Who can use these tools?

Streamers and live broadcasters (Twitch, YouTube, Kick, etc.), bloggers and content creators, videographers and video production teams, and anyone who needs to test HLS streams, calculate bitrate or file size, get OBS settings, estimate encoding time or bandwidth cost, shift subtitle timings, create countdowns or QR codes, or generate video schema for SEO. No account required.

Are these tools really free?

Yes. All tools on this page are free to use. No signup or login. They run in your browser; we do not store or upload your stream URLs, files, or data.

I do video production and need to send files to clients. Which tools help?

Use the Bitrate & File Size Calculator to estimate delivery size and required bitrate. Use the Duration & Encoding Time Calculator to plan encoding time (CPU or GPU). Use the Timestamp Converter for subtitle or edit timings. The Codec Cheat Sheet helps choose codecs and containers for delivery.

How do I test my HLS stream?

Use Stream Lab for manifest inspection, embedded playback, and telemetry, or the HLS Player for a minimal tester. If playback fails, use the Why Won't It Play? checklist.

Free tools by DCAST

Tools for Streamers, Creators & Videographers

No signup. Use in the browser. Stream testing, bitrate and encoding calculators, and quick reference.

Whether you stream live, create video for social media, or work in video production — test HLS streams, calculate bitrate and file size, get OBS settings, estimate encoding time and bandwidth cost, shift subtitles, generate countdowns and QR codes, or add video schema for SEO. All tools run in your browser; we don't store your data.

Stream testing

Stream Lab

HLS manifest check, variant table, embedded player, and live playback telemetry in one layout.

HLS / M3U8 Player

Test your HLS stream URL in the browser. Paste an .m3u8 link and play. No signup.

HLS Live Pulse

Poll a live media playlist: watch MEDIA-SEQUENCE advance and catch stalls before viewers do.

DASH / MPD Checker

Fetch an .mpd URL and scan structure: adaptation sets, representations, MPD type, snippet.

Embed Checker

Test watch and chat embed code. Enter stream ID, see live preview and copy the iframe code.

Why Won't It Play?

Step-by-step checklist to fix playback issues. Then test the URL in the HLS player.

Calculators

Bitrate & File Size Calculator

File size from bitrate and duration, or required bitrate from target size. Presets: Twitch, YouTube, 4K.

Duration & Size Calculator

How much does 1 hour of HD weigh? Encoding time: CPU vs GPU, H.264 vs HEVC vs AV1.

Revenue Calculator

Estimate monthly earnings from views or stream hours and average viewers. Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Kick.

OBS Settings Calculator

Recommended resolution, FPS, bitrate and keyframe interval from upload speed and platform.

Bandwidth Cost Calculator

Monthly traffic (GB) and cost from bitrate, viewers and stream hours. For CDN and hosting planning.

Stream Countdown Generator

Create a countdown page for your stream start time. Get a link to use in OBS or social.

Reference & share

DCAST Mini Uploader (Windows)

Free desktop app: drop a folder, it uploads new videos automatically. Watch folders, per-folder quality, resumable TUS uploads, OS-keystore auth. Works with just an account — no plan needed.

Codec & Container Cheat Sheet

H.264, HEVC, VP9, AV1, AAC, m3u8, fMP4. When to use what.

OBS Overlay Cards

Transparent overlay cards for OBS: current time, date, static text, or custom size and style. Browser source link.

QR Code for URL

Generate a QR code for your stream or video link. Optional title, description, background.

Subtitle Shifter

Shift SRT or VTT timestamps by seconds or milliseconds. Client-side, no upload.

Video Schema (JSON-LD)

Generate VideoObject structured data for SEO. Name, thumbnail, duration, embed URL.

When to use which

Testing a stream? Stream Lab for HLS manifest + player + telemetry; HLS Live Pulse to poll live playlists; DASH checker for .mpd; HLS Player for a minimal player. Embed Checker for iframe code. If it won't play, use Why Won't It Play?
Planning bitrate or file size? Bitrate calculator for size from bitrate/duration or required bitrate; OBS settings for recommended settings from upload speed; Bandwidth cost for traffic and cost.
Encoding time or codec choice? Duration calculator for encoding time (CPU/GPU) and file size by codec; Codec cheat sheet for when to use H.264, HEVC, VP9, AV1.
Subtitles or timings? Subtitle shifter to shift SRT/VTT; Timestamp converter for seconds ↔ HH:MM:SS ↔ SRT.
Going live or sharing? Stream countdown for a countdown page link; OBS overlay cards for time, date, or text overlays; QR generator for a scannable link. Video schema for SEO (VideoObject JSON-LD).

Who are these tools for?

This page is a collection of free, in-browser tools for anyone working with live streaming, video content, or production. Streamers can test HLS URLs, get recommended OBS settings from their upload speed, estimate revenue or bandwidth cost, and create countdown pages. Videographers and editors can calculate file sizes and encoding times, convert timestamps, shift SRT or VTT subtitles, and look up codec and container options. Creators can generate QR codes for links and VideoObject JSON-LD for search engines. Every tool works without signup; data stays in your browser.

DCAST is a streaming platform for creators. These tools support both our users and the wider community. For streaming, transcoding, and delivery at scale, see our main platform.

Start free · Pricing

Q:Who can use these tools?: A:Streamers and live broadcasters (Twitch, YouTube, Kick, etc.), bloggers and content creators, videographers and video production teams, and anyone who needs to test HLS streams, calculate bitrate or file size, get OBS settings, estimate encoding time or bandwidth cost, shift subtitle timings, create countdowns or QR codes, or generate video schema for SEO. No account required.
Q:Are these tools really free?: A:Yes. All tools on this page are free to use. No signup or login. They run in your browser; we do not store or upload your stream URLs, files, or data.
Q:I do video production and need to send files to clients. Which tools help?: A:Use the Bitrate & File Size Calculator to estimate delivery size and required bitrate. Use the Duration & Encoding Time Calculator to plan encoding time (CPU or GPU). Use the Timestamp Converter for subtitle or edit timings. The Codec Cheat Sheet helps choose codecs and containers for delivery.
Q:How do I test my HLS stream?: A:Use Stream Lab for manifest inspection, embedded playback, and telemetry, or the HLS Player for a minimal tester. If playback fails, use the Why Won't It Play? checklist.