Live streaming using the External monitor app

By using the External monitor app, you can live stream from anywhere via a mobile network while monitoring video from a connected camera such as an Alpha camera manufactured by Sony.

  • Deliver up to 4K high-resolution content from the connected camera to your audience.
  • Easily publish your content across various social media services using the RTMP protocol.


When using the External monitor app, connect a camera that supports HDMI output or USB Video Class (UVC) output to your device.

Diagram of connecting your device to a camera

  1. Find and tap (External monitor icon) to launch the External monitor app.
    If (External monitor icon) is not in the app drawer, find and tap [Settings] > [Device connection] > [Connection preferences] > [External monitor], and then tap the [Show External monitor app] switch.
  2. Connect a camera.
    • Connect a camera that supports HDMI output to the HDMI Type-A terminal of your device using an HDMI cable.
    • Connect a camera that supports USB Video Class (UVC) output to the USB Type-C terminal ( Data transfer) of your device using a USB Type-C cable.
  3. Tap (Settings icon) > [Streaming settings].
    If no menus or icons are displayed, tap anywhere on the screen.
  4. Tap [Connect to], and then select the method of RTMP streaming.
    • [Custom RTMP]: Select to stream using RTMP, and then set [RTMP stream URL] and [RTMP stream key].
    • [YouTube™]: Select to stream using YouTube. Follow the on-screen instructions to set [YouTube™ account] and [YouTube™ live event]. To create a new event, tap [Create new event].
  5. Tap [Mode], and then select [Streaming mode].
  6. Tap (Streaming button) to start streaming.
    To stop streaming, tap (Streaming button).

Overview of the Streaming mode in the External monitor app

Image showing where each parameter is located on the Streaming mode screen in the External monitor app. Upper area, 1. Right area from top to bottom, 2 and 3. Left area, 4.

  1. Streaming indicator/Streaming time/Streaming bitrate (displayed only during streaming)
  2. Tap to mute or unmute the microphone.
  3. Tap to start or stop streaming.
  4. Network status

Note

  • When using the External monitor app, observe the terms of service for the live streaming service and requirements related to live streaming.
  • Depending on the live streaming service, the conditions or specifications may change or be added without notice.
  • If live streaming does not work properly, try switching the network type. To switch the network type, find and tap [Settings] > [Network & internet] > [SIMs], select a SIM, tap [Preferred network type], and then select a network type. Available network types depend on your contract.

Hint

  • To make streaming more stable, adjust the settings in the [Video] category according to the specifications of the live streaming service, the network bandwidth, and the network status. Tap (Settings icon) > [Streaming settings] > [Max resolution], [Frame rate], or [Video quality], and then select an option. The options are as follows.
    Max resolution Frame rate

    (fps)

    		 Video quality (streaming bitrate)
    Low Medium High
    3840 x 2160 60/50 20000 kbps 35500 kbps 51000 kbps
    30 or less 13000 kbps 23500 kbps 34000 kbps
    1920 x 1080 60/50 4500 kbps 6750 kbps 9000 kbps
    30 or less 3000 kbps 4500 kbps 6000 kbps
    1280 x 720 60/50 2250 kbps 4125 kbps 6000 kbps
    30 or less 1500 kbps 2750 kbps 4000 kbps
  • When streaming, the values for resolution, frame rate, and video quality adjusted in the [Video] category are upper limits. If the values for the video input from the connected external camera are lower than the settings adjusted in the [Video] category, the video will be streamed with the settings from the connected external camera.
  • Disturbances or discontinuation of video images and audio may occur at low communication speeds, such as when streaming in a place where the signal quality is poor or while moving. In this case, the following settings may improve the video and audio conditions.
    • Tap (Settings icon) > [Streaming settings] > [Max resolution], and then select [1280 x 720].
    • Tap (Settings icon) > [Streaming settings] > [Video quality], and then select [Low].


On sound when using the External monitor app

When using the External monitor app, you can live stream or monitor the sound input from the connected camera or the microphone of your device.

If you connect an external microphone to your device, the sound input from the connected external microphone will be live streamed or monitored.

  • You can adjust the audio quality while live streaming.

    Tap (Settings icon) > [Streaming settings], and then tap [Bitrate], [Sample rate], or [Audio channel] to adjust each item.

  • You can select whether to output audio from the speaker of your device or the connected headphones.

    Tap (Settings icon) > [Monitor settings] > [Audio output], and then select an option.

Note

  • Audio input is limited when connecting with a USB 3.0 Super Speed cable depending on the Android version. Use the appropriate cable when connecting your device to a camera using a USB cable.
    • With the Android 13 software version, to live stream or monitor the sound input from a connected camera, connect it using a USB 2.0 High Speed cable. If you connect the camera using a USB 3.0 Super Speed cable, you can live stream or monitor the sound input from the microphone of your device.
    • After updating your device to Android 14, you can live stream or monitor the sound input from a connected camera using either a USB 2.0 High Speed cable or a USB 3.0 Super Speed cable.
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