Adding HTTP Pull Streams

In this mode Zixi Broadcaster pulls a Transport Stream over TCP from an HTTP server. In this case, the stream is initiated by your Zixi Broadcaster.

To Add an HTTP Pull Stream:

  1. In the Zixi Broadcaster Navigation menu, click the Inputs tab.
  2. In the Menu bar, click New Input. The Add a new input stream window is displayed.
  3. Enter the unique Stream I.D..

    Note this must be identical (case sensitive) to the stream name configured in the source.

  4. Select  the maximum concurrent connections to this stream from the Max. Outputs drop-down list. Default: Unlimited.
  5. Select the Show in Matrix check box to display this stream in the Matrix (see Using the Matrix). Default: Selected.
  6. Select HTTP Pull for the input stream.
  7. Specify the Stream Parameters (see Input Stream Parameter Table).
  8. If you want to Enable time shift, select this checkbox (see Input Stream Parameter Table). The stream will be recorded and broadcasted after the specified delay. The time shift feature is typically used to broadcast a live event across time zones (due to the time differences between locations).
  9. If you want to Transmit as multicast, select this checkbox (see Input Stream Parameter Table).
  10. If you want to configure the Recording Parameters, specify them in the respective fields (see Input Stream Parameter Table).
  11. You can decrypt an encrypted stream as it enters the Zixi Broadcaster. To decrypt a stream, select the Decrypt Stream checkbox and fill in the parameters as described in the Input Stream Parameter Table below. For more information, see Decrypting an Input Stream in Zixi Broadcaster.
  12. Click OK. The “Input added” message appears on the top of the screen. The Push Stream from the Zixi Feeder is added to the Zixi Broadcaster and now appears in the list of streams available in Zixi Broadcaster inputs UI.

Input Stream Parameters Table

ParameterDescription
Stream Parameters
TS URLEnter the URL of the Transport Stream.
SmoothingThe Smoothing feature uses a buffer to time packets according to the stream's clock. This is useful when there are bursts in the rate in which the stream arrives. The smoothing features creates a queue in the buffer, allowing smoother entry into the Broadcaster. The Smoothing parameter defines the size of the buffer in Milliseconds. A larger the buffer, will enable smoother entry, however may influence the latency rate.  
Enable time shift

Select this checkbox to record the stream content and broadcast it after the specified delay.

Maximum delay [hh:mm:ss] (for Time Shift enabled)

Specify the time of a delayed transmission of this stream. Maximum: 24 hours

Transmit as multicast

Select this checkbox to  enables the transmission of this stream’s outputs as multicast. A Zixi Broadcaster that will pull the stream will receive it in multicast. By default Zixi Broadcaster is configured to allow transparent fallback to unicast if it is out of the LAN. Requires enabling Multicast Pull in the Settings.

Multicast-Only (for multicast enabled)

If desired, specify multicast-only outputs.

Decrypt stream

Select this checkbox to decrypt the Input stream. Please note that the stream will not be encrypted as it passes through the Zixi path. For more information, see  Decrypting an Input Stream in Zixi Broadcaster.

Decryption type (for Decrypt stream enabled)

Specify the type of encryption that is being used in the stream.

Decryption key (for Decrypt stream enabled)

Specify the key for decryption.

Enable Encryption

Select this checkbox to encrypt the Input stream. For more information, see Encrypting an Input Stream in Zixi Broadcaster.

Encryption type (for Encryption enabled)  

Specify the type of Encryption (AES 128/192/256).

Encryption key (for Encryption enabled)

Click Generate to generate an encryption key. The generated encryption key must be sent to the end-user to decipher the received encoded stream.

Decrypt stream

Decrypts the Input stream. Please note that the stream will not be encrypted as it passes through the Zixi path. For more information, see Decrypting an Input Stream in Zixi Broadcaster.

Decryption type (for Decrypt stream enabled)

Specify the type of encryption that is being used in the stream.

Decryption key (for Decrypt stream enabled)

Specify the key for decryption.

Enable Encryption

Encrypts the Input stream. For more information, see Encrypting an Input Stream in Zixi Broadcaster.

Encryption type (for Encryption enabled)  

Specify the type of Encryption (AES 128/192/256).

Encryption key (for Encryption enabled)

Click Generate to generate an encryption key. The generated encryption key must be sent to the end-user to decipher the received encoded stream.

Recording parametersSelect this checkbox to customize the recording parameters.
Max recorded file duration [hours]Specify the maximum time allotted for recording a video stream. Default: 2 hours
Keep recorded files for [hours]Specify the maximum time for storing the recording.

Custom Path

Optionally specify a storage location for the recorded files that is relative to the root folder. This location bypasses the location specified as the root folder in the Settings > General screen.

File Name Template

Specify the file name pattern that Zixi will use to generate when saving the recorded content. A separate file will be generated for each recording up to the time specified in the Max recorded file duration parameter (see above). After this duration a new file will be generated.

The file name pattern can include any string and up to five variables listed below. Only the %T=HH.MM.SS creation time is mandatory. You can change the order of these variables and add text as long as you maintain the legitimate structure of the file in Linux and Windows:

    • %S=stream id - optional.
    • %Y=year - optional
    • %M=month - optional
    • %D=day - optional
    • %T=HH.MM.SS creation time - mandatory

For example, the following pattern %Y_recording%T.ts will generate the following file name 2017_recording15:32:35.ts.