Introduction
All Videolinq subscriptions include a Scheduler: the ability to automate channel activation streaming to players and destinations. The Scheduler can be used in many ways to automate the start and end times of a live stream from different video sources. The Videolinq Scheduler supports these options:
Set up an RTMP source to begin streaming when an encoder connects.
Set up any source to begin streaming at the same time every day.
Set up any source to begin streaming at a different day/time during the week.
Common use cases for using the Scheduler include streaming to destinations as soon as the RTMP encoder connects to the channel, streaming traffic schools or resort IP cameras during preset hours of the day, programming broadcasts to stream to social media platforms at specific times, or configuring recorded files to stream based on time-zone specific requirements.
Videolinq supports 4 types of video sources: an RTMP encoder, a Webcam, a stream URL, and one or more recorded files (in a playlist). The Scheduler requires an active video signal to be on "standby" and connected to the channel. Using a Webcam as a video source is not the best way to live stream scheduled events, because a browser and a camera must be on all the time. Working with an RTMP encoder, a live stream, or a file/playlist makes more sense.
Stop the video source before configuring the Scheduler.
RTMP Encoder
First, configure the video source and update the media encoder. Next, click to expand the Scheduler tab.
Click on the "Add Scheduler" button.
Create a new Scheduler or drop-down to select one created before.
(1) Type a scheduler name and description to remember. (2) Click on the RTMP encoder checkbox. (3) Click on "Create".
Click the green play icon to enable the Scheduler. You will see that the "Go Live" icon changed to a yellow "Standby". The channel is waiting for the RTMP encoder. When it connects, the channel becomes active and ready to stream to players or destinations.
RTMP encoders can also use the "Daily" or "Every day" scheduling option. To select a specific date/time to start/stop a channel, select the daily or every day of the week option. Configure the start/stop times and create the schedule.
Click on the green play icon. The channel will move to "Standby" and indicate when it will start. At the end of the allocated time, the channel will deactivate, and wait for the next schedule point.
Same Time Scheduling
Expand the Scheduler tab.
Create a new scheduler or use one set before.
Give the schedule a name. Select the "Repeat Daily Schedule", and configure the start/stop times.
Click on the green play icon to enable the scheduler.
The channel goes into "Standby" mode. The channel will become activated at the same time every day. It will stop the live stream when it reaches the preset end time.
Weekly Scheduler
Expand the Scheduler tab.
Create a new scheduler or use one set before.
Give the schedule a name. Select the "Different Schedule Every Day", and configure the start/stop times by day. Various settings per day are supported.
Click on the green play icon to enable the scheduler.
The channel goes into "Standby" mode. The channel will be activated at a specific date/time of the week, go back to Standby mode, and restart again until it completes all pre-scheduled events.
Tips & Tricks
To use a live RTMP video source, when the RTMP encoder streams all the time to Videolinq, but the broadcast "goes live" as dictated by the Scheduler, you must subscribe to the Enterprise plan.
When using a file as the video source, the "Daily" or "Per day of the week" schedule options support one or many files (playlist). Look for the drop-down option at the lower right part of the Scheduler interface to select media.
Remember to update social media platform destinations with a new fresh stream key after a scheduled broadcast ends. Some platforms will require the use of a "persistent" stream key to be able to "re-use" the same stream key for multiple broadcasts.