Adding TS over HTTP (Push) Streams

In this mode, Zixi Broadcaster will receive a Transport Stream over TCP from an HTTP server.  In this case, the stream is initiated by the source HTTP Server, while the Zixi Broadcaster remains in “listening mode” until the stream (with the specified stream ID) is initiated. 

To Add a TS over HTTP (Push) 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 ID for the Broadcaster.

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

  4. Select  the maximum concurrent connections to this stream from the Max. Outputs drop-down list. Default: Unlimited.
  5. Select the Show in Matrix checkbox to display this stream in the Matrix (see Using the Matrix). Default: Selected.
  6. Select TS over HTTP for the input stream.
  7. In the Type field, select Push.
  8. Specify the Stream Parameters (see Input Stream Parameter Table).
  9. If you want to specify Billing Codes to identify and differentiate traffic on a Zixi Broadcaster for billing purposes, select this checkbox (see Input Stream Parameter Table below).
  10. 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).   
  11. If you want to Enable multicast on pull outputs, select this checkbox (see Input Stream Parameter Table).
  12. If you want to Enable encryption, select this checkbox (see Input Stream Parameters Table).
  13. If you want to record the stream, you can configure the Recording Parameters (see Input Stream Parameter Table).
  14. Click OK

Input Stream Parameters Table

ParameterDescription
Stream Parameters
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 buffer enables smoother entry, however, it may influence the latency rate.

User

If the stream is password protected, enter the username to access the stream.

Password

If the stream is password protected, enter the password.

Billing CodesBilling codes are used to identify and differentiate traffic on a Zixi Broadcaster for billing purposes. When a billing code is added to a Source or Target, Zixi can track the traffic on that Broadcaster input or output separately from other inputs and outputs on the same Broadcaster. Billing codes are created by Zixi personnel on the Zixi Customer Portal for a particular organization.
Billing CodeEnter the billing code that corresponds to this stream. The relevant billing can be obtained from the organization that received the billing code from Zixi.
Billing passwordEnter the password that corresponds to this billing code.
Enable time shiftSelect this checkbox to record the stream content and broadcast it after a specified delay. To deploy an input stream that uses the current stream's time shift, you need to configure a "Delayed" input stream. (See Adding Delayed Streams).
Maximum delay [hh:mm:ss]Specify the time of the delayed transmission of this stream. Maximum: 24 hours.
Enable multicast on pull outputs

Select this checkbox to enable the transmission of this stream’s outputs as multicast. A Zixi receiver 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 OnlySelecting this checkbox will force the transmission of this stream only in multicast.

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.

Recording parameters

Select this checkbox to customize the recording parameters.

Destination Type

Select the radio button for the desired storage type and then fill in the relevant parameters.

  • Record to disk – the recording is saved on the local disk. It is possible to record to an external destination by replacing the default storage location with a symbolic link. To learn more, see Using an External Storage section.
  • Record to S3 – the file is saved to your AWS S3 Bucket. The mechanism uses AWS multipart upload. Amazon advises to define a lifetime rule for objects on destination bucket.

Record to Disk Parameters


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
  • %U=YYYYmmddTHHMMSSZ UTC timestamp - optional

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

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. Default: 0 hours

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.

Record to S3 Parameters

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
  • %U=YYYYmmddTHHMMSSZ UTC timestamp - optional

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

Max recorded file duration [hours]

Specify the maximum time allotted for recording a video stream. Default: 2 hours

URL

Specify the URL of the S3 bucket.

Ignore TLS certificate errors

TLS certificate for S3 bucket might be detected as faulty if bucket name contains dot[s]. When this option is selected, Zixi Broadcaster will ignore the TLS certificate errors and transmit the stream to its destination.

Access Key

The access key that is used for accessing the S3 bucket.

Secret Key

The secret key that is used for accessing the S3 bucket.