# Video Inputs Source: https://dev.arcxp.com/video-center/developer-docs/video-inputs/ Supported source video formats, file size limits, and live contribution feed requirements for Arc XP Video Center. This reference explains the video formats and settings Arc XP Video Center accepts for on-demand video, along with the contribution feed requirements for live video. For what Video Center produces from your source, see [Video Outputs](https://dev.arcxp.com/video-center/developer-docs/video-outputs/). **Related guides** — this page covers _what_ is supported. For _how_ to do it: - [Getting Started with Video Center](https://docs.arcxp.com/en/products/video-center/getting-started-with-video-center.html) — uploading and managing video - [How to Set Up Live Streams](https://docs.arcxp.com/en/products/video-center/getting-started-with-live-video-in-video-center/how-to-set-up-live-streams-in-video-center.html) — creating a live stream and pointing your encoder at it - [How to Upload Graphics for Live Streams](https://docs.arcxp.com/en/products/video-center/getting-started-with-live-video-in-video-center/how-to-upload-graphics-for-live-streams-in-video-center.html) — overlays and slates - [Clipping a Live Stream Video](https://docs.arcxp.com/en/products/video-center/getting-started-with-video-center/clipping-a-live-stream-video.html) --- ## On-demand video ### Recommended source specification Deliver your source (mezzanine) as close to this specification as you can. These are the settings we support and routinely validate. | Property | Supported | | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | Container | MP4 or MOV (preferred); M4V, MPG, MPG2 and MXF also accepted | | Video codec | H.264 / AVC | | Chroma & bit depth | 4:2:0, 8-bit | | Resolution | Up to 1920 × 1080 | | Frame rate | Up to 30 fps, progressive | | Color | BT.709 | | Audio codec | AAC-LC | | Audio channels | One stereo track | | Audio sample rate | 48 kHz or 44.1 kHz | Deliver the best resolution and bitrate you have, a mezzanine comfortably above the top rung of your rendition ladder gives the encoder the most to work with. > **Other source settings:** > > Video Center may accept files outside the specification above, but those settings are not validated and may fail to encode or may not produce high-quality results. ### File types and size limits Accepted extensions, case-insensitively: `.mp4` · `.m4v` · `.mov` · `.mpg` · `.mpg2` · `.mxf` | Delivery route | Maximum file size | | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | Upload in Video Center (browser) | **3.5 GB** | | Upload via the API | Use this route for files larger than 3.5 GB | > **Note:** > > To upload a file through the API, supply a reachable HTTPS URL that Video Center can fetch the file from. This can be a pre-signed URL from your own storage. The URL must return the file directly. For endpoints and request formats, see the Arc XP developer documentation for [Video Center APIs](https://dev.arcxp.com/api/content-administration/video-center-api/). --- ## Live video ### Choosing a configuration A live stream is built from three capabilities: distribution (getting your feed to viewers), encoding (producing the rendition ladder), and recording (DVR). | Configuration | Distribution | Encoding | Recording | You send | | ------------------------------ | ------------ | -------- | --------- | ---------------------------- | | **Server-side encoding** | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | A single high-bitrate feed | | **Server-side encoding + DVR** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | A single high-bitrate feed | | **Client-side encoding** | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Your own complete HLS ladder | | **Client-side encoding + DVR** | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Your own complete HLS ladder | | **DVR only** | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | Your own complete HLS ladder | - **Server-side encoding**: you send one good-quality feed; Arc XP produces every rendition. Choose this if you do not want to operate a multi-rendition encoder. - **Client-side encoding**: your encoder produces every rendition and Arc XP delivers them unchanged. Choose this if you already run a broadcast encoding chain. - **DVR:** adds recording, which is what enables clipping and event archiving. - **DVR only:** records without publishing a live stream to viewers, used when you distribute live elsewhere but want Arc XP as the clipping and archive source. To create a stream and get its input URL, see [How to Set Up Live Streams](https://docs.arcxp.com/en/products/video-center/getting-started-with-live-video-in-video-center/how-to-set-up-live-streams-in-video-center.html). ### Contribution feed specification Applies to every configuration using server-side encoding. | Property | Supported | | ----------------- | --------------------------- | | Video codec | H.264 / AVC | | Resolution class | HD | | Maximum bitrate | 20 Mbps | | Protocols | RTMP push, or HLS | | Audio codec | AAC | | Audio channels | One stereo track | | Embedded captions | CEA-608, channel 1, English | The quality of the contribution feed sets the ceiling for every rendition produced from it, so push a high-bitrate stream. ### RTMP requirements **An IP allowlist is required.** You must supply the CIDR range your encoder sends from; the RTMP input rejects connections from anywhere else. Keep it updated if your encoding infrastructure moves. Your stream ingest URL includes dedicated primary and secondary mount paths configured per channel. ### HLS requirements Where you deliver HLS, Arc XP provisions the destination and issues credentials for it; you write your playlist and segments there. Credentials can be rotated without interrupting the stream. ### Client-side encoding Your ladder is what your viewers get. Video Center does not add, remove or re-encode renditions. - Send a complete, valid HLS ladder: master playlist plus all variant playlists and segments. - Since client-side encoded streams pass through without server-side validation or re-encoding, ensure your source HLS manifest adheres strictly to Apple HLS specifications prior to broadcasting. - Client-side encoding requires HLS, it does not accept RTMP. ### DVR | Property | Value | | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | | Recording window | **14 days** of time-shifted playback | | Minimum clip length | **15 seconds** | | Ingest endpoints | Two, each with credentials you can rotate | Streams without DVR do not appear in the clipping tool. ### Encoder compatibility Video Center takes a standard RTMP or HLS feed, so most professional encoders work, including OBS, Zoom, AWS Elemental Live, LiveU, Teradek and Harmonic. If your encoder can push RTMP to a URL with a stream key, or write HLS to cloud storage with supplied credentials, it will work. --- ## Creating video from live Clips and archives become ordinary on-demand videos and go through the rendition ladders in [Video Outputs](https://dev.arcxp.com/video-center/developer-docs/video-outputs/). For the clipping workflow, see [Clipping a Live Stream Video](https://docs.arcxp.com/en/products/video-center/getting-started-with-video-center/clipping-a-live-stream-video.html).