Live Streaming   Subscription Feature

Broadcast your game live to thousands of viewers on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, or any custom RTMP server — with the full ScoreCam scoreboard visible throughout the stream.

Overview

Live Streaming in ScoreCam works in parallel with local recording. When streaming is active, the same composited video frames that are being written to the local recording file are simultaneously sent to your live streaming platform over RTMP.

This means:

  • The scoreboard your viewers see is identical to what is being recorded locally.
  • Score changes appear in the live stream at exactly the same moment they appear in the recording.
  • You do not need a capture card, computer, or streaming rig — just an iPhone or iPad with a data connection.
Subscription required. Live Streaming is a premium feature that requires an active ScoreCam subscription. All other features described in this documentation are available without a subscription.

Network Requirements

Live streaming requires an active internet connection with enough upload bandwidth to sustain the stream bitrate. For typical 1080p streaming:

  • Minimum upload: 3–5 Mbps (for a 2–3 Mbps stream bitrate with headroom)
  • Recommended upload: 6–10+ Mbps for stable 1080p streaming
  • LTE/5G cellular connections work well in most stadiums and outdoor venues
  • Wi-Fi is preferable when available and stable

Supported Platforms

ScoreCam can stream to any platform that accepts an RTMP or RTMPS ingest URL. The following platforms are supported with built-in account integration or direct RTMP configuration:

YouTube
YouTube Live
OAuth or RTMP Stream Key
Twitch
Twitch
OAuth or Stream Key
Facebook
Facebook Live
RTMP Stream Key
X
X (Twitter)
RTMP Stream Key
Custom RTMP
Any RTMP/RTMPS server

YouTube Live

ScoreCam supports two YouTube connection methods. Stream Key mode works like any other platform — copy the server URL and stream key from YouTube Studio and paste them in. YouTube API mode uses OAuth to sign in with Google: ScoreCam then creates the live broadcast automatically when you go live, with no copying and pasting required. YouTube API mode also lets you set broadcast visibility, description, and stream latency directly from the wizard. See the YouTube setup guide for full details.

Twitch

ScoreCam supports two Twitch connection methods. Stream Key mode works like any other platform — copy your stream key from the Twitch Creator Dashboard and paste it into ScoreCam. Twitch API mode uses OAuth to sign in to your Twitch account in-app: ScoreCam then fetches your stream key automatically so there is nothing to copy or paste. Twitch API mode is the default selection in the setup wizard and is the recommended option for most users.

Your viewers watch at twitch.tv/your_username — a permanent URL that never changes. When ScoreCam goes live, your channel automatically shows as live. No separate button to press on the Twitch side. See the Twitch setup guide for a complete first-timer walkthrough.

Facebook Live

Facebook Live requires a stream key obtained from Facebook's Live Producer or from a Facebook Page. Note that Facebook requires an active account and the appropriate page permissions to go live. See the Facebook Live setup guide for step-by-step instructions.

X (Twitter)

X Premium is required to stream live on X. Get your RTMP URL and stream key from X Media Studio (studio.x.com → More → Media Studio → Sources → Create source → RTMP). Select your region and copy the URL and key shown. See the X setup guide for the full walkthrough.

Custom RTMP / RTMPS

For any other platform or private media server (Wowza, Nginx-RTMP, Ant Media, BoxCast, etc.), enter the full ingest URL directly. Both RTMP (port 1935) and RTMPS (encrypted RTMP over TLS) are supported.

Multiple Accounts: ScoreCam can store account credentials for multiple platforms simultaneously. Switch between them in the Live Stream Settings screen without re-entering credentials each time.

Setup Wizard

The first time you enable Live Streaming in App Settings, ScoreCam launches a step-by-step setup wizard. The wizard walks through four screens and saves everything automatically when you tap Done.

1

Choose Platform

Select your streaming service: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook Live, X (Twitter), or Other / Custom. Selecting YouTube or Twitch also gives you a choice between Stream Key mode and API (OAuth) mode. Twitch API mode automatically fetches your stream key; YouTube API mode additionally handles broadcast creation and lets you configure visibility, description, and stream latency.

2

Stream Credentials

Enter an account name and your stream credentials. For most platforms this is the RTMP server URL (pre-filled) and your stream key. YouTube API and Twitch API modes skip stream key entry entirely — you sign in with your account after the wizard completes, and ScoreCam fetches or creates the stream automatically.

3

Video Quality

Choose a quality preset based on your upload connection:

Low — 480p / 1,000 KbpsFor slower or unreliable connections
Standard — 720p / 2,500 KbpsRecommended for most sports events (default)
High — 1080p / 4,000 KbpsRequires a fast, stable upload connection
4

Broadcast Options

When using YouTube API mode, this screen shows broadcast-specific settings — Visibility, Description, and Stream Latency — before the standard recording options. See the YouTube API Options guide for details on each.

All platforms show:

Save Video While StreamingRecord locally to Photos (or external drive) at the same time
Separate Start/Stop ButtonsIndependent controls for recording vs. streaming (shown when Save Video is on)

A summary card shows your selections before you tap Done.

Re-running the wizard: The wizard only runs automatically the first time. To add another account, open App Settings → Live Stream Settings and tap Setup New Account. To edit an existing account, tap the pencil icon next to it.

YouTube API Broadcast Options

Documentation for YouTube API mode — including Visibility, Description, Stream Latency, and Category settings — has moved to the dedicated YouTube setup guide.

Go to YouTube Setup Guide →

Stream Settings

These settings control how ScoreCam behaves during a live stream. They are found in App Settings under the Live Streaming group.

Save to Disk
When On, ScoreCam simultaneously records the stream locally to your Photos library while broadcasting. This gives you a full-quality local archive of the game, independent of what the streaming platform saves.
Default: On
Separate Start/Stop Buttons
When On, streaming and local recording use separate controls — you can start the stream first to establish the RTMP connection and then start recording once you are ready for the video to be captured. When Off, both start and stop together with a single button.
Default: On
Recording Behavior on Stream Start
Controls what happens to local recording when you tap "Go Live".
Prompt for ChoiceScoreCam asks whether to start recording immediately or wait
Start PausedRecording starts in a paused state — you unpause manually when the game begins
Begin RecordingRecording starts automatically at the same moment as the stream
Default: Prompt for Choice

Account Video Settings

Each streaming account has its own video and audio quality settings, configured in the account editor. This allows you to, for example, stream to YouTube at 1080p 60fps while keeping a separate Facebook account set to a lower bitrate for a less reliable venue connection.

Video Resolution
The resolution and frame rate ScoreCam uses when encoding the live stream. Higher resolutions require more upload bandwidth and a platform that supports them. 720p 60fps is a good starting point for most venues; 1080p is available for stronger connections.
Default: 720p HD at 60 fps
Bitrate (Kbits/sec)
The target video encoding bitrate in kilobits per second. Higher values improve stream quality but require more upload bandwidth. Common recommendations: 2,500–4,000 Kbps for 720p, 4,000–6,000 Kbps for 1080p. Most platforms enforce a maximum — check your platform's guidelines.
Default: 2500 Kbps
Audio Quality
Controls the audio sample rate and bitrate of the stream.
Low16 KHz, 64 Kbps — minimal bandwidth use
Medium44.1 KHz, 96 Kbps
High44.1 KHz, 128 Kbps
Best48 KHz, 128 Kbps — broadcast-quality audio
Default: Best (48 KHz, 128 Kbps)
Keyframe Interval

Controls how often the video encoder inserts a full keyframe (also called an I-frame) into the stream, measured in seconds.

In compressed video, most frames only store the differences from nearby frames rather than a complete picture. A keyframe is a complete, self-contained frame that viewers need in order to decode everything that follows it. Keyframes serve two purposes in a live stream:

  • Late-join recovery: A viewer who joins mid-stream cannot display any video until the next keyframe arrives. Shorter intervals mean new viewers see picture sooner.
  • Error recovery: If a packet is lost or the stream hiccups, the decoder can only resync at the next keyframe. Shorter intervals mean faster recovery from network glitches.

The trade-off is size: keyframes are larger than normal frames, so a shorter interval increases the effective stream bitrate slightly. Most platforms (YouTube, Twitch, Facebook) require a keyframe interval of 2 seconds, and some will refuse or degrade streams that use other values.

Leave this at 2 seconds unless your streaming platform's documentation specifies otherwise. Changing it is rarely necessary and can cause stream rejection or poor viewer experience.
Default: 2 seconds

Branding on Pause

When you pause recording during a live stream (for example, at halftime), the video feed to your viewers continues. To fill that gap professionally, ScoreCam can display a branding or sponsor image to your live audience instead of a frozen game frame or a blank screen.

Show Branding on Pause
OffNo branding overlay — the last video frame is held
Image 1Show the first configured branding image
Image 2Show the second configured branding image
BothShow both branding images simultaneously
Default: Off
Mute Audio on Pause
Silence the microphone audio being sent to viewers when recording is paused. Prevents your live audience from hearing bench conversations, coaching discussions, or crowd noise during timeouts and halftime.
Default: On
Setup: Configure your branding images in the Scoreboard Settings under Branding. Set the image, position, and size there, then use these Live Streaming settings to control when they appear during the stream.

Adaptive Bitrate

Live streaming over cellular or congested Wi-Fi means your upload bandwidth can fluctuate mid-broadcast. Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) allows ScoreCam to automatically reduce the streaming bitrate when it detects network congestion, maintaining stream continuity instead of dropping frames or disconnecting.

Adaptive Bitrate Mode
Off No adaptation. ScoreCam always streams at the configured bitrate. Best for stable, high-bandwidth connections where you want consistent quality.
Logarithmic Descend Designed for generally good networks with occasional brief drops. When congestion is detected, bitrate steps down gradually in a logarithmic curve. Recovers back up when bandwidth improves. Smooth transitions, minimal visual quality changes.
Ladder Ascend Designed for lossy or unpredictable connections (e.g., crowded cellular). When congestion is detected, bitrate drops aggressively to a lower stable level. Recovery climbs back through defined "ladder" steps as bandwidth opens up. More reactive, trades quality fluctuation for fewer dropouts.
Hybrid Combines packet-loss measurement with bitrate adjustment. Uses packet-loss percentage as the primary signal for adaptation decisions, switching between logarithmic and ladder strategies based on real-time conditions. Best general-purpose choice for unpredictable environments.
Default: Off

Choosing the Right Mode

Stable Wi-FiUse Off. Consistent bandwidth means ABR is not needed and you get maximum consistent quality.
LTE/5G on a good dayUse Logarithmic Descend. Cellular is mostly solid but has occasional blips — log descent handles these smoothly.
Crowded venue / LTE congestionUse Ladder Ascend or Hybrid. Aggressive environments need a more reactive strategy to avoid stream dropout.
Unknown / mixed conditionsUse Hybrid. It combines signals from multiple sources and adapts its strategy on the fly.
Bitrate Floor: Regardless of the ABR mode, ScoreCam will not reduce the stream bitrate below a minimum threshold. This ensures the stream remains watchable even during significant network degradation.

Instant Replay

Instant Replay lets you play back the last few seconds of the game directly on your device screen during a live stream. Tap the replay gesture (configurable in App Settings › Gesture Assignments) to trigger a full-screen replay overlay with a branded transition animation.

How It Works

When Instant Replay is enabled, ScoreCam maintains a rolling shadow recording buffer in the background — a second, lower-bitrate video file written to temporary device storage. This shadow file is what gets played back when you trigger a replay.

The shadow recording is smart about when it runs:

Streaming only (no local recording)Shadow recording is active. It's the only available replay source.
Streaming + recording simultaneouslyShadow recording is not active. The main recording file is used directly as the replay source — no extra overhead.
Streaming + Space Saver modeShadow recording is active. Space Saver clips are fragmented files that can't be used directly for replay.
Recording only (no stream)Shadow recording never runs. Replay uses the main recording file.

Performance Impact

When shadow recording is active, ScoreCam is running two simultaneous H.264 video encoders — the live stream encoder and the shadow recorder. Both use Apple's hardware VideoToolbox encoder, so the CPU impact is lower than it might sound:

  • GPU work is shared. The camera frames are already composited and GPU-processed for the live stream. The shadow recorder receives the same frames with no additional GPU rendering.
  • Lower bitrate. The shadow file is encoded at ~750 Kbps (compared to 2–4 Mbps typical for the stream), so the second encode pass is lighter than the first.
  • Disk I/O is minimal. At 750 Kbps the shadow file writes roughly 94 KB/s — negligible on modern iPhone/iPad storage.

In practice, expect roughly 10–20% additional CPU load when shadow recording is running. It is not double the work. The main concern on long streams is thermal throttling: two concurrent encode sessions generate more heat, which can cause the device to reduce clock speeds over time. If you notice frame rate drops or stream quality degradation during long events, consider disabling Instant Replay when you don't need it.

Tip: If you're already recording locally while streaming, enabling Instant Replay adds zero overhead — shadow recording is automatically suppressed and the main recording file is used instead.

Transition Styles

Three branded animations are available to frame the replay. Set your preference in App Settings › Instant Replay › Transition Style.

Logo ZoomYour logo springs in from the center, holds, then rockets off-screen before playback begins. On exit, the logo collapses back as the live view returns. Fully customizable: entry speed, hold duration, exit speed, logo size, and scale range.
Flash FreezeA quick white flash transitions into the replay; a second flash returns to live. Fast and clean — great for high-energy sports.
Broadcast WipeA colored band sweeps across the screen to reveal the replay, then sweeps back to return to live. A classic broadcast-style effect.
Note: The Logo Zoom transition is composited onto the stream — your viewers see the logo animation too. Flash Freeze and Broadcast Wipe are device-only effects; stream viewers see a direct cut to the replay footage. The stream resumes live video as soon as the replay ends.

Settings

Instant Replay settings are found in App Settings › Instant Replay:

Enable Instant ReplayMaster toggle. When off, shadow recording never runs and the replay gesture is disabled.
DurationHow many seconds of footage the replay shows (up to 15 seconds).
Reaction TrimShifts the replay window backward to account for the delay between a play happening and you tapping the button.
Playback SpeedSlow motion multiplier from 0.25x (quarter speed) to 1.0x (normal). Applies to both the device screen and the live stream simultaneously.
Transition StyleChoose Logo Zoom, Flash Freeze, or Broadcast Wipe. Tap the row to open the full Transition Settings subscreen.

Logo Zoom Transition Settings

When Logo Zoom is selected, a dedicated settings subscreen gives you fine-grained control over the animation. Access it via App Settings › Instant Replay › Transition Style.

Transition ImageChoose a custom image (team logo, sponsor graphic, etc.) from your photo library or camera. PNG with transparent background recommended. Defaults to the ScoreCam logo if none is set.
Entry SpeedHow fast the logo springs in and rockets off-screen. Higher values = faster animation.
Hold DurationHow long the logo stays on screen at full size before launching off.
Exit SpeedHow fast the logo collapses when the replay ends and the live view returns.
Logo SizeThe logo's display size as a percentage of the screen width at its resting scale.
Start / End ScaleControls how small the logo appears at the start (Start Scale) and how large it grows as it rockets off-screen (End Scale).