RTMP vs SRT: which live streaming protocol should you use?
RTMP and SRT are the two protocols most often used to send a live feed from a venue to a platform or control room.
Where we use this- Contribution: the link from the encoder at the venue to the platform or control room.
- The protocol decides what happens to the picture when the venue network misbehaves.
- RTMP still suits platform ingest. For anything crossing the public internet, SRT is the safer default.
What it means in live production.
RTMP (Real Time Messaging Protocol) and SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) are both streaming contribution protocols. used to send video from a production source to a receiving infrastructure (usually encoding or switching equipment). They're often confused, but solve different problems.
RTMP is older (developed by Adobe) and assumes reliable network conditions. It works great in studios with stable fiber connections. It fails gracefully under poor network conditions (drops video rather than adapting). RTMP is simple, widely supported, and has low overhead. However, it lacks encryption and doesn't handle bandwidth fluctuation gracefully.
How it works on a live production.
SRT is newer, designed specifically for unreliable networks. It adapts encoding bitrate based on network conditions, retransmits lost packets, and uses forward error correction to prevent complete video loss during momentary network problems. SRT encrypts streams with AES-256. It's more complex but more reliable for challenging network conditions.
At Creative Broadcast Agency, the choice between RTMP and SRT depends on network conditions at the source. For a studio streaming locally over fiber. RTMP is fine and simpler. For a remote speaker broadcasting from their office over corporate WiFi. SRT is safer. For field coverage using 5G bonding. SRT is essential.
The latency difference is notable: RTMP introduces 1-2 frames latency, SRT introduces 2-3 seconds latency due to its adaptive and retransmission mechanisms. For low-latency streaming where every millisecond matters, RTMP is technically lower-latency. For reliability where occasional latency dips are acceptable, SRT's added latency is worthwhile.
Modern streaming workflows often use SRT for contribution (sending content from remote sources to broadcast infrastructure) and RTMP/HLS for delivery (sending to platforms and CDNs). This hybrid approach captures SRT's reliability advantages for contribution while using established delivery formats.
Live event streaming
Every live event we stream starts with this choice for the link out of the venue.
Low-latency streaming
Sub-500ms glass-to-glass streaming via SRT and WebRTC. Real-time interaction for esports, auctions, trading floors, and live Q&A events.
ReadWhat is SMPTE 2110? Baseband vs IP video
ReadSRT (Secure Reliable Transport)
SRT is a modern streaming protocol designed to reliably transmit video over unpredictable networks, particularly useful for live streaming from remote locations with unstable internet, field coverage, and contribution feeds from distributed sources.
ReadHLS (HTTP Live Streaming)
HLS is an adaptive streaming protocol where video is divided into small segments (typically 2-10 seconds), and a playlist file tells players where to find segments at various quality levels.
ReadNDI (Network Device Interface)
NDI is a protocol for real-time video transmission over IP networks, designed to be simpler and more flexible than SMPTE 2110 or SDI.
ReadQuestions people ask about this.
Which protocol should we use for remote feeds?
SRT for reliability, RTMP for simplicity. If the remote location has stable, professional internet, RTMP suffices. If remote location has variable connectivity (office on shared WiFi, cellular, or unreliable corporate network), SRT is safer. During Site Surveys, we assess connectivity and recommend appropriate protocol.
Can we use RTMP and SRT interchangeably?
Not directly. Equipment accepts RTMP *or* SRT input, not both. However, you can transcode. receive RTMP and re-send SRT if needed, or vice versa. This adds complexity and slight latency. Better to choose the right protocol upfront.
Does RTMP work over the internet or only in studios?
RTMP works over any network, including internet. However, the internet is unpredictable (latency varies, packets drop occasionally). RTMP doesn't handle these unpredictabilities well. It's possible but not recommended for internet contribution from remote locations.
Is SRT harder to set up than RTMP?
Slightly. SRT requires matching encryption keys on both endpoints and careful firewall/NAT configuration. RTMP is more straightforward. If your venue IT team is unfamiliar with SRT, RTMP might be easier to deploy initially. We provide documentation and support for whatever is chosen.
Tell us the date, the venue and who is watching.
We scope every live production against its run of show, not a package.
CBA builds sub-second live delivery for every show it produces, because transport decides whether the picture holds.