CSTV (SourceTV)

Professional broadcasting and demo recording for your CS2 server.

Pro Feature

CSTV is available exclusively on Pro servers.

What is CSTV?

CSTV enables live broadcasting of matches with a short delay, allowing spectators to watch games without participating. This is the same technology used in professional Counter-Strike tournaments for observer streams. Broadcasts can be automatically recorded for replay.

Most server owners enable CSTV for one of two reasons:

• Demo recording. Every match is saved as a .dem file you can download and review afterwards.
• Spectating. People can watch a live match from inside CS2 without taking a player slot.

Enabling CSTV

CSTV is switched on from the panel. You do not need to run any console commands to get it working.

Step 1: Open Your Server Settings

1. Go to fshost.me/pro/servers
2. Click Edit on your server
3. Find the CSTV section

Step 2: Enable and Save

Turn CSTV on, then save. The panel shows the assigned CSTV port, which you need in order to connect as a spectator. Write it down.

Step 3: Restart the Server

CSTV starts with the server process, so the change applies on the next restart. Restart from the panel.

That Is the Whole Setup

Once CSTV is enabled and the server has restarted, demo recording works on its own. The commands in the next section are optional adjustments, not required steps.

Configuration

The panel handles the settings that matter for a normal setup. Use the commands below only when you want to change the defaults, for example to rename the broadcast or add a broadcast delay.

Basic Settings

Command	Description
tv_name "name"	Set broadcaster name shown in server browser
tv_record "filename"	Start recording a demo
tv_stoprecord	Stop current demo recording

Example Configuration

// CSTV Settings
tv_enable 1
tv_name "FSHOST Match Server"
tv_delay 0 // 0 second delay
tv_maxclients 10 // Max spectators

Connecting to CSTV

As a Spectator

Via Console:

connect SERVER_IP:CSTV_PORT

Example:

connect 123.45.67.89:27020

Finding Your Port

Your CSTV port is displayed in the Pro Panel when CSTV is enabled. It's typically your server port + 5 (e.g., if the server is on port 27015, CSTV is on 27020).

Spectator Commands

Once connected to CSTV:

spec_mode // Cycle spectator modes
spec_next // Next player
spec_prev // Previous player
spec_player NAME // Spectate specific player

Demo Recording

Recording Demos

Manual Recording:

tv_record match_de_dust2_team1_vs_team2
tv_stoprecord

Demo Playback

Enable voice chat in demos:

tv_listen_voice_indices -1
tv_listen_voice_indices_h -1

Play demo:

playdemo yourdemo.dem

Demo File Location

Demos are saved to your server's demos directory:

/game/csgo/demos/yourdemo.dem

Advanced Spectating

Camera Positions

Save current spectator position:

spec_pos

Requires sv_cheats 1

Teleport to coordinates:

spec_goto x y z pitch yaw

Example:

spec_goto 1234.5 -678.9 100.0 0 90

Demo Management

Accessing Demos

1. Connect to your server via FTP
2. Navigate to /game/csgo/demos
3. Download .dem files

Playing Downloaded Demos

Windows Installation Path:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\

Steps:

1. Open Steam
2. Right-click Counter-Strike 2
3. Select Properties → Installed Files → Browse
4. Navigate to game/csgo/ folder
5. Place your .dem file here
6. Launch CS2 and use console: playdemo filename

Troubleshooting

Demo file won't play

Error Message:

[Demo] Requesting playback of 'demo.dem'
CDemoFile::Open: couldn't open file demo.dem for reading

Solution:

1. Delete the corrupted file
2. Re-download from your server
3. Verify file is in the correct directory: .../game/csgo/
4. Ensure file has .dem extension

No voice chat in demo

Enable voice indices before playback:

tv_listen_voice_indices -1
tv_listen_voice_indices_h -1
playdemo yourdemo.dem

Cannot connect to CSTV

Verify:

• CSTV is enabled in the panel
• Using correct port (server port + 5)
• Server is running
• No firewall blocking connection

CSTV + Discord Integration

For automatic demo uploads to Discord, see the DiscordDemoURL Plugin documentation.