How to Use SRT Protocol for OBSBOT Tail 2?

Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) is an open-source protocol created by Haivision that delivers high-quality, low-latency video across the public internet. It includes error recovery, encryption, and dynamic endpoint adjustments based on network conditions. It is widely used in scenarios requiring real-time interaction such as live streaming, remote production, and video conferences.

Advantages of the SRT Protocol for Live Streaming

• Pristine Quality Data Transmission: SRT guards against jitter, packet loss, and bandwidth fluctuation, providing the optimal viewing experience.
• High Security for Your Content: SRT guarantees end-to-end protection of valuable content, from contribution to distribution, preventing unauthorized parties from accessing it.
• Reliability in Any Network Condition: SRT can maintain the integrity and quality of video streams by compensating for packet loss and jitter.
• Low Latency during the Streaming Process: SRT provides media delivery with much lower latency than TCP/IP. It offers the speed of unreliable UDP transmission without its disadvantages.

SRT on OBSBOT Tail 2

OBSBOT Tail 2 supports two SRT modes: Caller Mode and Listener Mode. With the latest firmware, you can use your OBSBOT Tail 2 to initiate SRT transmission in either mode. When connecting with SRT, if Tail 2 is set as Caller Mode, the source-receiver needs to be set as Listener Mode, and vice versa, depending on your needs. Follow the tutorial to learn how to set up each mode.

Note:

• UVC/RTSP/NDI/Live Stream will not be available when SRT is turned on.
• SRT mode is supported only for Wi-Fi connections or wired connections.

In this guide:

1. Connect with Software that supports the SRT protocol
2. Connect with OBSBOT Talent

Part 1: Connect with Software that supports the SRT protocol

Before we begin, ensure you have the following items ready:

• OBSBOT Tail 2
• Computer with OBSBOT Center installed or Phone/tablet with Obsbot Start installed
• Software that supports the SRT protocol is selected according to your needs, such as OBS Studio, vMix, Larix Broadcaster, etc.

Here we use OBSBOT Center to demonstrate.

Use Tail 2 as Caller Mode ( I will take vMix as an example )

In this scenario, Tail 2 is configured in Caller mode, while vMix is in Listener mode. Tail 2 serves as the caller for the SRT connection. It needs the IP address (or hostname) and the listening UDP port number of the target device, which is set to Listener mode.

1. Open vMix on your computer.

2. Click "Add Input" > "More".

3. Enter "Input Select", select "SRT (Listener)" for your stream type, fill in the "Port" number as needed, then click "OK" to finish the configuration.

4. Open the OBSBOT Center Software on your computer and connect it with Tail 2. (You can also enable SRT Mode via Obsbot Start. For operation guidelines, please refer to Part 2 of this article.)

5. Click "More" to call out the settings panel. Select "SRT Settings" to enter the settings interface.

6. Choose "Caller Mode". Click "Create an SRT network stream" to configure the SRT stream.

7. After entering the interface to create an SRT network stream, you can add and modify SRT stream information. After finishing the settings, click "Save".

• Name: The default name is SRT Caller (required).
• Local IP Address: Displays the current IP address of Tail 2.
• Host: Enter the IP address/hostname of the target device (required). The IP address of the PC where the vMix is located should be entered here.
• Remote Port: Enter the UDP port number provided by the target device (required). Here, you should enter the port number you set on vMix.
• Stream ID: Default is empty, fill in if provided by the target device.
• Delay: Default is 120 ms; you can enter the range 20~8000ms. (required)
• Encryption: Off by default, when encryption is enabled, the data will be transmitted securely over the network to prevent unauthorized access. When the option is on, the encryption method and password are displayed.

8. The SRT setup interface displays the successfully created SRT Caller streams. (Up to 10 caller streams can be created)

• Click to check the corresponding caller stream (only one stream can be selected at the same time).
• Click the "Configure" button to enter the "Configure SRT stream" interface, and you can modify the current flow configuration or delete the flow.

9. Close the window and turn on SRT mode.

10. In vMix software, you can now see Tail 2's real-time video image in the preview screen.

Use Tail 2 as Listener Mode ( I will take OBS Studio as an example )

In this scenario, Tail 2 is configured in Listener mode, while OBS Studio should be set to Caller mode. Tail 2 listens on the set UDP port (default is 5000) for requests to initiate SRT sessions.

1. Open the OBSBOT Center Software on your computer and connect your Tail 2 with it.

2. Click "More" to call out the settings panel. Select "SRT Settings" to enter the setting interface, you can also set in advance the frame rate, resolution, and further SRT parameters in "Media Settings".

3. Switch to Listener mode and configure accordingly. The local IP address and local port are displayed by default and cannot be modified. Fill in "Stream ID" as needed.

4. Finish the configuration, click "Save", return to the upper setting interface, and enable SRT mode.

5. Run OBS Studio on the computer. In "Source", click "+" -> "Media Source".

6. Click "OK" in the "Create or select source" window.

7. Uncheck the "local file"; in the "Input," fill in the URL, of which the format is srt://target device IP address: target device port number? Then click "OK" to save the settings.

Note: OBS Studio is in Caller mode by default, if you want to modify the mode or set further parameters, you need to change the URL format, visit SRT Protocol Streaming Guide | OBS for specific rules.

8. After settings, the real-time video image of Tail 2 is now displayed in the preview of OBS Studio's interface.

Part 2: Connect with OBSBOT Talent

Before we begin, ensure you have the following items ready:

• OBSBOT Tail 2
• OBSBOT Talent
• Computer with OBSBOT Center installed or Phone/tablet with Obsbot Start installed

Here we use Obsbot Start to demonstrate.

Use Tail 2 as Caller Mode

In this scenario, Tail 2 serves as the caller for the SRT connection. It needs the IP address (or hostname) and the listening UDP port number of Talent, which is set to Listener mode.

1. On Talent, click "Create New Scene" on the main screen.

2. Select "SRT Listener".

3. Fill in "Name" and "Port" number (which should be between 1-65535) as needed. Click "Create".

4. Click "Save" on the scene editor interface.

5. Open the Obsbot Start APP on your phone/tablet and connect your Tail 2 with it.

6. Click "More" to call out the settings panel. Select "SRT Settings" to enter the settings interface. Find the "Output" module and click "SRT Settings" to enter the setting interface.

7. Choose "Caller Mode". Click "Create SRT Stream" to configure the SRT stream.

8. After entering the interface to create SRT Stream, you can add and modify SRT stream information. After finishing the settings, click "Save".

• Name: The default name is SRT Caller (required).
• Local IP Address: Displays the current IP address of Tail 2.
• Host: Enter the IP address/hostname of Talent (required). You can find your Talent's IP address in the control center by swiping down from the upper left of the main screen.

• Remote Port: Enter the UDP port number you set on Talent (required).
• Stream ID: Default is empty, fill in if provided by the target device.
• Delay: Default is 120 ms; you can enter the range 20~8000ms. (required)
• Encryption: Off by default, when encryption is enabled, the data will be transmitted securely over the network to prevent unauthorized access. When the option is on, the encryption method and password are displayed.

9. The SRT setup interface displays the successfully created SRT Caller streams. (Up to 10 caller streams can be created)

• Click to check the corresponding caller stream (only one stream can be selected at the same time).
• Click the "Configure" button to enter the "Configure SRT stream" interface, and you can modify the current flow configuration or delete the flow.

10. Return to the parent menu and turn on SRT mode.

11. On Talent, you can now see Tail 2's real-time video image in the preview screen.

Use Tail 2 as Listener Mode

In this scenario, Tail 2 is configured in Listener mode, while Talent should be set to Caller mode. Tail 2 listens on the set UDP port (default is 5000) for requests to initiate SRT sessions.

1. Open the Obsbot Start APP on your phone/tablet and connect your Tail 2 with it.

2. Click "More" to call out the settings panel. Find the "Output" module and click "SRT Settings" to enter the setting interface, you can also set in advance the frame rate, resolution, and further SRT parameters in "Media Settings".

3. Switch to Listener mode and configure accordingly. The local IP address and local port are displayed by default and cannot be modified. Fill in "Stream ID" as needed.

4. Finish the configuration, click "Save", return to the upper setting interface, and enable SRT mode.

5. On Talent, click "Create New Scene" on the main screen.

6. Select "SRT Caller".

7. Fill in the "Address, Port and Stream ID" according to the information from Obsbot Start, and fill in the "Name". Click "Create".

8. Click "Save" on the scene editor interface, and the real-time video image of Tail 2 will now be displayed on your Talent.

Elevate your live streaming with Tail 2's SRT capabilities today. For more news and guides, visit our website and stay tuned for fresh updates.