# Create the inputs and channel
Step 6: Create inputs and channel

After you perform the planning in steps 1 to 5, you are ready to create the inputs and create the MediaLive channel.

In a multiple-input channel, all the inputs must already exist in the channel before you start the channel. You can't add an input while the channel is running. Therefore, you should identify all the inputs that you might need until the next planned maintenance period.

**Topics**
+ [

# Create the inputs
](ips-create-inputs-tips.md)
+ [

# Identify the first input for the channel
](ips-plan-first-input.md)
+ [

# Create the channel
](ips-create-channel-tips.md)

# Create the inputs


This section is a supplement to the information in [Working with inputs](creating-input.md). It provides information that applies specifically to creating inputs for use in a MediaLive channel that contains multiple input attachments.

Follow the steps in [Creating an input](create-input.md)for creating a channel, with the following notes.
+ Create the inputs that you identified in the previous steps in this section.
+ Make sure that you set up each input as the correct type (static live, static file, or dynamic file).

  There are no special steps for creating a static live input or static file input. 

  To create a dynamic input, you must enter a variable in the URL for the file source. When this variable is present, MediaLive recognizes the input as a dynamic input. For more information, see [Setting up dynamic inputs](dynamic-inputs.md).

# Identify the first input for the channel
Identify first input

Identify an input that you will set up as the first input in the list of input attachments for the MediaLive channel:
+ This input won't be the first input to ingest because you will use the schedule to switch to the first input to ingest.
+ It can't be a dynamic file input. It must be either a live input or a static file input in order for the channel to start.

# Create the channel


This section is a supplement to the information in [Creating a channel from scratch](creating-channel-scratch.md). It provides information that applies specifically to creating a MediaLive channel that contains multiple input attachments.

Note the following points, and then follow the steps for creating a channel as described in [Creating a channel from scratch](creating-channel-scratch.md).

## Channel and input details pane


On the **Channel and input details **pane for the channel, in the [Input specifications](input-specification.md)section, set up each option to meet or exceed the most demanding of your inputs.

## Input attachments pane


On the **Input attachments **pane for the channel, set up the input attachments for the [inputs that you created](ips-create-inputs-tips.md).

**To set up each input attachment**

1. Choose **Add **in the **Input attachments **pane. 

1. Choose an input. Enter the name that you decided on when you [planned the attachments](ips-step-plan-attachments.md). 

1. Choose **Confirm** to display fields for general settings, for video selector fields, audio selector fields, and captions selector fields. 

1. Complete these fields as appropriate.

Note the following points:
+ Attach all the inputs that you identified. If you omit an input, you won't be able to attach it unless you stop the channel.

  You should have already [identified the first input attachment](ips-order-switches.md). Make sure that you create this attachment first, so that it appears first in the channel. 
+ Add the remaining input attachments in any order. 
+ In the **General input settings** section for each input attachment, set **Source end behavior** to work correctly. For information, see [Handling the transition when the next input is fixed or immediate](ips-transition-gap.md).
+ In the **General input settings** section for each input attachment, set up the following sets of fields according to the plan that you created when you [planned the attachments](ips-step-plan-attachments.md): 
  + The fields in **Video selector**
  + The fields in**Audio selectors**
  + The fields in **Caption selectors** 

## Output groups


On the **Output groups **pane for the channel, follow the regular procedure to create all the output groups that you identified in [Plan the outputs](ips-step-plan-outputs.md).