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Restream Speaker Instructions
Restream Speaker Instructions
Daniel Murphey avatar
Written by Daniel Murphey
Updated over a week ago

Congratulations! You’ve been invited to join a Restream broadcast as a speaker. Follow this guide to set yourself up for a successful live stream. Your stream host or event organizer will likely invite you to a rehearsal session. If they don't, ask them for one so you're completely comfortable when it's time to go live!

Before the broadcast

If you're joining the broadcast from a network secured with a firewall or web filter, you may need to add the studio URLs to your allowlist. We strongly recommend you send our domain allowlist article to your IT representative and ask them to add exceptions for all Restream URLs.

For the best studio experience, make sure you have the following:

  • A laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and a reliable microphone. If you don’t have a laptop or desktop, you can join the studio using your phone.

  • A second monitor is helpful when sharing your screen.

  • An up-to-date version of Chrome or Firefox. If you're joining from your phone, use Chrome on an Android device or Safari on iOS.

  • A strong internet connection to prevent lagging and ensure that your audio and camera are as clear as possible. We recommend connecting your computer to your router with an ethernet cable instead of using WiFi if possible.

  • Wear earbuds or wired headphones to prevent audio echoes.

Joining the broadcast

When the time comes, follow these steps to enter the broadcast studio:

  1. The host should provide you with a link before the stream. Open the link in your browser, which takes you to the broadcast studio "green room" where you'll get ready before entering the studio.

  2. Your browser will likely prompt you to grant the studio access to your camera and mic. Allow access to both so you can turn on your camera and mic while in the studio. If you miss the prompt, click the lock icon next to the Chrome browser's address bar and set 'Camera' and 'Microphone' to Allow. If you aren't using Chrome, refer to the instructions for your specific browser.

    Screenshot of Chrome's lock icon menu. The Camera and Microphone settings are indicated.
  3. Click the Settings (⚙️) icon below the video preview and use the tabs on the left to make sure you have the correct Video input, Audio input, and Audio output selected. To set a solid or virtual background, go to the Virtual Background tab. Since the lighting around you might impact virtual backgrounds, be sure to test this feature before you join the studio.

    Screenshot of the Settings modal.
    1. We highly recommend using headphones to listen to the other speakers without audio echoing in the live stream.

    2. If your internet connection is slow, consider setting your video resolution to a lower quality. You can also change this after entering the studio if necessary. If you're not sure what to do, ask the host.

    3. We recommend keeping Echo cancellation and Noise suppression on.

  4. Finally, enter your name under the Ready to join heading. You'll typically use your first and last name, but ask the host for specific instructions on how to format your display name. They might want you to include the name of your organization and your pronouns, for example.

  5. When you're ready, click Join Stream.

Screenshot of the Join Stream button.

In the studio

The host will know that you’ve arrived in the studio, though viewers can't see or hear you until the host goes live and adds you to the broadcast. A panel below your video preview shows whether you're in the show.

Screenshots showing the backstage and live messages.

While the host controls when and how your video feed, screen share, and local video files appear in the stream, Restream lets you add and control some aspects of the studio:

Edit name, profile image, and settings

Click the three-dot icon next to your name above your video to edit your name, or select Change avatar to update your studio profile image. This is the image that displays when your camera is inactive while you're on stage.

Screenshot of the 3 dot icon activated to display the menu.

Click the Settings (⚙️) icon below the video panel to edit the same mic, camera, and quality settings as in the "green room" before you joined the studio.

Muting video and audio

Click the mic or camera icons below the video panel to mute or unmute them. Pressing your computer's M key also mutes your mic, and the V key turns your camera off.

Sharing your screen

Click the monitor icon below the video panel to share your screen. Depending on your browser, the modal that appears may be different from the following screenshot. Most browsers provide the same three options to share your whole screen, a specific window, or a specific browser tab.

💡 Keep in mind, we recommend sharing only the specific window or tab you'll show in the stream unless you need to switch between multiple applications or tabs.

Screenshot of the Chrome screen sharing modal.

If you need to share your computer's audio as you share your screen, share a specific tab and check the Share tab audio box in the lower left corner of the modal.

When you share a window or tab, your computer automatically focuses on it and puts other windows and tabs behind it. Don't worry! You're still in the studio, and the host is handling the stream. 👍

If you need to share a PowerPoint and want to observe what's going on in the studio at the same time, a second monitor comes in handy. Don't have a second monitor? Present from a browser tab using Google Slides or PowerPoint via SharePoint, and share only the presentation browser tab so you can switch between the presentation and the studio without showing your audience too much. 🙈

Screenshot of the Restream studio. The user is sharing a presentation on their screen.

Your screen share appears on the left side of the studio under your name and video.

💡 Keep in mind, it's usually best to start your screen share right after you join the studio — even before the stream is live. This lets the host plan ahead and avoid rushing or awkward silences.

Click the monitor icon again when you're finished sharing your screen.

Sharing an extra camera, local video, and presentations

Click the Plus (+) icon next to the settings icon to share an extra camera, a video file that's stored on your computer, or a presentation from your computer or Google Drive.

Screenshot of the Add to your stream modal that appears when you click the plus icon.

💡 Keep in mind, if your presentation has video, audio, or animations, open the presentation in your browser using Google Slides and use Restream's screen sharing feature.

  • Extra camera - If you have a secondary camera connected to your computer, add that camera to show yourself from multiple angles, or show someone else in the room. Be aware that adding a second camera doesn't let you add a second audio device. Make sure everyone is close to the microphone! 🎤

  • Local Video - Click Local Video. In the window that appears, select the file on your computer. The selected video appears on the left side of the studio under your name.

    Screenshot showing local video playing in the Streaming Studio.

    The video begins playing when the host adds it to the live stream. If you need to pause the video at any point, click the pause button on the video preview in the left panel. Use the video progress bar in the preview to skip forward or backward in the video.

    💡 Keep in mind, it's usually best to add your local video right after you join the studio — even before the stream is live. This lets the host plan ahead and avoid rushing or awkward silences.

  • Presentations - Click the Presentations option, then click either Upload or Drive to add your presentation.

    Screenshot of the Presentations modal.

    Depending on which option you choose, you'll either select the file from your device and click Open, or you'll grant Restream access to your Google Drive account and select the presentation there. Once the file imports, click the file to add it to the studio.

    The presentation appears in the live stream when the host adds it. Once the presentation is live, use the arrows in the source panel to the left of the stream preview to control the slides.

    Screenshot showing the live toggle and slide controls on the source panel for a presentation.

Private chat

In the bottom left corner of the studio, click the Private Chat bar to expand the chat panel.

Private Chat lets you send messages to only the host and other speakers. This is great if you have technical questions for the host or ideas to share with other speakers during the live stream!

Screenshot showing the private chat panel expanded.

Attendee chat

Review attendees' chat messages in the Chat panel to the left of the stream preview if the host turns chat on for the stream. Before the stream goes live, ask your host for guidance on responding to chats.

💡 Keep in mind, you can only reply to chat messages live in the stream. There's no option to enter text responses to chat from the streaming studio.

Screenshot of the Chat panel in the studio.

During the stream, the host may show a chat message in the stream, and and it appears at the bottom of the video panel.

Screenshot of a Chat message highlighted in a live stream.

Leaving the studio

When the live stream is all wrapped up, click Leave above the video panel or simply close your browser tab.

If you have any questions about your responsibilities and behavior during a live stream, don't hesitate to reach out to your host!

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

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