22 Jun 2026 · 5 min read
Steam Store Broadcasts run over RTMP, which means your video has to be encoded to a specific live spec or Steam will reject it. Here is the spec that works, field by field.
1080p at a standard frame rate is the safe target. Unusual resolutions or frame rates can be downscaled or rejected, so stick to a conventional 16:9 1080p output.
Steam expects a constant bitrate at or below roughly 6 Mbps. Variable bitrate (VBR) can cause stutter and drops on the player side; constant bitrate (CBR) keeps the stream stable for hours on end.
Set a keyframe every 2 seconds. A 2-second GOP is what Steam’s player expects for smooth seeking and reliable continuous playback. Longer intervals are a common reason broadcasts look broken.
Encode audio as AAC. Even if your loop has no important sound, include a valid AAC track - a missing or non-standard audio stream can get the broadcast rejected.
Any 16:9 trailer, gameplay capture or sizzle reel works. Longer loops feel more “live” than a 30-second clip on repeat. Lead with your strongest footage in the first minute.
With Loopcast you don’t set any of this by hand. We transcode whatever you upload to Steam’s exact broadcast spec automatically, so it’s accepted every time. All you need is your Stream key.
Upload a video, paste your stream key, hit start. From $0.72/day.
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