About: When using transcoded outputs, you have the option to enable and set a fixed buffer. The value defined here represents the video decoding buffer on the output engine.
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Fixed buffer behavior
A buffer temporarily stores a configurable amount of time of a stream before processing and distributing. For this example, we assume a fixed buffer of 1.0 second is set.
- When a signal is routed to the output, the signal is buffered until the full buffer storage is used.
- The signal is then processed and transmitted to the configured destinations considering additionally configured delays.
As a result, setting a fixed buffer of 1.0 second always contributes 1.0 second latency to the overall transmission.
When to use
We recommend configuring a fixed buffer whenever one of the following requirements apply:
- I use one output to stream to multiple destinations at once in different qualities and want to keep the signal on the destination side as much in sync as possible and minimize the potential of drifting signals.
- I use multiple outputs to stream into, e.g., a mixing solution and need to keep the signals as much in sync as possible and minimize the potential of drifting signals.
Edge cases and troubleshooting
Lower values for fixed buffers result in lower added latency but higher sensitivity towards unstable or inconsistent signal connections on the source to ingest side.
Results can be perceived as stuttering images, freeze frames, or black frames on the destination side in rare occasions. Slightly too small buffers can manifest in freeze-frames. Significantly too small buffers can result in signals being dropped.
In these cases, we recommend to:
- Check the connection health on the ingest side. If it seems inconsistent or unstable, double-check the signal source sending the stream.
- Increase the fixed buffer value.
Consider using fixed buffers for inputs as well.