RMS, MUX, and Generic are the three live source types available for live streaming. Each type serves a distinct purpose: an RMS live source offers advanced live stream processing and post-production options, a MUX live source uses alternative streaming infrastructure, and a Generic live source publishes an existing HTTP live stream (HLS) playlist URL without additional processing.
Because Ravnur Media Services (RMS) mirrors Azure Media Services (AMS), an RMS live source gives you access to most of the extensive features AMS offered, without requiring a separate account. This page explains when to choose an RMS live source over the alternatives.
In this article:
When to use the RMS live source
When not to use the RMS live source
Concepts
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| RMS live source | A live source backed by Ravnur Media Services, offering advanced live stream processing and post-production options. |
| MUX live source | A live source backed by MUX, an alternative streaming infrastructure. See MUX Live Source. |
| Generic live source | A live source created from an existing .m3u8 HLS playlist URL. See HTTP live stream URL. |
When to use the RMS live source
Consider an RMS live source when you want to:
- Record and post your live stream: save and share your live broadcasts for on-demand viewing. An RMS live source shuts down automatically after 12 hours of continuous streaming. Contact Ravnur Support to discuss extending this limit.
- Encode your live stream into multiple qualities: improve the viewing experience across different internet speeds and device capabilities.
When not to use the RMS live source
An RMS live source might not be necessary if:
- You run a long-running stream without recording needs: your stream does not require recording or on-demand playback.
- You already have a .m3u8 HLS playlist URL: you want to publish an existing HLS playlist URL directly through the Ravnur Media Platform.
Using multiple live sources
If your event requires any of the advanced features listed above, choose an RMS live source. You can also create multiple live sources with different configurations, such as cloud encoding on or off, or low latency on or off, to match each event's needs. Contact Ravnur Support if you need multiple accounts to support this setup.