How to Create an HLS Link From OBS, vMix, or Wirecast

If you’re in the live streaming game, you've probably come across the term HLS (HTTP Live Streaming). It's a powerful and flexible streaming protocol developed by Apple that allows you to deliver your stream over the internet to virtually any device. Whether you're using OBS, vMix, or Wirecast, learning how to generate HLS link is a key step to getting your content online and accessible. In this guide, we’ll break it down and show you exactly how to create an HLS link from each of these popular broadcasting tools. What is an HLS Link, Anyway? An HLS link is essentially a URL that points to a live stream in .m3u8 format. This format breaks your stream into small chunks and serves them over HTTP, making it perfect for playback across mobile, web, and OTT platforms. Once you generate an HLS link, you can embed it into a website, share it with a CDN, or stream directly to platforms like Roku, Apple TV, and smart TVs. Why Use HLS for Streaming? Device Compatibility: Works on almost all browsers and devices Adaptive Bitrate: Automatically adjusts stream quality based on user connection Reliability: HLS is designed for high-quality, low-latency streaming Scalability: Easy to distribute to global audiences What You Need to Generate an HLS Link Before you dive in, here’s what you’ll need: A streaming software like OBS, vMix, or Wirecast An RTMP-compatible media server or CDN that supports HLS output (e.g., Wowza, Nimble Streamer, Ant Media, or even AWS MediaLive) A hosting environment (cloud or local) A bit of tech-savvy, but don't worry—we’ll keep it simple! How to Generate HLS Link Using OBS OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) doesn’t generate HLS links directly—it streams via RTMP. So here’s what you do: Step-by-Step: Set up a media server (like Wowza, Nimble, or NGINX with RTMP module). In OBS, go to Settings > Stream. Choose Custom as your service. Enter the RTMP URL provided by your media server. Start streaming. Your media server will then convert your RTMP stream into an HLS stream. Locate your HLS .m3u8 link on the server—congrats! You just created your first HLS link. How to Generate HLS Link Using vMix vMix provides more flexibility for direct streaming and recording, and you can route it through a server that outputs HLS. Steps: In vMix, go to Settings > Streaming. Choose Custom RTMP Server. Enter your RTMP server details (from Wowza, Ant Media, or similar). Hit Start Streaming. Your server will output an HLS stream, usually with a URL like: http://yourserver.com/live/stream.m3u8 How to Generate HLS Link Using Wirecast Wirecast has solid integration with media servers and CDNs. Steps: Open Output Settings. Select RTMP Server as your destination. Enter your stream key and server URL. Start the stream. Your media server processes the stream and makes your .m3u8 HLS link available. How to Test Your HLS Link Once you have your .m3u8 URL, test it: In VLC Media Player: Open Network Stream and paste the link In a browser video player: Use Video.js or hls.js On devices: Test across desktop, mobile, and smart TVs Bonus Tip: Using a CDN for Global Distribution Once you've generated the HLS link, you can supercharge its delivery by pushing it through a CDN like: Cloudflare Stream Akamai Fastly AWS CloudFront This ensures smooth playback for users no matter where they’re located. Conclusion If you’re looking to generate HLS link from OBS, vMix, or Wirecast, the key is having a reliable media server or platform that can transcode your RTMP feed into HLS. Once set up, you’ll be able to deliver your live streams smoothly across multiple devices, browsers, and platforms. HLS isn’t just a tech buzzword—it’s a must-have for anyone serious about scalable, professional live streaming.

Apr 11, 2025 - 12:36

How to Create an HLS Link From OBS, vMix, or Wirecast

If you’re in the live streaming game, you've probably come across the term HLS (HTTP Live Streaming). It's a powerful and flexible streaming protocol developed by Apple that allows you to deliver your stream over the internet to virtually any device. Whether you're using OBS, vMix, or Wirecast, learning how to generate HLS link is a key step to getting your content online and accessible.

In this guide, we’ll break it down and show you exactly how to create an HLS link from each of these popular broadcasting tools.

What is an HLS Link, Anyway?

An HLS link is essentially a URL that points to a live stream in .m3u8 format. This format breaks your stream into small chunks and serves them over HTTP, making it perfect for playback across mobile, web, and OTT platforms.

Once you generate an HLS link, you can embed it into a website, share it with a CDN, or stream directly to platforms like Roku, Apple TV, and smart TVs.

Why Use HLS for Streaming?

Device Compatibility: Works on almost all browsers and devices

Adaptive Bitrate: Automatically adjusts stream quality based on user connection

Reliability: HLS is designed for high-quality, low-latency streaming

Scalability: Easy to distribute to global audiences

What You Need to Generate an HLS Link

Before you dive in, here’s what you’ll need:

A streaming software like OBS, vMix, or Wirecast

An RTMP-compatible media server or CDN that supports HLS output (e.g., Wowza, Nimble Streamer, Ant Media, or even AWS MediaLive)

A hosting environment (cloud or local)

A bit of tech-savvy, but don't worry—we’ll keep it simple!

How to Generate HLS Link Using OBS

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) doesn’t generate HLS links directly—it streams via RTMP. So here’s what you do:

Step-by-Step:
Set up a media server (like Wowza, Nimble, or NGINX with RTMP module).
In OBS, go to Settings > Stream.
Choose Custom as your service.
Enter the RTMP URL provided by your media server.
Start streaming.

Your media server will then convert your RTMP stream into an HLS stream.

Locate your HLS .m3u8 link on the server—congrats! You just created your first HLS link.

How to Generate HLS Link Using vMix

vMix provides more flexibility for direct streaming and recording, and you can route it through a server that outputs HLS.

Steps:
In vMix, go to Settings > Streaming.
Choose Custom RTMP Server.
Enter your RTMP server details (from Wowza, Ant Media, or similar).
Hit Start Streaming.

Your server will output an HLS stream, usually with a URL like:
http://yourserver.com/live/stream.m3u8

How to Generate HLS Link Using Wirecast

Wirecast has solid integration with media servers and CDNs.

Steps:
Open Output Settings.
Select RTMP Server as your destination.
Enter your stream key and server URL.
Start the stream.

Your media server processes the stream and makes your .m3u8 HLS link available.

How to Test Your HLS Link

Once you have your .m3u8 URL, test it:

In VLC Media Player: Open Network Stream and paste the link
In a browser video player: Use Video.js or hls.js
On devices: Test across desktop, mobile, and smart TVs

Bonus Tip: Using a CDN for Global Distribution

Once you've generated the HLS link, you can supercharge its delivery by pushing it through a CDN like:

Cloudflare Stream
Akamai
Fastly
AWS CloudFront

This ensures smooth playback for users no matter where they’re located.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to generate HLS link from OBS, vMix, or Wirecast, the key is having a reliable media server or platform that can transcode your RTMP feed into HLS. Once set up, you’ll be able to deliver your live streams smoothly across multiple devices, browsers, and platforms.

HLS isn’t just a tech buzzword—it’s a must-have for anyone serious about scalable, professional live streaming.