This guide explains how to activate and use the Timeshift (also called DVR) function on your live video broadcasts. This feature allows your viewers to rewind if they missed the start of your live broadcast.

Activate the Timeshift (DVR) function

To access the video streaming service:

1. Click here to access the management of your product on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the product in question.
3. Click on Configure under Timeshift from the dashboard:
   
4. Activate Timeshift.
5. Set the duration during which your viewers will be able to rewind (max. 240 min.).
6. Click the Activate button:
   

Customize the Timeshift function

It is possible to activate this option via the scheduling tool for a specific time slot and thus limit this possibility to certain programs. The parameters defined in the scheduling tool will override the default state set from the dashboard.

To understand this better, imagine a TV broadcasting a football match from 10 am to 12 pm.

1. The TV wants to activate Timeshift only during the match

With this configuration, viewers who join the live broadcast at 11:59 am will be able to rewind to the start of the match at 10 am, but they will not be able to rewind to the shows that preceded the match before 10 am. For the record, the maximum duration of the Timeshift is 240 min. (4 hours).

2. The TV wants to activate a 20-minute Timeshift only during the match

With this configuration, viewers who join the live broadcast at 11:30 am will be able to rewind the previous 20 minutes, but they will not be able to rewind to the start of the match; only the last 20 sliding minutes will be accessible for the entire duration of the match.

3. The TV wants to deactivate Timeshift during the match

With this configuration, viewers will not be able to rewind parts of the match. They will only be able to see the shows that precede the match if the Timeshift function has been activated by default from the stream dashboard.

In summary, there are therefore 2 use cases

1. Activate Timeshift permanently, except for special events.
2. Disable Timeshift permanently, except for specific events.

The default status is managed from the stream dashboard and exceptions from the scheduling tool.

Learn more about how it works

If you have set a one-hour Timeshift and just activated it, the return time will gradually increase to the chosen duration from the moment of activation.

If geographical restrictions are defined with a specific time range, these will always be respected. In the case where a TV with a 4-hour Timeshift reserves its sports program for Swiss visitors from 10 AM to 12 PM, an Italian viewer who connects to the stream at 1 PM can only re-watch the shows from 9 AM to 10 AM.