StagePilot Adds SRT Ingest

Whether we’re producing a stream or someone is hosting their production on StagePilot’s platform, reliability isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s the difference between a great fan experience and a broken one.

That’s why we’ve added SRT ingest to the StagePilot platform. Producers can now choose RTMP or SRT on a per-stream basis – selecting the protocol that best matches the location, network conditions, security requirements, and latency needs of each event.

If RTMP has been your default for years, you’re not alone. But for many modern productions – especially remote, international, or high-stakes streams – SRT is quickly becoming the new standard.

What Is SRT?

While RTMP dates back to the early 2000s, SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) is a much newer protocol, introduced in 2012 by Haivision.

Haivision later received an Emmy Award for “pioneering a reliable transmission method for live contribution and distribution TV links.” According to Haivision, SRT is “A video streaming transport protocol and technology stack designed to connect two endpoints to deliver low-latency video and other media streams across any network, including the public internet.” In short, SRT was designed from the ground up for modern, real-world internet conditions, not the idealized networks RTMP assumed 20+ years ago.

Why Use SRT Instead of RTMP?

SRT includes built-in protections that help maintain stream integrity in complex conditions. Key advantages of SRT include:

• Greater reliability on unstable networks: SRT actively accounts for common internet issues, producing a more consistent stream even when bandwidth or connectivity fluctuates.
• End-to-end encryption: SRT supports 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption, preventing unauthorized interception of your content—something RTMP does not natively provide.
• Lower latency without sacrificing stability: Unlike traditional TCP/IP workflows, SRT achieves significantly lower latency while still correcting errors that often plague ultra-low-latency streams.
• No format restrictions: SRT can transmit any payload—no limitations on video or audio formats, codecs, resolutions, or frame rates. You’re not boxed in by protocol constraints.

What Does SRT Protect Against?

SRT is especially effective at smoothing out the kinds of issues viewers immediately notice:

• Jitter: When packets arrive out of order, video can appear choppy and audio can drift out of sync. SRT buffers and reorders packets to maintain smooth playback.
• Packet loss: Missing data leads to visible glitches or audio dropouts. SRT detects lost packets and retransmits them, dramatically reducing these artifacts.
• Bandwidth fluctuations: When bandwidth suddenly drops, streams often pixelate or fail entirely. SRT adapts in real time, prioritizing continuity and quality for a better viewer experience.

When to Use SRT?

We recommend using SRT when:

• Streaming from remote regions without nearby servers
• Working with unstable or unpredictable networks
• Broadcasting from large events where thousands of devices are competing for bandwidth
• Content security matters and encryption is required
• Transmitting high-bitrate video (SRT remains stable up to ~20 Mbps, where RTMP can fail at high bitrates over distance via public internet)
• Ultra-low latency is a priority

In a 2023 Haivision test using dedicated hardware encoders and decoders, SRT proved to be up to 12x faster than RTMP. Even with software encoding, SRT delivered 2-3x lower latency than RTMP in comparable conditions.

RTMP or SRT? Now You Can Choose

RTMP is still a solid option for controlled environments with stable connectivity and shorter distances. SRT shines when reliability, security, distance, or latency truly matter.

If you need to stream a DJ set from South Africa, or broadcast from a yacht on an unreliable network (both of which we did last year), SRT is the ideal way to ensure that fans enjoy the best possible experience.

This update is now live on StagePilot. If you’re unsure which protocol is right for your next event, Let’s talk!