Recommended Free Tools
Short answer: a simple Nginx RTMP relay uses about one stream bitrate on each network leg. If you send a 5 Mbps stream from an encoder to an Nginx relay and then to YouTube, the encoder-to-relay link needs about 5 Mbps upload, the relay-to-YouTube link needs about 5 Mbps upload, and the relay handles roughly 5 Mbps received plus 5 Mbps sent. These are planning estimates; overhead and other network traffic add to them.
The bandwidth depends on bitrate and topology
The encoded video bitrate is the main number to plan around. Nginx RTMP does not impose a universal extra multiplier when it forwards one incoming stream to one destination without transcoding. Instead, count every network leg that carries the stream.
- Direct to YouTube: the encoder sends one copy, so its upload requirement is approximately the stream bitrate.
- Through one relay: the encoder uploads one copy to the relay, and the relay uploads one copy to YouTube. Each link carries approximately the stream bitrate.
- At the relay host: count inbound and outbound traffic separately. A one-input, one-output relay receives and sends roughly one stream bitrate each.
- Multiple destinations: the relay sends another outgoing copy for each additional destination. Do not multiply by YouTube viewers; YouTube distributes the stream to viewers.
NGINX documents RTMP as functionality provided by a third-party RTMP module, which supports RTMP, HLS and DASH. In a forwarding-only relay, the encoded feed stays at approximately its original bitrate. If your workflow transcodes the feed or creates multiple renditions, account for each output bitrate separately; there is no fixed bandwidth multiplier for Nginx itself.
YouTube recommended ingest bitrates
YouTube’s current encoder-settings guidance lists the following recommended ingest bitrates. They are recommendations, not hard minimum internet-plan speeds, and are not measurements of every Nginx setup. Select a bitrate for the actual codec, resolution, frame rate and quality target.
#1 Best Overall
- 40 Gbps 2000 Mhz High Speed: The Cat 8 ethernet cable support max. 40 Gbps data transfer and 2000 MHz Brandwith, ideal for gaming and streaming, greatly improving upload and download speed, sound, image and resolution quality
- Excellent Anti-interference: The ethernet cable comes with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP), pure copper core and gold-plated RJ45 connector, reducing interference, noise and crosstalk, making network speed faster and more stable
- Marvelous Durability: Internet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use
- PoE Supported: All lengths of ethernet cord can support the PoE power supply function except 65ft. You don't need additional power supply when installing a PoE camera, which is very convenient and safe
- Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, network cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, X-Box and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5
| Resolution and frame rate | H.264 recommended | AV1 / H.265 recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 4K / 2160p at 60 fps | 50 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
| 4K / 2160p at 30 fps | 42 Mbps | 30 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 34 Mbps | 24 Mbps |
| 1440p at 30 fps | 21 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 17 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 14 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 8 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 8 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
For example, a 1080p30 H.264 stream at YouTube’s 5 Mbps minimum bitrate setting would carry approximately 5 Mbps on each relay link; the recommended H.264 setting for that mode is 14 Mbps. At 1080p60, the recommended H.264 bitrate is 17 Mbps. Use the recommendation as a starting point, not a guarantee that a connection with exactly that measured capacity will stream reliably.
Estimate data transferred per hour
For a steady stream, a useful decimal conversion is GB per hour ≈ bitrate in Mbps × 0.45. This is a unit calculation, not a provider’s billing figure, and excludes protocol overhead and any additional copies.
Rank #2
- Cat 6 performance at a Cat5e price but with higher bandwidth
- High Performance Cat6, 30 AWG, RJ45 Ethernet Patch Cable provides universal connectivity for LAN network components such as PCs,computer servers,printers,routers,switch boxes,network media players,NAS,VoIP phones
- Jadaol cat6 standard cable support Cat8 and Cat7 network and provides performance of up to 250 MHz 10Gbps and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)
- UTP(Unshielded Twisted Pair) patch cable with RJ45 gold-plated Connectors and are made of 100% bare copper wire, ensure minimal noise and interference
- The unique flat cable shape allows for a cleaner and safer installation. You can easily and seamlessly make the cable run along walls, follow edges & corners or even make it completely invisible by sliding it under a carpet.
| Bitrate per copy | Approximate data per hour per network leg |
|---|---|
| 5 Mbps | 2.25 GB |
| 10 Mbps | 4.5 GB |
| 14 Mbps | 6.3 GB |
| 17 Mbps | 7.65 GB |
| 50 Mbps | 22.5 GB |
For a one-destination relay, estimate the encoder’s transfer using the encoder-to-relay leg, and estimate the relay host’s total transfer by adding its received and sent data. For instance, a steady 5 Mbps stream is about 2.25 GB per hour in each direction at the relay, or roughly 4.5 GB per hour combined there, before overhead. A second outgoing destination adds roughly another copy on the relay’s outbound side. Actual ISP or hosting-provider billing depends on that provider’s measurement and billing policy.
Plan capacity for a stable stream
- Set the encoder bitrate. Choose for the codec, resolution, frame rate and quality target. YouTube’s guidance lists CBR, up to 60 fps, a recommended 2-second keyframe interval (not over 4 seconds), and 128 Kbps stereo audio.
- Map the route. For a direct stream, plan the encoder’s upload. For an Nginx relay, verify the encoder can upload to the relay and the relay can upload to YouTube; size the relay’s network transfer for both inbound and outbound traffic, plus any additional destinations.
- Measure available upload capacity. YouTube advises running a speed test to test upload bitrate. Leave headroom for protocol overhead, bitrate variation and other traffic; the cited guidance does not specify one universal headroom percentage.
- Test the actual stream. Test with representative audio and motion before an event. A speed test alone does not establish that the complete encoder-to-relay-to-YouTube path is healthy.
- Monitor stream health while live. YouTube’s LiveStreams API health status can flag low bitrate, mismatched frame rate, missing audio or bitrate settings outside recommendations.
RTMPS and transport overhead
YouTube recommends RTMPS. Its developer documentation describes RTMPS as regular RTMP tunneled through SSL and specifies an ingestion URL using port 443. The cited documentation does not quantify protocol overhead, so do not add a supposedly exact RTMPS percentage to the bitrate calculation; allow reasonable network headroom instead.
Rank #3
- Designed for Outdoor & Direct Burial Installations – Heavy-duty double-shielded Cat8 Ethernet cable minimizes EMI/RFI interference and delivers stable long-distance performance. Waterproof, anti-corrosion PVC jacket allows safe direct burial and reliable use in outdoor or indoor environments.
- 26AWG for Stable High-Load Networks – Thicker 26AWG conductors provide faster, more stable data transmission than standard 32AWG cables. Ideal for high-performance home networks, gaming setups, smart homes, and data-intensive applications.
- F/FTP Shielding & Hyper-Speed Performance: Cat8 Ethernet cable constructed with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs and 26AWG OFC conductors; supports bandwidth up to 2000 MHz and data transmission speeds up to 40 Gbps, effectively reducing signal interference and ensuring stable connections. Ideal for low-latency gaming, 4K/8K streaming, and high-speed internet connections.
- RJ45 Connectors & Wide Compatibility: Cat8 Ethernet cable with two shielded RJ45 connectors; compatible with networking switches, IP cameras, routers, Nintendo Switch, modems, PS3, PS4, Xbox, patch panels, servers, smart TVs, and more; works with Cat7, Cat6, Cat5e, and Cat5 devices
- Weatherproof & UV Resistant: Outdoor-rated Cat8 Ethernet cable with UV-resistant PVC jacket; withstands direct sunlight, extreme cold, humidity, and hot weather; anti-aging and durable; Includes 18-month support.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you are using a relay because you want a YouTube channel to keep playing uploaded videos, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Every slot streams the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, with one free day per account. The monthly plan is $9.99 per month.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Flat Design, Zero Cable Clutter] - Lies perfectly flat against walls, under rugs, along baseboards, and through tight spaces without kinks, tangles, or messy coils. Customers praise it for effortless installation and clean cable management that blends into any room.
- [REINFORCED BRAIDED CONSTRUCTION FOR LONG‑LASTING PERFORMANCE] - Premium cotton braided jacket paired with reinforced RJ45 connectors delivers outstanding durability, rigorously tested for over 15,000 bend cycles. Many customers describe this ethernet cable as rock‑solid and well‑crafted, ideal for long‑term daily use with no worries about premature wear‑and‑tear or connection failure
- [10GBPS SPEED & 600MHZ BANDWIDTH — GAMING, STREAMING & FIBER READY] - Delivers 10Gbps data transfer rate with 600MHz bandwidth for PS5, Xbox, 4K streaming, and fiber internet. Customers report stable performance and fast speeds. Backward compatible with Cat 6 and Cat 5e devices
- [STP SHIELDING & GOLD-PLATED RJ45 — MINIMIZES EMI/RFI INTERFERENCE] - 100% bare copper STP shielding helps protect signal integrity when routed near power cords. Gold-plated RJ45 connectors resist corrosion. Compatible with 2.5GB network card
- [Works with Everything — Router, Modem, PS5, Xbox, PC, Smart TV, Printer More ] - Full backward compatibility with Cat7, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat5e devices means this one cable works with all your home or office equipment today, and future upgrades tomorrow. Works with 10/100/1000/10G/40G BASE-T speeds. Includes 36-month warranty with free replacement support
Rank #4
- Cat 8 Speed, Cat 5/5e Value Enjoy Cat 8 Ethernet cable performance at a Cat 5/5e-level value. With up to 40Gbps speed and 2000MHz bandwidth, this high speed internet cable delivers more bandwidth than standard Cat 5 and Cat 5e cables, helping support smooth gaming, streaming, video calls, large file transfers and everyday wired network use.
- 40Gbps Speed, Wide Compatibility This Cat 8 Ethernet cable supports up to 40Gbps data transfer and 2000MHz bandwidth for fast, reliable internet performance. Standard RJ45 connectors are backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6, Cat6a and Cat5e devices, including routers, modems, switches, gaming PCs, PS5, PS4, Xbox, smart TVs, laptops and printers.
- Stable U/FTP Shielding Each of the 4 twisted pairs is individually wrapped with aluminum foil to help reduce crosstalk, noise, and signal interference. Combined with RJ45 connectors on both ends, the U/FTP design helps maintain cleaner signal transmission for a stable and reliable wired network connection.
- Nylon Braided Durability The nylon braided jacket adds everyday durability while keeping the cable flexible and easy to route. Reinforced construction helps the cord handle bending, pulling and frequent plugging, making it a reliable choice for desks, gaming rooms, home offices and long-term network setups.
- 50ft Reach for More Setups The 50 ft length makes it easier to connect devices across rooms, along walls, under desks or around corners. Great for router-to-PC connections, modem-to-TV setups, gaming consoles, workstations, printers and other home network equipment that needs a longer Ethernet cable.
Start your free StreamNeo day.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
