Playback Session Settings and Streaming FAQ
Learn how to optimize your Playback settings and find answers to frequently asked questions about streaming in this comprehensive guide.
Written by Sara Griffith
Updated at February 10th, 2025
This article contains common questions and answers about streaming settings, streaming session management and streaming.
What is the session state?
This column displays one of 5 states: “Draft”, “Ready,” “Started,” “Scheduled,” and “Finished.”
Can I edit the session after I save it?
Yes, you can edit the session after you save it. You can edit session details by clicking on the name of the session in either the Dashboard or Studio view, or you can modify Session Settings by clicking on either “Schedule” or ”Stream Settings" respectively in the Dashboard, or the gear icon next to the session name in Studio view.
How can I delete a session?
A streaming session can be deleted in two ways, once the session is in a “finished” state:
A) From the Session Details window (Click on the Session Name in the Dashboard), click on the trashcan button in the lower left
B) From Dashboard view, click on the “Delete” button under the Actions column
If the session is not “finished” but is no longer needed, etc. it can be deleted the following ways:
A) From the Session Details window (Click on the Session Name in the Dashboard), click on the trashcan button in the lower left
B) From the hamburger menu in the actions column, click on “Delete”.
Once a session has been deleted, it will disappear from the Dashboard. This can not be undone.
Which Stream Settings are required to start a session in Playback?
Streaming, Audio, Video and Timecoded Markers settings are required to start a session in Playback. You can configure them by clicking on their respective tabs in the “Edit Session Details 2 of 2: Stream Settings” pop-up window, accessible from the “Stream Settings” button in the Edit Session dashboard column.
How do I configure screen capture settings in Playback?
To configure screen capture settings in Playback, click on the “Stream Settings” button in the Edit Session dashboard column to bring up “Edit Session Details 2 of 2: Stream Settings. Click on the “Video” tab, and select ”Screen Capture" from the Video Input Type dropdown. You can choose a frame rate, select the screen area which will be streamed, and identify or edit the selected screen area.
What is the difference between the different Streaming Settings?
Accessible through the “Streaming” settings tab of “Edit Session Details 2 of 2: Stream Settings”, These settings determine how the stream will be viewed by Participants . Either through the desktop app (Desktop Only), or Desktop and a Web Browser (Desktop & Web) - the best option would be the last one so participants can use either the downloaded app or a web client version of the app. As an organizer, you will always use the desktop app, and there are a few things to keep in mind. Some other things to keep in mind as you are deciding which streaming setting to use: when streaming to Desktop only, this allows up to 16 channels of audio (OPUS), Desktop to Web streaming allows up to 6 (AAC) channels, however those joining through the web app will receive a stereo mixdown.
Timecoded Markers are only available in the Desktop only streaming type. If Desktop & Web streaming is chosen however, the Organizer will be able to add comments, but any Guests joining through the Desktop app will not be able to.
What FPS should I use?
FPS should always match your source material if possible. If you are using “stream from application” or a “Screen Capture” option and are unable to determine the fps of the source, it’s suggested to se 24 fps.
How do I start streaming media files in Playback?
To start streaming, click “Start Stream” in the Playback Studio. Click on the "Play" button in your NLE/DAW or source to start the content. There is no transport control in Playback.
How do I stop or pause streaming media files in Playback?
To stop or pause streaming, click on the “Stop/Pause” button in the NLE/DAW to pause the content. If you need to pause or stop the stream in Playback without pausing the actual content, click “Stop Stream”. You may need to do this to change a Session Setting.
Who controls media playback, the DAW/NLE, or Playback?
There is no transport control within Playback. Playback is controlled from the source DAW or NLE by the session Organizer.
Can a Guest scroll back to a certain point on the media timeline to show others, or do they need to ask the Organizer of the session to do so?
Playback is a real time media streaming solution. As such, it’s not possible to pause the stream/media without the session Organizer doing so from the host DAW or NLE.
Can I start a session before the session start time?
A session can be started before it’s scheduled. Once you have started a session (not start a stream), the clock has started for that session and the session will end once the time limit has been reached. If you have a subscription, you can start and end that scheduled session before and /or after the scheduled parameters as well, and the time used will be deducted from the monthly hourly allotment according to your subscription type.
How does Playback handle Mixdowns/Downmixing?
Downmixing is performed as to the specifications of the streaming format. For more information, please see RFC 7845.