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Version: v2.5.1

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.

encoding-new-session

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.

encoding-new-session-navigate-progress

1. Select Type

encoding-session-basic

This section allows the user to provide:

ParameterRequiredDescription
NameyesProvide a name for the encoding session
DescriptionnoProvide a description for the encoding session
Cover GraphicnoProvide 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

encoding-session-input-type

ParameterInput URLNote
RTMP Pushno
SRT Push (Listener Mode)no
SRT Pull (Caller Mode)yesSRT stream ID has to be properly URL-encoded
RTSP(s) PullyesRTSP Syntax Examples
DASHyes
HLSyes
MulticastyesMulticast Syntax Examples
Capture Card PortnoSee Below

Capture Card Port

On selecting Capture Card Port, the following options appear:

capture-card-port

ParameterValue RangeDescription
Capture Card PortDecklink Input PortsSpecify which input port to be used
Input FormatAutodetect, Supported FormatsSelects the input resolution and framerate. Autodetect will automatically set the resolution and framerate according to the input.
Input Bit Depth8-bit, 10-bitSets the input bit depth to 8-bit or 10-bit. 10-bit input can be used for HDR content.
note

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.

encoding-session-select-output
DASH/HLS Output encoding-session-output-dashhls encoding-session-output-dashhls
ParameterRequiredDescription
Output NameYesProvide a name for the output.
Stream ConfigurationNoOnly applies when the input is Multicast/UDP.
Open a dialog box to configure the Service Provider Name and to enable Stream Mapping
TemplateYesSelect the desired Template
SettingsYesUsed 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.
note

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 encoding-session-output-rtmp-push
ParameterRequiredDescription
Output NameYesProvide a name for the output.
TemplateYesSelect the desired Template
Configuration: Single URL ModeYesIf 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 URLYesEach 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.

warning

When Enhanced RTMP is used, the upstream RTMP server will need to support enhanced RTMP as well.


SRT Push encoding-session-output-srt-push
warning

Currently SRT Push only operates in caller mode.

ParameterRequiredDescription
Output NameYesProvide a name for the output.
TemplateYesSelect the desired Template
Output URLYesEach output resolution requires a different and unique address.
For details on adding a streamid see SRT Syntax

Multicast/UDP encoding-session-output-multicast encoding-session-output-multicast
ParameterRequiredDescription
Output/Service NameYesProvide a name for the output. This parameter also configures the Service Name
Service Provider NameNoOnly 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 ConfigurationNoOnly applies when the input is Multicast/UDP.
Open a dialog box to configure the Service Provider Name and to enable Stream Mapping
TemplateYesSelect the desired Template
Output URLYesEach output resolution requires a different and unique address.
For more details on Multicast UDP Syntax

File encoding-session-output-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.

warning

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.

ParameterRequiredDescription
Output NameYesProvide a name for the output.
TemplateYesSelect the desired Template
FormatYesSelect the output container format of the recorded files
Max File Duration (seconds)YesSelect how long each output file will be before a new file is created
Location PathYesSelect the location where the files will be saved, within the /mnt directory.
note

The output file directory will automatically be created along with subdirectories to help easily find recordings based on the date the recording occurred.

warning

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 encoding-session-output-sdi
ParameterRequiredDescription
Output NameYesProvide a name for the output.
TemplateYesSelect the desired Template
Only templates that have a codec as RAW (SDI) will be available.
Output URLYesSelect 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 encoding-session-output-awsmp

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

ParameterRequiredDescription
Output NameYesProvide a name for the output.
TemplateYesSelect the desired Template
Ingest URLYesIngest URL provided by AWS media packager
AWS CredentialsYesSelect 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.