# Activate-deactivate streams at runtime
Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70023-50/topic/gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70023-50/topic/gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime.html)
The **gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime-example** application allows you to
change the resolution dynamically without the need to reconfigure the camera
sensor.
This application can be used in surveillance systems, videoconferencing, and broadcasting
where several live streams are processed in parallel and you can control the active
streams dynamically.
The following figure shows the pipeline, where the application creates two streams of
different resolutions, and activates and deactivates them at runtime. For information
about the plugins used in this pipeline, see [Pipeline flow](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70023-50/topic/gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime.html#gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime__section_tt4_kvy_nbc).
Figure : gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime-example pipeline
## Run the application
The following table lists the application use case modes. The NULL state is the
initial state of a GStreamer element.
Note: Currently, the application is compatible only with the Basic
mode. Full mode will be supported in a future release.
| Use case mode | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Basic | Activates or deactivates several streams *without entering* the NULL state. |
| Full | Activates or deactivates several streams *by entering* the NULL state. |
For more information, see [GStreamer states](https://gstreamer.freedesktop.org/documentation/additional/design/states.html?gi-language=c).
1. Ensure that you complete the [Prerequisites](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70023-50/topic/mm_sample_apps_prerequisites.html).
2. In the terminal of the target device, run the respective command for any of
the following use cases. Before running the application, ensure to configure
the use cases and output type parameters.
- **Basic use cases**
- Stream on
Waylandsink:
gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime-example -u Basic -o DisplayCopy to clipboard
- Encode to MP4
file:
gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime-example -u Basic -o FileCopy to clipboard
- **Full use cases**
- Stream on
Waylandsink:
gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime-example -u Full -o DisplayCopy to clipboard
- Encode to MP4
file:
gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime-example -u Full -o FileCopy to clipboard
3. To stop the use case, use CTRL +
C.
4. In the terminal of the target device, run the following command in the SSH
shell to display the available help
options:
gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime-example --helpCopy to clipboard
5. In the terminal of the host computer, run the following command to pull the
files from the target
device:
scp root@:/etc/media/Copy to clipboard
## Expected output
During the execution, the first stream is activated followed by the second stream.
After a while, the streams deactivate.
- If the output option is set to `Display`, the output is displayed
as a preview.
- If the output option is set to `File`, the encoded video files
are generated.
Figure : Expected output for gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime-example
application
## Pipeline flow
The following table lists the plugins used in the
gst-activate-deactivate-streams-runtime-example pipeline:
| Plugin | Description |
| --- | --- |
| [qtiqmmfsrc](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70023-50/topic/qtiqmmfsrc.html) | Captures the camera feed and sends it into the capsfilter. |
| Capsfilter | Passes the feed to [Waylandsink](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70023-50/topic/waylandsink.html) for display. |
| Capsfilter | Passes the feed to filesink to save it to a file. |
| | |
**Parent Topic:** [Dynamic configuration](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70023-50/topic/dynamic-configuration.html)
Last Published: Mar 27, 2026
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Add-remove streams at runtime](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-70023-50/topics/gst-add-remove-streams-runtime.md)