Creating inputs

An Input is any video source that is created in Videoflow. Inputs can be uploaded files, live streams or sources for third party platforms.

Creating new inputs

Click the + button next to the Inputs in the left menu. Once the New Input dialog appears, select the type of the input that you want to create.

Input types

There are a few different methods to create a new input. Each method can be selected from the tabs at the top of the New Input dialog. Each method will have different properties that need to be filled.

Live source

The live source allow you to stream content directly to Videoflow ingest point and deliver the video to the viewers with low latency and maximum compatibility.

All you need to do when creating a live source is to name it. After the live source is created you'll be able to get the Ingest Url and Stream Key in the settings of the newly created input.

Ultra low latency streaming

By default Videoflow streams will be delivered as low latency HLS. This is a good format for streaming to massive amounts of audiences, but has a latency of about 3-5 seconds (in US). If you are looking to streaming content at sub-second latency, you can check the "Ultra Low Latency" checkbox.

Ultra low latency streaming is not designed to be deliver video to massive amounts of viewers, instead it was design to cater towards mission critical use cases which require the video to be delivered in under 1 sec to the viewer. Possible use cases for ULL stream include, remote monitoring for production, delivering multiviewer feeds, remote camera controls or remote operation.

Streaming to Videoflow

To stream live video to Videoflow, you'll need to provide a RTMP feed. You can use various applications to deliver the content. One of the most popular streaming applications is OBS, an open source application popular among games. Learn more about how to stream with OBS here.

Upload

Uploading files directly to Videoflow as an input source allows you to make your video content available online without the need of an additional platform for playback, transcoding or storage. Once the video file is uploaded, Videoflow will automatically transcode it and make it available for playback in multiple resolutions and on and device.

Recommended file formats for upload

  • MP4
  • MOV
  • MPEG

Custom source

The custom source allow you to create a new input from the stream URL. Videoflow support URLs from various CDNs, like HLS and MPEG-DASH or URLs from external CDNs.

Streaming URLs

  • HLS
  • MPEG-DASH
  • CMAF
  • WebRTC

Third party players

  • Youtube
  • Vimeo
  • Twitch (coming soon)

In order you use and of the above as an input source, paste the URL into the Stream Url box in the Custom Source tab.

Input Visibility

Each input can be hidden or shown. By default the input is shown. A hidden input will not show up in a channel. This functionality to control the input visibility is not available by default.

To enable visibility control for inputs head to your workspace settings, and enable the privacy column in input display section (Workflows -> Settings -> Display -> Inputs -> Visibility)

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Visible inputs are not available online for anyone

The visibility of an input will only affect its presence in a channel and will show are public/private in API responses


What’s Next