Glossary
RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol)
RTMP, the Real-Time Messaging Protocol, is a TCP-based protocol originally developed by Adobe for low-latency delivery of audio, video, and data between an encoder and a media server. It remains the dominant ingest protocol for live streaming platforms.
General definition
RTMP was designed to deliver media with sub-second latency between a live encoder (such as OBS Studio or a hardware encoder) and a streaming server. It multiplexes audio, video, and control data over a single persistent TCP connection, breaking streams into chunks for smoother delivery.
- Low-latency ingest from encoders to media servers (typically sub-second)
- Used as the ingest protocol by YouTube Live, Twitch, Facebook Live, and most CDNs
- Flash Player playback support is obsolete; modern delivery uses HLS or WebRTC instead
- RTMPS adds TLS encryption over the same protocol
RTMP is effectively a two-stage protocol in modern live streaming: the encoder sends to the media server via RTMP, and the media server re-packages the stream for viewer delivery in HLS or WebRTC. Browsers do not support RTMP playback natively since Flash’s end of life in 2020.
In the Ethora ecosystem
Ethora’s voice and video calling uses WebRTC for participant-to-participant calls. RTMP is relevant when Ethora is integrated with a live streaming workflow, for example when a host broadcasts a webinar or live event to an audience and the media server ingests via RTMP before re-distributing over HLS.
Self-hosted Ethora deployments can incorporate a media server such as a Node Media Server or similar to accept RTMP ingest from professional encoders, enabling production-grade live streaming alongside the real-time chat and AI capabilities of the platform.
