> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://streamloop.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Live inputs

> Send a live feed from OBS, vMix or a hardware encoder into a Streamloop scene over RTMP, RTMPS or SRT, or pull an HLS stream, with a fallback slate when the feed drops.

<Info>
  Scenes are in private beta. See [Scenes](/docs/scenes/overview) to request access.
</Info>

A **live input** brings a live feed into your show. Your encoder (OBS, vMix or a hardware encoder)
pushes video to Streamloop, and the scene shows it like any other layer.

| Kind | Use it for |
| - | - |
| **RTMP input** | OBS, vMix or a hardware encoder pushes to a server URL and a stream key. RTMPS gives an encrypted link. |
| **SRT input** | A low-latency push over SRT. Good on unstable networks. |
| **HLS stream** | Pull a live stream from an `.m3u8` URL. |
| **IP camera** | Pull a camera's RTSP feed from the internet. See [Cameras](/docs/scenes/cameras). |

## Add an RTMP or SRT input

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add the source">
    In the studio's **Sources & layers**, click **Add source** and pick **RTMP input** or **SRT
    input**. Drag it onto a frame.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a stream key">
    Open the source's settings and click **Create stream key**. Streamloop shows the **Server URL**,
    **Server URL (RTMPS)** and **Stream key**, or for SRT, the **SRT URL**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy it now">
    Copy the key or SRT URL right away. **It's shown only once** and isn't kept in the show. If you
    lose it, create a new key.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up your encoder">
    Paste the details into your encoder (see below) and start streaming from it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish">
    [Publish](/docs/scenes/build-a-scene#publish) the scene. A new key reaches the stream when you publish.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Encoder settings

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="RTMP">
    * **OBS**: Settings → Stream → Service **Custom**. Paste the **Server URL** (use the RTMPS one for
      an encrypted link) as Server, and the stream key as Stream Key.
    * **vMix**: Add Destination → Custom RTMP Server, with the same URL and key.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="SRT">
    * **OBS**: Settings → Stream → Service **Custom**. Paste the **SRT URL** as Server and leave
      Stream Key empty.
    * **vMix and hardware encoders**: use caller mode to the host and port in the SRT URL, with the
      **Stream ID** shown, and set the packet size to **1128**. At the usual 1316 the encoder
      connects but no picture arrives.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Replace a key

Click **New key (the old one stops working)** to issue a new key. The old key stops working, so
update your encoder and publish. Use this if a key leaks.

## Input status

Each input shows its status in the studio:

| Status | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Live** | Your encoder is sending. |
| **Waiting** | No feed is arriving yet. |
| **Down** | The feed was lost. |
| **Key revoked** | The key was replaced. Paste the new key into your encoder. |
| **Idle** | The input isn't in a frame that's on air or cued, so it isn't running. |
| **Can't start** | A setting it needs is missing. Open the source to see which. |

## When a feed drops

Every live input has an **If it drops** setting that decides what viewers see while the feed is
gone:

* **Show a slate**: a holding card with your text, such as "Stream starting soon". This is the
  default.
* **Hide the layer**: viewers see what's behind the layer until the signal returns.
* **Switch to** another source, such as a looping clip.

Streamloop waits a few seconds before switching, so brief drops don't flash the fallback on air. When
the feed comes back, the input returns on its own.

## Good to know

* Guest cameras (people joining from a browser) aren't available yet. Use an RTMP or SRT input, or
  an IP camera.
* The scene stream keeps running when an input drops. Only that layer falls back.


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