Getting set up for racing:

Races are done through SpeedRunsLive.com.  To join a race:

1) Connect to irc.speedrunslive.com (channel #speedrunslive) using any IRC client or by going here: http://speedrunslive.com/channel/.

2) Register your nickname by typing "/ns register <password> <email>".  For more information: http://speedrunslive.com/faq/registration/.

3) You are required to stream to participate.  Register your stream by typing ".setstream twitch.tv/YOUR-URL" (you only have to do this once).  For info on setting up a stream, see below.  (If you can't stream, you are welcome to unofficially race alongside the other racers.)

4) Join the race channel - when you first join #speedrunslive, you'll see a list of active races; double click the channel name (will look like "#srl-#####" after the game name).  Once inside the channel, type ".join" to enter the race.

5) Type ".ready" in the race channel once your stream is started and you're ready to begin.  Once everyone is ready, there will be a countdown; when the countdown reaches 0, start playing!

6) When you finish the race, type ".done" in the race channel.  If you need to quit, type ".forfeit".

For more information about SRL and racing, see http://speedrunslive.com/faq/.



Setting up a stream on Twitch:

1) Download OBS: http://obsproject.com/download.

2) Open OBS and click Settings.  Click Encoding, make sure 'Use CBR' is checked, and set a Max Bitrate appropriate for your upload bandwidth (~60% of your max upload speed or less).  I'd suggest no more than ~1500 to ensure people with poor Internet can still watch.

3) Visit your dashboard on twitch (http://www.twitch.tv/dashboard) and click on 'Stream Key'; copy this key.  Click 'Broadcast Settings' in OBS, and paste in the key.  Ensure the Streaming Service is correct and select an appropriate server.

4) Select 'Video' and select appropriate Resolution.  For a slower connection, I'd suggest 540p or 480p and 20 FPS; for a faster connection, 720p and 30 FPS is good. (The 2nd number in the Resolution Downscale dropdown is the number we're looking at.)  Stick with 'Bilinear' for Filter unless you have a very fast computer.

Example settings for a 900kbps upload Internet connection: 525 Max Bitrate, 2.0 Resolution Downscale (960x540), 20 FPS.

5) Click Okay to save settings then start the game you'll be streaming.  Right click on the left-hand 'Scenes' pane and click 'Add Scene'.  Next right click on the Sources pane and add either 'Game Capture' or 'Window Capture'.  (Window Capture is more reliable for anything you're playing in a window; Game Capture is generally best for full-screen games.)

6) Select the correct game from the Application dropdown, and click Okay.  Right click on the scene you just created and select 'Position/Size -> Fit to Screen'.  Click Preview stream to verify it's capturing correctly (tab in and out of the game if necessary).