Introduction In today’s digital age, the world of content creation has undergone a remarkable transformation. From video sharing platforms to social media networks, creators have embraced various mediums to express their talents, share their stories, and connect with audiences worldwide. Among these avenues, live video streaming has emerged as a dynamic and engaging method for creators to establish a real-time connection with their followers. In this ever-evolving landscape, a new player has entered the arena – Zap.Stream, a live video streaming platform built on the Nostr protocol.
Live video streaming has become a cultural phenomenon, enabling creators to broadcast live content to audiences in real time. Whether it’s hosting interactive Q&A sessions, live performances, virtual events, or sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, streaming provides a unique and personal touch that other mediums often struggle to replicate. The experience is akin to inviting viewers into the creator’s world, fostering a sense of intimacy and immediacy that captivates and engages.
Event for Nostr live stream
{
"kind": 30311,
"tags": [
["d", "<unique identifier>"],
["title", "<name of the event>"],
["summary", "<description>"],
["image", "<preview image url>"],
["t", "hashtag"]
["streaming", "<url>"],
["recording", "<url>"], // used to place the edited video once the activity is over
["starts", "<unix timestamp in seconds>"],
["ends", "<unix timestamp in seconds>"],
["status", "<planned, live, ended>"],
["current_participants", "<number>"],
["total_participants", "<number>"],
["p", "91cf9..4e5ca", "wss://provider1.com/", "Host", "<proof>"],
["p", "14aeb..8dad4", "wss://provider2.com/nostr", "Speaker"],
["p", "612ae..e610f", "ws://provider3.com/ws", "Participant"],
["relays", "wss://one.com", "wss://two.com", ...]
],
"content": "",
...other fields
}
Event for live chat message
{
"id": "<32-bytes lowercase hex-encoded SHA-256 of the the serialized event data>",
"pubkey": "<32-bytes lowercase hex-encoded public key of the event creator>",
"created_at": "<Unix timestamp in seconds>",
"kind": 1311,
"tags": [
["a", "30311:<Community event author pubkey>:<d-identifier of the community>", "<Optional relay url>", "root"],
],
"content": "Zaps to live streams is beautiful."
}
Dynamic World of Live Streaming on Nostr While Nostr protocol has established itself as a groundbreaking solution for censorship-resistant social media applications, its initial focus was predominantly on reshaping the landscape of short-form and long-form text content, akin to platforms like Twitter and blogging clients. As both the protocol and its associated clients continue to evolve, coupled with advancements in infrastructure, Nostr is now poised to embark on an exciting expansion beyond its foundational phase of social media innovation.
As the Nostr network gains momentum and attracts a diverse array of content creators and users, there arises a natural inclination to transcend the boundaries of traditional textual content—unveiling new avenues for expression and engagement. With this vision in mind, the integration of NIP-53 into the Nostr protocol emerges as a pivotal milestone, setting the stage for the introduction of live streaming capabilities. NIP-53 not only facilitates the creation of distinct events but also ensures seamless recognition and display of live streams across compatible clients.
Similar to any bespoke Nostr event, the adoption and support for these innovative live streaming events are reliant on the active participation of relays and clients. In a compelling and strategic move, the pioneering platform to embrace NIP-53 and usher in the era of live streaming on Nostr is none other than Snort Social.
This pivotal development marks a significant stride in Nostr’s evolutionary journey, expanding its realm beyond text-based interactions and embracing the captivating realm of live streaming. With NIP-53 as its guiding force, Nostr beckons a new wave of social media enthusiasts to engage, share, and connect through the dynamic medium of live streaming—a testament to the protocol’s adaptability and commitment to providing users with a diverse and enriching digital experience.
Zap.Stream takes this concept of live video streaming to the next level, offering a host of advantages that empower creators to amplify their impact and reach. Here are some key highlights:
1. Seamless Interaction: One of the most significant advantages of live streaming is the ability for creators to interact directly with their audience. Zap.Stream enhances this interaction by providing real-time chat features, polls, and interactive widgets that enable creators to engage with viewers like never before. Whether it’s responding to comments, conducting live polls, or inviting viewers to join the conversation, Zap.Stream facilitates meaningful and genuine connections.
2. Privacy and Control: Zap.Stream prioritizes creator autonomy by offering robust privacy and control settings. Creators can choose to stream publicly, exclusively to their subscribers, or to select groups. This level of control ensures that creators can tailor their content to the right audience and maintain a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved.
3. Content Variety: From educational workshops and gaming sessions to live performances and interactive interviews, Zap.Stream celebrates the diversity of content creation. Creators from various niches can leverage the platform to showcase their skills, share their expertise, and build a loyal following.
Zap.stream: Nostr Streaming with sats
zap.stream takes live streaming to new heights. This platform harnesses the capabilities of Nostr protocol to provide creators with an unparalleled environment where censorship resistance, authenticity, and user-centric design converge.
Highlights
- Start live stream via zap.stream or Cloudflare
- Watch other live streams
- Chat via nostr
- Custom emojis
- Zap streamers in real time
- Zap chat participants in real time
- Set up stream goals
- Emoji Reactions
- Responsive
Current state
- This is a very simple “passthrough” streaming provider.
- This stream provider will publish your nostr streaming event when you start pushing your stream and also set it to ended once you’re done.
- Current fee rate is 21 sats/min (subject to change).
How to get started
- Visit https://zap.stream/.
- Click “Stream.”
- Top up your Balance (you can zap the platform).
- Copy your Stream URL and add it to your Stream Server Settings in OBS.
- Copy your Stream Key and add that into OBS as well (Stream settings).
- Click “Start Streaming” in OBS. That’s it, you’re live!
- Revisit zap.stream and click on the stream button again to add a title, description, etc. Hit save.
The last episode of the Yakihonne Honnebox Podcast was streamed on Zap.stream for over 40 minutes and it was a wholespme experience.