Play a file when the source fails¶

When the source is lost or the signal is poor, playback can switch automatically to a fallback slate (a file from VOD). Below is the step-by-step setup.

Sequence of steps:

1. Upload the slate file to the VOD section
2. Create a channel and set the primary source
3. Set the file as the backup (slate) on the channel
4. Save and verify playback
5. (Optional) Simulate source failure and confirm switching to the slate

1. Upload the file to VOD¶

Go to the VOD section and upload the slate file (e.g. a video in a format that matches your template). Wait until the file appears in the list.

You will need the file name (e.g. backup.mp4) when configuring the backup on the channel.

2. Channel and primary source¶

Go to Channels, create a new channel (e.g. backup-demo). Open the Inputs tab, add the primary source (URL of your stream — multicast, HLS, etc.). Set the timeout for switching to the backup (seconds) if needed.

3. Configuring the backup (slate)¶

On the same Inputs tab, set the backup: in the slate field enter the name of the file uploaded to VOD (e.g. backup.mp4). Set the backup activation timeout if needed. Click Save.

When the primary source is unavailable, Catena SE will switch playback to the slate.

The backup timeout is different from the source timeout: the source timeout is counted from the start of the source, while the backup timeout is counted from the last received frame, so the backup can kick in while sources are still being tried.

4. Verify playback¶

Go to the Basic tab and confirm that the stream is playing (primary source or, if it is unavailable, the slate).

5. Verify switching to the slate (optional)¶

To confirm that the backup works:

• temporarily change the primary source URL to an invalid one and save;
• the player should switch to the slate;
• restore the correct source URL and save — playback should switch back to the primary stream.