> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.visualradioassist.live/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Media Connections

> Media Connections let you connect external recording devices and production software to VRA. Once connected, VRA can monitor device status in real-time and link these connections to your Ingest Sources for automated recording workflows.

## Overview

Media Connections let you connect external recording devices and production software to VRA. Once connected, VRA can monitor device status in real-time and link these connections to your Ingest Sources for automated recording workflows.

## What Is a Media Connection?

A Media Connection represents a network connection between VRA and an external device or service. The Media Server Client maintains these connections and relays live status information - such as recording state, storage usage, and transport mode - directly to your browser.

Media Connections are managed per station and can be assigned to a specific studio.

## Supported Connection Types

| Type          | Description                                 | Default Port |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------- | ------------ |
| **HyperDeck** | Blackmagic HyperDeck recording device       | 80           |
| **OBS**       | OBS Studio recording and streaming software | 4455         |
| **vMix**      | vMix video production software              | 8088         |
| **FTP**       | Standard FTP server                         | 21           |
| **SFTP**      | Encrypted FTP connection                    | 22           |
| **S3**        | Amazon S3 or S3-compatible storage          | 443          |

## Where to Find Media Connections

Navigate to **Station Settings → Studio → Media Server** and scroll to the **Media Connections** section. This section sits below [Media Server Ingest Sources](/clips/media-server-ingest-sources) on the same settings page.

## Creating a Media Connection

1. Click **Create Media Connection**
2. A side panel opens where you configure the connection
3. Enter a **Name** to identify this connection (a default name is generated automatically, e.g., "HYPERDECK 1")
4. Select the **Type** that matches your device or service
5. Enter the **Host** or use **mDNS** to discover devices in your network automatically.
6. The **Port** is filled in automatically based on the selected type, but can be changed if needed
7. Optionally, click **+ Add password** to provide authentication credentials
8. Click **Save Connection**

<Note>
  For HyperDeck connections, an additional configuration step is required after entering the host — see [HyperDeck Configuration](#hyperdeck-configuration) below.
</Note>

## Editing a Media Connection

Click on any connection in the list to open it in the side panel. From here you can:

* **Enable or disable** the connection using the checkbox at the top
* Update the name, host, port, or password
* View the live **status panel** for supported device types (HyperDeck, OBS, vMix)
* **Delete** the connection using the Delete button

Changes are tracked automatically. If you try to close the panel with unsaved changes, you will be prompted to confirm.

## Connection Status

Each connection in the list displays real-time status information:

| Indicator                              | Meaning                                      |
| -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Green dot**                          | Device is connected and communicating        |
| **Red dot**                            | Device is enabled but not connected          |
| **Grey dot**                           | Connection is disabled or no state available |
| **"Recording" badge**                  | Device is actively recording                 |
| **"Streaming" badge**                  | Device is actively streaming                 |
| **"Connected" / "Disconnected" badge** | Current connection state                     |
| **"Disabled" badge**                   | Connection has been manually disabled        |

A studio badge is also shown to indicate which studio the connection belongs to.

<Tip>
  Your Media Server Client must be running and connected to VRA Cloud for status updates to appear. If all connections show as disconnected, verify that the Media Server Client is active.
</Tip>

## How Media Connections Relate to Ingest Sources

Media Connections work together with [Media Server Ingest Sources](/clips/media-server-ingest-sources). When you create an Ingest Source for a device-based source type - **HyperDeck**, **vMix Recording Directory**, or **OBS Recording Directory** - you are asked to select an existing Media Connection or create a new one.

The Media Connection provides the network details (host, port, credentials), while the Ingest Source defines *what* to monitor (the recording path, scheduling rules, cleanup settings). This separation lets you reuse the same connection across multiple ingest configurations.

If your Ingest Source type does not require a device connection (e.g., Local Directory, Network Directory, FTP, SFTP, S3), you provide connection details directly in the Ingest Source configuration instead.

***

## Device-Specific Features

### HyperDeck Configuration

HyperDeck connections include an additional configuration step. After entering the host and clicking **Configure**, a settings panel appears with the following options:

**Storage Mode**

* **Local Disk** - use a disk inserted directly into the HyperDeck. Available disks are detected automatically, showing device name, volume, used space, clip count, and remaining record time. Select the disk you want to use for recordings.
* **NAS** - connect to network-attached storage via SMB. You can select from automatically discovered NAS devices on your network, choose from saved bookmarks, or enter an SMB path manually. SMB credentials (user and password) can be provided when needed.

**Timestamp Format**

| Format             | Description                                    |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- |
| **UTC**            | Timestamps in Coordinated Universal Time       |
| **Local Time**     | Timestamps in your local timezone              |
| **Filename Based** | Derive timestamps from the recording file name |

**Auto Select Disk** - when enabled, VRA will automatically force the selected disk to be the working set after the HyperDeck restarts.

**HyperDeck Status Panel** - once connected, the side panel shows live device information:

* Product name, device name, and software version
* Storage overview with usage bars per disk
* Transport mode and playback state
* Recording status and timecode
* Input source and video format
* Codec information
* Last update timestamp

<Tip>
  HyperDeck devices on your local network can be discovered automatically via mDNS. When entering the host, matching devices appear as suggestions — select one to auto-fill the host, port, and device name.
</Tip>

### OBS Status Panel

When an OBS connection is active, the side panel displays:

* Connection state indicator
* Scenes - all configured scenes, with the active scene highlighted
* Recording - active/idle indicator, timecode, file size, output directory
* Streaming - active/idle indicator, timecode, data transferred, frame count and skipped frames

### vMix Status Panel

When a vMix connection is active, the side panel displays:

* Connection state indicator
* Recording and streaming status indicators
* vMix version and edition
* Tally - shows which inputs are currently on Program (PGM) and Preview (PVW)