Low Latency Streaming Mode with Core TV 

Applies to:

• Prism encoder
• Serv Pro encoder
• Cube 605 / 655 / 705 / 755 encoder
• Bond 657 / 659 / 757 / 759 encoder
• Slice 656 / 756 encoder

 * NOTE: the low latency streaming mode requires a Core account with a cloud-hosted or self-hosted Sputnik server. Low latency streaming mode is not compatible with On Demand Sputnik servers.

Firmware update

Make sure that your encoder is running the most recent firmware:

• Prism: link
• Serv Pro: link
• 600 series Cube / Bond / Slice: link
• 700 series Cube / Bond / Slice: link

After installing the firmware it is recommended (but not mandatory) to do a factory reset on the device.

NOTE: if you perform a factory reset, your device will be disconnected from Core so make sure that you have local access to the device to allow reconfiguration.

Configuration for Prism encoder

1. Connect the encoder to Core.

2. In the Core web UI: Link that encoder to a cloud-hosted or self-hosted Sputnik server. On-demand Sputnik servers do not support low latency mode. 

• Sources > Encoders > “Prism-853-00053” > “Send video to a server” > Select a Sputnik server.

3. On the device web UI: Set the Buffer Length to 0 and disable Adaptive Bitrate.

• Go to “Streaming”. The Stream mode should be set to “Bonding”. Then change the Buffer Length to 0 and disable Adaptive Bitrate.

Configuration of Serv Pro encoder

1. Connect the encoder to Core and select a cloud-hosted or self-hosted Sputnik server. On-demand Sputnik servers do not support low latency mode.

2. On the device web UI: Set the Stream Buffer to 0.

• Core > Settings > Advanced Options > Stream Buffer

3. Make sure there is only one valid internet connection, either Ethernet or Wi-Fi. If there is more than one available internet connection the encoder will perform bonding and this will disable the low latency mode.

Configuration of Cube / Bond / Slice 600 or 700 series encoder

1. Connect the encoder to Core and select a cloud-hosted or self-hosted Sputnik server. On-demand Sputnik servers do not support low latency mode.

2. On the device web UI: Set the Stream Buffer to 0.

• Cloud Services > Advanced Options > Stream Buffer

3. 700 series encoders only: On the device web UI: Set the Look Ahead Frames to 0.

• Encoder -> Advanced Options -> Look Ahead Frames

4. Make sure there is only one valid internet connection, either Ethernet, Wi-Fi or a supported USB modem or hotspot. If there is more than one available internet connection the encoder will perform bonding and this will disable the low latency mode.

Sharing a Workspace in Core TV

1. For the lowest possible latency, disable “Secure Mode”. If secured mode is left enabled on an encoder, the delay will approximately double from 300 milliseconds to 500 milliseconds.

• From the Dashboard, click on the device. If Secure Mode is selected, then uncheck it.

2. Create a new Workspace so you can share the stream.

• On the Dashboard, click the Core TV icon in the left hand column, then click + Add Workspace. Name your new Workspace.

3. Add one or more encoders to the Workspace. 

• Select the Workspace, then click Add Sources. A Cube, Bond, or Slice encoder will appear under Encoders. The Prism encoder will appear under Inbound Streams. You can add multiple encoders to a single Workspace.

4. Share the workspace.

• Select the Workspace, then enter one or more email addresses under the Share via email field; adjust the Sharing expiration and Watermark settings, then click Send Invitation.

5. Each email should receive a unique code for use with the Core TV or Vuer apps to play the low latency stream.

Playing the low latency stream

You must use the Core TV app or the Vuer app to receive the low latency video stream. Playback of the low latency stream in a web browser is not possible.

You should see a delay of approximately 6 to 7 frames between encoder and playback device as long as the network connection between the encoder and the Sputnik server, and the playback device and the Sputnik server are of good quality.

Using a cloud Sputnik or a self-hosted Sputnik should not make a difference in terms of the lowest possible latency.

Core TV app configuration

The Core TV app is available for iOS, macOS, and Apple TV. Core TV is also available for Android, but the Android version does not support low latency mode at this time.

If you are running a newer version of Core TV, you should see a slider under the playing video to configure the delay; lower this delay slider to the minimum.

VUER App configuration

The Vuer app is available for iOS and macOS. Vuer is also available for Android, but the Android version does not support low latency streaming at this time.

While playing the video, open the Video tools by doing a long press on iOS / iPadOS, or double click on macOS. Lower the delay to the minimum.