Build Your Own IRL Stream Bag: Complete SRTLA & Belabox Guide 2026

Quick answer: A self-built IRL stream bag costs €250-400 (hardware + VPS €15/month) and offers the same stability as LiveU Solo (€1500 hardware + €150/month). You need: Orange Pi 5 Plus (€150), 2-4 USB 4G modems (€30-50/piece), power bank (€40), Belabox software (free), and a Space-Node VPS for SRTLA relay. This guide takes you step-by-step through the entire construction process.

Why Build Your Own Stream Bag?

The Problem with Traditional IRL Streaming

Streaming from your phone to Twitch/Kick works fine in the city, but as soon as you drive through tunnels, get into rural areas, or walk between buildings, your stream constantly drops out. The problem: RTMP (the standard streaming protocol) cannot handle packet loss.

The Commercial Solutions (Too Expensive)

| Solution | Cost | Problem | |-----------|--------|----------| | LiveU Solo | €1500 hardware + €150/month | Monthly costs pile up | | Peplink MAX BR1 | €600 hardware + SIM costs | No built-in encoder | | Psynapse Cloud | €0 hardware + €125-269/month | Completely dependent on their service | | IR Toolkit | Variable + €100+/month | Less flexible than your own solution |

The DIY Solution (This Guide)

| Component | One-time Costs | Monthly | |-----------|------------------|-------------| | Orange Pi 5 Plus + accessories | €150-200 | - | | 2x USB 4G Modem | €60-100 | - | | Power bank 50,000mAh | €40-60 | - | | Belabox software | €0 (open source) | - | | 2x Prepaid 4G SIMs | - | €20-40 | | Space Node VPS relay | - | €10-15 | | First month total | €250-360 | €30-55 |

After 6 months you have already caught up with LiveU. After 12 months you save €1000+.

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Part 1: Hardware Selection

1.1 The Encoder: Orange Pi 5 Plus (Recommended 2026)

The encoder is the heart of your backpack. It takes the video from your camera, compresses it, and sends it over multiple internet connections.

| Specification | NVIDIA Jetson Nano (Old) | Orange Pi 5 Plus (2026 Standard) | Raspberry Pi 5 | |--------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------| | Processor | Tegra X1 (2015) | Rock chip RK3588 (2023) | Broadcom BCM2712 | | Encoding | Hardware NVENC (H.264/265) | Hardware MPP (H.264/265) | Software (limited) | | Max Resolution | 1080p60 / 4K30 | 4K60 / 8K30 | 1080p30 stable | | RAM | 4GB | 4GB / 8GB / 16GB | 4GB / 8GB | | Power consumption | 5-10W | 8-15W | 5-8W | | OS Support | Ubuntu 18.04 (deprecated!) | Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 | Raspberry Pi OS | | Belabox Support | Good | Excellent | Reasonable | | Price (new) | €150+ second hand | €120-180 | €60-100 | | Availability | Hard to find | Easily available | Excellent |

Why Orange Pi 5 Plus?

1. Modern software: Jetson Nano runs on Ubuntu 18.04 (from 2018!), which poses security risks and compatibility issues
2. Better encoding: RK3588 chipset supports 4K60fps with lower latency
3. More power: 8-core CPU vs 4-core on Jetson
4. Future-proof: Supports new Belabox features
5. Price/Performance: Better specs for comparable price

Where to buy:

• AliExpress: €120-140 (2-3 weeks delivery time)
• Amazon.de: €150-180 (2-3 days)
• Official dealers: Check orangepi.org for EU sellers

Required accessories for Orange Pi 5 Plus:

• microSD card 64GB+ (Class 10/A2): €15-25
• USB-C power supply 5V/4A or higher: €10-15 (or use power bank)
• Heatsink + fan: €8-12 (essential for long-term streaming)
• NVMe SSD optional for faster boot: €30-50

1.2 The Modems: Multiple Providers = Stability

Why multiple modems?

If your KPN modem loses 4G in a tunnel, your Odido modem will take over. SRTLA (coming later) merges these connections into one stable stream.

Recommended setup for the Netherlands:

| Scenario | Modems | Providers | Reason | |----------|--------|-----------|-------| | Budget (€60) | 2x | KPN + Odido | Cover 95% of the Netherlands | | Standard (€120) | 3x | KPN + Odido + Vodafone | Redundancy + speed | | Pro (€180+) | 4x | KPN + Odido + Vodafone + T-Mobile | Maximum stability | Which modems to buy?

✅ Recommended: Huawei E3372 (4G LTE):

• Price: €25-35 each
• Plug & play with Belabox
• Hi-Link mode (works as a network adapter)
• Buy: Bol.com, Marktplaats (second hand excellent)

✅ Alternative: ZTE MF833V:

• Price: €30-40
• Slightly faster than Huawei
• Good Linux driver support

❌ Avoid:

• Cheap no-name modems from AliExpress (driver problems)
• 3G-only modems (too slow)
• Modems without Hi-Link mode

1.3 Internet Subscriptions

Prepaid vs Contract: | Type | Advantage | Disadvantage | Best For | |------|----------|--------|-----------| | Prepaid | Flexible, no fixed costs | More expensive per GB | Hobbyists, testing | | SIM-only contract | Cheaper, unlimited data | 12-24 months fixed | Regular streamers |

Recommended providers 2026:

1. KPN Prepaid Basic

   • €10/month: 2GB + unlimited 1 Mbps
   • Perfect as a backup connection
   • Best network in rural area

2. Odido Unlimited

   • €25/month: Unlimited data
   • Fastest 5G in cities

• Use as primary connection

1. Vodafone Data Only
   • €15/month: 10GB high-speed
   • Good in Randstad
   • Alternative to KPN

Pro tip: Test coverage with your phone before signing contracts. Download the OpenSignal app and check which providers work well in your streaming area.

1.4 Powerbank and Housing

Power bank specifications:

Minimum: 50,000 mAh for 4-6 hours of streaming

| Component | Consumption | 4 hours of streaming | |-----------|----------|----------------| | Orange Pi 5 Plus | 10W | 40 Wh | | 3x USB Modems | 6W | 24 Wh | | Camera (HDMI) | 3W | 12 Wh | | Total | ~20W | ~80 Wh |

50,000 mAh @ 3.7V = 185 Wh (taking into account 80% efficiency = ~150 Wh useful)

Recommended power banks:

1. Baseus Blade 20,000 mAh (2x): €35 each, USB-C PD, compact
2. Anker PowerCore III Elite 25,600 mAh (2x): €60 each, premium build
3. Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC: €200, AC outlet + USB, overkill but professional

Housing options:

• Budget: Military backpack (Marktplaats, €20-40) + foam inserts
• Mid: Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW (€180) - photography backpack, fits everything
• Pro: Custom Pelican case with foam (€300+)

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Part 2: Belabox Software Installation

2.1 What is Belabox?

Belabox is an open-source operating system specially made for streaming backpacks. It transforms your Orange Pi into a bonding router that:

1. Accepts video from your camera (HDMI or USB)
2. Encodes to H.264 with hardware acceleration
3. The stream splits over multiple modems (SRTLA bonding)
4. Send all packets to your relay server

Important: Belabox does not send directly to Twitch. It sends to your VPS (Space-Node), which forwards it again. This is essential for bonding.

2.2 Image Download and Flashing

Step 1: Download Belabox Image

Go to: https://github.com/BELABOX/belabox/releases

Download the latest version for Orange Pi 5 Plus:

• File: belabox-opi5plus-v2.x.x.img.gz
• Size: ~2-3 GB compressed

Step 2: Flash to microSD

Windows:

1. Download Balena Etcher: https://etcher.balena.io
2. Open Etcher
3. Select Image → choose the downloaded .img.gz
4. Select Target → choose your microSD card 5.Flash! (takes 5-10 minutes)

Mac/Linux:

# Unpack
gunzip belabox-opi5plus-v2.x.x.img.gz

# Search SD card device
lsblk

# Flash (replace /dev/sdX with your SD card!)
sudo dd if=belabox-opi5plus-v2.x.x.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
sync

Step 3: First Boot

1. Insert microSD into Orange Pi
2. Connect HDMI monitor + keyboard (for initial setup only)
3. Connect USB-C power
4. Orange Pi boot (takes 1-2 minutes first time)

You will see the Belabox logo and a login prompt:

belabox login: root
Password: belabox

Step 4: Network Configuration

Belabox has a web interface for configuration. First you need to connect to it:

Option A: Via Ethernet

1. Connect the network cable between Orange Pi and your router
2. Find the IP address:

   ip addr show eth0
   

3. Note the IP (e.g. 192.168.1.150)

Option B: Via WiFi Hotspot Belabox creates a WiFi hotspot by default:

• SSID: Belabox-XXXX
• Password: belabox123
• IP of the Belabox: 10.42.0.1

Connect to your laptop and surf to: 'http://10.42.0.1'

2.3 Belabox Web Interface Configuration

Step 1: Basic settings

Login to the web interface:

• Default username: admin
• Default password: admin

⚠️ CHANGE PASSWORD IMMEDIATELY (Settings → Security)

Step 2: Add Modems

1. Connect your USB 4G modems to the Orange Pi
2. Go to Network → Interfaces
3. You will see your modems appear as 'usb0', 'usb1', 'usb2'
4. Click each interface → Enable 5.Set Priority:
   • Fastest provider (Odido 5G): Priority 1
   • Second (KPN 4G): Priority 2
   • Backup (Vodafone): Priority 3

Step 3: Video Input Configuration

Go to Video → Input:

| Setting | Value | Explanation | |------------|--------|-------------| | Input Source | HDMI | Or USB camera | | Resolution | 1920x1080 | Or 1280x720 for less CPU | | Frame rate | 30fps | Or 60 fps if your CPU can handle it | | Encoder | Hardware (MPP) | Essential! Software is too slow | | Bit rate | 4000kbps | Adjusted to total upload speed | | Keyframe Interval | 2 seconds | Standard for streaming |

Step 4: SRTLA Output Configuration

This is the crucial step. You configure where Belabox sends the stream.

Go to Output → SRTLA:

SRTLA Server: <YOUR-SPACE-NODE-VPS-IP>
SRTLA Port: 2000
Passphrase: (optional, leave blank for now)
Latency: 2000 ms

⚠️ Important: We will configure the VPS in the next part. Leave this empty for the time being or temporarily enter '127.0.0.1'.

Part 3: Space-Node VPS as SRTLA Relay

This is the core of the entire system. Without relay you cannot use bonding to Twitch.

3.1 Why Do You Need a VPS?

┌─────────────┐
│ Stream Bag │ (Belabox)
│ │
│ KPN Modem ├────┐
│ Odido Modem ├────┤ Multiple uploads (fragmented)
│ Vodafone ├────┤
└─────────────┘ │
                   ▼
              ┌──────────┐
              │ VPS │ (Space Node SRTLA Relay)
              │ │
              │ SRTLA │ Merges fragments into
│ Receiver │ one stable stream
              └────┬─────┘
                   │
                   ▼ A single clean RTMP/SRT stream
              ┌──────────┐
              │ Twitch │
              └──────────┘

Twitch does not understand SRTLA. Your VPS translates SRTLA → RTMP/SRT.

3.2 VPS Specifications

Minimum requirements:

| Component | Minimum | Recommended | Explanation | |-----------|---------|------------|-------------| | CPU | 1core | 2 cores | Relay is not CPU intensive | | RAM | 1GB | 2GB | Buffering of video packets | | Bandwidth | 10 TB/month | Unlimited | 6 Mbps stream = ~2 TB/month | | Location | EU (Amsterdam) | NL | Lower latency = better stability | | OS | Ubuntu 22.04+ | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | Docker support essential |

Space-Node recommended plan: VPS Basic (2GB RAM, 2 cores) - €10-15/month

3.3 VPS Setup: Docker SRTLA Stack

Step 1: Connect SSH

ssh root@YOU-VPS-IP

Step 2: System Update

apt update && apt upgrade -y
apt install docker.io docker-compose ufw -y
systemctl enable docker
systemctl starts docker

Step 3: Firewall Configuration

# Allow SSH (otherwise you'll lock yourself out!)
ufw allow 22/tcp

# SRTLA ports (UDP essential!)
ufw allow 2000:2100/udp

# RTMP output to Twitch (optional, usually outbound)
ufw allow 1935/tcp

# Activate firewall
ufw enable

Step 4: SRTLA Docker Compose

Create a working directory:

mkdir -p /opt/srtla-relay
cd /opt/srtla-relay

Create docker-compose.yml:

nano docker-compose.yml

Paste this configuration:

version: '3.8'

services:
  srtla receiver:
    image: belabox/srtla:latest
    container_name: srtla_receiver
    network_mode: "host"
    restart: unless-stopped
    command: >
      ./srtla_rec 2000 2001
    # Gate 2000: Received from Belabox (public)
    # Port 2001: Sends to SRT server (local)

  srt server:
    image: ravenium/mediamtx:latest
    container_name: srt_relay
    network_mode: "host"
    restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
      - ./mediamtx.yml:/mediamtx.yml
    environment:
      - MTX_PROTOCOLS=srt
      - MTX_SRTADDRESS=:2001

Step 5: MediaMTX Configuration

Create mediamtx.yml:

nano mediamtx.yml

protocols: [srt]
encryption: "no"

paths:
  all:
    # Receive from SRTLA receiver
    source: srt://127.0.0.1:2001?mode=listener
    
    # Available for OBS to pick up
    # Or: automatically push to Twitch
    runOnInit: ffmpeg -re -i srt://127.0.0.1:2001?mode=caller -c copy -f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/YOUR_STREAM_KEY

⚠️ Replace YOUR_STREAM_KEY with your real Twitch stream key!

Step 6: Start the Stack

docker-compose up -d

Check if it's running:

docker ps

You should see two containers: srtla_receiver and srt_relay.

Step 7: Check Logs

# All logs
docker-compose logs -f

# SRTLA only
docker logs -f srtla_receiver

If everything goes well, you will see:

SRTLA receiver listening on port 2000...

3.4 Back to Belabox: Configure Output

Now that your VPS is ready, go back to your Belabox web interface:

Output → SRTLA:

SRTLA Server: <YOUR-VPS-IP>
SRTLA Port: 2000
Latency: 2000

Click Save & Start Stream.

What happens now:

1. Belabox encodes video
2. Splits packets across 3 modems
3. Sends to VPS port 2000 (SRTLA)
4. VPS merges → sends to port 2001 (SRT)
5. MediaMTX pushes to Twitch via RTMP

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Part 4: Testing and Troubleshooting

4.1 First Test: Local Network

Before you go out on the street, test at home first: Step 1: Start Belabox Stream

Press Start Stream in the web interface.

Step 2: Check VPS Logs

docker logs -f srtla_receiver

You should see:

[INFO] Connection from <your-home-ip>:xxxxx
[INFO] Receiving SRTLA stream, bit rate: 4000 kbps

Step 3: Check Twitch

Go to your Twitch dashboard. Your stream should be live!

4.2 Field Test: Stability Check

Test scenarios:

1. Walking Between Buildings: Coverage varies
2. Tunnel/parking garage: Total signal loss short
3. Moving car: Constantly changing masts
4. Rural area: Weak signal, high latency

What to monitor:

On Belabox web interface (via mobile):

• Bitrate per modem: You can see which modems are actively contributing
• Packet loss: Must remain <5% for smooth stream
• Total bitrate: Sum of all connections

Acceptable values:

| Metric | Green ✅ | Orange ⚠️ | Red ❌ | |--------|----------|-----------|--------| | Total bitrate | >3500 kbps | 2000-3500kbps | <2000kbps | | Packet loss | <2% | 2-10% | >10% | | RTT (latency) | <100ms | 100-300ms | >300ms | | Active modems | 2-3 | 1-2 | 0-1 |

4.3 Common Problems

Problem: "Connection Refused" on VPS

Cause: Firewall blocks UDP port 2000

Solution:

# Check firewall status
ufw status

# Make sure 2000-2100/udp is open
ufw allow 2000:2100/udp
ufw reload

Problem: Stream buffers constantly

Cause 1: Too high bitrate for available upload

Solution: Reduce bitrate in Belabox to 3000 or 2500 kbps Cause 2: Latency buffer too low

Solution: Increase latency to 3000-4000ms (more buffer = stable but more delay)

Problem: One modem does nothing

Diagnosis:

# SSH to Belabox
ssh root@belabox-ip

# Check modem status
mmcli -L
mmcli -m 0 # Details of modem 0

Possible fixes:

• Modem not recognized → try another USB port
• SIM PIN active → Disable PIN in SIM settings
• No signal → Configure APN manually

Problem: High CPU on Orange Pi (throttling)

Symptoms: Stream stutters, resolution drops automatically

Solution:

1. Check temperature:

   cat /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp
   # Above 75000 (75°C) is too hot
   

2. Improve cooling:

   • Install heatsink + fan
   • Improve ventilation in backpack

3. Reduce resolution to 720p or frame rate to 30fps

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Part 5: Advanced Features

5.1 NOALBS: Automatic Disconnect Protection

What does NOALBS do?

If your stream does drop (e.g. all modems lose signal at the same time), NOALBS automatically switches OBS to a "Be Right Back" screen so that your Twitch stream does not go offline. Install NOALBS on VPS:

cd /opt
git clone https://github.com/NOALBS/nginx-obs-automatic-low-bitrate-switching.git noalbs
cd noalbs

# Install dependencies
apt install nodejs npm -y
npm install

# Configure
cp config/config-example.json config/config.json
nano config/config.json

Minimum config:

{
  "user": {
    "twitch": "your_twitch_username"
  },
  "optionalScenes": {
    "normal": "Live Scene",
    "low": "Low Bitrate Scene",
    "offline": "BRB Screen"
  },
"lowBitrateThreshold": 500,
  "obsAddress": "ws://localhost:4455",
  "obsPassword": "your_obs_websocket_password"
}

Start NOALBS:

npm start

5.2 Multi-Platform Streaming (Twitch + Kick + YouTube)

Change your MediaMTX config to push to multiple platforms:

paths:
  all:
    source: srt://127.0.0.1:2001?mode=listener
    
    runOnInit: >
      ffmpeg -re -i srt://127.0.0.1:2001?mode=caller 
      -c copy 
      -f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/TWITCH_KEY
      -c copy
-f flv rtmp://ingest.kick.com/live/KICK_KEY
      -c copy 
      -f flv rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/YOUTUBE_KEY

Now you stream to 3 platforms at the same time without extra upload from your backpack!

5.3 Local Recording Backup

Save the raw stream on your VPS as a backup:

runOnInit: >
  ffmpeg -i srt://127.0.0.1:2001?mode=caller
  -c copy /recordings/stream_$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S).mp4
  -c copy -f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/KEY

Recordings land in /recordings/ on your VPS. Download later via SCP.

Part 6: Cost Breakdown and ROI

6.1 Total Costs First Year

One-time (Hardware):

| Item | Price | |------|-------| | Orange Pi 5 Plus (8GB) | €150 | | microSD 64GB | €20 | | Heat sink + fan | €10 | | 3x Huawei E3372 modems | €90 | | Power bank 50,000mAh (2x) | €80 | | Backpack | €40 | | USB-C cables, velcro, etc. | €20 | | Subtotal Hardware | €410 |

Monthly (Ongoing):

| Item | Per Month | |------|-----------| | KPN Prepaid | €10 | | Odido Unlimited | €25 | | Vodafone Data | €15 | | Space Node VPS | €15 | | Subtotal Monthly | €65 |

Year 1 total: €410 + (€65 × 12) = €1190

6.2 Comparison with Alternatives

| Solution | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total | |-----------|--------|--------|--------|---------------| | DIY (this guide) | €1190 | €780 | €780 | €2750 | | LiveU Solo | €3300 | €1800 | €1800 | €6900 | | Psynapse Pro | €2100 | €2100 | €2100 | €6300 | | IR Toolkit | €1800 | €1200 | €1200 | €4200 |

Savings after 3 years vs LiveU: €4150 🎉

6.3 When is DIY Worth It?

✅ DIY is perfect if:

• You stream IRL at least 2-4 times a month
• You are technically skilled (or want to learn)
• Budget is an important factor
• You want complete control

❌ Choose commercial if:

• Your streams are business-critical (€€€ per hour)
• You don't have time for troubleshooting
• You need complete support
• Technology is not your strong point

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Conclusion: From Hobbyist to Pro IRL Streamer

With this complete setup you now have a professional IRL streaming backpack for less than €400 hardware and €15/month VPS costs. The stability is comparable to systems that are 5-10x more expensive. What you learned:

1. ✅ Hardware selection for optimal price/performance
2. ✅ Belabox installation and configuration
3. ✅ SRTLA bonding for robust connections
4. ✅ Set up VPS relay server with Docker
5. ✅ Multi-modem configuration for Dutch providers
6. ✅ Troubleshooting and optimization

Next steps:

1. Order hardware (check current prices on PartAlert.nl)
2. Rent a Space-Node VPS (start with 2GB plan)
3. Follow this guide step-by-step
4. Test at home first, then in your neighborhood
5. Go live! 🚀

Need help?

• BELABOX Discord: https://discord.gg/belabox
• Dutch IRL Streamers Discord: (search "NL Streaming")
• Space-Node Support: Technical questions about VPS setup

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Ready to take your IRL streaming to the next level? Space-Node VPS hosting offers reliable servers in Amsterdam with low latency, perfect for SRTLA relay. From €10/month with full root access and 99.9% uptime.

Related guides:

• SRTLA Relay Server Setup on Ubuntu 24.04
• NOALBS Automation for IRL Streams
• KPN vs Ziggo vs Odido: Best Bonding Combination
• OBS Teleport: Dual PC Streaming Without Capture Card