Last updated: March 27th, 2020

Overview

The API integration allows you to easily select and stream to a personal Timeline, or to a Page or Group for which that Facebook account is authorized.

No extra computers or devices are needed to take the stream live to the destination.

Additionally, Facebook has whitelisted Teradek's API integration to allow a full 1080p stream to be shown to the audience when streaming from a 1080p encoder source.

NOTE: When streaming with manual RTMPS configuration, you can send a 1080p resolution stream to Facebook's servers but the audience will only see a maximum resolution of 720p. 

The authorization for the API integration is saved in the Facebook account under the Business Integration settings:

A separate Business Integration will be added when the appropriate device / app / service has been associated with a Facebook account:

• Teradek: hardware encoders such as the 600 or 700 series Cube, Bond or Slice units, or the VidiU Pro or VidiU Go
• Teradek Core and Teradek Sharelink: added for the respective cloud streaming service
• Teradek Live:Air Solo and Teradek Live:Air Action: added for the respective iOS apps

Requirements for Facebook Page

1. The Facebook account that goes through the API integration process must have the required Page Role to allow streaming to that Page. Based on testing as of this writing, a Page Role of either Admin or Editor will allow streaming to a Page.

• Historically, Admin access on a Page has been required to allow streaming, and many other platforms that provide streaming to Facebook advise that Admin access is still required for streaming to a Page, so if you choose to use the Editor role be sure to allow sufficient time for testing in case adjustments are needed.

2. Make sure to select all desired Pages at the time the integration is performed.

• If you do not see a Page in the list, ensure that you have been added to that Page by an Admin and that you have the appropriate Page Role to allow streaming. You should delete the authorization from your Facebook account and configure the API integration again to add in the missing Page.
• If a Pages is de-selected at this time and you wish to stream to it at a later date, you will need to delete the authorization from your Facebook account and configure the API integration again to add in the missing Page.
• If a Page is added to your Facebook user account after you have performed the API integration, you will need to delete the authorization from your Facebook account and configure the API integration again to add in the missing items.

3. All requested permissions for the Pages (Manage and Publish as Page, etc.) must be allowed at the time of the integration.

• If these are not allowed you will not be able to stream, and you will need to delete the authorization from your Facebook account and configure the API integration again. 

Requirements for Facebook Group

1. An Admin for the Facebook Group must install an "app" within the Group to allow streaming from your source, whether it's a Teradek hardware encoder, the Live:Air Solo or Live:Air Action apps for iOS, or the Core or Sharelink services.  

2. Make sure to select the desired Groups at the time the integration is performed.

• If any Groups are de-selected, you should delete the authorization from your Facebook account and configure the API integration again to add in the missing items.
• If a Group is later added to your user account, you should need to delete the authorization from your Facebook account and configure the API integration again to add in the missing items.

3. All requested permissions for the Groups must be allowed at the time of the integration.

• If these are not allowed you will not be able to stream, and you will need to delete the authorization from your Facebook account and configure the API integration again. 

Configuration

Granting authorization to the API integration

Step 1. From the Teradek encoder, iOS app or cloud service begin the authorization process with your Facebook account. In the below example this is being initiated from the Core streaming service, but the process is similar for each Teradek streaming source:

NOTE: The web browser will use the Facebook account that is currently logged in to begin the authorization process.

If you wish to use a different Facebook account for performing the API integration, either log out of the current Facebook account in that browser prior to starting the authorization process, or use a different browser or a private / incognito browsing session.

Step 2. Set the maximum permission level to Public. 

NOTE:  If you intend to stream to a Page or Group and this option is not set to Public, you will not be able to stream to those destinations, and you will need to delete the authorization from your Facebook account and configure the API integration again. 

Step 3. Select all Pages and Groups for streaming, and ensure that all requested permissions are allowed:

NOTE:  If a Page or Group is not selected at this step, or permissions are not granted, you will not be able to stream to those destinations, and you will need to delete the authorization from your Facebook account and configure the API integration again.

Refer to the previously-discussed Requirements for Facebook Page and Requirements for Facebook Group for additional details.

Step 4. Once the authorization is complete, you should be able to create a stream to a Timeline or Page. If you are streaming to a Group, Facebook requires additional steps which are described in this article.

Making changes to the API integration

The only changes that can be made to the API integration listed under Business Integrations are to remove previously-granted permissions, which would directly affect the ability to stream to your Timeline / Page / Group. 

• If permissions are removed, the only way to add them back is to completely delete the business integration and perform the authorization process again. There is no way to add back permissions which have been removed!

Instead of trying to make changes to the API integration under the Business Integrations, you must delete the authorization and configure the API integration process again.