Create Live Encoding Session
To create a new Offline or Live encoding session, on the Encoding page click the + New Encoding Session to launch the wizard to walk you through the creation.
The user can navigate back and forth by using the Back and Next buttons, without losing any changes, until they either click Cancel or Save on the last page.
1. Select Type
This section allows the user to provide:
Parameter | Required | Description |
---|---|---|
Name | yes | Provide a name for the encoding session |
Description | no | Provide a description for the encoding session |
Cover Graphic | no | Provide a cover graphic that can be displayed on the encoding page and as the background of the video preview when not being used |
The next section allows the user to select the desired Session type.

2. Input Type
Select one of the supported input types, and enter in the URL address, if required
Parameter | Input URL | Note |
---|---|---|
RTMP Push | no | |
SRT Push (Listener Mode) | no | |
SRT Pull (Caller Mode) | yes | SRT stream ID has to be properly URL-encoded |
RTSP(s) Pull | yes | RTSP Syntax Examples |
DASH | yes | |
HLS | yes | |
Multicast | yes | Multicast Syntax Examples |
Capture Card Port | no | See Below |
Capture Card Port
On selecting Capture Card Port, the following options appear:
Parameter | Value Range | Description |
---|---|---|
Capture Card Port | Decklink Input Ports | Specify which input port to be used |
Input Format | Autodetect, Supported Formats | Selects the input resolution and framerate. Autodetect will automatically set the resolution and framerate according to the input. |
Input Bit Depth | 8-bit, 10-bit | Sets the input bit depth to 8-bit or 10-bit. 10-bit input can be used for HDR content. |
Not all Blackmagic cards support HDR. Make sure to check on Blackmagic's website if HDR is supported by the card.
To make sure Bitstreams detects the Blackmagic SDI card correctly, please follow the instructions to Setup Blackmagic Decklink Cards
3. Output Type
Using the drop down option, select the desired output type and click + Add Output. Multiple output types can be added to the same input, after all desired outputs are added and configured, click Save to continue. If more than one output has been configured, a trash can icon will be added to each output. This will allow the output to be removed.

DASH/HLS Output


Parameter | Required | Description |
---|---|---|
Output Name | Yes | Provide a name for the output. |
Stream Configuration | No | Only applies when the input is Multicast/UDP. Open a dialog box to configure the Service Provider Name and to enable Stream Mapping |
Template | Yes | Select the desired Template |
Settings | Yes | Used to enable DASH and/or HLS outputs and VOD Recording. Hover over the cell and click the gear icon to enable or disable DASH, HLS, Visibility and VOD Recording. |
Stream Configuration only applies when the input is UDP/Multicast
Visibility
Used in conjunction with Signing Keys.
Public: No signing key required to access the stream
Private: Signing Key is required to access the stream
RTMP Push

Parameter | Required | Description |
---|---|---|
Output Name | Yes | Provide a name for the output. |
Template | Yes | Select the desired Template |
Configuration: Single URL Mode | Yes | If enabled will use Enhanced RTMP output with a single output for an ABR ladder. If disabled will use legacy/enhanced RTMP with multiple outputs for an ABR ladder. This feature is disabled if the template has only 1 video output defined. |
Output URL | Yes | Each output resolution requires a different and unique address. |
When Single URL Mode is disabled, Bitstreams will automatically decide if Enhanced RTMP needs to be used depending on the template selected. If the template has only one H.264 video stream and one AAC audio stream, then Bitstreams will use legacy RTMP, if a different video codec or multiple audio channels are configured in the template then Enhanced RTMP will be used.
When Enhanced RTMP is used, the upstream RTMP server will need to support enhanced RTMP as well.
SRT Push

Currently SRT Push only operates in caller
mode.
Parameter | Required | Description |
---|---|---|
Output Name | Yes | Provide a name for the output. |
Template | Yes | Select the desired Template |
Output URL | Yes | Each output resolution requires a different and unique address. For details on adding a streamid see SRT Syntax |
Multicast/UDP


Parameter | Required | Description |
---|---|---|
Output/Service Name | Yes | Provide a name for the output. This parameter also configures the Service Name |
Service Provider Name | No | Only applies when the input is NOT Multicast/UDP Add the Stream Provider Name to the output MPEGTS Transport. If this field is not populated then Bitstreams will be used. |
Stream Configuration | No | Only applies when the input is Multicast/UDP. Open a dialog box to configure the Service Provider Name and to enable Stream Mapping |
Template | Yes | Select the desired Template |
Output URL | Yes | Each output resolution requires a different and unique address. For more details on Multicast UDP Syntax |
File

This feature allows for the continuous recording of the input stream. The recording process continuously creates new files based on the Max File Duration parameter.
Bitstreams does not manage the storage space on the server, the user must ensure there is enough storage and it is recommended to mount an external drive to the /mnt
folder on the server.
Parameter | Required | Description |
---|---|---|
Output Name | Yes | Provide a name for the output. |
Template | Yes | Select the desired Template |
Format | Yes | Select the output container format of the recorded files |
Max File Duration (seconds) | Yes | Select how long each output file will be before a new file is created |
Location Path | Yes | Select the location where the files will be saved, within the /mnt directory. |
The output file directory will automatically be created along with subdirectories to help easily find recordings based on the date the recording occurred.
Bitstreams does not manage the storage space on the server, the user must ensure there is enough storage and it is recommended to mount an external drive to the /mnt
folder on the server.
SDI Output

Parameter | Required | Description |
---|---|---|
Output Name | Yes | Provide a name for the output. |
Template | Yes | Select the desired Template Only templates that have a codec as RAW (SDI) will be available. |
Output URL | Yes | Select the unused SDI port |
To make sure Bitstreams detects the Blackmagic SDI card correctly, please follow the instructions to Setup Blackmagic Decklink Cards
AWS Media Packager

This feature allows pushing the output to AWS Media Packager V2. To successfully push to AWS Media Packager V2, AWS credentials must be added to the account. The AWS credentials can be added from the Settings tab under Secrets. Please see additional details on the Secrets Page
Parameter | Required | Description |
---|---|---|
Output Name | Yes | Provide a name for the output. |
Template | Yes | Select the desired Template |
Ingest URL | Yes | Ingest URL provided by AWS media packager |
AWS Credentials | Yes | Select saved AWS credentials. If no credentials are saved, new credentials can be added using the Manage Secrets button. |
Once the session has been created, the user will be redirected to the Encoding Details page.