StreamYard¶
Stage: Produce → Record
Score: 2
Evidence: Platform documentation, practitioner observation
What It Is¶
StreamYard is a browser-based live streaming and recording platform. It records a single mixed composite video of all participants with the StreamYard layout, branding, and overlays baked into the recording.
Why It Gets a 2¶
StreamYard is designed for live streaming, not recording. The output is a single mixed composite — you cannot isolate individual participants for post-production. The video has StreamYard's layout baked in, which means you cannot reframe, re-layout, or produce the show differently after the fact.
It is included in the Index because many teams use it and need to understand its limitations.
What You Get¶
| Output | Quality | Isolated? |
|---|---|---|
| Video (composite) | Up to 1080p | ❌ Single mixed file with layout baked in |
| Audio | Compressed, mixed | ❌ No separate tracks |
When To Use¶
- Quick livestreams where production quality is secondary to going live fast
- Shows where the StreamYard layout is the final product (no post-production)
- Teams with zero technical capability for OBS or dedicated recording platforms
When Not To Use¶
- Any show that requires post-production editing of individual participants
- Any show that needs per-person framing for clips, reels, or thumbnails
- Any production workflow that feeds into a rough cut stage
- When you need separate audio tracks for podcast mastering
- When you need both horizontal and vertical output
The Core Limitation¶
StreamYard records what the audience sees. If you stream a 2-up layout, that is the only video you have. You cannot go back and create a 1-up close-up of the guest, extract a vertical clip with different framing, or add different lower thirds. The production decisions are permanent at the moment of recording.
This is the fundamental difference between StreamYard and the isolated recording + OBS rough cut workflow: StreamYard locks your production decisions at capture time. Isolated recording keeps them open.