resolution.
    • Set Output (Scaled) Resolution to match your targeted streaming resolution (e.g., 1920x1080 or 1280x720).
    • Set Common FPS Values to 60 or 30.
  5. Click Apply and then OK to save all settings.

Step 4: Start the Live Stream

With your settings configured, you are ready to go live.

  1. Set up your scenes and sources (such as webcams, capture cards, or desktop audio) in the main OBS interface.
  2. Click the Start Streaming button in the bottom-right corner of OBS.
  3. To verify that the stream is active, return to the Amazon IVS Console and check the Live stream tab on your channel page to view your live video feed.