---
title: "Manual Sardius Stream Set Up"
url: "https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/manual-sardius-stream-set-up"
category: "Sardius Stream"
updated: 2026-10-13
summary: "A Manual Sardius Stream is used when you are sending a live video feed to Sardius using: RTMP or RTMPS SRT This option is ideal when: You are using a software encoder (OBS, vMix, Wirecast, etc.) You are manually configuring a hardware encoder or PTZ camera You need direct access to your stream URLs…"
---

# Manual Sardius Stream Set Up

A Manual Sardius Stream is used when you are sending a live video feed to Sardius using:

- **RTMP or RTMPS**
- **SRT**

This option is ideal when:

- You are using a software encoder (OBS, vMix, Wirecast, etc.)
- You are manually configuring a hardware encoder or PTZ camera
- You need direct access to your stream URLs and keys

> **Note:** **Creating a new channel?**
> You can set up a manual stream during channel creation, in **Step 3: Streaming** of the channel setup guide. See [How to Create a Channel](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/how-to-create-a-channel).
>
> **Already have a channel?** If streaming hasn't been set up yet, follow **Set Up a Manual Stream** below. If your channel already has stream settings, skip to **Change an Existing Manual Stream**.

### **Set Up a Manual Stream**

Use these steps if streaming hasn't been set up on your channel yet.

#### **_Enable Streaming for Your Channel_**

To create default stream settings, you must first enable streaming on your Sardius Channel.

Select **Stream** from the Channel sidebar navigation and click **Enable Streaming**.

![Enable Streaming](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/2cf030680d7db5f2.png)

Your channel will be prepared for streaming in the background. This only takes a few seconds, so don't leave or refresh the page. Once it's ready, you'll be prompted to set up your default settings.

In the same **Stream** settings tab, click **Set up**.

![Set Up Streaming](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/b877f545fde96253.png)

#### **_Complete the Stream Setup_**

Complete these steps in order. Each step must be finished before you can move on to the next.

> **Note:** If you select the wrong option, hover over the source type to edit it.

![Select Your Source](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/53ec6b3bcce32e49.png)

1. **Choose Manual Source:** Select **Manually, with my own device or software**.

2. **Pick Your Protocol:** Choose the protocol your encoder supports: **RTMP**, **RTMPS** or **SRT**.

> **Note:** You'll also see **HLS** listed as a protocol. HLS is a manual setup too, but it **streams to Sardius HLS Entrypoint instead of Sardius Stream**. Learn more in [Set Up Sardius HLS Entrypoint](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/set-up-sardius-hls-entrypoint), or see the comparison at the bottom of this article.

3. **Add Outputs (optional):** Choose any other places you'd like your stream delivered. You can add one or more outputs, such as:
   - Facebook
   - YouTube
   - Custom RTMP destinations

4. Click **Save**. Your stream credentials are created once your settings are saved.

> **Tip:**
>
> - To find your Facebook stream key and URL, **[click here](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/facebook-live-stream-settings)**
> - To find your YouTube stream key and URL, [**click here**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/youtube-live-stream-settings)
> - To add an output to the Sardius Control Panel, [**click here**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/add-an-output)

Here's an example of a completed manual stream configuration:

![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/4b9bf69212826de3.png)

### **Change an Existing Manual Stream**

Use these steps if your channel already has stream settings and you want to switch to a manual stream, or change your protocol or outputs.

1. Select **Stream** from the Channel sidebar navigation.
2. Click **Edit default settings**.
3. Hover over the **Source** and click **Edit** to change your source or protocol. To change outputs, edit them directly in the stream overview.
4. Click **Save**.

> **Note:** Changes to your channel's default settings only apply to **events created afterward**. Existing events keep their current settings. To change a single event, see [**Override Stream Settings for an Event**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/override-stream-settings-for-an-event).

### **After Setup: Sending Your Stream to the Channel**

Once your settings are saved, copy your stream credentials from your channel's **Stream** settings:

- **RTMP / RTMPS:** Copy the **Stream URL** and **Stream Key**.
- **SRT:** Copy the full **SRT URL**. It includes the address, port, **passphrase** and Stream ID.

> If your encoder needs these entered separately, see **Parse SRT URL** below.

Then:

1. Paste the credentials into your encoder's streaming settings.
2. Start streaming from your encoder.

Your stream will begin delivering video to your Sardius channel.

> **Warning:** Keep your **Stream Key** and **passphrase** private. Anyone with them can send video to your channel.

### **Parse SRT URL**

In many cases, the **full SRT URL from Sardius can't be pasted into a single field** in your encoder.

Different encoders handle SRT settings differently:

- Some require the **destination address and port** to be entered separately
- Some require the **passphrase** to be entered in a dedicated field
- Some encoders **don't use the Stream ID at all**

Because of this, you may need to **break the SRT URL into its individual parts** before entering it into your encoder.

_URL breakdown:_

> srt://{URL}:{PORT}?passphrase={PASSPHRASE}\&streamid={STREAM ID}

_Example:_

> **srt**://ep.stream.sardius.media:778?**passphrase**=1fdb497c5f8ec88ec9898c22a026ce14k7f50d77
> bad9201e8b85ebf9d1b2e86a7
> **\&streamid**=7f50d77bad9201e8b85ebf9d1b2e86a7

From this example:

- **URL:** ep.stream.sardius.media
- **Port:** 778
- **Passphrase:** 1fdb497c5f8ec88ec9898c22a026ce14k7f50d77bad9201
  e8b85ebf9d1b2e86a7
- **Stream ID:** 7f50d77bad9201e8b85ebf9d1b2e86a7

> **Warning:** **⚠️ Important Port Information**
>
> By default, Sardius channels are created using **3-digit ports**. Some Sardius Stream channels may require a **4-digit port** to operate correctly.
>
> If your SRT URL includes a **3-digit port** and you're unable to connect, contact **Sardius Support** to have a 4-digit port assigned to your channel.

### **Encoder Configuration**

Using your stream credentials, set up your encoder's configuration.

Be sure to follow our [**Recommended Encoder Settings**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/recommended-encoder-settings) for your device to ensure the best compatibility.

When you're done, save your encoder configuration and start your encoder to begin streaming to Sardius.

### **Verify the Connection**

Once your encoder is streaming:

1. Return to the **Sardius Control Panel**.
2. Create or open a **Live Event** on your calendar.
3. Launch the **Live Event Manager**.

If your encoder is connected, you'll see **live video in the player**. This confirms your encoder is properly connected to your Sardius channel.

> **Note:** For best results, always **start your encoder before the scheduled event start time**. This helps avoid missing video at the beginning of your event.

---

### **Common Questions & Troubleshooting**

#### Why can't I continue to the next step?

Each step in the stream setup must be completed before you can move on.

#### Can I edit a Manual stream later?

Yes. You can change the source, protocol and outputs anytime before the stream goes live. See **Change an Existing Manual Stream** above.

#### I don't see video in the Sardius player. What should I check first?

Start with these basics:

1. Confirm your **encoder is actively streaming**, not just configured.
2. If you're using **RTMP or RTMPS**, double-check that the **Stream URL** and **Stream Key** were entered correctly.
3. If you're using **SRT**, double-check that the **Stream URL**, **Port** and **Passphrase** were entered correctly (and the **Stream ID**, if your encoder uses one).
4. Make sure your **encoder started streaming before the event start time**.
5. Refresh the **Live Event Manager** after your encoder is live.

If everything above checks out and you still don't see video, [contact our support team](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/kb-tickets/new).

### **What's the difference between Sardius Stream and Entrypoint?**

- **Sardius Stream** uses RTMP, RTMPS or SRT and works best when you're also streaming to social media. Sardius Stream supports HD only, not 4K.

- **Sardius HLS Entrypoint** uses HLS instead of RTMP, RTMPS or SRT to deliver your stream into Sardius's Content Delivery Network (CDN). Because your stream is already in HLS, no transcoding is needed to deliver it to viewers on mobile devices. It's ideal if your source is already HLS, and it can output to a Sardius Channel as well as most web and mobile apps. Learn more in [Set Up Sardius HLS Entrypoint](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/set-up-sardius-hls-entrypoint).