> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-2/play-live-video-source-layers.md).

# Use live video sources

Add live video sources from your production directly into a Captivate channel. A live video source appears in the Project List as a layer you manage with the same playout controls as any other layer, with additional properties depending on the source.

* [Add a live video source](#add-a-live-video-source)
* [Lock on for downstream keying](#lock-on-for-downstream-keying-broadcast-only)
* [PTZ controls](#ptz-controls-broadcast-only)

## Add a live video source

A live video source accompanies your graphics and media in the channel: it displays the live feed in real time and appears in Program when the layer is live.

1. Open Captivate. Click **Add new item** at the bottom of the Project List (or right-click in the Project List) and choose **Live Audio/Video**. Captivate shows the input categories below. Which categories are visible depends on your Captivate license, the hardware present, what’s discovered on the network, and any active integrations.
   * **Windows Device** / **Mac Device**: USB or HDMI cameras connected directly to the machine running Captivate, plus OS-level virtual cameras (Zoom virtual camera, OBS virtual camera, NDI Webcam).
   * **NDI**: live video sources that are being transmitted over NDI on your local network. Captivate discovers them automatically.
   * **Screen** / **Window**: a live feed of a full display or a single application window. Displays appear under **Screen**; the **Window** submenu lists each capturable application window as `<Window Title> (<process.exe>)`. On macOS, ScreenCaptureKit can also capture an application across virtual desktops.
   * **Browser**: a web page rendered as a live video source. Choose **Add Browser** to enter the URL and save the source as a preset. A Browser source can optionally use a transparent background (for web overlays that composite over other layers) and a separate **control URL** for an operator dashboard. Audio from the page is captured directly from the page itself.
   * **Blackmagic** / **AJA** / **BlueFish**: SDI capture from a Blackmagic Design (DeckLink), AJA, or BlueFish444 card. Visibility depends on your Captivate license and on the vendor driver being installed.
   * **SRT** / **RTSP** / **RTMP**: live network protocols. Use the **Add …** entries under each to point Captivate at a stream URL.
   * **Media Clip**: a saved media file consumed as a live video source.
   * **Zoom**: per-participant feeds from a joined Zoom meeting (appears when a meeting is active).
   * **OMT**: OMT senders on the network.
   * **Audio Device** / **System Audio**: audio-only sources for the Audio Mixer.
   * **Utility**: built-in test pattern and generator sources.
2. Selecting any of the options above will add that live video source as a layer on your current channel. You may click and drag the layer above or below other layers to determine its layer hierarchy.

   **📌 NOTE**\
   Live video layers work best if they are below your graphics layers so that your graphics will play above your live video sources.

## Source settings

After you add a live source, select its row and open the **Live Audio/Video** tab in the Properties panel — the input source picker and the per-source settings live there.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0c9b59ecd1cd57d3c6d78775da3da8e0b6123289%2Flive-audio-video-tab.jpg?alt=media" alt="Live Audio/Video tab for a webcam — Input Source picker and Include in Switcher / Instant Replay"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Protocol inputs add their own settings tab next to it. **RTMP Settings** and **SRT Settings** carry the connection mode, the listen port, and the addresses external encoders connect to:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-93022a77600e4d7513ee953a477ec48244b31e1d%2Frtmp-capture-settings.jpg?alt=media" alt="RTMP Settings tab — Connection Mode, Listen Port, optional Stream Key, and the LAN and internet addresses encoders connect to"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-96d5717d0143f0fa1c4855b2d7a9fded2abfe9b6%2Fsrt-capture-settings.jpg?alt=media" alt="SRT Settings tab — Connection Mode, Listen Port, and Advanced Settings with Latency, Passphrase, and Stream ID"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Follow Switcher

A live video layer can track the Switcher instead of a fixed source. The **Input Source** menu’s first entry is **Follow Switcher**: with it selected, the layer always shows whatever source the Switcher currently has on program, switching when the Switcher switches.

Use it when one layer — a squeeze box, a downstream-key background, a live video variable in a graphic — should always carry "the live shot," whatever camera that happens to be. A graphic’s live video variable offers the same **Follow Switcher** choice in its source menu on the **Live Values** tab.

* Follow Switcher carries **video only** — the followed camera’s audio is not pulled along. Mix audio through the Audio Mixer as usual.
* The option isn’t offered on a layer that is itself included in the Switcher (a source can’t follow itself).
* Picking a concrete source from the **Input Source** menu leaves follow mode immediately.

## Lock on for downstream keying (Broadcast only)

The **Lock on for downstream keying** checkbox in the live layer’s **Layer Properties** panel locks playback on so that, once the layer is playing, it cannot be stopped until the checkbox is cleared. Use it when a live video source has to stay live for the whole show — a downstream key, a permanent background, a return feed — and a stray hot-key or shot recall should not be able to take it off air.

Downstream keying is included with Captivate Broadcast; other editions may not show the checkbox.

## PTZ Controls (Broadcast only)

If a PTZ camera is added as a live video source and you are licensed for Captivate Broadcast, then your **Layer Properties** panel will contain PTZ controls for that live video layer. PTZ is supported on NDI-enabled PTZ cameras; USB PTZ support is limited and not all USB cameras expose PTZ on every OS.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2afc7594909ad1af10b0f85d53b20ef2f0e6c75f%2Fimage_9478.jpg?alt=media" alt="PTZ controls"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Use the **Pan**, **Tilt**, **Zoom**, and **Focus** sliders to frame the shot. The **Auto** button on the Focus row autofocuses the current shot. You can also adjust Pan and Tilt directly from the Designer’s editable display: hold CTRL and drag inside the editable preview to move the camera.

To save a preset, click **Store** (it stays pressed), then click one of the 12 numbered preset buttons. To recall, click the numbered button directly or pick the preset from the **Play Preset** dropdown so it recalls automatically when the layer plays. The store grid exposes 12 slots; the **Play Preset** dropdown currently exposes presets 1-8.


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