Skip to main content
Use these workflows when the flight controller should keep aircraft control but cannot run AlphaRelay Copilot, or when you want a direct controller-video input instead of screen capture.
  • Controller Livestream: The controller or flight app publishes to a custom RTMP destination. Set up the mission from AlphaRelay Copilot on Android, iPhone, or iPad. Internet is required during capture.
  • Laptop HDMI Capture: Connect the controller through a USB Video Class (UVC) capture card to a laptop and start the mission from the web app. No phone or tablet app is required. Local evidence recording can continue through a temporary internet interruption.
  • Copilot HDMI Capture: Connect a UVC card to a compatible Android device or USB-C iPad. The Copilot app records the received video and can continue locally without internet. iPhone does not expose UVC capture to this workflow.
In every workflow, fly from the controller’s native flight application. AlphaRelay does not take aircraft control.

​
Controller Livestream

Controller Livestream creates a mission and reusable publishing destination from a licensed Copilot device. AlphaRelay supports controllers with either one complete RTMP URL field or separate server and stream-key fields.

​
Requirements

  • A licensed Android, iPhone, or iPad running AlphaRelay Copilot
  • Validated internet on the Copilot device and streaming controller
  • A controller or flight application that accepts a custom RTMP destination
  • A separate flight controller; the setup device does not open or control its flight app

​
Start and watch

  1. Open AlphaRelay Copilot and select Controller Livestream as the video source.
  2. Select the operator and scenario, name the mission, and review the AI targets and people-alert setting.
  3. Tap Create Controller Livestream on Android or Set Up Controller Livestream on iPhone or iPad.
  4. Open the separate controller’s livestream settings.
  5. For a one-field screen, copy RTMP URL — one-field screens into its complete URL field. For a two-field screen, copy Server URL — two-field screens and Stream key — two-field screens into the matching fields.
  6. Start streaming from the controller.
  7. Tap View Live Mission on Android or View live mission on iPhone or iPad and wait for video. Mission Overwatch can open the same active mission.
The controller may retain the destination, and the short key stays with that AlphaRelay installation. If the controller disconnects, restart its publisher with the same fields while the mission remains active. Reopen the livestream setup when you need to see them again.
Treat the RTMP URL, server, and stream key as publishing credentials. Enter them only on the intended controller and do not place them in reports, screenshots, or public messages.
The Copilot device viewing its own Controller Livestream can run Device Live AI, show priority alerts, and create screenshot-backed quick, manual, or Relay voice events from the received full video frame. When field work is complete, stop the controller’s livestream first. Then close the mission in Mission Overwatch or Copilot. AlphaRelay finalizes the received Controller Livestream recording into the mission record.

​
Laptop HDMI Capture

Use this physical path:
  1. In Mission Dashboard, click New laptop HDMI mission.
  2. Name the mission, optionally select a scenario, and click Create mission & set up HDMI.
  3. In Mission Overwatch, open Operations → Events & input → Laptop HDMI Capture.
  4. Grant browser camera permission and select the capture card.
  5. Click Connect & go live. AlphaRelay starts the recoverable local evidence recording and remote live together.
  6. Confirm the same full frame appears in the preview and supplies Live AI and event screenshots.
  7. Keep the Mission Overwatch tab open. Before ending the mission, click Stop & upload and wait for the recording to be secured.
Laptop HDMI is video-only. AlphaRelay records MP4 when the browser supports it and WebM otherwise. If the tab or browser is interrupted, reopen the same mission and use Recover interrupted recording; do not clear browser data before recovery. A laptop HDMI output is not an input—a physical UVC capture card is required.

​
Copilot HDMI Capture

Use one of these paths:
  • Controller HDMI out → UVC card → Android device with USB host/OTG
  • Controller HDMI out → UVC card → USB-C iPad
A powered USB hub may be necessary when the card draws more power than the device can provide.

​
Android

  1. Connect the powered controller, card, and Android device before mission setup.
  2. Open Copilot, select the operator and scenario, and review the mission settings.
  3. Select HDMI Capture Card. Copilot may select it automatically when it detects a UVC input.
  4. Tap Start Mission and grant the Android camera and USB-device prompts.
  5. Confirm the preview changes from Waiting for signal to Capturing before flight.

​
USB-C iPad

  1. Connect the powered controller and UVC card to the iPad.
  2. In mission setup, choose HDMI Capture Card and tap Start HDMI Capture Mission.
  3. Grant camera permission and confirm the full-frame preview before flight.
  4. If the card disconnects, reconnect it and tap Connect or retry HDMI input. The prior segment finalizes and a new segment begins.
Copilot HDMI follows the normal local recording, remote-live, Device Live AI, event-screenshot, upload, review, and custody workflow. It is video-only; optional voice events use the Android device or iPad microphone, not capture-card USB/UAC audio.

​
Before operational use

Test the exact controller, capture card, cable or hub, receiving device, browser when applicable, resolution, orientation, sustained recording, and disconnect/reconnect behavior in training. Confirm a stable 16:9 preview and playable closeout footage. For Controller Livestream, confirm one-field or two-field entry as applicable and verify that the publisher can reconnect. → Start a mission · Use Copilot on iPhone or iPad · Watch in Mission Overwatch · Upload footage · Troubleshooting