Getting Started on ZapStream

(Last updated on August 29, 2023)

I've received a few questions from other creators about streaming on ZapStream so I've decided to write this short introduction to ZapStream and, for those who don't have a nostr account yet, a simple 3-step guide to get started on nostr.

What is ZapStream?

ZapStream is a live streaming platform built on the nostr protocol allowing creators to stream and instantly monetize their content on a true and circular value4value social media network. On ZapStream there is no “road to affiliate” grind, no perks and no revenue share with the platform.

What is nostr?

Nostr - notes and other stuff transported by relays

Nostr is a simple, open protocol that enables global, decentralized, and censorship-resistant social media. When creating an account for nostr you’re able to access any app, website or platform through one account. No user names, password or two-factor authentication. Your nostr account is your key to everything nostr. Guard it well!

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Creating a nostr account

There are many ways to join the nostr network but for the purpose of this tutorial I’ve decided to focus on guiding you through three simple steps.

GetAlby

This browser extension is your authenticator for the nostr network and doubles as a Bitcoin lightning wallet. Head to GetAlby and add the extension to your browser to create a GetAlby account. After installing and creating your Alby account, open the extension and click on go to "manage your web account" via the dropdown menu in the top-right of the app and set your desired lightening address handle as shown in the screenshot below.

Snort

Snort is one of many social media sites on the nostr network. You could compare it to platforms like Twitter. Once you’ve created your GetAlby account, head over to Snort.social and authenticate with your brand new extension. WELCOME TO NOSTR!

Setting up your profile

On Snort browse to your profile settings and create your nostr profile. Avatar, banner, user name, display name, about (bio) website. NIP-5? Don’t worry about it just yet or click here to learn more about NIP-5. Now that you’ve joined the nostr network and created your profile it’s time to send your first note. Go back to the home page and say hi to the world.

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ZapStream

Go to zap.stream and click the login button on the top right. Authenticate with your GetAlby extension and you’re almost ready to stream.

OBS Configuration

OBS tutorials

Configuring OBS depends very much on the users hardware components and bandwidth. Thus there is no “one guide fits all”. When installing OBS you’ll be prompted to run the setup wizard, run it. The wizard will identify your hardware and configure your OBS. Once OBS has auto-configured you can go into settings and customize the bitrate, output resolution and frame rate.

There are plenty of OBS tutorials on the internet for NVIDA, AMD and software encoding. Therefore we won't address this further in this guide. Google loves you.

Going Live

To go live on ZapStream click again on the top-right to grab the streaming URL and stream key. Select your desired stream option and add your stream info, cover and tags. Click save and hit start streaming in OBS. You're live!

Hosted

Connecting OBS to ZapStream is no different than connecting to any other site but you can choose from several options. Pick your desired option, copy the stream URL and stream key, add both to OBS and you’re ready to go.

Best

This option charges 10sats/min and offers server side encoding for your streams output (source, 720, 480, etc). ZapStream might add more features to this plan in the future but for now it’s only the guaranteed encoding for your viewers.

Basic

This option charges only 2.5sats/min but doesn’t offer server side output encoding. If you use this option consider setting your video settings in OBS to 30 FPS and rescale your output to 720 for best viewing quality. Viewers with a slower connection may experience blurry video. Thus using the Best solution is recommended in particular for gaming.

Self hosted

Creators with a server or Cloudflare account may stream directly to ZapStream through applications such as Owncast or others. Please refer to Cloudflare streaming or Owncast’s website for details on how-to setup your own streaming server.

Features / Options

OBS overlays

ZapStream offers a variety of native chat overalys also known as widgets. Those include zap alerts, top zappers, viewers and a chat overlay. To add widgets to your overlay go do zap.stream/widgets, copy the link for a widget and add the link to a new browser source in OBS. Then rescale the widget to your needs and voila, you're set.

OBS Docks

You can also add your chat as a custom dock to OBS. Use the same link as above when you create the dock allowing you to have your chat inside OBS rather than popping it out on your desktop.

Chat features

On nostr all content has unique event identifiers also known as nostr events. ZapStream supports embedding of almost any nostr event directly into your chat. This can be a note, emoji pack, goal or any other supported nostr event. To add an event add the tag nostr: before the event ID.

Chat moderation

Nostr is a censorship resistant and free speech centric protocol self-moderating the content users want to see or not see is the way to go. However, ZapStream supports muting of users (NIP-28, kind 10_000 events). This means that users can mute other users and anyone muted by the host will be muted in the creators chat for everyone else (host mute list).

Emote packs

As creator you can add your own emote packs to chat or use packs created by other nostr users. Head over to https://emojis-iota.vercel.app/ to create or add emotes to your account. Viewers may also use their own emotes and you can link emote packs in chat so viewers can add them to their own account.

Cards

Cards are the widgets you see below your stream. Cards support most nostr events, images, links and text. You can add your schedule, chat rules, referrals, partners or anything else you like by editing the cards.

Goals

Creators can create goals for their stream. The option to create a goal for the current stream scan be found above the chat. Add a goal name and the amount to be raised and click save. The goal will appear above your chat and it will be removed at the end of your stream or when starting a new stream. Goals can be also added to cards. To add a custom goal to a card head over to https://goals-silk.vercel.app/, create a custom url and then copy/paste the event ID of the goal into the text field of a card. Goals also work in chat.

Dedicated [email protected] handle

Creators may also secure a unique ZapStream identifier through Snort.social. To secure your handle head over to https://snort.social/settings/handle, add your channel name and pay the invoice. One you’ve secured your handle you’ll be able to use https://zap.stream/YOURHANDLE for your ZapStream.

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Reference links for ZapStream and nostr:

• ZapStream ToS
• Emote packs
• Nostr goals
• Nostr - Get started