Use an encoder for streaming with Microsoft Teams

Important

Teams live events retired on June 30, 2026. Events scheduled before June 30, 2026 are supported through February 28, 2027. Learn more about Teams live events retirement.

We recommend transitioning to the unified Teams events experience, which provides a centralized way to set up and manage digital and hybrid events at scale. Organizers can use templates to schedule town halls and create events from scratch to tailor the experience. To learn more, see Plan for Teams events.

APPLIES TO: Image of a checkmark for yesMeetings Image of a checkmark for yesEvents Image of a checkmark for yesLive events

Video encoders allow users to produce Microsoft Teams meetings and events through external hardware or software-based solutions.

Overview

An encoder takes audio and video content from various sources you use during a meeting or event, such as a camera, a microphone, or a desktop screen capture. The encoder compresses and converts that media into a suitable digital format, and sends it to Teams for live streaming to your audience. To learn more about how you can use Teams production technologies (such as NDI) with external encoders, see our Custom Production playbook.

Prerequisites

Users must have a Teams meeting policy that has RTMP-In or SRT-In enabled. To learn more, see Manage RTMP-In for Teams meetings and events and Manage SRT-In for Teams meetings and events.

Production workflow when using an encoder

Here's the workflow for producing a Teams event using an encoder.

The organizer must turn on RTMP-In or SRT-In in their Meeting options.

  • RTMP-In creates an RTMP endpoint, which is provided with an RTMP(S) URL and corresponding stream key. The encoder uses the URL and stream key to connect to the RTMP endpoint for the scheduled event.
  • SRT-In creates an SRT endpoint, which is provided with an SRT URL. The encoder uses the URL to connect to the SRT endpoint for the scheduled event.

Common video encoders used for live streaming

Microsoft validated the following video encoders for live streaming with Teams.

Supported encoders

Encoder Encoder Type RTMP SRT
AJA HELO Plus Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes.
AWS Elemental Live Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes.
Blackmagic Web Presenter HD Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes.
Blackmagic ATEM Mini with streaming engine Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes.
BrandLive Service Image of a checkmark for yes.
Epiphan video Pearl Nano Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes. Image of a checkmark for yes.
FFmpeg Software Image of a checkmark for yes. Image of a checkmark for yes.
Haivision Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes. Image of a checkmark for yes.
Kiloview E3 Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes.
Live Arena AI Producer Service Image of a checkmark for yes.
Magewell Ultra Encode AIO Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes. Image of a checkmark for yes.
Matrox Monarch EDGE Series Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes. Image of a checkmark for yes.
Newtek TriCaster 2 Elite Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes.
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS Studio) Software Image of a checkmark for yes. Image of a checkmark for yes.
Socialive Service Image of a checkmark for yes.
StreamYard Service Image of a checkmark for yes.
Telestream Wirecast Software Image of a checkmark for yes.
Teradek Prism Flex Hardware Image of a checkmark for yes. Image of a checkmark for yes.
vMix Software Image of a checkmark for yes. Image of a checkmark for yes.
XSplit Broadcaster Software Image of a checkmark for yes.