---
title: Adding File over HTTP Streams
slug: zixi-broadcaster-zec-current-version/adding-file-over-http-streams
docTags:
createdAt: 2024-12-25T19:47:04.110Z
---
This enables you to add a File over HTTP stream, where the source is a file on an HTTP server (e.g., S3) that is copied to a temporary location on the local computer.
## To Add a File over HTTP Stream:
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In the Zixi Broadcaster Navigation menu, click the **Inputs** tab.
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In the Menu bar, click **New Input**. The **Add a new input stream** window is displayed.
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Enter the unique **Stream I.D**.
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Note this must be identical (case sensitive) to the stream name configured in ZEC.
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Enter the maximum concurrent connections to this stream from the **Max. Outputs** drop-down list. Default: Unlimited.
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Select the **Show in Matrix** check box to display this stream in the Matrix (see [Using the Matrix](docId\:bP6MO9f2QbxmU6gURKoG4)). Default: Selected.
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Select the **Log this stream** checkbox if you would like to generate event logs for this input.
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Select the **Analyze **checkbox if you would like to enable stream analysis for the input.
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Select **File over HTTP** for the input stream.
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Specify the **Stream Parameters** (see [Input Stream Parameters Table](docId:6R6rq38nuexMh5tDq0TnW)).
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If you want to specify **Billing Codes** to identify and differentiate traffic on a Zixi Broadcaster for billing purposes, select this checkbox (see [Input Stream Parameters Table](docId:6R6rq38nuexMh5tDq0TnW) below)
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If you want to **Enable time shift,** select this checkbox (see [Input Stream Parameters Table](docId:6R6rq38nuexMh5tDq0TnW)).
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If you want to **Enable multicast on pull outputs**, select this checkbox (see [Input Stream Parameters Table](docId:6R6rq38nuexMh5tDq0TnW)).
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If you want to **Enable encryption**, select this checkbox (see [Input Stream Parameters Table](docId:6R6rq38nuexMh5tDq0TnW)). For more information, see [Encrypting an Input Stream in Zixi Broadcaster](docId\:V3RYrBN08r4CojWl-wVoQ).
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If you want to configure the **Recording Parameters**, specify them in the respective fields (see [Input Stream Parameters Table](docId:6R6rq38nuexMh5tDq0TnW)).
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Click **OK**.
The “Input added” message appears at the top of the screen. The File over HTTP stream is added to the Zixi Broadcaster and now appears in the list of streams available in the Zixi Broadcaster inputs UI.
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### Input Stream Parameters Table
| **Parameter** | **Description** |
| --------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Stream Parameters** | The general stream settings.
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| **URL** | Specify the URL for the File over HTTP stream. |
| **URL for HEAD request** | When receiving the file, there is usually first an HTTP HEAD request, just to get the size of the file, and then an HTTP GET request to get the file itself. However, you may want to use a different URL for the HEAD request. If so, specify the separate URL for the HEAD request only. |
| **Ignore HEAD request** | Select this option to ignore any errors when making a HEAD request. |
| **Smoothing Latency \[ms]** | The Smoothing feature uses a buffer to time packets according to the stream's clock. This is useful when there are bursts in the rate at which the stream arrives. The smoothing feature creates a queue in the buffer, allowing smoother entry into the Broadcaster. The Smoothing parameter defines the size of the buffer in Milliseconds. A larger buffer enables smoother entry; however, it may influence the latency rate. |
| ***Billing Codes*** | Billing codes are used to identify and differentiate traffic on a Zixi Broadcaster for billing purposes. When a billing code is added to a Source or Target, Zixi can track the traffic on that Broadcaster input or output separately from other inputs and outputs on the same Broadcaster. Billing codes are created by Zixi personnel on the Zixi Customer Portal for a particular organization. |
| **Billing Code** | Enter the billing code that corresponds to this stream. The relevant billing can be obtained from the organization that received the billing code from Zixi. |
| **Billing password** | Enter the password that corresponds to this billing code. |
| ***Enable time shift*** | Select this checkbox to record the stream content and broadcast it after a specified delay. To deploy an input stream that uses the current stream's time shift, you need to configure a "Delayed" input stream, see [Adding Delayed Streams](docId\:Zp5QL-5KthHdpHMRhDDhE). |
| **Maximum delay \[hh\:mm\:ss]** | Specify the time of the delayed transmission of this stream. Maximum: 24 hours. |
| ***Enable multicast on pull outputs*** | Select this checkbox to enable the transmission of this stream’s outputs as multicast. A Zixi receiver that will pull the stream will receive it in multicast. By default, Zixi Broadcaster is configured to allow transparent fallback to unicast if it is out of the LAN. Requires enabling **Multicast Pull** in the **Settings**. |
| **Multicast Only** | Selecting this checkbox will force the transmission of this stream only in multicast. |
| ***Enable Encryption*** | Select this checkbox to encrypt the Input stream. The stream encryption prevents any further processing, such as analysis, transcoding, etc.
The encryption works in the following way:
* **If the stream has been encrypted at the source** - The stream will remain encrypted regardless of the output type. Zixi Broadcaster can only encrypt the stream after it has been decrypted.
* **If the stream is being encrypted by the Zixi Broadcaster** - it will be encrypted only if the output is a Zixi Pull or Zixi Push output. All other outputs will send out an unencrypted stream.
For more information, see [Encrypting an Input Stream in Zixi Broadcaster](docId\:V3RYrBN08r4CojWl-wVoQ). |
| **Encryption type (for Encryption enabled) ** | Specify the type of Encryption (AES 128/192/256). |
| **Encryption key (for Encryption enabled)** | Click **Generate** to generate an encryption key. The generated encryption key must be sent to the end-user to decipher the received encoded stream. |
| ***Recording parameters*** | Select this checkbox to customize the recording parameters. |
| **Destination Type** | Select the radio button for the desired storage type and then fill in the relevant parameters.
* **Record to disk – **the recording is saved on the local disk. It is possible to record to an external destination by replacing the default storage location with a symbolic link. To learn more, see the [Using an External Storage](docId\:z2Amp6-FJ7crCKkfQrThQ) section.
* **Record to S3** – the file is saved to your AWS S3 Bucket. The mechanism uses AWS multipart upload. Amazon advises defining a lifetime rule for objects in the destination bucket. |
| ***Record to Disk Parameters*** | |
| **File Name Template** | Specify the file name pattern that Zixi will use to generate when saving the recorded content. A separate file will be generated for each recording up to the time specified in the Max recorded file duration parameter (see above). After this duration, a new file will be generated.
The file name pattern can include any string and up to five variables listed below. Only the %T=HH.MM.SS creation time is mandatory. You can change the order of these variables and add text as long as you maintain the legitimate structure of the file in Linux and Windows:
* %S=stream id - optional.
* %Y=year - optional
* %M=month - optional
* %D=day - optional
* %T=HH.MM.SS creation time - mandatory
* %U=YYYYmmddTHHMMSSZ UTC timestamp - optional
For example, the following pattern %Y\_recording%T.ts will generate the following file name 2017\_recording15:32:35.ts. |
| **Max recorded file duration \[hours]** | Specify the maximum time allotted for recording a video stream. Default: 2 hours |
| **Keep recorded files for \[hours]** | Specify the maximum time for storing the recording. Default: 0 hours |
| **Custom Path** | Optionally specify a storage location for the recorded files that is relative to the root folder. This location bypasses the location specified as the root folder in the **Settings** > **General **screen. |
| ***Record to S3 Parameters*** | |
| **File Name Template** | Specify the file name pattern that Zixi will use to generate when saving the recorded content. A separate file will be generated for each recording up to the time specified in the Max recorded file duration parameter (see above). After this duration, a new file will be generated.
The file name pattern can include any string and up to five variables listed below. Only the %T=HH.MM.SS creation time is mandatory. You can change the order of these variables and add text as long as you maintain the legitimate structure of the file in Linux and Windows:
* %S=stream id - optional.
* %Y=year - optional
* %M=month - optional
* %D=day - optional
* %T=HH.MM.SS creation time - mandatory
* %U=YYYYmmddTHHMMSSZ UTC timestamp - optional
For example, the following pattern %Y\_recording%T.ts will generate the following file name 2017\_recording15:32:35.ts. |
| **Max recorded file duration \[hours]** | Specify the maximum time allotted for recording a video stream. Default: 2 hours |
| **URL** | Specify the URL of the S3 bucket. |
| **Ignore TLS certificate errors** | TLS certificate for S3 bucket might be detected as faulty if bucket name contains dot\[s]. When this option is selected, Zixi Broadcaster will ignore the TLS certificate errors and transmit the stream to its destination. |
| **Access Key** | The access key that is used for accessing the S3 bucket. |
| **Secret Key** | The secret key that is used for accessing the S3 bucket. |
## Advanced Mode
The fields discussed below are optional and available only in **Advanced Mode**.
To enter Advanced Mode add the URL parameter `?advanced=1` to the Zixi Broadcaster URL in your browser and press Enter/Return to reload the page:
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Note the Advanced Mode settings are generally intended for advanced users and special cases. If you do not understand the settings, you should probably accept the default values.
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- **Inject Metadata** - allows Zixi create a PID that carries information about what hops a feed has travelled through on the way to its destination, it includes things like CC errors and IAT at each hop. The information is useful for debugging issues with streams.
### SCTE-35
The most commonly used advanced settings are those which relate to SCTE markers:
- **Support SCTE-35 injection** - select this if you want to be able to insert your own SCTE-35 messages for such purposes as inserting a preroll or ad break
- **SCTE-35 PID** - You can specify a specific PID for SCTE-35 injection, or leave it at the default **AUTO** value
- **Remove old SCTE-35 packets** - If you are inserting new SCTE-35 messages, it's a good idea to remove any old ones, unless you know what they are and that they need to stay
- **Timeout for** CBR - Number of MS to wait for a null packet to insert SCTE-35 (keeps the stream CBR).
### Latency Offset
Latency offset is a configuration parameter that **delays the processing of a transport stream by a defined amount of time (in milliseconds)**. This delay is not arbitrary—it serves specific operational goals:
1. **SCTE-35 Cue Injection and Pre-roll Support**
In broadcast workflows, SCTE-35 markers signal ad breaks or content insertion points. By applying a latency offset, the system can **inject SCTE-35 packets ahead of playback**, ensuring accurate timing for ad insertion or blackout triggers. This is critical for compliance and monetization workflows.
*Example:* Zixi Broadcaster introduced latency offset to enable SCTE-35 insertion after the offset for pre-roll scenarios.
2. **Stream Normalization and Timeline Alignment**
HLS inputs often arrive with irregular timestamps (PCR, PTS, DTS) or discontinuities. Adding a latency offset gives the system time to **buffer and normalize segments**, repair timeline irregularities, and remultiplex into a stable MPEG-TS output. This prevents audio drift and switching errors downstream.
3. **Smooth Buffering for Burst Handling**
When upstream encoders send data in bursts, latency offset combined with buffering helps maintain a steady flow into the broadcaster. This avoids jitter and packet timing issues that could disrupt adaptive bitrate workflows.