# Opencast recording setup

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

Pearl device appears as an available capture agent as soon as the device is registered with Opencast. After a successful registration, you're ready to select video sources for multiple source recordings. Video sources must be connected to Pearl device and assigned to a channel. Each channel configure on Pearl device is treated as a separate video source for multiple source events in Opencast.

### About Opencast recording
The Pearl supports scheduled events, recurring events, and unscheduled ad hoc recordings. Scheduled events start and end automatically. No manual intervention is required. After the event ends, recorded files automatically upload to Opencast. Backup recordings are also saved locally on Pearl. If the network connection or the CMS goes down during an event, Pearl continues to record locally and uploads the recording when network connectivity resumes. You can pause and resume the recording during an Opencast event.

A large capacity (256 GB or more recommended) storage is required to record CMS events. Do not remove any storage while files are uploading.

Administrators can:
- Set Opencast ad hoc event parameters.
- Change the extend event button time allotment in 5, 10, and 15 minute intervals.
- Create ad hoc events.
- View the Events page to see all upcoming scheduled sessions and completed sessions.
- Download local recordings for a channel.
- Start and stop scheduled events before the scheduled time.
- Extend, pause, and resume scheduled events.
**General Information**
- Starting or stopping a scheduled VOD event before the scheduled start or stop time does not change the event into an ad hoc event.
- Pearl device must be registered with Opencast to record and stream Opencast events.
- Scheduled events have priority over ad hoc events. If an ad hoc event is still in progress when it's time to start a scheduled event, the ad hoc event is stopped and the scheduled event starts.
- Scheduled VOD events automatically start recording locally on Pearl device even If the network is down or Opencast is unavailable. After the session ends, the locally recorded files upload automatically to Opencast when the network link to Opencast is re-established.
-  Do not use AFU or configure recording file size, type and other channel recording settings when CMS is enabled on Pearl device.
**Pearl device information**
- Each Pearl device channel is treated as a separate video source that Opencast users can select when scheduling an event in Opencast.
- Do not use the Single Touch recording control when CMS is enabled. This starts the channel recorder without CMS metadata and it will not be uploaded to Opencast
- You can start and stop events earlier than the scheduled time, as well as pause an event using either the Admin panel or the touch screen on Pearl device, as well as create ad hoc events.
- Use multiple Pearl device channels to get multiple views for a Opencast event. Each channel is treated as a separate video source. Using the Admin panel, Pearl device administrators can configure channels on Pearl device for multiple source recordings.
- For example, if you have a main camera and a presentation laptop that you want to capture as a multiple source recording, you'd create two channels on Pearl device: one for the main camera and another one for the presentation laptop.
- For ad hoc events, the default name of the multi-view file includes the date and start time of the event. For example: **2019-07-15 08:00**. A more intuitive name can be entered when the ad hoc event is created.
- To monitor a channel during an event, you can display the Channel view on the Pearl device's touch screen or monitor channels using the Admin panel. You can also monitor channels directly on the Events screen using the touch screen.
- For multiple-source Opencast events that are manually stopped or have ended, if you use the Admin panel to delete a locally saved recording for any channel on Pearl device that hasn't yet uploaded to Opencast as part of the multiple-source event, that event remains in the In Progress state indefinitely in Opencast.

**Device differences**

- **Pearl-2:** Configure up to six channels for multiple source recordings.
- **Pearl Mini, Pearl Nexus:** Configure up to three channels for multiple source recordings.
- **Pearl Nano:** Pearl Nano has a single channel and does not support multiple source recordings.
- **Pearl Nano:** Pearl Nano cannot display the Channel preview on the Events screen.
- **Pearl Nexus:** Pearl Nexus has no screen. Create ad hoc events and monitor channels using the Admin panel or third-party control. Start, stop, and extend events (scheduled or ad hoc) using the Admin panel or third-party control. Epiphan Edge can start scheduled events early and can stop and extend events, but cannot start ad hoc events.

> product: cms · topic: cms-integration · source: pearl-opencast-cms-guide.md · updated: Sep 28, 2026