Many organizations already broadcast live video: a town hall, a message from the CEO, an internal TV channel or a building camera. These streams come from an encoder or a video platform as an HLS stream, an address that ends in .m3u8 in most cases.
The HTTP Streaming content plays an HLS stream, live or on demand, directly on your screens. You add it to a playlist like any other content, test the stream before you save it, and choose whether it stays on screen until the stream ends or for a fixed duration.
Before you start
You need the address of an HLS stream, for example https://encoder.example.com/live/stream.m3u8. Your encoder, your video platform or your IT team can give it to you.
The stream server must allow your screens to read it. Screens read the stream like a web browser does, so the server must send CORS headers (
Access-Control-Allow-Origin, andAccess-Control-Allow-Headerswhen the stream is protected). Many encoders do not send them by default: ask your IT team to turn them on.Prefer an https:// address. An http:// stream can be blocked on players that load content over HTTPS.
Your screens must be able to reach the stream. If the stream is only available on your company network, the screens must be on that network.
The Streaming app must be enabled for your space. If you do not see Streaming when you add a content, contact your Customer Success Manager or our support team to enable it.
ℹ️ Only HLS streams are supported. MPEG-DASH streams (.mpd), DRM-protected streams and links to a platform page (Microsoft Teams, Vimeo, Kaltura…) cannot be played. To show a YouTube video or live broadcast, see Broadcast a YouTube video.
⚠️ BrightSign players: we are still working on compatibility with BrightSign players.
Add an HTTP Streaming content
In the sidebar, click Playlists, then open your playlist.
Click "Add content".
Choose the Streaming app, then HTTP Streaming.
In Stream URL (HLS), paste the address of the stream.
If the stream is protected, choose the Authentication type (see Play a protected stream).
Click "Test the stream" and read the result (see Test the stream).
In the Playback section, choose whether to limit the display duration, and whether to mute the stream.
Click "Save".
The content is named after the address of the stream (for example encoder.example.com). You can change the name in Content name.
While you fill in the form, a preview tries to play the stream without sound. The preview plays the stream from your browser, not from the screen. If it does not play, the stream can still work on your screens: use "Test the stream", then check the content on a screen. There is no preview for a protected stream.
Play a protected stream
If your stream needs credentials, choose one of these options in Authentication:
Username and password (Basic): enter the Username and the Password. Click the eye icon to show or hide the password while you type it.
Custom HTTP headers: enter a Header name and a Header value, for example a token. Click "Add a header" to add more, up to 5 headers.
⚠️ Your screens need these credentials to play the stream, so anyone with access to a screen can read them. Use read-only credentials dedicated to this stream.
Once the content is saved, the credentials are encrypted and cannot be displayed again. The form shows "Credentials saved". To change them, click "Replace" and enter the new credentials. Leave the fields empty to keep the saved ones.
Test the stream
"Test the stream" checks the address and the credentials from Comeen. The result appears under the button:
Result | What to do |
Stream reachable: live stream with no end. | The stream works. Choose a display duration if the playlist has other contents (see below). |
Stream reachable: video of 12 min 30 s. | The stream is an on-demand video. It plays to the end, then the next content starts. |
Access denied | Check the username and password, or the headers, then test again. |
This URL does not return an HLS playlist | Check the address. It must point to the |
This address is on a private network | Comeen cannot check an address of your internal network. Save the content and check it on a screen that is on the same network. |
The stream server does not send CORS headers | Screens cannot play a protected stream without these headers. Ask your IT team to turn them on. |
ℹ️ The test never prevents you from saving. A stream that Comeen can reach can still fail on a screen, for example if the screen is on another network. Always check the content on a screen.
Choose how long the stream stays on screen
You do not need to say whether the stream is live or recorded: the player detects it. By default, the stream stays on screen until it ends:
A live stream stays on screen with no end. The other contents of the playlist do not play.
A video, or a live event that ends, plays to the end, then the next content starts.
To share the screen with other contents, turn on Limit the display duration and enter a Maximum duration, in minutes. The next content starts after this duration, or earlier if the stream ends first.
⚠️ When the test finds a live stream and the limit is off, the form shows a warning: the stream will stay on screen and the other contents of the playlist will not play.
Example
Your lobby playlist has 3 contents: company news, the weather and the live town hall. With a maximum duration of 10 minutes, the screens show the town hall for 10 minutes, then the news and the weather, then 10 more minutes of the town hall. If the town hall ends after 4 minutes, the next content starts right away.
How it works
Default values. A new HTTP Streaming content has no display limit, no authentication, and the sound muted.
Limits. The maximum duration is between 1 minute and 24 hours (1440 minutes). The stream address has 2048 characters at most.
Live streams. The screen joins the live stream at its current point. If the playlist is paused and resumed, the screen goes back to the live point.
When the stream fails. If the stream stops or cannot be read, the screen shows "Stream unavailable" and tries again every few seconds. If the stream comes back within 30 seconds, playback continues. If not, the next content starts, and the stream is tried again at the next loop of the playlist.
Offline. A stream cannot be saved on the player. When the screen is offline, the content is skipped.
Quality. The player chooses the best quality for its connection automatically. Subtitles and audio tracks cannot be selected.
To learn more, see How to Add Content to Your Playlists and Supported Formats and Streams.
FAQ
My screen shows "Stream unavailable". Why?
The screen could not read the stream. Check that the stream is running, that the screen can reach it from its network, that the stream server sends CORS headers, and that the credentials are correct. An http:// stream can also be blocked on some players: use an https:// address if you can.
The preview does not play, but the test says the stream is reachable. Is it a problem?
Not necessarily. The preview plays the stream from your browser, which can be blocked by your network or your browser. Your screens play the stream from their own network. Check the content on a screen.
My live stream never leaves the screen. How do I show the other contents?
Turn on Limit the display duration and enter a maximum duration. The stream then shares the screen with the other contents of the playlist.
Can I show a Microsoft Teams town hall or a Vimeo live?
Only if the platform gives you a direct HLS address (.m3u8). A link to the event page cannot be played.
Why can't I see the saved password?
Credentials are encrypted when you save, and they are never shown again. Click "Replace" to enter new ones.
Does the stream play when the screen is offline?
No. A stream is read live from the network, so the content is skipped while the screen is offline.