A Practical Multi Stream Setup Guide for Viewers

A multi stream setup lets you watch several live streams or videos together on one screen. The simplest way to do this is with a browser-based tool like ViewGrid. You just paste the links of the streams you want to watch, and they appear together in a grid layout that you can customize and share.

This guide will walk you through how to create your own multi-stream view, with practical tips for getting a stable picture and clear audio.

How to Create Your Multi-Stream Layout

You can build a grid in about a minute. There is no software to install and you don't need an account to get started.

1. Open the multi-stream viewer. You’ll see empty slots ready for your streams.
2. Add your streams. You can do this by pasting the full URL of a stream or channel from a supported platform. For YouTube, you can also search for live streams directly from the input box.
3. Choose a layout. Below the streams, you’ll find layout buttons. You can choose to arrange your streams in different grid configurations. On a desktop computer, you can have up to 20 streams on screen at once. On a phone, the limit is 6.
4. Manage the audio. All streams start muted so you don't get a wall of noise. Click the speaker icon on the stream you want to hear. Clicking another stream's speaker icon will automatically switch the audio to that one.
5. Adjust and watch. You can drag and drop the video players to rearrange them in the grid. Now you’re ready to watch.

What You Can Add to a Grid

ViewGrid works by embedding the official players from each platform. This means you can mix and match content from several sources into a single layout.

Supported platforms include:
YouTube (both live streams and regular videos)
Twitch
Kick
Rumble
* Custom HLS streams (using a direct .m3u8 link)

This is useful for situations like watching a gaming tournament's main broadcast alongside a few creators who are co-streaming it, or monitoring news coverage of an event from different sources.

Customizing Your View

Once your streams are loaded, you have a few tools to manage the viewing experience.

Changing Focus

If you want to temporarily make one stream bigger without losing the others, just click on it. This brings it into "focus view," making it the main window while the others become small thumbnails. Click it again to return to the grid. You can also make any single stream fullscreen using the standard player controls, or hide the ViewGrid toolbar for a cleaner "immersive view."

Live Chat

For live streams from YouTube, Twitch, or Kick, you can open the chat. A chat icon appears on the stream you have unmuted. Clicking it opens that stream's chat in a side panel next to your video grid, so you can follow the conversation without leaving the page.

Sharing Your Multi-Stream Setup

The URL in your browser's address bar automatically updates to reflect the exact grid you've built. If you want to share your layout with someone, you just need to copy the link and send it to them. When they open it, they will see the same streams in the same arrangement.

This is helpful for watch parties or for sharing a specific set of sources related to a live event. You can find pre-made grids for many popular events on the Events Calendar.

Watching on Different Devices

Your multi-stream setup can be used on more than just a desktop computer.

On a Phone or Tablet

ViewGrid works in mobile browsers. The interface is adapted for smaller screens, with a maximum of six streams. There are also dedicated ViewGrid apps for iOS and Android that provide the same functionality.

On a TV

Getting your grid onto a television screen usually involves one of three methods. You can use the web browser built into your smart TV to navigate to the ViewGrid website. Another common option is to connect a laptop to the TV with an HDMI cable. Finally, you can use your computer or phone's built-in screen mirroring or "casting" feature to display your browser on the TV. These methods rely on your device's capabilities, as ViewGrid itself does not have a dedicated cast button.

Practical Tips for a Good Experience

Watching multiple video streams at the same time can be demanding on your computer and internet connection. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Internet Connection

Each stream in your grid consumes bandwidth. If you have many streams open, especially at high quality, you'll need a stable internet connection to avoid buffering. If you notice streams are lagging, try reducing the number of videos or manually setting their quality to a lower resolution (like 720p or 480p) inside each video player.

Computer Performance

Your computer's processor has to decode multiple videos at once. An older or less powerful device might struggle with a large grid of 12, 16, or 20 streams. If your computer's fan spins up or the page becomes unresponsive, this is a sign that it's overloaded. Reducing the number of streams is the best solution.

Anonymous usage data shows that about two thirds of grids created on the platform contain three or more streams, suggesting that most modern computers and connections can handle common multi-stream setups without issue.

Saving Your Favorite Layouts

If you create a layout you plan to use again, you can save it. This requires signing up for a free ViewGrid account. Once you're logged in, a "Save Layout" button appears. This lets you name your grid and access it later from your account, so you don't have to find and paste all the links again.