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- Simulated Live webinars
Learn how Simulated Live webinars in Adobe Connect use a structured layout flow to create consistent and engaging webinar experiences.
Simulated Live webinars offer the flexibility of pre-recorded content while maintaining the engagement and interactivity of live events. This article will help you design professional webinar experiences that help you easily blend automated playback with real-time audience interaction.
In a Simulated Live webinar room, pre-set layouts organize the attendee experience from start to finish. They can progress automatically or be manually controlled for interactive attendee engagement. The three main layouts are:
- Lobby layout: Waiting area before the session starts.
- Playback layout: Displays the pre-recorded webinar content.
- Outro layout: Wraps up the session with final messaging or next steps.
Each layout can be customized with pods like Chat, Q&A, Polls, and branding, with the transitions managed automatically or by the host.
Manage room availability
Finalize your room setup, including layouts, pods, and video content, at least two hours before your scheduled start time. After that, the room will be locked for changes, meaning no edits can be made.
Even during a lockout, hosts can still launch and test the room in Backstage. However, they won’t be able to modify content or change layouts.
The following topics are covered in this article:
Lobby layout
The Lobby layout is the first screen participants see when they join a Simulated Live webinar. It sets the stage and creates a welcoming environment before the webinar officially begins. This layout becomes visible fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled start time, allowing attendees to settle in and prepare for the session ahead.
Key Features
The key features of the Lobby layout include:
- Customizable experience: Add interactive elements such as Notes, Countdown Timer, or a welcome message to engage attendees and reflect your brand.
- Pre-session engagement: Prepare participants for what’s ahead and build excitement for the session.
- Live feel: The Lobby layout remains active until playback begins, simulating a real-world waiting area.
The Lobby layout's start time is automatically set to fifteen minutes before the scheduled event time. This setting is locked and cannot be changed manually.
Playback layout
The Playback layout is the core of the Simulated Live experience. It presents your pre-recorded webinar in a professional, broadcast-style format. It includes a fixed Playback pod for streaming your MP4 video, which can be resized and repositioned to suit your preferred layout.
Add MP4 Videos to the Playback Pod
Follow these steps to add MP4 videos:
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Navigate to the Playback layout in the Layouts panel.
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From Playback pod, select Change video.
Playback pod interface Playback pod interface -
Upload the MP4 video.
You can split your video into different layouts to make your content more engaging. For example, start with a full-screen video, then switch to a layout that includes interactive features like Polls or Q&A pods next to your video.
The Playback pod allows you to upload only one MP4 video at a time, but you can easily replace the video as often as you'd like.
Split playback for engagement activities
You can split your video into several playback layouts to add specific elements at certain points during the session.
To insert a new layout during playback:
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From the Playback pod, play the uploaded video.
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Pause the video and then select Split layout.
Split layout option in Playback pod Split layout option in Playback pod
A new playback layout will be created. In this layout, you can resize the playback pod to insert or rearrange interactive pods such as Polls or Q&A.
Technical Specifications
Input specifications
Ensure the following input requirements are met for the MP4 video:
Parameter |
Details |
|---|---|
Input resolution |
Supports any input resolution, provided the file size remains within the upload limits. |
Input file codecs |
Accepts any video codec that is compatible with modern web browsers. |
Supported video format |
Only .mp4 files are supported for upload and playback. |
Output specifications
The following are the output specifications of the Simulated Live webinar:
Parameter |
Details |
|---|---|
Output resolution |
Capped at a maximum of 4K resolution, 30 frames per second (FPS), and a bit rate of 15 Mbps. |
Playback output codec |
AVC (H.264) codec |
Playback latency |
Approximately 10 seconds during playback. |
During active playback, microphone and camera access are automatically turned off to maintain the focus on the content. You can use these features when playback is paused or in layouts such as Lobby or Outro.
Outro layout
The Outro layout is the final stage in a Simulated Live webinar and appears automatically after the video playback ends. It acts as a closing screen, giving hosts and presenters a structured space to wrap up the session professionally. This layout helps create a polished, branded conclusion to your webinar and allows presenters to extend interaction with attendees even after the main content has ended.
Best practices for Outro layout
- Display final messages or key takeaways to reinforce the session’s main points.
- Share follow-up resources and contact information for continued learning or support.
- Include post-session surveys or feedback forms to gather insights and improve future sessions.
- Provide clear next steps so attendees know how to stay engaged or take action.
View Adobe Connect Central homepage for more information.
Modes in Simulated Live webinars
Adobe Connect supports the webinars in two distinct modes: Preview and Live. Each mode is designed to support different phases of your webinar workflow.
Preview mode
Preview mode allows hosts and presenters to test and rehearse from Backstage before the session starts. It mirrors the live session, helping them verify everything is set up correctly before attendees arrive.
In Preview mode, you can:
- Navigate through the full layout sequence, Lobby, Playback, and Outro, to simulate the webinar journey.
- Verify the placement and behavior of pods, including Notes, Polls, and Q&A.
- Confirm media configurations and test layout transitions before going live.
- Interact with pods to simulate attendee engagement and assess flow.
- Use the Playback Control in Backstage to test MP4 playback.
- Identify any setup issues early and make final adjustments before the room locks.
- Monitor placeholder metrics in the Engagement Dashboard.
Live mode
Live Mode activates automatically at your scheduled session time and runs according to your configured layout timeline. This mode requires minimal manual intervention, allowing for fully automated webinar delivery.
Closed captions are unavailable for Simulated Live webinars in 12.10. Support for this feature will be added with an upcoming release.
Manage the live webinar experience
On the day of your webinar, participants can start joining the room fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time. The system automatically manages the following sequence:
- The layout automatically transitions from Lobby to Playback, and the uploaded MP4 video begins streaming without manual input.
- If multiple Playback layouts are created using the split layout, they render in sequence based on the playback timeline.
- Interactive pods such as Q&A, Chat, or Polls remain active and visible to participants during the session.
- Once the playback ends, the session automatically moves to the Outro layout for wrap-up messaging or final interactions.
You can run Simulated Live webinars in a fully automated mode. To enable this, preconfigure the Delay the webinar start settings in the Lobby layout and the Extend room closure settings in the Outro layout during setup. This ensures the session flows seamlessly from start to finish without requiring real-time host or presenter intervention.
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From the Layouts panel, select Lobby layout.
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Select the End time dropdown and choose a timestamp of up to +5 minutes.
Modifies the event start time Modifies the event start time -
Select Update to apply the changes.
Method 2: Top bar in the room
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Select the Event start time dropdown in the top bar menu.
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Choose your required delay time by up to +5 minutes.
Adobe Connect interface showing the Event start time dropdown menu Adobe Connect interface showing the Event start time dropdown menu
Extend the room closure
You can delay the room's closing by up to five minutes after the video ends. This gives the attendees additional time to review content, ask final questions, or access shared resources without abruptly ending the session.
Do one of the following to configure this setting:
Method 1: Layout panel
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Select Outro layout from the Layouts panel in the webinar room.
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Select one of the following:
- Manually: Ends the session at the scheduled end time.
- +1 to +5 minutes: Ends the session automatically after the scheduled time, based on the selected delay.
Modifies the webinar end time Modifies the webinar end time -
Select Update to apply changes.
Method 2: Top bar in the room
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Select the Room closes dropdown from the top bar menu.
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Select one of the following:
- Manually: Ends the session at the scheduled time.
- Automatically After: Ends the session automatically after the video playback finishes, based on the delay you select, which can be up to five minutes.
Adobe Connect interface showing the Room closes dropdown menu Adobe Connect interface showing the Room closes dropdown menu
A Simulated Live room is a dedicated webinar room in Adobe Connect that combines pre-recorded video content with live interactive elements. It creates an experience that feels live while offering the consistency and reliability of pre-recorded content.
Simulated Live sessions do not natively integrate with Broadcast Control. During Playback, no mic permissions are granted to any participant.
If playback is paused, Broadcast Control behaves like a regular webinar, allowing internal team discussions or announcements based on mic settings.
Yes, interactive pods like Q&A and Chat remain active throughout the session, allowing for real-time audience interaction even during video playback.
No. During active video playback, layout transitions are automatically managed based on pre-configured entry times. Hosts can only intervene by pausing playback or jumping directly to the Outro layout
Not at this time. The room is limited to three layouts: Intro, Playback, and Outro. If you have a specific use case, share it with the product team for future consideration
You can create your video using any preferred tool and upload an edited MP4 file. Alternatively, you can download and edit a recording from a past live session, then use that as your pre-recorded content.
Yes. A Simulated Live room can be reused by updating the MP4 video, adjusting the layout content, and rescheduling the session
Adobe Connect does not indicate whether a session is pre-recorded. You can choose to mention this explicitly or let the experience feel fully live through interactivity.
