How do I Switch Between Feeds?
The feeder pool lets several devices stream to your channel at the same time. For example, OBS in the studio, a phone at the entrance and a laptop camera backstage. You watch every feed on Feeders and choose which one goes on air.
Open Feeders
In the channel menu, click Feeders. Multi-Device Feeders opens:
| Area | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Output Display | What your channel is broadcasting. LIVE OUTPUT when a feed is on air, AUTOMATED MODE when the channel is running its programming |
| Current Output Routing | The feeds providing the video and audio on air, or Automated Playlist / Schedule |
| Invite Camera Operators | The link for browser and phone feeds |
| OBS & RTMP Encoder Setup | A tool for building feeder stream keys |
| Feeder Pool | Every connected feed, each with a live preview |
Add Feeds to the Pool
| Feed | How it joins | Listed as |
|---|---|---|
| An encoder using your stream key | Connect it with the channel's stream key. See How do I Stream from OBS or vMix? | Direct OBS Feed, Direct Broadcast |
| An encoder using a feeder stream key | Build its key under OBS & RTMP Encoder Setup. See Build a Feeder Stream Key | Its feed name, Mobile Feeder |
| A browser camera | Open the invite link. See Stream from a Browser | The name entered on the device, Mobile Feeder |
| The Cecula Feeder app | Enter a feeder stream key in the app. See Stream with the Cecula Feeder App | Its feed name, Mobile Feeder |
| A second encoder using your stream key | Connect it while another encoder already uses the key | FDR1, FDR2 and so on |
The pool refreshes every 3 seconds. A feed leaves the pool when it disconnects. With no feeds connected, the pool shows No feeds active.
Invite Camera Operators
- Under Invite Camera Operators, click Copy Invite Link.
- Send the link to your camera operators. They open it on a phone or computer and stream straight into the pool.
⚠️ Share the invite link carefully
Anyone with the link can send a feed into your pool, without signing in. A feed can't go on air until you select it, but with Auto Feed on, the first feed to connect goes on air automatically. The link stays the same for the life of the channel.
Put a Feed on Air
- Put a feed on air: click the feed's card. Its video and audio go on air, and Cecula Stream confirms Live output successfully switched to selected feed! The card is marked VIDEO LIVE and AUDIO LIVE.
- Switch feeds: click another feed's card. The switch takes about a second, and the channel holds the current picture while it happens.
When an encoder connects with the channel's stream key, it goes on air automatically, replacing any feed you selected.
Mix Video and Audio from Different Feeds
Each feed card has two routing buttons:
- Route Video Only: puts that feed's picture on air and keeps the current sound. Cecula Stream confirms Video feed routed successfully!
- Route Audio Only: puts that feed's sound on air and keeps the current picture. Cecula Stream confirms Audio feed routed successfully!
For example, take the picture from a camera phone and the sound from an encoder connected to your sound desk. If the audio feed disconnects, the picture's own sound is used.
Auto Feed
Switch on Auto Feed at the top of Feeder Pool. Cecula Stream confirms Auto Feed is now enabled.
With Auto Feed on:
- First to connect goes on air: if no feed is on air, the first feed to connect goes on air automatically.
- Later feeds wait: feeds that connect afterwards join the pool without going on air.
- Next feed takes over: if the feed on air disconnects, the next connected feed goes on air.
- Programming resumes: if no feeds are left, the channel returns to its programming.
Auto Feed handles feeder stream keys, browser feeds and app feeds. A feed using the channel's own stream key goes on air when it connects, whether or not Auto Feed is on.
Record a Feed
On plans that include recording, each feed card has a Record Feed button. It records that one feed, for example to keep an isolated camera angle.
- Click Record Feed on the feed's card. The button turns red while recording.
- Click Stop Recording to stop.
The recording is added to your Media Library and processed like an upload. This is separate from Auto-record Stream, which records what's on air to Catchup. See How do I Record My Broadcasts?.
| Message | Cause |
|---|---|
| Recording is not allowed on your subscription plan. | Your plan doesn't include recording |
| Storage limit reached. Plan Limit: … | The channel has no storage left. See How do I Manage Channel Storage? |
Restore the Automated Program
To take feeds off air and go back to the channel's programming, click Restore Automated Program under Output Display. Cecula Stream confirms Switched back to Automated Playlist/Schedule.
The feeds stay connected in the pool, so you can put any of them back on air. This includes the direct feed: it stays off air until you select it again, or until its encoder reconnects.
Who Can Use Feeders
Owners, administrators and editors can put feeds on air, change Auto Feed and record feeds. Viewers can watch the feeds, but can't change anything. See Roles.