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evmux Knowledge Base

How to Add a Video Layer

This guide shows you how to add pre-recorded videos to your broadcast for intros, outros, B-roll, or any media playback.

Quick Steps

  1. Click Add New Layer in the Layers panel
  2. Select Media Files from the menu
  3. Upload or select a video file
  4. Position and size the layer on the scene

Understanding Video Layers

Video layers display pre-recorded video content in your broadcast. Unlike live camera feeds, these are files that can be played, paused, and looped.

Use CaseExample
IntroPre-show animation
OutroEnd screen
B-rollSupplementary footage
TransitionsVideo between segments
BackgroundAnimated background

Method 1: Add Video Layer

Step 1: Add New Layer

  1. In the Layers panel, click Add New Layer
  2. Select Media Files from the menu
  3. The Media Chooser opens with your media library

The Media Files chooser inside the Layers panel, showing uploaded videos with their durations, and the Add Media button pointed out

Step 2: Select Video

Upload new video:

  1. Click the green Add Media button at the top of the chooser — it opens a small dropdown. (There is no button called “Upload”, “Upload New” or “Browse”.)
  2. Choose Upload from Disk, then pick the file from your computer. The other entries in the same dropdown are Generate with AI (images only) and Free Media Stock, where that library is enabled for the account.
  3. Wait for the upload to finish — it then appears in the gallery below.

The Add Media dropdown highlighted: Upload from Disk, Generate with AI, and Free Media Stock

From Media Library:

  1. Browse previously uploaded videos
  2. Click to select
  3. Video is added to the scene

Step 3: Position and Size

  1. Drag the video layer on the scene
  2. Resize using corner handles
  3. For fullscreen: set to 1920x1080 at position 0,0

Video File Requirements

Supported Formats

FormatExtensionNotes
MP4.mp4Recommended, universal
WebM.webmGood for web
MOV.movApple format
PropertyRecommended
ResolutionMatch scene (1920x1080)
Frame Rate30 or 60 fps
CodecH.264 (MP4)
Bitrate8-15 Mbps
AudioAAC

Video Playback Controls

Basic Controls

ControlAction
PlayStart video playback
PauseStop playback at current frame
StopReturn to beginning
LoopRepeat continuously

Accessing Controls

  1. Select the video layer
  2. Look for playback controls in:
    • Layer toolbar
    • Properties panel
    • Right-click context menu

Video Layer Settings

Playback Settings

SettingDescription
Auto-playStart when scene loads
LoopRepeat when video ends
VolumeAudio level (0-100%)
Playback SpeedNormal, slow, fast

Display Settings

SettingDescription
Fit ModeContain, Cover, Stretch
OpacityTransparency level
Blend ModeHow it blends with layers below

Common Video Layer Uses

Intro Video

  1. Add video layer
  2. Set to fullscreen (1920x1080)
  3. Position at 0,0
  4. Disable loop (play once)
  5. Switch scenes when finished

Background Loop

  1. Add video layer
  2. Set to fullscreen
  3. Send to back (behind other layers)
  4. Enable loop
  5. Lower opacity if too prominent

Picture-in-Picture Video

  1. Add video layer
  2. Resize smaller (e.g., 480x270)
  3. Position in corner
  4. Bring to front

Lower Third Animation

  1. Add video layer with animated graphic
  2. Position at bottom of screen
  3. Use video with transparency (WebM)

Managing Video Audio

Adjust Video Volume

  1. Select video layer
  2. Find volume control in properties
  3. Adjust level (0-100%)

There is no audio mixer panel in evmux — a layer’s volume lives with the layer, and a participant’s volume is on their tile in the Fast Access Bar.

Mute Video Audio

  1. Set the layer’s volume to 0%
  2. Useful for background videos

Balance with Other Audio

  • Video audio should not overpower speakers
  • Set lower if used as background
  • Use ducking for music-style videos

Multiple Video Layers

You can have multiple video layers:

  • Different videos on different scenes
  • Picture-in-picture layouts
  • Overlapping animated elements

Performance Considerations

  • Multiple videos use more resources
  • Limit simultaneous video playback
  • Use lower resolution for small displays

Video as Transitions

Using Video Between Segments

  1. Create a scene with fullscreen video
  2. Video plays the transition animation
  3. Switch to next scene when video ends

Automated Transition

If supported:

  1. Set video as scene transition
  2. Video plays during scene switch
  3. New scene appears when video ends

Troubleshooting

Video won’t play, or shows a black screen?

No audio from video?

  • Check the layer volume isn’t at 0
  • Verify the video actually has an audio track
  • If the audio is there but silent or out of sync in evmux, re-encode the file with the evmux Video Converter (link above)

Video playback is choppy?

Video looks stretched?

  • Check fit mode (contain vs stretch)
  • Match aspect ratio to layer size
  • Use “Contain” to maintain proportions

Video doesn’t loop?

  • Enable loop in video settings
  • Check if auto-play is enabled
  • Verify video playback started

Video starts at wrong time?

  • Disable auto-play if not needed
  • Use play controls manually
  • Reset video position before scene switch

Best Practices

  1. Optimize files - Compress videos appropriately
  2. Match resolution - Don’t upscale small videos
  3. Test playback - Verify before going live
  4. Manage audio - Balance with other sources
  5. Use loops carefully - Ensure seamless loop points
  6. Have backups - Prepare for playback issues

If the video misbehaves

If a video will not play, shows a black screen, stutters, freezes, loses its sound or drifts out of sync, the usual cause is the file itself — a very high bitrate, or header data stored at the end of the file, or an awkward codec. That cannot be detected while it uploads, so a successful upload does not mean the file is fine.

Re-encode it with the evmux Video Converter and use the converted file instead: https://publicfiles.evmux.com/static/videoConverter/download.html — a simple Windows and macOS program, nothing to configure. The conversion itself can take a while depending on the computer’s graphics performance. See Re-encode a Problem Video.