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📡 EventStream Guide, FAQ & Best Practices

ClickBid’s EventStream feature enables you to broadcast your live or virtual fundraising event directly to your bidding site audience. Whether you’re streaming from a ballroom or your home office, this guide walks through everything you need — from setup and hardware to broadcasting tips and troubleshooting.

🎬 Getting Started with EventStream

  1. Go to:
    Event Central > Live Broadcast

  2. Click Launch Butler EventStream

  3. Select your video and audio source

  4. Click Start to begin broadcasting

🔌 Using a Capture Card (Optional, but Recommended)

You can use a USB HDMI Capture Card (~$18 online) to stream high-quality video/audio from your A/V system:

  • Plug your A/V feed (camera or laptop HDMI) into the capture card

  • Plug the capture card into your laptop

  • Select the device as your input source in EventStream

  • Click Start

📤 Sharing a View-Only Link (For Auctioneer or AV)

Need to give your auctioneer or AV team access?

  1. In EventStream, click the View button

  2. In the field labeled Send View Only Display, enter their email or phone number

  3. They will receive a clean, live display of the broadcast — no admin access required

🌐 Browser Recommendations

EventStream works across all modern browsers, but:

  1. ✅ Use Firefox for the best video/audio reliability
  2. ❌ Avoid Chrome or Edge if you experience lag
  3. 🔁 Always re-select audio/video devices before starting a new stream

🛠️ Using OBS for Advanced Streaming

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) lets you stream with:

  • Multiple camera feeds

  • Slide decks and screen shares

  • Sponsor ads

  • Zoom interviews

  • Pre-recorded videos

We recommend OBS version 23.2.1, available directly from:
Event Central > Live Broadcast > Custom OBS Software Download

  • Streaming Settings Tip: Use h264 encoder

  • Bitrate: 2,500–4,000 kbps (based on your upload speed)

  • Speed Test: Google “speedtest” to check your bandwidth

🎓 For Mac users: OBS may need permissions granted via Terminal if using macOS Catalina or later.

🎥 Integrating Other Inputs

  • Video Switchers: Combine multiple video/audio sources into OBS

  • Zoom Calls: Use a separate laptop + USB capture card to pull Zoom into OBS

  • Sponsor Ads: Load into OBS scenes and switch during breaks

📋 EventStream FAQs

Q: Is Wi-Fi okay for streaming?
➤ No. Use a hardwired Ethernet connection. Avoid sharing Wi-Fi with guests or AV team.

Q: Can I use YouTube or Facebook Live?
➤ Not directly. Use OBS if you want to multicast to other platforms.

Q: Can I record the stream?
➤ Yes, via OBS. Your local copy is saved for post-event use.

Q: Can I pre-record my event?
➤ Yes, use OBS to play pre-recorded videos. You can also embed videos via YouTube shortcodes.

Q: Can I hide the video but show “Bid Live”?
➤ Yes. Enable EventStream but don’t start video.

Q: Can multiple people manage EventStream at once?
➤ No. Only one admin should control EventStream. Others can use the View-Only link.

Q: Can I stream copyrighted music?
➤ Yes for EventStream. But YouTube/Facebook will mute it, so use royalty-free tracks for other platforms.

Q: What’s the best audio setup between team and auctioneer?
➤ Use a Bluetooth earpiece or phone call off-camera — do not use Zoom, as it drains bandwidth.

Q: Does EventStream save chat messages?
➤ Yes, until deleted by the admin.

Q: How long should we stream?
➤ Aim for 1 hour, max 2 hours for optimal engagement.

✅ Pro Tips & Best Practices

✔️ Keep it short and exciting — aim for 60–90 minutes
✔️ Use 10–15 high-value items ($1K+ starting bids)
✔️ Use TravelPledge for consignment items
✔️ Run a mock auction with your team before going live
✔️ Insert sponsor ads using OBS scenes
✔️ Practice with your Butler Spotter and auctioneer
✔️ Confirm all starting bids ahead of time
✔️ Set up a confidence monitor for the auctioneer to see the live stream
✔️ OBS bitrate should always be less than your tested upload speed