Why This Works
GameChanger uses a standard streaming protocol called RTMP. When you tap Video > Go Live in the GameChanger app, it gives you an RTMP URL and a stream key — the same kind used by professional broadcasters. Any app that supports custom RTMP can send a video stream to that address, including from an old phone sitting in your junk drawer.
The app that makes this dead simple is Larix Broadcaster — it's free, available for Android and iOS, and handles the RTMP connection reliably.
What You Need
- Old Android or iPhone — Android 8+ or iPhone running iOS 13+ works fine. Anything from roughly 2016 onward.
- Larix Broadcaster app — free on Google Play and iOS App Store
- GameChanger app — on a separate device that's scoring the game
- WiFi or hotspot — the streaming phone needs internet. A portable router tethered to your main phone is more stable than connecting directly to a hotspot.
- Something to mount it — a fence clamp or a small tripod keeps it steady
Step-by-Step Setup
Get your RTMP stream key from GameChanger
On the device that's scoring the game, open GameChanger and start a game as normal. Tap Video at the top, then Go Live. GameChanger will show you two things: an RTMP URL (looks like rtmp://live.gc.com/live/) and a Stream Key (a long string of characters). Copy both — you'll need them in step 3.
Install Larix Broadcaster on the streaming phone
Download the free Larix Broadcaster app on the old phone you're using as a camera. It's available on both Android and iOS. Open it once to make sure it launches correctly.
Configure Larix with your GameChanger stream key
In Larix, tap the gear icon (Settings) → Connections → + (New Connection). Give it a name like "GameChanger". Paste the full RTMP URL and stream key from step 1. Tap Save.
Connect the phone to WiFi
The streaming phone needs a stable internet connection. Options, in order of reliability:
- Portable router (recommended) — plug a GL.iNet travel router into your main phone via USB, connect the streaming phone to the router's WiFi. Most stable option.
- Direct hotspot — connect the streaming phone directly to your main phone's hotspot. Works fine for a single camera at short range.
- Field WiFi — if the venue has WiFi, connect to that. Reliability varies.
Mount the phone and go live
Clip or mount the phone on the fence along the first or third baseline, 8–10 feet high, angled toward home plate and the infield. A basic fence clamp with a phone adapter works well. Open Larix and tap the red record button — it will connect and start streaming. Parents watching in GameChanger will see the video live within a few seconds.
Video Quality Settings in Larix
Before game day, set your video quality in Larix under Settings > Video:
| Setting | Recommended Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1280×720 (720p) | Good balance of quality and bandwidth. Use 1080p only if you have 10+ Mbps upload. |
| Frame rate | 30 fps | Sufficient for sports. 60 fps requires more bandwidth. |
| Bitrate | 2,500–4,000 kbps | Start at 2,500 kbps. Increase if your connection is strong. |
| Encoder | Hardware (H.264) | Use hardware encoding to reduce battery drain. |
Run a speed test on your hotspot or router from the field before the game. You need at least 5 Mbps upload for stable 720p streaming. If you're under 3 Mbps, drop the bitrate to 1,500 kbps.
Old Phone vs Mevo Start — Honest Comparison
The phone setup is a genuine option, not a compromise in every case. Here's where each makes sense:
| Old Phone + Larix | Mevo Start | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 (if you have a spare phone) | Check current price on Amazon |
| Video quality | Good — modern phone cameras are excellent | Excellent — purpose-built for streaming |
| Multi-camera switching | ❌ Single stream only | ✅ Live switching between multiple cameras |
| Battery life (without power bank) | 60–90 min | 90 min (similar) |
| GameChanger integration | ✅ Works via RTMP | ✅ Official integration |
| App complexity | Larix is simple once configured | Mevo Multicam adds power but more to learn |
| Best for | Single-camera, budget, first-time setup | Multi-camera, serious coverage, long term |
Frequently Asked Questions
GameChanger only accepts one RTMP stream at a time, so you can't natively switch between multiple phone cameras. If you want live multi-camera switching, you need a dedicated setup like the Mevo Multicam system. Some parents run a second phone recording locally as a backup angle, then edit the footage together afterward.
Yes. Larix Broadcaster is available for both. Android tends to be more flexible for background streaming behavior. On iPhone, keep the screen on and the app in the foreground while streaming — iOS can throttle background apps.
Anything running Android 8.0 (2017 or newer) or iOS 13 (iPhone 6s, 2015, or newer) works for 720p streaming. Older phones can struggle with hardware encoding and will drain faster. If the phone gets hot within the first inning, drop the bitrate in Larix settings.
Usually a connectivity issue. First, run a speed test from the streaming phone's location. If upload is under 3 Mbps, lower the bitrate in Larix to 1,500 kbps. If the connection is strong but stream still drops, switch from direct hotspot to a portable router — this fixes most reliability issues.
On Android, Larix can stream with the screen off — go to Larix settings and enable "Keep stream active in background." On iPhone, keep the screen on and the app foregrounded during the game.
Ready to Upgrade?
The phone setup is a great starting point. Once you're hooked on streaming and want multi-camera coverage with live switching, the natural upgrade is the Mevo Start + Mevo Multicam system. Check out the full guide for what that looks like:
Full Setup Guide → Compare All Cameras →