Overview
Every video source you add to Hive Studio comes with its own set of configuration options. Some are simple, like choosing a stream URL or toggling audio, but many cameras and encoders also expose rich, device-specific capabilities. These include network behavior, PTZ control, image encoding formats, and system-level settings.
All of these configurations live in the Advanced Settings panel. This is where you go when you need to tune your device, troubleshoot connection or performance issues, or prepare a source for remote access or automation.
This article walks through each section of the Advanced Settings interface in detail, explains what the options do, and includes best practices for making reliable changes. Since each camera or encoder behaves differently depending on its driver, we also explain how to confirm that your device is mapped correctly, and what to do if something looks off.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Opening the Advanced Settings Panel
To open the Advanced Settings for a specific video source:
Go to the Sources Tray on the left-hand side of your Hive Studio UI.
Locate the video source you want to adjust.
Click the settings (cogwheel) icon in the lower-right corner of the source tile. Alternatively, you can right-click on the source in the Source tray.
This opens the Advanced Settings panel, which is specific to that source. It will display a set of tabs based on the capabilities of the connected hardware and the Hive driver in use.
2. Hive Connection Tab
The Hive Connection tab is where you verify and manage the link between Hive and your source device.
This section usually includes a Monitoring sub-tab, which displays real-time stats such as:
Sending and receiving quality scores (based on stability and bandwidth)
Video resolution
Bitrate
Frames per second (FPS)
These metrics are updated in real time and can help identify underperforming sources. If you notice low quality scores or frame drops, it may indicate a network issue or an incorrect configuration.
Control Sub-Tab:
The Control Sub Tab is where you will manage your Connection type for control settings:
VISCA over IP
HTTP
No Control
You can also Manage the Net Protocol, port, and VISCA headers from this panel. As a note, changing the protocol from TCP to UDP will automatically pull the port number for you, you should not need to change that after the Application pulls the number, but you can if you prefer to manually assign your protocol and port.
Driver Sub-Tab:
The Driver sub-tab is where you confirm the Camera Brand and Camera Model.
In Camera Brand, choose the brand of camera you are currently using. If it is not listed, choose “Other- Brand is not listed” and a generic driver will load for you.
In Camera Model, Choose the model of camera you are currently using. If you’re unsure of the model, please check your camera’s documentation or webUI for details. If the camera model is not listed, please choose “Other” and a generic driver will load for you.
For example check to make sure the Camera is not only the right moniker, but also the right zoom power as those are sold as two different camera models; even though they’re a part of the same series.
Don’t forget to give your camera a nickname that is logical to your production, like HeroCam1, WideShot2, or FollowCam3.
Users have mentioned that putting the last octet of the camera’s IP address is a good practice at the end of the nickname so any webUI changes can be managed quickly.
If your stream isn't loading correctly, double-check that the protocol, address, and port are accurate. Many stream issues come from a mistyped URL or mismatch between the device and Hive settings.
3. Video Tab
The Video tab is where you define how the video signal is formatted and delivered into Hive. This is especially important when matching your camera settings to your network environment or production pipeline.
Here, you may find settings like:
Output Type: Choose between USB, HDMI, SDI, or IP outputs.
Frame Rate: Set how many frames per second your camera should transmit.
Refresh Rate: Particularly relevant for display-based outputs (e.g., HDMI).
Encoder Profile: Select the desired compression profile, such as:
Baseline – lowest compression, lowest quality
Main – balanced for general use
High – highest quality and bandwidth usage
You can also:
Confirm the video protocol in use (such as RTSP, NDI, or SRT)
View or modify the stream URL; especially useful if you're pulling from an encoder or IP stream
Depending on your hardware, you may also see additional sub-tabs:
NDI Sub-Tab
For cameras or encoders that support NDI (Network Device Interface), this sub-tab allows you to:
Choose the NDI stream quality: Ultra, High, Medium, Low, or Off
Toggle the NDI Discovery Server, which broadcasts your device to the local network
Enable or disable NDI Multicast, used for distributing the same stream to multiple devices with reduced bandwidth
RTSP Sub-Tab
For RTSP-based streams, this sub-tab includes:
RTSP Authorization: Require login credentials to view the stream
Multicast Mode: Efficient stream sharing on LANs using IGMP
Encoding Type: Choose between H.264, H.265, or MJPEG, depending on the device’s capabilities and your bandwidth constraints
Not sure which encoding to use?
Use H.264 for broad compatibility.
H.265 for lower bitrate at high resolution (but more CPU usage).
MJPEG for minimal latency, but it uses much more bandwidth.
4. Control Tab
The Control tab exposes features related to how Hive communicates with your camera’s movement and behavior parameters. This section is especially useful for PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras or advanced IP video devices.
Depending on your camera model and the assigned driver, you may see:
Tally Light Toggle: Enables or disables the camera’s tally light, used to indicate when the camera is live or recording.
Zoom Acceleration Curve: Adjusts the responsiveness and smoothness of the zoom control.
Focus/Zoom Synchronization: Coordinates lens behavior for smoother transitions.
Lens Stabilization or Digital Zoom Options: Available on select models with these capabilities.
Not every camera will show these fields. The controls available here are entirely determined by what the driver supports and whether your hardware exposes them via API.
Want to know what your camera supports?
Visit the manufacturer’s product page or support documentation. Hive also publishes a list of compatible drivers and their capabilities in the Drivers Knowledge Base Article.
5. Audio Tab
If your video source includes external audio sources you’ll see an Audio tab in the Advanced Settings.
Here you can:
Enable or disable audio output from the source entirely.
Adjust gain levels to avoid clipping or overly quiet feeds.
Select audio input type (for cameras with multiple input options).
Route embedded channels, for example selecting left, right, or stereo mixes.
These settings are important when syncing video and audio during recording or remote broadcast. They’re also useful when troubleshooting audio latency or dropout issues.
6. Network Tab
The Network tab controls how the source communicates over your LAN or WAN. You’ll typically adjust these settings when setting up static routes, troubleshooting connectivity, or preparing for remote access.
Configurable options may include:
IP Configuration:
DHCP – automatically receives an IP address from your router.
Static – manually set your IP address, subnet, gateway, and DNS server.
ONVIF Protocol Toggle:
ONVIF is a standardized communication protocol for IP-based cameras and encoders.
Turning it on allows Hive and other systems to discover and control the camera over IP.
ONVIF Authentication:
When enabled, ONVIF commands require login credentials to be accepted, adding a security layer.
Use Static IPs for permanent installs to avoid shifting IP addresses (which can break connections). Use DHCP for quick or mobile setups.
Advanced Users: For port forwarding, VPN use, or multicast configuration, consult your camera’s official network documentation or reach out to [email protected].
7. System Tab
This tab gives you access to global device behavior, primarily for timekeeping and input control.
Options include:
Time Zone Selection: Ensures that logs, scheduled recordings, and file timestamps match your local time.
NTP (Network Time Protocol) Enablement:
Keeps your camera’s clock synchronized with a time server, avoiding drift over long sessions.
IR Remote Settings:
For cameras that ship with infrared remotes, you can manage whether the camera accepts IR commands or pair new remotes here.
These system-level configurations may not impact your live stream directly, but they’re important for long-term reliability; especially when devices are deployed across multiple time zones or integrated into automated systems.
8. Source Actions (Top Bar of Advanced Settings Panel)
At the top of the Advanced Settings window, you’ll see a row of global actions for the selected video source:
Calibrate: If your camera requires calibration, a yellow 'calibration required' notification will appear.
Delete Source:
Permanently removes the source from the studio.
You’ll need to re-add the source from scratch if you want it back.
Reboot Source:
Sends a remote reboot signal to the device. Helpful if it becomes unresponsive or needs to apply a configuration change.
Sleep Mode:
Places the device into a low-power state.
Ideal for energy-saving or long idle periods between events.
At the upper-left corner of the window, you’ll see:
The source name, which you can edit.
A bridge label (blue) with a bridge icon, showing which Hive Bridge this device is currently connected to.
This helps you understand how your device is being managed within your studio infrastructure.
How It Works and What to Expect
The Advanced Settings panel in Hive is a deep configuration space designed to give you granular control over each video source. It works by interfacing directly with the driver assigned to the camera or encoder. That driver defines what parameters can be read or written, and how Hive translates UI actions into hardware-level commands.
Here’s what you can expect as you use the panel:
Settings are device-specific: No two sources necessarily expose the same tabs or options. Your camera model, firmware, and selected driver all affect what appears.
Changes take effect in real time: Most settings apply immediately unless otherwise noted. Rebooting the source will not usually be required unless indicated.
Hive does not override driver limitations: If a feature isn’t shown, it’s because the driver or hardware doesn’t support it natively. If you believe something is missing, contact support.
Driver selection is foundational: An incorrect driver will lead to unpredictable UI behavior or hidden parameters. Confirm your device brand/model match what’s listed in the Drivers tab.
Tips, Limitations, and Best Practices
Use Static IPs for permanent installations to prevent connection loss due to DHCP reassignment.
Use NTP and time zone settings to keep logs and file timestamps consistent, especially useful for multi-region deployments.
Sleep devices when not in use to conserve power and bandwidth.
Avoid changing drivers on a live feed unless you're troubleshooting. This can reset trays and presets.
Deleting a source is permanent and removes all saved parameters and preset associations.
RTSP/NDI Multicast requires network configuration: IGMP snooping or multicast support may need to be enabled on your router or switch.
FAQs
1. Why don’t I see the Audio or Control tab in Advanced Settings?
These tabs only appear if the assigned driver and the connected hardware both support those features.
2. I changed a setting but nothing happened... why?
Not all settings apply instantly. Some cameras require a reboot, or may only accept changes when idle.
3. What’s the difference between Reboot and Sleep?
Reboot performs a full power cycle on the source. Sleep mode suspends output while maintaining connection state.
4. What happens if I switch drivers?
Switching drivers reinitializes all UI mappings. Any unsaved settings will be lost. Always export before switching.
5. Do I need to use ONVIF?
Only if you're integrating with a third-party NVR, VMS, or need Hive to auto-discover the camera. Otherwise, it’s optional.
Use Cases
1. Troubleshooting Connection Issues
Use the Hive Connection tab to inspect stream health and adjust your protocol or stream URL directly.
2. Preparing for Remote Broadcast
Set up your camera with static IP, enable NDI or RTSP, and turn on ONVIF so remote directors can discover and monitor the feed.
3. Creating a Multi-Cam Setup
Manually configure each camera’s output resolution, frame rate, and time zone. Match settings across devices for seamless switching.
4. Reducing Power Use Overnight
Put all unused sources into Sleep mode during non-production hours and reboot them remotely before the next event.
The Advanced Settings panel is where you take full ownership of how your video sources behave inside Hive. Whether you're dialing in a PTZ camera for live production, optimizing bandwidth usage for remote streaming, or simply confirming your network setup, this interface gives you the tools to go beyond the basics.
While not every option is available for every device, Hive ensures that when your hardware supports it, you’ll have access to the controls you need and with real-time visibility to help you make informed choices.