# Create ad hoc events with EchoVideo

*Applies to: Pearl-2, Pearl Mini, Pearl Nexus.*

With firmware 4.24.6 or newer, you can create and start an unscheduled ad hoc EchoVideo event from the Pearl device in three ways: the device's built-in touch screen (Pearl-2 and Pearl Mini), the Admin panel, or third-party control devices and the Pearl REST API. **EchoVideo ad hoc events cannot be started with Delcom USB buttons.** **Epiphan Edge cannot start EchoVideo ad hoc events**; Edge can start scheduled EchoVideo events early. An impromptu event can also be started from the Echo360 web interface.

The touch screen and the Admin panel offer the same ad hoc event settings:

| Setting | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Event Name** | The name of the ad hoc event. |
| **EchoVideo Profile** | The profile to use for the event. Profiles are created in EchoVideo. |
| **Duration** | How long the event lasts. |
| **Recording Quality** | The quality of the event recording. |
| **Primary Audio** | The channel used as the primary audio source. |

### Create an ad hoc EchoVideo event using the touch screen

On Pearl-2 and Pearl Mini:

1. Tap the calendar icon on the touch screen to go to the Events screen. If **Start screen locked mode** (sometimes called kiosk mode) is on, the Events screen may already be locked in place; see "Set up a CMS start screen."
2. Tap **Create event**. The **Create event** button appears only when the next scheduled event is more than five minutes away.
3. Set the ad hoc event settings, then tap **Next**.
4. Check your settings on the confirmation screen, then tap **Create event**.

For more about the touch-screen Events screens, see "CMS event controls using the touch screen."

### Create an ad hoc EchoVideo event using the Admin panel

1. In the Admin panel, go to the **Events** page under **Events**.
2. Click **Create new event**.
3. Set the ad hoc event settings, then click **Next**.
4. Check your settings on the confirmation page, then click **Create event**.

### Start an ad hoc EchoVideo event using third-party control or the REST API

Ad hoc EchoVideo events can be started from third-party control systems such as Crestron and Q-SYS. Download the latest control modules from the Control Modules tab of your Pearl device's support page (see Device differences). For custom implementations, use the Events commands of the Pearl REST API.

Do not use the Recorder or Publisher REST API commands for EchoVideo events. They do not associate recordings with CMS events; only Events commands do.

Only three parameters are available when you start an ad hoc event through third-party control or the REST API: title, duration, and event type. These ad hoc events use the Default profile set in EchoVideo for the device running the event.

**Ad hoc webcasts started through the REST API or third-party control are not supported by EchoVideo.** A live (webcast or streamed) ad hoc event created this way is forced to be a VOD event.

**Device differences**
- **Pearl-2:** Control modules: https://www.epiphan.com/support/pearl-2-software-documentation/#control-modules
- **Pearl Mini:** Control modules: https://www.epiphan.com/support/pearl-mini-software-documentation/#control-modules
- **Pearl Nexus:** Pearl Nexus has no touch screen. Create ad hoc EchoVideo events using the Admin panel, third-party control, or the REST API. Control modules: https://www.epiphan.com/support/pearl-nexus-software-documentation/#control-modules

> product: cms · topic: other · source: pearl-echovideo-cms-guide.md · updated: Oct 6, 2026