diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 04cd0e65..5071fb65 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ serde_json = "1"
 # Logging
 tracing = "0.1"
 tracing-subscriber = { version = "0.3", features = ["env-filter", "json", "tracing-log"] }
-tracing-log = "0.2"
 
 # Error handling
 thiserror = "2"
@@ -41,7 +40,6 @@ rand = "0.9"
 
 # Utilities
 uuid = { version = "1", features = ["v4", "serde"] }
-chrono = { version = "0.4", features = ["serde"] }
 base64 = "0.22"
 nix = { version = "0.30", features = ["fs", "net", "hostname", "poll"] }
 
@@ -62,8 +60,8 @@ axum-server = { version = "0.8", features = ["tls-rustls"] }
 # CLI argument parsing
 clap = { version = "4", features = ["derive"] }
 
-# Time
-time = "0.3"
+# Time (cookie max_age + RFC3339 timestamps)
+time = { version = "0.3", features = ["serde", "formatting", "parsing"] }
 
 # Video capture (V4L2)
 v4l2r = "0.0.7"
diff --git a/libs/hwcodec/Cargo.toml b/libs/hwcodec/Cargo.toml
index a4ae0fac..b84d3355 100644
--- a/libs/hwcodec/Cargo.toml
+++ b/libs/hwcodec/Cargo.toml
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ version = "0.8.0"
 edition = "2021"
 description = "Hardware video codec for IP-KVM (Windows/Linux)"
 
+[package.metadata.cargo-machete]
+ignored = ["serde"]
+
 [features]
 default = []
 rkmpp = []
diff --git a/src/audio/capture.rs b/src/audio/capture.rs
index b8479991..b0f1d64a 100644
--- a/src/audio/capture.rs
+++ b/src/audio/capture.rs
@@ -45,25 +45,10 @@ impl Default for AudioConfig {
 }
 
 impl AudioConfig {
-    /// Create config for a specific device
+    /// Create config for a specific device (48 kHz stereo only; must match ALSA hardware).
     pub fn for_device(device: &AudioDeviceInfo) -> Self {
-        let sample_rate = if device.sample_rates.contains(&48000) {
-            48000
-        } else {
-            *device.sample_rates.first().unwrap_or(&48000)
-        };
-
-        let channels = if device.channels.contains(&2) {
-            2
-        } else {
-            *device.channels.first().unwrap_or(&2)
-        };
-
         Self {
             device_name: device.name.clone(),
-            sample_rate,
-            channels,
-            frame_size: sample_rate / 50, // 20ms
             ..Default::default()
         }
     }
@@ -281,23 +266,29 @@ fn run_capture(
             .map_err(|e| AppError::AudioError(format!("Failed to apply hw params: {}", e)))?;
     }
 
-    // Get actual configuration
-    let actual_rate = pcm
-        .hw_params_current()
-        .map(|h| h.get_rate().unwrap_or(config.sample_rate))
-        .unwrap_or(config.sample_rate);
-
-    if actual_rate != config.sample_rate {
-        info!(
-            "ALSA sample rate differs from requested ({}Hz vs {}Hz); streamer will resample to 48000Hz for Opus",
-            actual_rate, config.sample_rate
-        );
-    } else {
-        info!(
-            "Audio capture configured: {}Hz {}ch (requested {}Hz)",
-            actual_rate, config.channels, config.sample_rate
-        );
+    // Fixed 48 kHz stereo: fail if hardware negotiated something else.
+    let hw_now = pcm.hw_params_current().map_err(|e| {
+        AppError::AudioError(format!("Failed to read hw_params after apply: {}", e))
+    })?;
+    let actual_rate = hw_now
+        .get_rate()
+        .map_err(|e| AppError::AudioError(format!("Failed to read sample rate: {}", e)))?;
+    let actual_ch = hw_now
+        .get_channels()
+        .map_err(|e| AppError::AudioError(format!("Failed to read channels: {}", e)))?;
+    if actual_rate != 48_000 {
+        return Err(AppError::AudioError(format!(
+            "Audio capture requires 48000 Hz; device is {} Hz",
+            actual_rate
+        )));
     }
+    if actual_ch != 2 {
+        return Err(AppError::AudioError(format!(
+            "Audio capture requires 2 channels (stereo); device has {}",
+            actual_ch
+        )));
+    }
+    info!("Audio capture: 48000 Hz, 2 ch");
 
     // Prepare for capture
     pcm.prepare()
@@ -357,7 +348,7 @@ fn run_capture(
                 let frame = AudioFrame::new_interleaved(
                     Bytes::copy_from_slice(&buffer[..byte_count]),
                     config.channels,
-                    actual_rate,
+                    48_000,
                     seq,
                 );
 
diff --git a/src/audio/controller.rs b/src/audio/controller.rs
index f6f76570..9539b7dc 100644
--- a/src/audio/controller.rs
+++ b/src/audio/controller.rs
@@ -342,8 +342,7 @@ impl AudioController {
     }
 
     /// Subscribe to Opus frames (for WebSocket clients)
-    pub fn subscribe_opus(&self) -> Option<tokio::sync::watch::Receiver<Option<Arc<OpusFrame>>>> {
-        // Use try_read to avoid blocking - this is called from sync context sometimes
+    pub fn subscribe_opus(&self) -> Option<tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<Arc<OpusFrame>>> {
         if let Ok(guard) = self.streamer.try_read() {
             guard.as_ref().map(|s| s.subscribe_opus())
         } else {
@@ -354,7 +353,7 @@ impl AudioController {
     /// Subscribe to Opus frames (async version)
     pub async fn subscribe_opus_async(
         &self,
-    ) -> Option<tokio::sync::watch::Receiver<Option<Arc<OpusFrame>>>> {
+    ) -> Option<tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<Arc<OpusFrame>>> {
         self.streamer
             .read()
             .await
diff --git a/src/audio/mod.rs b/src/audio/mod.rs
index dfd203e1..829bef91 100644
--- a/src/audio/mod.rs
+++ b/src/audio/mod.rs
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ pub mod controller;
 pub mod device;
 pub mod encoder;
 pub mod monitor;
-pub mod resample;
 pub mod streamer;
 
 pub use capture::{AudioCapturer, AudioConfig, AudioFrame};
diff --git a/src/audio/resample.rs b/src/audio/resample.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index 02135bdc..00000000
--- a/src/audio/resample.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,202 +0,0 @@
-//! Resample capture PCM to 48 kHz stereo for Opus (fixed 20 ms / 960×2 samples).
-
-const OUT_RATE: f64 = 48000.0;
-const OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES: usize = 960 * 2;
-
-enum PipelineState {
-    /// Native 48 kHz interleaved stereo: only buffer and slice into 20 ms blocks (no float work).
-    Stereo48kPassthrough,
-    /// Other rates / mono: linear interpolation to 48 kHz stereo.
-    Resample {
-        in_rate: u32,
-        in_channels: u32,
-        next_out_frame: u64,
-        buffer_start_frame: u64,
-    },
-}
-
-/// Converts incoming interleaved PCM to 48 kHz stereo, then exposes fixed 960×2-sample chunks.
-pub struct Opus48kPcmBuffer {
-    state: PipelineState,
-    pending: Vec<i16>,
-}
-
-impl Opus48kPcmBuffer {
-    pub fn new(in_rate: u32, in_channels: u32) -> Self {
-        let ch = in_channels.max(1);
-        let rate = in_rate.max(1);
-        let state = if rate == 48000 && ch == 2 {
-            PipelineState::Stereo48kPassthrough
-        } else {
-            PipelineState::Resample {
-                in_rate: rate,
-                in_channels: ch,
-                next_out_frame: 0,
-                buffer_start_frame: 0,
-            }
-        };
-        Self {
-            state,
-            pending: Vec::new(),
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// True when input is already 48 kHz stereo (no interpolation loop).
-    #[cfg(test)]
-    pub fn is_passthrough(&self) -> bool {
-        matches!(self.state, PipelineState::Stereo48kPassthrough)
-    }
-
-    /// Append one capture block (`sample_rate` must match the rate this buffer was built for).
-    pub fn push_interleaved(&mut self, data: &[i16]) {
-        self.pending.extend_from_slice(data);
-    }
-
-    /// Drain as many 960×2 stereo S16LE samples (20 ms @ 48 kHz) as possible.
-    pub fn pop_opus_frames(&mut self, out: &mut Vec<i16>) {
-        match &mut self.state {
-            PipelineState::Stereo48kPassthrough => {
-                while self.pending.len() >= OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES {
-                    out.extend_from_slice(&self.pending[..OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES]);
-                    self.pending.drain(..OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES);
-                }
-            }
-            PipelineState::Resample {
-                in_rate,
-                in_channels,
-                next_out_frame,
-                buffer_start_frame,
-            } => {
-                let ch = *in_channels as usize;
-                if ch == 0 {
-                    return;
-                }
-
-                loop {
-                    let batch_start = *next_out_frame;
-                    let mut block = Vec::with_capacity(OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES);
-                    let mut complete = true;
-
-                    for i in 0u64..960 {
-                        let k = batch_start + i;
-                        let p_abs = (k as f64) * (*in_rate as f64) / OUT_RATE;
-                        let f_abs = p_abs.floor() as u64;
-                        let frac = p_abs - f_abs as f64;
-
-                        let f_rel = f_abs.saturating_sub(*buffer_start_frame) as usize;
-                        if f_rel + 1 >= self.pending.len() / ch {
-                            complete = false;
-                            break;
-                        }
-
-                        let base0 = f_rel * ch;
-                        let base1 = (f_rel + 1) * ch;
-
-                        let (l, r) = if *in_channels >= 2 {
-                            let l0 = self.pending[base0] as f64;
-                            let l1 = self.pending[base1] as f64;
-                            let r0 = self.pending[base0 + 1] as f64;
-                            let r1 = self.pending[base1 + 1] as f64;
-                            (l0 + frac * (l1 - l0), r0 + frac * (r1 - r0))
-                        } else {
-                            let m0 = self.pending[base0] as f64;
-                            let m1 = self.pending[base1] as f64;
-                            let v = m0 + frac * (m1 - m0);
-                            (v, v)
-                        };
-
-                        block.push(clamp_f64_to_i16(l));
-                        block.push(clamp_f64_to_i16(r));
-                    }
-
-                    if !complete || block.len() != OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES {
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    out.extend_from_slice(&block);
-                    *next_out_frame = batch_start + 960;
-                    trim_resample_prefix(
-                        &mut self.pending,
-                        *in_rate,
-                        *next_out_frame,
-                        buffer_start_frame,
-                        ch,
-                    );
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-fn trim_resample_prefix(
-    pending: &mut Vec<i16>,
-    in_rate: u32,
-    next_out_frame: u64,
-    buffer_start_frame: &mut u64,
-    ch: usize,
-) {
-    if pending.is_empty() {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    let p_next = (next_out_frame as f64) * (in_rate as f64) / OUT_RATE;
-    let need_abs = p_next.floor() as u64;
-    let keep_from_abs = need_abs.saturating_sub(1);
-    if keep_from_abs <= *buffer_start_frame {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    let drop_frames = (keep_from_abs - *buffer_start_frame) as usize;
-    let drop_samples = drop_frames.saturating_mul(ch).min(pending.len());
-    if drop_samples > 0 {
-        pending.drain(0..drop_samples);
-        *buffer_start_frame += drop_frames as u64;
-    }
-}
-
-#[inline]
-fn clamp_f64_to_i16(v: f64) -> i16 {
-    v.round().clamp(i16::MIN as f64, i16::MAX as f64) as i16
-}
-
-#[cfg(test)]
-mod tests {
-    use super::*;
-
-    #[test]
-    fn passthrough_48k_identity_tone_length() {
-        let mut buf = Opus48kPcmBuffer::new(48000, 2);
-        assert!(buf.is_passthrough());
-        let mut chunk = vec![0i16; 960 * 2];
-        for i in 0..960 {
-            let s = (i as f32 * 0.1).sin() * 3000.0;
-            chunk[2 * i] = s as i16;
-            chunk[2 * i + 1] = s as i16;
-        }
-        buf.push_interleaved(&chunk);
-        let mut out = Vec::new();
-        buf.pop_opus_frames(&mut out);
-        assert_eq!(out.len(), 960 * 2);
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn upsample_44k_to_48k_chunk() {
-        let mut buf = Opus48kPcmBuffer::new(44100, 2);
-        assert!(!buf.is_passthrough());
-        let mut chunk = vec![0i16; 882 * 2];
-        for i in 0..882 {
-            chunk[2 * i] = (i as i16).wrapping_mul(10);
-            chunk[2 * i + 1] = (i as i16).wrapping_mul(-7);
-        }
-        buf.push_interleaved(&chunk);
-        let mut out = Vec::new();
-        buf.pop_opus_frames(&mut out);
-        assert_eq!(out.len(), 960 * 2, "expected one 20ms Opus block");
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn mono_48k_not_passthrough() {
-        let buf = Opus48kPcmBuffer::new(48000, 1);
-        assert!(!buf.is_passthrough());
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/audio/streamer.rs b/src/audio/streamer.rs
index 6f6db04e..9b32e27f 100644
--- a/src/audio/streamer.rs
+++ b/src/audio/streamer.rs
@@ -1,21 +1,22 @@
 //! Audio streaming pipeline
 //!
-//! Coordinates audio capture and Opus encoding, distributing encoded
-//! frames to multiple subscribers via broadcast channel.
+//! ALSA capture (48 kHz stereo only) → fixed Opus 20 ms frames → `mpsc` fan-out per subscriber.
 
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU64, Ordering};
-use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 use std::time::Instant;
-use tokio::sync::{broadcast, watch, Mutex, RwLock};
+use tokio::sync::{broadcast, mpsc, watch, Mutex as AsyncMutex, RwLock};
 use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
 use super::capture::{AudioCapturer, AudioConfig, AudioFrame, CaptureState};
 use super::encoder::{OpusConfig, OpusEncoder, OpusFrame};
-use super::resample::Opus48kPcmBuffer;
 use crate::error::{AppError, Result};
 use bytemuck;
 use bytes::Bytes;
 
+/// Stereo 48 kHz: 20 ms = 960 frames × 2 channels (S16LE).
+const OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES: usize = 960 * 2;
+
 /// Audio stream state
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
 pub enum AudioStreamState {
@@ -68,15 +69,16 @@ pub struct AudioStreamStats {
 
 /// Audio streamer
 ///
-/// Manages the audio capture -> encode -> broadcast pipeline.
+/// Manages the audio capture → encode → mpsc fan-out pipeline.
 pub struct AudioStreamer {
     config: RwLock<AudioStreamerConfig>,
     state: watch::Sender<AudioStreamState>,
     state_rx: watch::Receiver<AudioStreamState>,
     capturer: RwLock<Option<Arc<AudioCapturer>>>,
-    encoder: Arc<Mutex<Option<OpusEncoder>>>,
-    opus_tx: watch::Sender<Option<Arc<OpusFrame>>>,
-    stats: Arc<Mutex<AudioStreamStats>>,
+    encoder: Arc<AsyncMutex<Option<OpusEncoder>>>,
+    /// One `mpsc::Sender` per subscriber (like shared video pipeline).
+    opus_subscribers: Arc<Mutex<Vec<mpsc::Sender<Arc<OpusFrame>>>>>,
+    stats: Arc<AsyncMutex<AudioStreamStats>>,
     sequence: AtomicU64,
     stream_start_time: RwLock<Option<Instant>>,
     stop_flag: Arc<AtomicBool>,
@@ -91,16 +93,15 @@ impl AudioStreamer {
     /// Create a new audio streamer with specified configuration
     pub fn with_config(config: AudioStreamerConfig) -> Self {
         let (state_tx, state_rx) = watch::channel(AudioStreamState::Stopped);
-        let (opus_tx, _opus_rx) = watch::channel(None);
 
         Self {
             config: RwLock::new(config),
             state: state_tx,
             state_rx,
             capturer: RwLock::new(None),
-            encoder: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
-            opus_tx,
-            stats: Arc::new(Mutex::new(AudioStreamStats::default())),
+            encoder: Arc::new(AsyncMutex::new(None)),
+            opus_subscribers: Arc::new(Mutex::new(Vec::new())),
+            stats: Arc::new(AsyncMutex::new(AudioStreamStats::default())),
             sequence: AtomicU64::new(0),
             stream_start_time: RwLock::new(None),
             stop_flag: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
@@ -117,14 +118,21 @@ impl AudioStreamer {
         self.state_rx.clone()
     }
 
-    /// Subscribe to Opus frames
-    pub fn subscribe_opus(&self) -> watch::Receiver<Option<Arc<OpusFrame>>> {
-        self.opus_tx.subscribe()
+    /// Subscribe to Opus frames (each packet is one encoded 20 ms frame).
+    pub fn subscribe_opus(&self) -> mpsc::Receiver<Arc<OpusFrame>> {
+        let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel::<Arc<OpusFrame>>(128);
+        self.opus_subscribers.lock().unwrap().push(tx);
+        rx
     }
 
     /// Get number of active subscribers
     pub fn subscriber_count(&self) -> usize {
-        self.opus_tx.receiver_count()
+        self.opus_subscribers
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap()
+            .iter()
+            .filter(|s| !s.is_closed())
+            .count()
     }
 
     /// Get current statistics
@@ -202,12 +210,13 @@ impl AudioStreamer {
         // Start encoding task
         let capturer_for_task = capturer.clone();
         let encoder = self.encoder.clone();
-        let opus_tx = self.opus_tx.clone();
+        let opus_subscribers = self.opus_subscribers.clone();
         let state = self.state.clone();
         let stop_flag = self.stop_flag.clone();
 
         tokio::spawn(async move {
-            Self::stream_task(capturer_for_task, encoder, opus_tx, state, stop_flag).await;
+            Self::stream_task(capturer_for_task, encoder, opus_subscribers, state, stop_flag)
+                .await;
         });
 
         Ok(())
@@ -229,10 +238,11 @@ impl AudioStreamer {
             capturer.stop().await?;
         }
 
-        // Clear resources
+        // Clear resources — drop Opus senders so mpsc receivers see end-of-stream
         *self.capturer.write().await = None;
         *self.encoder.lock().await = None;
         *self.stream_start_time.write().await = None;
+        self.opus_subscribers.lock().unwrap().clear();
 
         let _ = self.state.send(AudioStreamState::Stopped);
         info!("Audio stream stopped");
@@ -244,51 +254,63 @@ impl AudioStreamer {
         self.state() == AudioStreamState::Running
     }
 
-    /// Internal streaming task
+    async fn fanout_opus(
+        subscribers: &Arc<Mutex<Vec<mpsc::Sender<Arc<OpusFrame>>>>>,
+        frame: Arc<OpusFrame>,
+    ) {
+        let txs: Vec<_> = {
+            let g = subscribers.lock().unwrap();
+            if g.is_empty() {
+                return;
+            }
+            g.clone()
+        };
+        for tx in &txs {
+            let _ = tx.send(frame.clone()).await;
+        }
+        if txs.iter().any(|tx| tx.is_closed()) {
+            let mut g = subscribers.lock().unwrap();
+            g.retain(|tx| !tx.is_closed());
+        }
+    }
+
     async fn stream_task(
         capturer: Arc<AudioCapturer>,
-        encoder: Arc<Mutex<Option<OpusEncoder>>>,
-        opus_tx: watch::Sender<Option<Arc<OpusFrame>>>,
+        encoder: Arc<AsyncMutex<Option<OpusEncoder>>>,
+        opus_subscribers: Arc<Mutex<Vec<mpsc::Sender<Arc<OpusFrame>>>>>,
         state: watch::Sender<AudioStreamState>,
         stop_flag: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     ) {
         let mut pcm_rx = capturer.subscribe();
         let _ = state.send(AudioStreamState::Running);
 
-        info!("Audio stream task started");
+        info!("Audio stream task started (48 kHz stereo → Opus, mpsc fan-out)");
 
-        let mut to_48k: Option<Opus48kPcmBuffer> = None;
-        let mut queued_48k: Vec<i16> = Vec::new();
+        let mut pending: Vec<i16> = Vec::new();
 
         loop {
-            // Check stop flag (atomic, no async lock needed)
             if stop_flag.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
                 break;
             }
 
-            // Check capturer state
             if capturer.state() == CaptureState::Error {
                 error!("Audio capture error, stopping stream");
                 let _ = state.send(AudioStreamState::Error);
                 break;
             }
 
-            // Receive PCM frame with timeout
             let recv_result =
                 tokio::time::timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(2), pcm_rx.recv()).await;
 
             match recv_result {
                 Ok(Ok(audio_frame)) => {
-                    if to_48k.is_none() {
-                        to_48k = Some(Opus48kPcmBuffer::new(
-                            audio_frame.sample_rate,
-                            audio_frame.channels,
-                        ));
+                    if audio_frame.sample_rate != 48_000 || audio_frame.channels != 2 {
+                        warn!(
+                            "Skip non–48 kHz/stereo PCM ({} Hz, {} ch)",
+                            audio_frame.sample_rate, audio_frame.channels
+                        );
+                        continue;
                     }
-                    let pipeline = match to_48k.as_mut() {
-                        Some(p) => p,
-                        None => continue,
-                    };
 
                     let samples: &[i16] = match bytemuck::try_cast_slice(&audio_frame.data) {
                         Ok(s) => s,
@@ -298,16 +320,16 @@ impl AudioStreamer {
                         }
                     };
                     if !samples.is_empty() {
-                        pipeline.push_interleaved(samples);
+                        pending.extend_from_slice(samples);
                     }
-                    pipeline.pop_opus_frames(&mut queued_48k);
 
-                    while queued_48k.len() >= 960 * 2 {
-                        let pcm_20ms =
-                            Bytes::copy_from_slice(bytemuck::cast_slice(&queued_48k[..960 * 2]));
-                        queued_48k.drain(..960 * 2);
+                    while pending.len() >= OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES {
+                        let pcm_20ms = Bytes::copy_from_slice(bytemuck::cast_slice(
+                            &pending[..OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES],
+                        ));
+                        pending.drain(..OPUS_STEREO_SAMPLES);
 
-                        let frame_48k = AudioFrame::new_interleaved(pcm_20ms, 2, 48000, 0);
+                        let frame_48k = AudioFrame::new_interleaved(pcm_20ms, 2, 48_000, 0);
 
                         let opus_result = {
                             let mut enc_guard = encoder.lock().await;
@@ -318,9 +340,7 @@ impl AudioStreamer {
 
                         match opus_result {
                             Some(Ok(opus_frame)) => {
-                                if opus_tx.receiver_count() > 0 {
-                                    let _ = opus_tx.send(Some(Arc::new(opus_frame)));
-                                }
+                                Self::fanout_opus(&opus_subscribers, Arc::new(opus_frame)).await;
                             }
                             Some(Err(e)) => {
                                 error!("Opus encode error: {}", e);
@@ -337,10 +357,9 @@ impl AudioStreamer {
                     break;
                 }
                 Ok(Err(broadcast::error::RecvError::Lagged(n))) => {
-                    warn!("Audio receiver lagged by {} frames", n);
+                    warn!("PCM receiver lagged by {} frames", n);
                 }
                 Err(_) => {
-                    // Timeout - check if still capturing
                     if capturer.state() != CaptureState::Running {
                         info!("Audio capture stopped, ending stream task");
                         break;
diff --git a/src/auth/mod.rs b/src/auth/mod.rs
index 8d9ba479..fc38a389 100644
--- a/src/auth/mod.rs
+++ b/src/auth/mod.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 pub mod middleware;
 mod password;
+mod rfc3339;
 mod session;
 mod user;
 
diff --git a/src/auth/rfc3339.rs b/src/auth/rfc3339.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..de964988
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/auth/rfc3339.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+//! RFC3339 strings in SQLite; structs use `time::serde::rfc3339`.
+
+use time::format_description::well_known::Rfc3339;
+use time::OffsetDateTime;
+
+/// Parse DB text; bad input → `now_utc()`.
+pub fn parse(s: &str) -> OffsetDateTime {
+    OffsetDateTime::parse(s, &Rfc3339).unwrap_or_else(|_| OffsetDateTime::now_utc())
+}
+
+pub fn format(dt: OffsetDateTime) -> String {
+    dt.format(&Rfc3339).expect("RFC3339 format")
+}
diff --git a/src/auth/session.rs b/src/auth/session.rs
index 5ad92baa..3288a751 100644
--- a/src/auth/session.rs
+++ b/src/auth/session.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
-use chrono::{DateTime, Duration, Utc};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use sqlx::{Pool, Sqlite};
+use time::{Duration, OffsetDateTime};
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
+use super::rfc3339;
 use crate::error::Result;
 
 /// Session data
@@ -10,15 +11,17 @@ use crate::error::Result;
 pub struct Session {
     pub id: String,
     pub user_id: String,
-    pub created_at: DateTime<Utc>,
-    pub expires_at: DateTime<Utc>,
+    #[serde(with = "time::serde::rfc3339")]
+    pub created_at: OffsetDateTime,
+    #[serde(with = "time::serde::rfc3339")]
+    pub expires_at: OffsetDateTime,
     pub data: Option<serde_json::Value>,
 }
 
 impl Session {
     /// Check if session is expired
     pub fn is_expired(&self) -> bool {
-        Utc::now() > self.expires_at
+        OffsetDateTime::now_utc() > self.expires_at
     }
 }
 
@@ -40,11 +43,12 @@ impl SessionStore {
 
     /// Create a new session
     pub async fn create(&self, user_id: &str) -> Result<Session> {
+        let now = OffsetDateTime::now_utc();
         let session = Session {
             id: Uuid::new_v4().to_string(),
             user_id: user_id.to_string(),
-            created_at: Utc::now(),
-            expires_at: Utc::now() + self.default_ttl,
+            created_at: now,
+            expires_at: now + self.default_ttl,
             data: None,
         };
 
@@ -56,8 +60,8 @@ impl SessionStore {
         )
         .bind(&session.id)
         .bind(&session.user_id)
-        .bind(session.created_at.to_rfc3339())
-        .bind(session.expires_at.to_rfc3339())
+        .bind(rfc3339::format(session.created_at))
+        .bind(rfc3339::format(session.expires_at))
         .bind(session.data.as_ref().map(|d| d.to_string()))
         .execute(&self.pool)
         .await?;
@@ -79,12 +83,8 @@ impl SessionStore {
                 let session = Session {
                     id,
                     user_id,
-                    created_at: DateTime::parse_from_rfc3339(&created_at)
-                        .map(|dt| dt.with_timezone(&Utc))
-                        .unwrap_or_else(|_| Utc::now()),
-                    expires_at: DateTime::parse_from_rfc3339(&expires_at)
-                        .map(|dt| dt.with_timezone(&Utc))
-                        .unwrap_or_else(|_| Utc::now()),
+                    created_at: rfc3339::parse(&created_at),
+                    expires_at: rfc3339::parse(&expires_at),
                     data: data.and_then(|d| serde_json::from_str(&d).ok()),
                 };
 
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ impl SessionStore {
 
     /// Delete all expired sessions
     pub async fn cleanup_expired(&self) -> Result<u64> {
-        let now = Utc::now().to_rfc3339();
+        let now = rfc3339::format(OffsetDateTime::now_utc());
         let result = sqlx::query("DELETE FROM sessions WHERE expires_at < ?1")
             .bind(now)
             .execute(&self.pool)
@@ -145,9 +145,9 @@ impl SessionStore {
 
     /// Extend session expiration
     pub async fn extend(&self, session_id: &str) -> Result<()> {
-        let new_expires = Utc::now() + self.default_ttl;
+        let new_expires = OffsetDateTime::now_utc() + self.default_ttl;
         sqlx::query("UPDATE sessions SET expires_at = ?1 WHERE id = ?2")
-            .bind(new_expires.to_rfc3339())
+            .bind(rfc3339::format(new_expires))
             .bind(session_id)
             .execute(&self.pool)
             .await?;
diff --git a/src/auth/user.rs b/src/auth/user.rs
index 986fc41b..b749b6ee 100644
--- a/src/auth/user.rs
+++ b/src/auth/user.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
-use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use sqlx::{Pool, Sqlite};
+use time::OffsetDateTime;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
 use super::password::{hash_password, verify_password};
+use super::rfc3339;
 use crate::error::{AppError, Result};
 
 /// User row type from database
@@ -16,8 +17,10 @@ pub struct User {
     pub username: String,
     #[serde(skip_serializing)]
     pub password_hash: String,
-    pub created_at: DateTime<Utc>,
-    pub updated_at: DateTime<Utc>,
+    #[serde(with = "time::serde::rfc3339")]
+    pub created_at: OffsetDateTime,
+    #[serde(with = "time::serde::rfc3339")]
+    pub updated_at: OffsetDateTime,
 }
 
 impl User {
@@ -28,12 +31,8 @@ impl User {
             id,
             username,
             password_hash,
-            created_at: DateTime::parse_from_rfc3339(&created_at)
-                .map(|dt| dt.with_timezone(&Utc))
-                .unwrap_or_else(|_| Utc::now()),
-            updated_at: DateTime::parse_from_rfc3339(&updated_at)
-                .map(|dt| dt.with_timezone(&Utc))
-                .unwrap_or_else(|_| Utc::now()),
+            created_at: rfc3339::parse(&created_at),
+            updated_at: rfc3339::parse(&updated_at),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -61,7 +60,7 @@ impl UserStore {
         }
 
         let password_hash = hash_password(password)?;
-        let now = Utc::now();
+        let now = OffsetDateTime::now_utc();
         let user = User {
             id: Uuid::new_v4().to_string(),
             username: username.to_string(),
@@ -79,8 +78,8 @@ impl UserStore {
         .bind(&user.id)
         .bind(&user.username)
         .bind(&user.password_hash)
-        .bind(user.created_at.to_rfc3339())
-        .bind(user.updated_at.to_rfc3339())
+        .bind(rfc3339::format(user.created_at))
+        .bind(rfc3339::format(user.updated_at))
         .execute(&self.pool)
         .await?;
 
@@ -128,12 +127,12 @@ impl UserStore {
     /// Update user password
     pub async fn update_password(&self, user_id: &str, new_password: &str) -> Result<()> {
         let password_hash = hash_password(new_password)?;
-        let now = Utc::now();
+        let now = OffsetDateTime::now_utc();
 
         let result =
             sqlx::query("UPDATE users SET password_hash = ?1, updated_at = ?2 WHERE id = ?3")
                 .bind(&password_hash)
-                .bind(now.to_rfc3339())
+                .bind(rfc3339::format(now))
                 .bind(user_id)
                 .execute(&self.pool)
                 .await?;
@@ -156,10 +155,10 @@ impl UserStore {
             }
         }
 
-        let now = Utc::now();
+        let now = OffsetDateTime::now_utc();
         let result = sqlx::query("UPDATE users SET username = ?1, updated_at = ?2 WHERE id = ?3")
             .bind(new_username)
-            .bind(now.to_rfc3339())
+            .bind(rfc3339::format(now))
             .bind(user_id)
             .execute(&self.pool)
             .await?;
diff --git a/src/error.rs b/src/error.rs
index f3e321b5..aaffdac4 100644
--- a/src/error.rs
+++ b/src/error.rs
@@ -45,6 +45,10 @@ pub enum AppError {
     #[error("Video device lost [{device}]: {reason}")]
     VideoDeviceLost { device: String, reason: String },
 
+    /// No input signal while opening capture; `kind` is `SignalStatus` as string (`from_str`).
+    #[error("Capture has no valid signal: {kind}")]
+    CaptureNoSignal { kind: String },
+
     #[error("Audio error: {0}")]
     AudioError(String),
 
diff --git a/src/events/mod.rs b/src/events/mod.rs
index 907ad1cf..7dfa4539 100644
--- a/src/events/mod.rs
+++ b/src/events/mod.rs
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ fn topic_prefix(event_name: &str) -> Option<String> {
 /// bus.publish(SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
 ///     state: "streaming".to_string(),
 ///     device: Some("/dev/video0".to_string()),
+///     reason: None,
+///     next_retry_ms: None,
 /// });
 ///
 /// // Subscribe to events
@@ -188,6 +190,8 @@ mod tests {
         bus.publish(SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
             state: "streaming".to_string(),
             device: Some("/dev/video0".to_string()),
+            reason: None,
+            next_retry_ms: None,
         });
 
         let event = rx.recv().await.unwrap();
@@ -205,6 +209,8 @@ mod tests {
         bus.publish(SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
             state: "ready".to_string(),
             device: Some("/dev/video0".to_string()),
+            reason: None,
+            next_retry_ms: None,
         });
 
         let event1 = rx1.recv().await.unwrap();
@@ -222,6 +228,8 @@ mod tests {
         bus.publish(SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
             state: "ready".to_string(),
             device: None,
+            reason: None,
+            next_retry_ms: None,
         });
 
         let event = rx.recv().await.unwrap();
@@ -236,6 +244,8 @@ mod tests {
         bus.publish(SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
             state: "ready".to_string(),
             device: None,
+            reason: None,
+            next_retry_ms: None,
         });
 
         let event = rx.recv().await.unwrap();
@@ -257,6 +267,8 @@ mod tests {
         bus.publish(SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
             state: "ready".to_string(),
             device: None,
+            reason: None,
+            next_retry_ms: None,
         });
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/events/types.rs b/src/events/types.rs
index 148021e1..d1bf9e9b 100644
--- a/src/events/types.rs
+++ b/src/events/types.rs
@@ -158,13 +158,16 @@ pub enum SystemEvent {
         from_mode: String,
     },
 
-    /// Stream state changed (e.g., started, stopped, error)
+    /// Stream state for the UI (`streaming`, `no_signal`, `device_lost`, `device_busy`, etc.).
+    /// Optional `reason` / `next_retry_ms` are hints only; branch on `state`.
     #[serde(rename = "stream.state_changed")]
     StreamStateChanged {
-        /// Current state: "uninitialized", "ready", "streaming", "no_signal", "error"
         state: String,
-        /// Device path if available
         device: Option<String>,
+        #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+        reason: Option<String>,
+        #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+        next_retry_ms: Option<u64>,
     },
 
     /// Stream configuration is being changed
@@ -407,6 +410,8 @@ mod tests {
         let event = SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
             state: "streaming".to_string(),
             device: Some("/dev/video0".to_string()),
+            reason: None,
+            next_retry_ms: None,
         };
         assert_eq!(event.event_name(), "stream.state_changed");
     }
@@ -416,6 +421,8 @@ mod tests {
         let event = SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
             state: "streaming".to_string(),
             device: None,
+            reason: None,
+            next_retry_ms: None,
         };
 
         assert!(event.matches_topic("*"));
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 27cf27d4..34fc6a74 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -490,8 +490,13 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         .update_video_config(actual_resolution, actual_format, actual_fps)
         .await;
     if let Some(device_path) = device_path {
+        let (subdev_path, bridge_kind) = streamer
+            .current_device()
+            .await
+            .map(|d| (d.subdev_path.clone(), d.bridge_kind.clone()))
+            .unwrap_or((None, None));
         webrtc_streamer
-            .set_capture_device(device_path, jpeg_quality)
+            .set_capture_device(device_path, jpeg_quality, subdev_path, bridge_kind)
             .await;
         tracing::info!("WebRTC streamer configured for direct capture");
     } else {
diff --git a/src/msd/image.rs b/src/msd/image.rs
index e7a066f4..88c04e45 100644
--- a/src/msd/image.rs
+++ b/src/msd/image.rs
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
 //! - Metadata management
 //! - Download from URL
 
-use chrono::Utc;
 use futures::StreamExt;
+use time::OffsetDateTime;
 use std::fs::{self, File};
 use std::io::{self, Read, Write};
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
@@ -87,9 +87,10 @@ impl ImageManager {
             .ok()
             .and_then(|t| t.duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH).ok())
             .map(|d| {
-                chrono::DateTime::from_timestamp(d.as_secs() as i64, 0).unwrap_or_else(Utc::now)
+                OffsetDateTime::from_unix_timestamp(d.as_secs() as i64)
+                    .unwrap_or_else(|_| OffsetDateTime::now_utc())
             })
-            .unwrap_or_else(Utc::now);
+            .unwrap_or_else(OffsetDateTime::now_utc);
 
         Some(ImageInfo {
             id,
diff --git a/src/msd/types.rs b/src/msd/types.rs
index 8f1e68cf..321222b6 100644
--- a/src/msd/types.rs
+++ b/src/msd/types.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 //! MSD data types and structures
 
-use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::path::PathBuf;
+use time::OffsetDateTime;
 
 /// MSD operating mode
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ pub struct ImageInfo {
     /// File size in bytes
     pub size: u64,
     /// Creation timestamp
-    pub created_at: DateTime<Utc>,
+    #[serde(with = "time::serde::rfc3339")]
+    pub created_at: OffsetDateTime,
 }
 
 impl ImageInfo {
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ impl ImageInfo {
             name,
             path,
             size,
-            created_at: Utc::now(),
+            created_at: OffsetDateTime::now_utc(),
         }
     }
 
@@ -132,7 +133,8 @@ pub struct DriveFile {
     /// Whether this is a directory
     pub is_dir: bool,
     /// Last modified timestamp
-    pub modified: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
+    #[serde(with = "time::serde::rfc3339::option")]
+    pub modified: Option<OffsetDateTime>,
 }
 
 /// MSD connect request
diff --git a/src/rustdesk/connection.rs b/src/rustdesk/connection.rs
index 2c9c5e1b..02fd293c 100644
--- a/src/rustdesk/connection.rs
+++ b/src/rustdesk/connection.rs
@@ -1831,18 +1831,18 @@ async fn run_audio_streaming(
                     break 'subscribe_loop;
                 }
 
-                result = opus_rx.changed() => {
-                    if result.is_err() {
-                        // Pipeline was restarted
-                        info!("Audio pipeline closed for connection {}, re-subscribing...", conn_id);
-                        audio_adapter.reset();
-                        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
-                        continue 'subscribe_loop;
-                    }
-
-                    let opus_frame = match opus_rx.borrow().clone() {
+                result = opus_rx.recv() => {
+                    let opus_frame = match result {
                         Some(frame) => frame,
-                        None => continue,
+                        None => {
+                            info!(
+                                "Audio pipeline closed for connection {}, re-subscribing...",
+                                conn_id
+                            );
+                            audio_adapter.reset();
+                            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
+                            continue 'subscribe_loop;
+                        }
                     };
 
                     // Convert OpusFrame to RustDesk AudioFrame message
diff --git a/src/stream/mjpeg.rs b/src/stream/mjpeg.rs
index 26c2ec61..dcb6fc55 100644
--- a/src/stream/mjpeg.rs
+++ b/src/stream/mjpeg.rs
@@ -3,63 +3,21 @@
 //! Manages video frame distribution and per-client statistics.
 
 use arc_swap::ArcSwap;
-use bytes::Bytes;
 use parking_lot::Mutex as ParkingMutex;
 use parking_lot::RwLock as ParkingRwLock;
 use std::collections::{HashMap, VecDeque};
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU64, Ordering};
-use std::sync::{Arc, OnceLock};
+use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 use tokio::sync::broadcast;
 use tracing::{debug, info, warn};
 
 use crate::video::encoder::traits::{Encoder, EncoderConfig};
 use crate::video::encoder::JpegEncoder;
-use crate::video::format::{PixelFormat, Resolution};
+use crate::video::format::PixelFormat;
 use crate::video::VideoFrame;
 
-/// Cached "no signal" placeholder JPEG (640×360 dark-gray image).
-/// Generated once on first use and reused for all NoSignal frames.
-static NO_SIGNAL_JPEG: OnceLock<Bytes> = OnceLock::new();
-
-/// Generate a minimal "no signal" JPEG (640×360, dark gray background).
-/// Uses turbojpeg directly to produce a valid JPEG without additional deps.
-fn generate_no_signal_jpeg() -> Bytes {
-    const W: usize = 640;
-    const H: usize = 360;
-
-    let y_size = W * H;
-    let uv_size = y_size / 4;
-    let mut i420 = vec![0u8; y_size + uv_size * 2];
-
-    // Y = 32 (dark gray, above the 16 black floor so it is clearly visible)
-    i420[..y_size].fill(32);
-    // U and V = 128 (neutral chroma → no colour tint)
-    i420[y_size..].fill(128);
-
-    match turbojpeg::Compressor::new() {
-        Ok(mut compressor) => {
-            let _ = compressor.set_quality(70);
-            let yuv = turbojpeg::YuvImage {
-                pixels: i420.as_slice(),
-                width: W,
-                height: H,
-                align: 1,
-                subsamp: turbojpeg::Subsamp::Sub2x2,
-            };
-            match compressor.compress_yuv_to_vec(yuv) {
-                Ok(jpeg) => Bytes::from(jpeg),
-                Err(_) => Bytes::new(),
-            }
-        }
-        Err(_) => Bytes::new(),
-    }
-}
-
-/// Return a reference to the cached no-signal JPEG bytes.
-fn no_signal_jpeg() -> &'static Bytes {
-    NO_SIGNAL_JPEG.get_or_init(generate_no_signal_jpeg)
-}
+// No placeholder JPEGs: capture calls `set_offline()`; UI uses `stream.state_changed`.
 
 /// Client ID type (UUID string)
 pub type ClientId = String;
@@ -359,6 +317,9 @@ impl MjpegStreamHandler {
             PixelFormat::Yuyv => encoder
                 .encode_yuyv(frame.data(), sequence)
                 .map_err(|e| format!("YUYV encode failed: {}", e))?,
+            PixelFormat::Yvyu => encoder
+                .encode_yvyu(frame.data(), sequence)
+                .map_err(|e| format!("YVYU encode failed: {}", e))?,
             PixelFormat::Nv12 => encoder
                 .encode_nv12(frame.data(), sequence)
                 .map_err(|e| format!("NV12 encode failed: {}", e))?,
@@ -392,40 +353,12 @@ impl MjpegStreamHandler {
         ))
     }
 
-    /// Set stream offline
+    /// Marks offline; clients exit their read loop. UI overlay comes from `stream.state_changed`.
     pub fn set_offline(&self) {
         self.online.store(false, Ordering::SeqCst);
         let _ = self.frame_notify.send(());
     }
 
-    /// Push a "no signal" placeholder JPEG to all connected MJPEG clients.
-    ///
-    /// Unlike `set_offline()`, this keeps the stream marked as **online** so
-    /// that HTTP clients remain connected and see the placeholder image instead
-    /// of a black/empty screen.  Call this whenever the capture thread enters
-    /// the `NoSignal` state.
-    pub fn push_no_signal_placeholder(&self) {
-        let jpeg = no_signal_jpeg();
-        if jpeg.is_empty() {
-            return;
-        }
-
-        let frame = VideoFrame::new(
-            jpeg.clone(),
-            Resolution::new(640, 360),
-            PixelFormat::Mjpeg,
-            0,
-            self.sequence.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed),
-        );
-
-        // Store as current frame so late-joining clients get it immediately.
-        self.current_frame.store(Arc::new(Some(frame)));
-        // Ensure stream is marked online so the HTTP handler keeps iterating.
-        self.online.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
-        // Wake up waiting HTTP clients.
-        let _ = self.frame_notify.send(());
-    }
-
     /// Set stream online (called when streaming starts)
     pub fn set_online(&self) {
         self.online.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
diff --git a/src/video/csi_bridge.rs b/src/video/csi_bridge.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8888aa62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/video/csi_bridge.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,363 @@
+//! CSI/HDMI bridge helpers: subdev discovery, DV probe, RK628 "fake VGA" filter (must run before `S_FMT` / `STREAMON` on capture — see RK628 driver).
+
+use std::fs::File;
+use std::io;
+use std::os::fd::{AsFd, AsRawFd, FromRawFd};
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::sync::mpsc;
+use std::thread;
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use libc;
+use nix::poll::{poll, PollFd, PollFlags, PollTimeout};
+use tracing::{debug, info, warn};
+use v4l2r::bindings::{
+    v4l2_bt_timings, v4l2_dv_timings, V4L2_DV_BT_656_1120, V4L2_DV_FL_HAS_CEA861_VIC,
+};
+use v4l2r::ioctl::{
+    self, Event as V4l2Event, EventType, QueryDvTimingsError, SubscribeEventFlags,
+};
+use v4l2r::nix::errno::Errno;
+
+use crate::video::SignalStatus;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum CsiBridgeKind {
+    Rk628,
+    RkHdmirx,
+    Tc358743,
+    Unknown,
+}
+
+impl CsiBridgeKind {
+    fn from_subdev_name(name: &str) -> Option<Self> {
+        let lower = name.to_ascii_lowercase();
+        if lower.contains("rk628") {
+            Some(Self::Rk628)
+        } else if lower.contains("hdmirx") || lower.contains("hdmi-rx") {
+            Some(Self::RkHdmirx)
+        } else if lower.contains("tc358743") || lower.contains("tc358746") {
+            Some(Self::Tc358743)
+        } else {
+            None
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn has_no_signal_fingerprint(self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self, Self::Rk628)
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub enum ProbeResult {
+    Locked(DvTimingsMode),
+    NoCable,
+    NoSync,
+    OutOfRange,
+    NoSignal,
+}
+
+impl ProbeResult {
+    pub fn as_status(&self) -> Option<SignalStatus> {
+        match self {
+            ProbeResult::Locked(_) => None,
+            ProbeResult::NoCable => Some(SignalStatus::NoCable),
+            ProbeResult::NoSync => Some(SignalStatus::NoSync),
+            ProbeResult::OutOfRange => Some(SignalStatus::OutOfRange),
+            ProbeResult::NoSignal => Some(SignalStatus::NoSignal),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn is_locked(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self, ProbeResult::Locked(_))
+    }
+}
+
+/// Scalar copy of BT timings (avoids unaligned refs into packed union).
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct DvTimingsMode {
+    pub width: u32,
+    pub height: u32,
+    pub pixelclock: u64,
+    pub fps: Option<f64>,
+    pub raw: v4l2_dv_timings,
+}
+
+impl std::fmt::Debug for DvTimingsMode {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
+        f.debug_struct("DvTimingsMode")
+            .field("width", &self.width)
+            .field("height", &self.height)
+            .field("pixelclock", &self.pixelclock)
+            .field("fps", &self.fps)
+            .finish()
+    }
+}
+
+/// Heuristic: scan `/sys/class/video4linux/v4l-subdev*` names for rk628 / hdmirx / tc358743.
+pub fn discover_subdev_for_video(video_path: &Path) -> Option<(PathBuf, CsiBridgeKind)> {
+    let sysfs_base = Path::new("/sys/class/video4linux");
+    let entries = std::fs::read_dir(sysfs_base).ok()?;
+
+    for entry in entries.flatten() {
+        let name = entry.file_name();
+        let name_str = name.to_string_lossy();
+        if !name_str.starts_with("v4l-subdev") {
+            continue;
+        }
+        let Some(kind) = read_sysfs_name(&entry.path())
+            .as_deref()
+            .and_then(CsiBridgeKind::from_subdev_name)
+        else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let dev_path = PathBuf::from("/dev").join(&*name_str);
+        if dev_path.exists() {
+            info!(
+                "Discovered CSI bridge subdev for {:?}: {:?} ({:?})",
+                video_path, dev_path, kind
+            );
+            return Some((dev_path, kind));
+        }
+    }
+    debug!(
+        "No CSI bridge subdev found in /sys/class/video4linux for {:?}",
+        video_path
+    );
+    None
+}
+
+fn read_sysfs_name(subdev_sysfs: &Path) -> Option<String> {
+    std::fs::read_to_string(subdev_sysfs.join("name"))
+        .ok()
+        .map(|s| s.trim().to_string())
+}
+
+pub fn open_subdev(path: &Path) -> io::Result<File> {
+    File::options().read(true).write(true).open(path)
+}
+
+pub fn probe_signal(subdev_fd: &impl AsRawFd, kind: CsiBridgeKind) -> ProbeResult {
+    match ioctl::query_dv_timings::<v4l2_dv_timings>(subdev_fd) {
+        Ok(timings) => classify_timings(timings, kind),
+        Err(QueryDvTimingsError::NoLink) => ProbeResult::NoCable,
+        Err(QueryDvTimingsError::UnstableSignal) => ProbeResult::NoSync,
+        Err(QueryDvTimingsError::IoctlError(Errno::ERANGE)) => ProbeResult::OutOfRange,
+        Err(QueryDvTimingsError::IoctlError(
+            Errno::EIO | Errno::EREMOTEIO | Errno::ETIMEDOUT,
+        )) => ProbeResult::NoSync,
+        Err(QueryDvTimingsError::Unsupported) | Err(QueryDvTimingsError::IoctlError(_)) => {
+            ProbeResult::NoSignal
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// RK628 can block `QUERY_DV_TIMINGS` for seconds; probe uses a dup + timeout.
+pub const RK628_SUBDEV_PROBE_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_millis(3000);
+
+pub fn probe_signal_thread_timeout(
+    subdev_fd: &impl AsRawFd,
+    kind: CsiBridgeKind,
+    limit: Duration,
+) -> Option<ProbeResult> {
+    let raw = subdev_fd.as_raw_fd();
+    let dup_fd = unsafe { libc::dup(raw) };
+    if dup_fd < 0 {
+        warn!(
+            "dup(subdev) for threaded DV probe failed: {}",
+            io::Error::last_os_error()
+        );
+        return None;
+    }
+    let dup_file = unsafe { File::from_raw_fd(dup_fd) };
+    let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel::<ProbeResult>();
+    let handle = thread::spawn(move || {
+        let probe = probe_signal(&dup_file, kind);
+        let _ = tx.send(probe);
+    });
+    match rx.recv_timeout(limit) {
+        Ok(r) => {
+            let _ = handle.join();
+            Some(r)
+        }
+        Err(mpsc::RecvTimeoutError::Timeout) => {
+            warn!(
+                "QUERY_DV_TIMINGS exceeded {:?} (RK628 HDMI mode change?) — abandoning probe thread",
+                limit
+            );
+            drop(handle);
+            None
+        }
+        Err(mpsc::RecvTimeoutError::Disconnected) => {
+            let _ = handle.join();
+            None
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn classify_timings(timings: v4l2_dv_timings, kind: CsiBridgeKind) -> ProbeResult {
+    let timings_type: u32 = timings.type_;
+    if timings_type != V4L2_DV_BT_656_1120 {
+        warn!(
+            "QUERY_DV_TIMINGS returned unexpected type {}, treating as NoSignal",
+            timings_type
+        );
+        return ProbeResult::NoSignal;
+    }
+
+    let bt: v4l2_bt_timings = unsafe { timings.__bindgen_anon_1.bt };
+    let width: u32 = bt.width;
+    let height: u32 = bt.height;
+    let pixelclock: u64 = bt.pixelclock;
+
+    if width == 0 || height == 0 || width <= 64 || height <= 64 {
+        return ProbeResult::NoSignal;
+    }
+
+    if kind.has_no_signal_fingerprint() && is_rk628_no_signal_fingerprint(&bt) {
+        debug!(
+            "RK628 reports synthetic {}x{} @ {} Hz VGA fingerprint → NoSignal",
+            width, height, pixelclock
+        );
+        return ProbeResult::NoSignal;
+    }
+
+    let total_h: u64 = (width
+        + bt.hfrontporch
+        + bt.hsync
+        + bt.hbackporch) as u64;
+    let total_v: u64 = (height
+        + bt.vfrontporch
+        + bt.vsync
+        + bt.vbackporch) as u64;
+    let fps = if total_h > 0 && total_v > 0 && pixelclock > 0 {
+        Some(pixelclock as f64 / (total_h as f64 * total_v as f64))
+    } else {
+        None
+    };
+
+    ProbeResult::Locked(DvTimingsMode {
+        width,
+        height,
+        pixelclock,
+        fps,
+        raw: timings,
+    })
+}
+
+/// RK628 returns DMT 640x480 @ ~25.175 MHz, VIC=1 when unlocked; do not stream on that.
+fn is_rk628_no_signal_fingerprint(bt: &v4l2_bt_timings) -> bool {
+    let width: u32 = bt.width;
+    let height: u32 = bt.height;
+    let pixelclock: u64 = bt.pixelclock;
+    let flags: u32 = bt.flags;
+    let vic: u8 = bt.cea861_vic;
+
+    if width != 640 || height != 480 {
+        return false;
+    }
+    let pclk_matches = (pixelclock as i64 - 25_175_000).abs() < 50_000;
+    let has_vic_flag = flags & V4L2_DV_FL_HAS_CEA861_VIC != 0;
+    pclk_matches && has_vic_flag && vic == 1
+}
+
+pub fn apply_dv_timings(subdev_fd: &impl AsRawFd, timings: v4l2_dv_timings) {
+    match ioctl::s_dv_timings::<_, v4l2_dv_timings>(subdev_fd, timings) {
+        Ok(_) => debug!("S_DV_TIMINGS ok on subdev"),
+        Err(e) => debug!(
+            "S_DV_TIMINGS failed on subdev ({}), continuing with queried mode",
+            e
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn subscribe_source_change(subdev_fd: &impl AsRawFd) -> io::Result<()> {
+    ioctl::subscribe_event(
+        subdev_fd,
+        EventType::SourceChange(0),
+        SubscribeEventFlags::empty(),
+    )
+    .map_err(|e| io::Error::other(format!("subscribe_event(SOURCE_CHANGE): {}", e)))
+}
+
+/// `Ok(true)` if a SOURCE_CHANGE was drained; `Ok(false)` on timeout.
+pub fn wait_source_change(subdev_fd: &File, timeout: Duration) -> io::Result<bool> {
+    let mut fds = [PollFd::new(subdev_fd.as_fd(), PollFlags::POLLPRI)];
+    let timeout_ms = timeout.as_millis().min(u16::MAX as u128) as u16;
+    let ready = poll(&mut fds, PollTimeout::from(timeout_ms))?;
+    if ready == 0 {
+        return Ok(false);
+    }
+    if let Some(revents) = fds[0].revents() {
+        if !revents.contains(PollFlags::POLLPRI) {
+            return Ok(false);
+        }
+    }
+
+    let mut drained = 0u32;
+    while let Ok(_ev) = ioctl::dqevent::<V4l2Event>(subdev_fd) {
+        drained = drained.saturating_add(1);
+        if drained >= 16 {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    debug!("subdev source_change drained {} event(s)", drained);
+    Ok(true)
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rk628_fingerprint_matches_vga() {
+        let mut bt: v4l2_bt_timings = unsafe { std::mem::zeroed() };
+        bt.width = 640;
+        bt.height = 480;
+        bt.pixelclock = 25_175_000;
+        bt.flags = V4L2_DV_FL_HAS_CEA861_VIC;
+        bt.cea861_vic = 1;
+        assert!(is_rk628_no_signal_fingerprint(&bt));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rk628_fingerprint_rejects_real_1080p() {
+        let mut bt: v4l2_bt_timings = unsafe { std::mem::zeroed() };
+        bt.width = 1920;
+        bt.height = 1080;
+        bt.pixelclock = 148_500_000;
+        bt.flags = V4L2_DV_FL_HAS_CEA861_VIC;
+        bt.cea861_vic = 16;
+        assert!(!is_rk628_no_signal_fingerprint(&bt));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rk628_fingerprint_rejects_real_vga_without_vic() {
+        // A hypothetical legit VGA source would *not* carry the CEA VIC
+        // flag from the bridge (RK628 sets it synthetically when unlocked).
+        let mut bt: v4l2_bt_timings = unsafe { std::mem::zeroed() };
+        bt.width = 640;
+        bt.height = 480;
+        bt.pixelclock = 25_175_000;
+        bt.flags = 0;
+        bt.cea861_vic = 0;
+        assert!(!is_rk628_no_signal_fingerprint(&bt));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn from_subdev_name_recognises_known_bridges() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            CsiBridgeKind::from_subdev_name("rk628-csi-v4l2 9-0051"),
+            Some(CsiBridgeKind::Rk628)
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            CsiBridgeKind::from_subdev_name("rk-hdmirx-ctrl"),
+            Some(CsiBridgeKind::RkHdmirx)
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            CsiBridgeKind::from_subdev_name("tc358743 2-000f"),
+            Some(CsiBridgeKind::Tc358743)
+        );
+        assert_eq!(CsiBridgeKind::from_subdev_name("mystery"), None);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/video/device.rs b/src/video/device.rs
index 2c517cf3..94b8957b 100644
--- a/src/video/device.rs
+++ b/src/video/device.rs
@@ -16,11 +16,13 @@ use v4l2r::ioctl::{
 use v4l2r::nix::errno::Errno;
 use v4l2r::{Format as V4l2rFormat, QueueType};
 
+use super::csi_bridge;
 use super::format::{PixelFormat, Resolution};
-use super::is_rk_hdmirx_driver;
+use super::{is_rk_hdmirx_driver, is_rkcif_driver};
 use crate::error::{AppError, Result};
 
-const DEVICE_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS: u64 = 400;
+/// Per-node probe limit; rkcif/RK628 ioctl chains can exceed 1s under contention.
+const DEVICE_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS: u64 = 10_000;
 
 /// Information about a video device
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -43,6 +45,20 @@ pub struct VideoDeviceInfo {
     pub is_capture_card: bool,
     /// Priority score for device selection (higher is better)
     pub priority: u32,
+    /// Whether an HDMI signal is currently detected (CSI/HDMI bridge devices only;
+    /// always `true` for USB capture cards).
+    pub has_signal: bool,
+    /// Path of the bridge subdev (`/dev/v4l-subdevN`) paired with this
+    /// capture node, if any.  On Rockchip boards that wire an RK628 /
+    /// TC358746 / RK-HDMIRX through `rkcif`, `QUERY_DV_TIMINGS`,
+    /// `S_DV_TIMINGS`, `SUBSCRIBE_EVENT(SOURCE_CHANGE)`, `S_EDID` etc. all
+    /// return `ENOTTY` on the video node — they only work here.  `None`
+    /// for USB UVC and for bridges that expose DV ioctls on the video node
+    /// directly (tc358743 via `uvcvideo`).
+    pub subdev_path: Option<PathBuf>,
+    /// Classification of the paired bridge (drives fingerprint logic for
+    /// RK628's synthetic-VGA no-signal pattern).
+    pub bridge_kind: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// Information about a supported format
@@ -147,12 +163,114 @@ impl VideoDevice {
             read_write: flags.contains(Capabilities::READWRITE),
         };
 
-        let formats = if is_rk_hdmirx_driver(&caps.driver, &caps.card) {
-            self.enumerate_current_format_only()?
+        // For CSI/HDMI bridges, try to locate the paired subdev *before*
+        // the signal check: RK628 + rkcif places QUERY_DV_TIMINGS on the
+        // subdev (the video node returns ENOTTY).  Tc358743 and rk_hdmirx
+        // typically expose DV ioctls on the video node itself, but having
+        // the subdev handle for EDID/event subscription doesn't hurt.
+        let (subdev_path, bridge_kind) = if is_rkcif_driver(&caps.driver)
+            || is_rk_hdmirx_driver(&caps.driver, &caps.card)
+        {
+            match csi_bridge::discover_subdev_for_video(&self.path) {
+                Some((path, kind)) => (Some(path), Some(format!("{:?}", kind).to_lowercase())),
+                None => (None, None),
+            }
+        } else {
+            (None, None)
+        };
+
+        // Probe the HDMI source for both signal presence *and* the live
+        // frame-rate.  rkcif's `VIDIOC_ENUM_FRAMEINTERVALS` returns a
+        // meaningless `1.0..30.0` StepWise range, so the only trustworthy
+        // fps for rkcif + RK628 / rk_hdmirx boards comes from the bridge
+        // subdev's DV timings (pixelclock / total_width / total_height).
+        //
+        // Preference order:
+        //   1. Bridge subdev — on rkcif boards this is the *only* node
+        //      where QUERY_DV_TIMINGS works, and it lets the RK628
+        //      fingerprint filter kick in before we return has_signal=true.
+        //   2. Video node fallback — for rk_hdmirx / tc358743 where DV
+        //      timings are exposed on the capture node directly.
+        //   3. USB UVC — always true (no signal concept), no hdmi_fps.
+        // Subdev-reported HDMI source mode (width, height, fps).  On rkcif +
+        // RK628 boards this is the *only* place DV timings work; the video
+        // node itself returns ENOTTY for QUERY/G_DV_TIMINGS, so without
+        // threading this through to `enumerate_bridge_formats` the format
+        // list ends up with zero resolutions and `select_resolution` falls
+        // back to the user's preferred value (e.g. 4K) even when the real
+        // source is 1080p.
+        let mut subdev_hdmi_mode: Option<(u32, u32, Option<f64>)> = None;
+
+        let (has_signal, hdmi_fps) = if let Some(subdev_path) = subdev_path.as_ref() {
+            match csi_bridge::open_subdev(subdev_path) {
+                Ok(subdev_fd) => {
+                    let kind = parse_bridge_kind(bridge_kind.as_deref())
+                        .unwrap_or(csi_bridge::CsiBridgeKind::Unknown);
+                    let probe = csi_bridge::probe_signal(&subdev_fd, kind);
+                    debug!(
+                        "has_signal via subdev {:?} ({:?}): {:?}",
+                        subdev_path, kind, probe
+                    );
+                    let fps = match &probe {
+                        csi_bridge::ProbeResult::Locked(mode) => {
+                            subdev_hdmi_mode = Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.fps));
+                            mode.fps
+                        }
+                        _ => None,
+                    };
+                    (probe.is_locked(), fps)
+                }
+                Err(e) => {
+                    warn!("Failed to open subdev {:?}: {}", subdev_path, e);
+                    (false, None)
+                }
+            }
+        } else if is_rk_hdmirx_driver(&caps.driver, &caps.card)
+            || is_rkcif_driver(&caps.driver)
+        {
+            let dv = self.current_dv_timings_mode();
+            debug!(
+                "has_signal via video node {:?} (driver={}): dv_timings={:?}",
+                self.path, caps.driver, dv
+            );
+            let has_signal = dv
+                .as_ref()
+                .map(|(w, h, _)| *w > 64 && *h > 64)
+                .unwrap_or(false);
+            let fps = if has_signal {
+                dv.and_then(|(_, _, f)| f)
+            } else {
+                None
+            };
+            (has_signal, fps)
+        } else {
+            (true, None)
+        };
+
+        let mut formats = if is_rk_hdmirx_driver(&caps.driver, &caps.card)
+            || is_rkcif_driver(&caps.driver)
+        {
+            // CSI/HDMI bridge drivers (rk_hdmirx, rkcif) expose multiple pixel
+            // formats via ENUM_FMT (e.g. rk_hdmirx: BGR3/NV24/NV16/NV12) but
+            // `ENUM_FRAMESIZES` is fiction for these drivers (rkcif reports a
+            // degenerate `64x64 StepWise 8/8` that only describes its DMA
+            // engine, rk_hdmirx returns ENOTTY). The only authoritative
+            // resolution is whatever the bridge subdev's DV timings report,
+            // so we treat the HDMI source mode as the single allowed
+            // resolution for every pixel format.
+            self.enumerate_bridge_formats(subdev_hdmi_mode)?
         } else {
             self.enumerate_formats()?
         };
 
+        // For CSI/HDMI bridges, the driver-enumerated fps list is fiction
+        // (rkcif: always `1..30`; rk_hdmirx: typically `ENOTTY`).  Replace
+        // it with the live HDMI source fps derived from the bridge DV
+        // timings so the UI reflects what the sink is actually receiving.
+        if let Some(fps) = hdmi_fps {
+            override_resolution_fps(&mut formats, fps);
+        }
+
         // Determine if this is likely an HDMI capture card
         let is_capture_card = Self::detect_capture_card(&caps.card, &caps.driver, &formats);
 
@@ -160,6 +278,11 @@ impl VideoDevice {
         let priority =
             Self::calculate_priority(&caps.card, &caps.driver, &formats, is_capture_card);
 
+        debug!(
+            "Device {:?}: {} formats, priority={}, has_signal={}, hdmi_fps={:?}, is_capture_card={}, subdev={:?}",
+            self.path, formats.len(), priority, has_signal, hdmi_fps, is_capture_card, subdev_path
+        );
+
         Ok(VideoDeviceInfo {
             path: self.path.clone(),
             name: caps.card.clone(),
@@ -170,6 +293,9 @@ impl VideoDevice {
             capabilities,
             is_capture_card,
             priority,
+            has_signal,
+            subdev_path,
+            bridge_kind,
         })
     }
 
@@ -213,32 +339,119 @@ impl VideoDevice {
         Ok(formats)
     }
 
-    fn enumerate_current_format_only(&self) -> Result<Vec<FormatInfo>> {
-        let current = self.get_format()?;
-        let Some(format) = PixelFormat::from_v4l2r(current.pixelformat) else {
+    /// Enumerate formats for CSI/HDMI bridge devices (rk_hdmirx, rkcif).
+    ///
+    /// Uses `VIDIOC_ENUM_FMT` to discover all supported pixel formats (the
+    /// output of `v4l2-ctl --list-formats`) and attaches the HDMI source
+    /// resolution read from the bridge DV timings (or G_FMT as a last
+    /// resort) as the single allowed resolution for every format.
+    ///
+    /// `ENUM_FRAMESIZES` is deliberately ignored here: rkcif advertises a
+    /// degenerate `64x64 StepWise 8/8` that only describes its DMA engine
+    /// (not what the HDMI source can actually deliver), and rk_hdmirx
+    /// typically returns ENOTTY.  Neither the bridge nor rkcif performs
+    /// any hardware scaling, so the capture resolution is always the
+    /// HDMI source mode.
+    ///
+    /// Returned formats are sorted by `PixelFormat::priority()` so the
+    /// higher-level `select_format` picks a sensible default (NV12 > YUYV on
+    /// rkcif / rk_hdmirx) instead of whatever the driver happens to
+    /// have stuck as the current active format.
+    fn enumerate_bridge_formats(
+        &self,
+        subdev_hdmi_mode: Option<(u32, u32, Option<f64>)>,
+    ) -> Result<Vec<FormatInfo>> {
+        let queue = self.capture_queue_type()?;
+        let current_fmt = self.get_format().ok();
+
+        if let Some(fmt) = &current_fmt {
             debug!(
-                "Current active format {:?} is not supported by One-KVM, falling back to full enumeration",
-                current.pixelformat
+                "enumerate_bridge_formats: current G_FMT -> {:?} {}x{}",
+                fmt.pixelformat, fmt.width, fmt.height
             );
-            return self.enumerate_formats();
-        };
+        }
 
-        let description = self
-            .format_description(current.pixelformat)
-            .unwrap_or_else(|| format.to_string());
+        // Preference order for the HDMI source resolution:
+        //   1. Subdev-reported DV timings (authoritative on rkcif + RK628 where
+        //      the video node returns ENOTTY for QUERY_DV_TIMINGS).
+        //   2. Video-node DV timings / G_FMT (rk_hdmirx, tc358743 direct).
+        let hdmi_mode = subdev_hdmi_mode
+            .map(|(w, h, fps)| {
+                let mut fps_list = Vec::new();
+                if let Some(f) = fps {
+                    fps_list.push(f);
+                }
+                if let Some(parm_fps) = self.current_parm_fps() {
+                    fps_list.push(parm_fps);
+                }
+                normalize_fps_list(&mut fps_list);
+                ResolutionInfo::new(w, h, fps_list)
+            })
+            .or_else(|| self.current_mode_resolution_info());
+        if let Some(info) = &hdmi_mode {
+            debug!(
+                "enumerate_bridge_formats: HDMI source mode {}x{} (from {})",
+                info.width,
+                info.height,
+                if subdev_hdmi_mode.is_some() {
+                    "subdev"
+                } else {
+                    "video node"
+                }
+            );
+        } else {
+            debug!("enumerate_bridge_formats: no HDMI source mode available");
+        }
 
-        let mut resolutions = self.enumerate_resolutions(current.pixelformat)?;
-        if resolutions.is_empty() {
-            if let Some(current_mode) = self.current_mode_resolution_info() {
-                resolutions.push(current_mode);
+        let mut formats: Vec<FormatInfo> = Vec::new();
+        for desc in FormatIterator::new(&self.fd, queue) {
+            let Some(format) = PixelFormat::from_v4l2r(desc.pixelformat) else {
+                debug!(
+                    "enumerate_bridge_formats: skipping unsupported fourcc {:?} ({})",
+                    desc.pixelformat, desc.description
+                );
+                continue;
+            };
+
+            let resolutions = hdmi_mode.clone().into_iter().collect();
+
+            formats.push(FormatInfo {
+                format,
+                resolutions,
+                description: desc.description.clone(),
+            });
+        }
+
+        if formats.is_empty() {
+            // Fallback: driver refused ENUM_FMT entirely, use just the current
+            // active format reported by G_FMT so we still have something.
+            if let Some(fmt) = current_fmt {
+                if let Some(format) = PixelFormat::from_v4l2r(fmt.pixelformat) {
+                    let description = self
+                        .format_description(fmt.pixelformat)
+                        .unwrap_or_else(|| format.to_string());
+                    let resolutions = hdmi_mode.into_iter().collect();
+                    formats.push(FormatInfo {
+                        format,
+                        resolutions,
+                        description,
+                    });
+                }
             }
         }
 
-        Ok(vec![FormatInfo {
-            format,
-            resolutions,
-            description,
-        }])
+        // Highest priority first (MJPEG > NV12 > NV16 > NV24 > BGR24 > ...).
+        formats.sort_by(|a, b| b.format.priority().cmp(&a.format.priority()));
+
+        debug!(
+            "enumerate_bridge_formats: resolved formats {:?}",
+            formats
+                .iter()
+                .map(|f| format!("{}({} res)", f.format, f.resolutions.len()))
+                .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+        );
+
+        Ok(formats)
     }
 
     /// Enumerate resolutions for a specific format
@@ -259,24 +472,26 @@ impl VideoDevice {
                                 resolutions.push(ResolutionInfo::new(d.width, d.height, fps));
                             }
                             FrmSizeTypes::StepWise(s) => {
-                                for res in [
-                                    Resolution::VGA,
-                                    Resolution::HD720,
-                                    Resolution::HD1080,
-                                    Resolution::UHD4K,
-                                ] {
-                                    if res.width >= s.min_width
-                                        && res.width <= s.max_width
-                                        && res.height >= s.min_height
-                                        && res.height <= s.max_height
-                                    {
-                                        let fps = self
-                                            .enumerate_fps(fourcc, res.width, res.height)
-                                            .unwrap_or_default();
-                                        resolutions
-                                            .push(ResolutionInfo::new(res.width, res.height, fps));
-                                    }
+                                // StepWise ranges are ignored on purpose: on
+                                // CSI/HDMI bridge drivers (rkcif) the range
+                                // only describes the DMA engine's capability
+                                // and not what the HDMI source can deliver,
+                                // so synthesising candidate resolutions from
+                                // it is misleading. Bridge devices go
+                                // through `enumerate_bridge_formats` and use
+                                // the DV-timings source mode directly; for
+                                // any other driver that emits StepWise we
+                                // fall back to the current active mode below.
+                                debug!(
+                                    "ENUM_FRAMESIZES {:?}: ignoring StepWise {}x{} - {}x{} step {}/{}",
+                                    fourcc, s.min_width, s.min_height,
+                                    s.max_width, s.max_height,
+                                    s.step_width, s.step_height
+                                );
+                                if resolutions.is_empty() {
+                                    should_fallback_to_current_mode = true;
                                 }
+                                break;
                             }
                         }
                     }
@@ -449,6 +664,8 @@ impl VideoDevice {
             "macrosilicon",
             "tc358743",
             "uvc",
+            "rkcif",
+            "rk_hdmirx",
         ];
 
         // Check card/driver names
@@ -639,20 +856,16 @@ impl VideoDevice {
 pub fn enumerate_devices() -> Result<Vec<VideoDeviceInfo>> {
     info!("Enumerating video devices...");
 
-    let mut devices = Vec::new();
-
-    // Scan /dev/video* devices
+    // First pass: collect candidates that pass the sysfs-based pre-filter.
+    // This avoids opening orphan /dev/videoN nodes (ENODEV) and m2m codec
+    // nodes (ENOTTY) that would otherwise waste one syscall + one ioctl each.
+    let mut candidates: Vec<PathBuf> = Vec::new();
     for entry in std::fs::read_dir("/dev")
         .map_err(|e| AppError::VideoError(format!("Failed to read /dev: {}", e)))?
     {
-        let entry = match entry {
-            Ok(e) => e,
-            Err(_) => continue,
-        };
-
+        let Ok(entry) = entry else { continue };
         let path = entry.path();
         let name = path.file_name().and_then(|n| n.to_str()).unwrap_or("");
-
         if !name.starts_with("video") {
             continue;
         }
@@ -663,11 +876,31 @@ pub fn enumerate_devices() -> Result<Vec<VideoDeviceInfo>> {
             debug!("Skipping non-capture candidate (sysfs): {:?}", path);
             continue;
         }
+        candidates.push(path);
+    }
 
-        // Try to open and query the device (with timeout)
-        match probe_device_with_timeout(&path, Duration::from_millis(DEVICE_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS)) {
+    collapse_rkcif_probe_candidates(&mut candidates);
+
+    // Second pass: probe the remaining candidates in parallel. Each probe
+    // already spawns its own worker thread inside `probe_device_with_timeout`,
+    // so the total wall-clock time is bounded by `DEVICE_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS`
+    // rather than (N × per-probe-latency).
+    let timeout = Duration::from_millis(DEVICE_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS);
+    let mut handles = Vec::with_capacity(candidates.len());
+    for path in candidates {
+        handles.push(std::thread::spawn(move || {
+            (path.clone(), probe_device_with_timeout(&path, timeout))
+        }));
+    }
+
+    let mut devices = Vec::new();
+    for handle in handles {
+        let (path, info) = match handle.join() {
+            Ok(pair) => pair,
+            Err(_) => continue,
+        };
+        match info {
             Some(info) => {
-                // Only include devices with video capture capability
                 if info.capabilities.video_capture || info.capabilities.video_capture_mplane {
                     info!(
                         "Found capture device: {} ({}) - {} formats",
@@ -686,13 +919,76 @@ pub fn enumerate_devices() -> Result<Vec<VideoDeviceInfo>> {
         }
     }
 
-    // Sort by priority (highest first)
-    devices.sort_by(|a, b| b.priority.cmp(&a.priority));
+    // Sort by priority (highest first), then by path (lowest first) as tiebreaker.
+    // The path tiebreaker ensures deterministic ordering when multiple sub-devices
+    // share the same priority (e.g. rkcif nodes), so that /dev/video0 is preferred
+    // over /dev/video10 after deduplication.
+    devices.sort_by(|a, b| b.priority.cmp(&a.priority).then_with(|| a.path.cmp(&b.path)));
+
+    // Deduplicate rkcif sub-devices: the driver exposes many /dev/video* nodes
+    // for a single MIPI CSI pipeline. Keep only the highest-priority node per
+    // (driver, bus_info) group so users see one device instead of ~11.
+    dedup_platform_subdevices(&mut devices);
 
     info!("Found {} video capture devices", devices.len());
     Ok(devices)
 }
 
+/// Collapse platform sub-device nodes that share the same driver + bus_info
+/// into a single entry (the one with the highest priority / most formats).
+/// Currently applies to the `rkcif` driver on Rockchip SoCs where each
+/// media-pipeline link creates its own `/dev/video*` node.
+fn dedup_platform_subdevices(devices: &mut Vec<VideoDeviceInfo>) {
+    // devices is already sorted by priority (descending).
+    // Walk the list and keep only the first (highest-priority) representative
+    // of each (driver, bus_info) group that needs deduplication.
+    let mut seen = std::collections::HashSet::new();
+    devices.retain(|d| {
+        if !is_rkcif_driver(&d.driver) || d.bus_info.is_empty() {
+            return true;
+        }
+        let key = (d.driver.clone(), d.bus_info.clone());
+        seen.insert(key)
+    });
+}
+
+/// rkcif registers many `/dev/video*` queues; probing all in parallel can
+/// contend and time out. Keep one node per board (lowest `videoN`).
+fn collapse_rkcif_probe_candidates(candidates: &mut Vec<PathBuf>) {
+    let mut rkcif: Vec<PathBuf> = Vec::new();
+    let mut rest: Vec<PathBuf> = Vec::new();
+    for p in candidates.drain(..) {
+        if sysfs_uevent_driver(&p).is_some_and(|d| d.contains("rkcif")) {
+            rkcif.push(p);
+        } else {
+            rest.push(p);
+        }
+    }
+    if let Some(one) = rkcif
+        .iter()
+        .min_by_key(|p| video_index(p).unwrap_or(u32::MAX))
+        .cloned()
+    {
+        rest.push(one);
+    }
+    *candidates = rest;
+}
+
+fn sysfs_uevent_driver(path: &Path) -> Option<String> {
+    let name = path.file_name()?.to_str()?;
+    let uevent =
+        read_sysfs_string(&Path::new("/sys/class/video4linux").join(name).join("device/uevent"))?;
+    extract_uevent_value(&uevent, "driver")
+}
+
+fn video_index(path: &Path) -> Option<u32> {
+    path.file_name()?
+        .to_str()?
+        .strip_prefix("video")?
+        .parse()
+        .ok()
+}
+
 fn probe_device_with_timeout(path: &Path, timeout: Duration) -> Option<VideoDeviceInfo> {
     let path = path.to_path_buf();
     let path_for_thread = path.clone();
@@ -725,8 +1021,26 @@ fn sysfs_maybe_capture(path: &Path) -> bool {
         Some(name) => name,
         None => return true,
     };
+
+    // Fast-path: nodes whose filename clearly marks them as m2m codecs
+    // (e.g. /dev/video-enc0, /dev/video-dec0 on Rockchip). These never
+    // answer VIDIOC_QUERYCAP as capture devices.
+    let name_lower = name.to_ascii_lowercase();
+    let filename_skip = ["-enc", "-dec", "-codec", "-m2m", "-vepu", "-vdpu"];
+    if filename_skip.iter().any(|hint| name_lower.contains(hint)) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
     let sysfs_base = Path::new("/sys/class/video4linux").join(name);
 
+    // Orphan /dev/videoN nodes (no matching sysfs entry) can appear when the
+    // kernel driver that created them has been unloaded but the device nodes
+    // were never cleaned up. Opening them returns ENODEV; skip the probe.
+    if !sysfs_base.exists() {
+        debug!("Skipping {:?}: no matching /sys/class/video4linux entry", path);
+        return false;
+    }
+
     let sysfs_name = read_sysfs_string(&sysfs_base.join("name"))
         .unwrap_or_default()
         .to_lowercase();
@@ -746,19 +1060,51 @@ fn sysfs_maybe_capture(path: &Path) -> bool {
         "macrosilicon",
         "tc358743",
         "grabber",
+        "rkcif",
+        "rk_hdmirx",
     ];
     if capture_hints.iter().any(|hint| sysfs_name.contains(hint)) {
         maybe_capture = true;
     }
-    if let Some(driver) = driver {
-        if driver.contains("uvcvideo") || driver.contains("tc358743") {
+    if let Some(driver) = &driver {
+        if driver.contains("uvcvideo")
+            || driver.contains("tc358743")
+            || driver.contains("rkcif")
+            || driver.contains("rk_hdmirx")
+        {
             maybe_capture = true;
         }
     }
 
+    // Skip known non-capture drivers (RK video codecs, Hantro VPU, ISP/VPE
+    // pipelines, MIPI ISP statistics / params nodes). These would otherwise
+    // succeed QUERYCAP but expose only VIDEO_M2M / STATS / PARAMS and get
+    // filtered later — skipping here saves an open() + ioctl() per node.
+    let driver_skip = [
+        "rkvenc", "rkvdec", "vepu", "vdpu", "hantro", "mpp_", "rockchip-vpu",
+    ];
+    if let Some(driver) = &driver {
+        if driver_skip.iter().any(|hint| driver.contains(hint)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
     let skip_hints = [
-        "codec", "decoder", "encoder", "isp", "mem2mem", "m2m", "vbi", "radio", "metadata",
+        "codec",
+        "decoder",
+        "encoder",
+        "isp",
+        "mem2mem",
+        "m2m",
+        "vbi",
+        "radio",
+        "metadata",
         "output",
+        // rkisp sub-nodes that are not video capture queues
+        "rkisp-statistics",
+        "rkisp-input-params",
+        "rkisp_rawrd",
+        "rkisp_rawwr",
     ];
     if skip_hints.iter().any(|hint| sysfs_name.contains(hint)) && !maybe_capture {
         return false;
@@ -783,6 +1129,18 @@ fn extract_uevent_value(content: &str, key: &str) -> Option<String> {
     None
 }
 
+/// Parse the `bridge_kind` string serialised into `VideoDeviceInfo` back
+/// into the strongly-typed enum used by [`csi_bridge`].
+pub(crate) fn parse_bridge_kind(kind: Option<&str>) -> Option<csi_bridge::CsiBridgeKind> {
+    Some(match kind? {
+        "rk628" => csi_bridge::CsiBridgeKind::Rk628,
+        "rkhdmirx" => csi_bridge::CsiBridgeKind::RkHdmirx,
+        "tc358743" => csi_bridge::CsiBridgeKind::Tc358743,
+        "unknown" => csi_bridge::CsiBridgeKind::Unknown,
+        _ => return None,
+    })
+}
+
 fn dv_timings_fps(bt: &v4l2_bt_timings) -> Option<f64> {
     let total_width = bt.width + bt.hfrontporch + bt.hsync + bt.hbackporch;
     let total_height = if bt.interlaced != 0 {
@@ -813,6 +1171,24 @@ fn normalize_fps_list(fps_list: &mut Vec<f64>) {
     fps_list.dedup_by(|a, b| (*a - *b).abs() < 0.01);
 }
 
+/// Replace every `ResolutionInfo::fps` in `formats` with the single HDMI
+/// source frame-rate.  Used for CSI/HDMI bridge devices (rkcif, rk_hdmirx)
+/// whose `VIDIOC_ENUM_FRAMEINTERVALS` returns meaningless StepWise values
+/// — the only trustworthy fps comes from the bridge DV-timings on the
+/// paired subdev.  Silently no-op when `fps` normalises to empty.
+fn override_resolution_fps(formats: &mut [FormatInfo], fps: f64) {
+    let mut normalized = vec![fps];
+    normalize_fps_list(&mut normalized);
+    if normalized.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+    for fi in formats.iter_mut() {
+        for res in fi.resolutions.iter_mut() {
+            res.fps = normalized.clone();
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Find the best video device for KVM use
 pub fn find_best_device() -> Result<VideoDeviceInfo> {
     let devices = enumerate_devices()?;
diff --git a/src/video/encoder/jpeg.rs b/src/video/encoder/jpeg.rs
index 5f72b195..f7a448ef 100644
--- a/src/video/encoder/jpeg.rs
+++ b/src/video/encoder/jpeg.rs
@@ -152,6 +152,41 @@ impl JpegEncoder {
         self.encode_i420_to_jpeg(sequence)
     }
 
+    /// YVYU → swap chroma to YUYV in scratch, then same as [`Self::encode_yuyv`].
+    pub fn encode_yvyu(&mut self, data: &[u8], sequence: u64) -> Result<EncodedFrame> {
+        let width = self.config.resolution.width as usize;
+        let height = self.config.resolution.height as usize;
+        let expected_size = width * height * 2;
+
+        if data.len() < expected_size {
+            return Err(AppError::VideoError(format!(
+                "YVYU data too small: {} < {}",
+                data.len(),
+                expected_size
+            )));
+        }
+
+        // Reuse bgra_buffer as scratch for the swapped YUYV data.
+        if self.bgra_buffer.len() < expected_size {
+            self.bgra_buffer.resize(expected_size, 0);
+        }
+        let dst = &mut self.bgra_buffer[..expected_size];
+        let src = &data[..expected_size];
+
+        // Swap bytes [1] and [3] in every 4-byte macropixel: Y0 V0 Y1 U0 → Y0 U0 Y1 V0
+        for (chunk_dst, chunk_src) in dst.chunks_exact_mut(4).zip(src.chunks_exact(4)) {
+            chunk_dst[0] = chunk_src[0]; // Y0
+            chunk_dst[1] = chunk_src[3]; // U0
+            chunk_dst[2] = chunk_src[2]; // Y1
+            chunk_dst[3] = chunk_src[1]; // V0
+        }
+
+        libyuv::yuy2_to_i420(dst, &mut self.i420_buffer, width as i32, height as i32)
+            .map_err(|e| AppError::VideoError(format!("libyuv YVYU→I420 failed: {}", e)))?;
+
+        self.encode_i420_to_jpeg(sequence)
+    }
+
     /// Encode NV12 frame to JPEG
     pub fn encode_nv12(&mut self, data: &[u8], sequence: u64) -> Result<EncodedFrame> {
         let width = self.config.resolution.width as usize;
@@ -323,7 +358,8 @@ impl crate::video::encoder::traits::Encoder for JpegEncoder {
 
     fn encode(&mut self, data: &[u8], sequence: u64) -> Result<EncodedFrame> {
         match self.config.input_format {
-            PixelFormat::Yuyv | PixelFormat::Yvyu => self.encode_yuyv(data, sequence),
+            PixelFormat::Yuyv => self.encode_yuyv(data, sequence),
+            PixelFormat::Yvyu => self.encode_yvyu(data, sequence),
             PixelFormat::Nv12 => self.encode_nv12(data, sequence),
             PixelFormat::Nv16 => self.encode_nv16(data, sequence),
             PixelFormat::Nv24 => self.encode_nv24(data, sequence),
diff --git a/src/video/format.rs b/src/video/format.rs
index f794dcfe..ae55b27e 100644
--- a/src/video/format.rs
+++ b/src/video/format.rs
@@ -141,8 +141,8 @@ impl PixelFormat {
         match self {
             PixelFormat::Mjpeg => 100,
             PixelFormat::Jpeg => 99,
-            PixelFormat::Yuyv => 80,
-            PixelFormat::Nv12 => 75,
+            PixelFormat::Nv12 => 80,
+            PixelFormat::Yuyv => 75,
             PixelFormat::Nv21 => 74,
             PixelFormat::Yuv420 => 70,
             PixelFormat::Uyvy => 65,
@@ -159,30 +159,18 @@ impl PixelFormat {
 
     /// Get recommended format for video encoding (WebRTC)
     ///
-    /// Hardware encoding prefers: NV12 > YUYV
-    /// Software encoding prefers: YUYV > NV12
+    /// Prefers NV12 over YUYV (matches [`Self::priority`])
     ///
     /// Returns None if no suitable format is available
     pub fn recommended_for_encoding(
         available: &[PixelFormat],
-        is_hardware: bool,
+        _is_hardware: bool,
     ) -> Option<PixelFormat> {
-        if is_hardware {
-            // Hardware encoding: NV12 > YUYV
-            if available.contains(&PixelFormat::Nv12) {
-                return Some(PixelFormat::Nv12);
-            }
-            if available.contains(&PixelFormat::Yuyv) {
-                return Some(PixelFormat::Yuyv);
-            }
-        } else {
-            // Software encoding: YUYV > NV12
-            if available.contains(&PixelFormat::Yuyv) {
-                return Some(PixelFormat::Yuyv);
-            }
-            if available.contains(&PixelFormat::Nv12) {
-                return Some(PixelFormat::Nv12);
-            }
+        if available.contains(&PixelFormat::Nv12) {
+            return Some(PixelFormat::Nv12);
+        }
+        if available.contains(&PixelFormat::Yuyv) {
+            return Some(PixelFormat::Yuyv);
         }
         // Fallback to any non-compressed format
         available.iter().find(|f| !f.is_compressed()).copied()
@@ -280,19 +268,76 @@ impl Resolution {
         self.width as u64 * self.height as u64
     }
 
-    /// Common resolutions
+    /// Common resolutions.
+    ///
+    /// All constants here are 8-pixel aligned on both axes so they survive
+    /// the `step=8` constraint imposed by most CSI bridge drivers (e.g.
+    /// `rkcif` on Rockchip). If you add a new entry, make sure
+    /// `width % 8 == 0 && height % 8 == 0`, otherwise the driver will
+    /// silently round it at `S_FMT` time and the UI will report a
+    /// different resolution than the one the user picked.
     pub const VGA: Resolution = Resolution {
         width: 640,
         height: 480,
     };
+    /// CEA-2/3 NTSC SD (480p)
+    pub const NTSC: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 720,
+        height: 480,
+    };
+    /// CEA-5/17/18 PAL SD (576p)
+    pub const PAL: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 720,
+        height: 576,
+    };
+    /// SVGA — legacy BIOS / POST output
+    pub const SVGA: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 800,
+        height: 600,
+    };
+    /// XGA — very common BIOS / server console output
+    pub const XGA: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 1024,
+        height: 768,
+    };
     pub const HD720: Resolution = Resolution {
         width: 1280,
         height: 720,
     };
+    /// WXGA — older laptop panels
+    pub const WXGA: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 1280,
+        height: 800,
+    };
+    /// SXGA — 4:3 / 5:4 legacy desktop displays
+    pub const SXGA: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 1280,
+        height: 1024,
+    };
+    /// 1360×768 — fallback for 8-aligned "1366×768"-like panels
+    pub const HDTV: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 1360,
+        height: 768,
+    };
+    /// UXGA — industrial / 4:3 legacy displays
+    pub const UXGA: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 1600,
+        height: 1200,
+    };
     pub const HD1080: Resolution = Resolution {
         width: 1920,
         height: 1080,
     };
+    /// WUXGA — 16:10 professional monitors
+    pub const WUXGA: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 1920,
+        height: 1200,
+    };
+    /// QHD / 2K — modern PC monitors
+    pub const QHD: Resolution = Resolution {
+        width: 2560,
+        height: 1440,
+    };
     pub const UHD4K: Resolution = Resolution {
         width: 3840,
         height: 2160,
diff --git a/src/video/mod.rs b/src/video/mod.rs
index a98030f4..5d2db7ad 100644
--- a/src/video/mod.rs
+++ b/src/video/mod.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 pub mod codec_constraints;
 pub mod convert;
+pub mod csi_bridge;
 pub mod decoder;
 pub mod device;
 pub mod encoder;
@@ -25,6 +26,55 @@ pub use shared_video_pipeline::{
 pub use stream_manager::VideoStreamManager;
 pub use streamer::{Streamer, StreamerState};
 
+/// Fine-grained signal status reported by CSI/HDMI bridge devices.
+///
+/// Only `rk_hdmirx` / `rkcif` / tc358743-class bridges can distinguish these
+/// via `VIDIOC_QUERY_DV_TIMINGS` errno; USB UVC devices always report `Ok`
+/// until they fail with a generic timeout.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum SignalStatus {
+    /// HDMI cable physically disconnected (`ENOLINK`).
+    NoCable,
+    /// TMDS signal present but timings cannot be locked (`ENOLCK`).
+    NoSync,
+    /// Timings outside of hardware capability (`ERANGE`).
+    OutOfRange,
+    /// Generic "no usable source" (fallback for EINVAL / EIO / unknown errnos).
+    NoSignal,
+}
+
+impl SignalStatus {
+    pub fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            SignalStatus::NoCable => "no_cable",
+            SignalStatus::NoSync => "no_sync",
+            SignalStatus::OutOfRange => "out_of_range",
+            SignalStatus::NoSignal => "no_signal",
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn from_str(s: &str) -> Option<Self> {
+        Some(match s {
+            "no_cable" => SignalStatus::NoCable,
+            "no_sync" => SignalStatus::NoSync,
+            "out_of_range" => SignalStatus::OutOfRange,
+            "no_signal" => SignalStatus::NoSignal,
+            _ => return None,
+        })
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<SignalStatus> for streamer::StreamerState {
+    fn from(value: SignalStatus) -> Self {
+        match value {
+            SignalStatus::NoCable => streamer::StreamerState::NoCable,
+            SignalStatus::NoSync => streamer::StreamerState::NoSync,
+            SignalStatus::OutOfRange => streamer::StreamerState::OutOfRange,
+            SignalStatus::NoSignal => streamer::StreamerState::NoSignal,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn is_rk_hdmirx_driver(driver: &str, card: &str) -> bool {
     driver.eq_ignore_ascii_case("rk_hdmirx") || card.eq_ignore_ascii_case("rk_hdmirx")
 }
@@ -32,3 +82,13 @@ pub(crate) fn is_rk_hdmirx_driver(driver: &str, card: &str) -> bool {
 pub(crate) fn is_rk_hdmirx_device(device: &device::VideoDeviceInfo) -> bool {
     is_rk_hdmirx_driver(&device.driver, &device.card)
 }
+
+pub(crate) fn is_rkcif_driver(driver: &str) -> bool {
+    driver.eq_ignore_ascii_case("rkcif")
+}
+
+/// Unified check for CSI/HDMI bridge devices (rk_hdmirx, rkcif, etc.)
+/// that require special enumeration and format-selection logic.
+pub(crate) fn is_csi_hdmi_bridge(device: &device::VideoDeviceInfo) -> bool {
+    is_rk_hdmirx_device(device) || is_rkcif_driver(&device.driver)
+}
diff --git a/src/video/shared_video_pipeline.rs b/src/video/shared_video_pipeline.rs
index 23f8ed8b..c2e61803 100644
--- a/src/video/shared_video_pipeline.rs
+++ b/src/video/shared_video_pipeline.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 mod encoder_state;
 
 use bytes::Bytes;
+use parking_lot::Mutex as ParkingMutex;
 use parking_lot::RwLock as ParkingRwLock;
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicI64, AtomicU64, Ordering};
@@ -33,10 +34,10 @@ use self::encoder_state::{build_encoder_state, EncoderThreadState};
 const AUTO_STOP_GRACE_PERIOD_SECS: u64 = 3;
 /// After this many consecutive timeouts, log a prominent warning.
 const CAPTURE_TIMEOUT_RESTART_THRESHOLD: u32 = 5;
-/// After this many consecutive timeouts, actually stop the pipeline.
-/// Setting this high (60 × 2 s poll = ~120 s) keeps WebRTC sessions alive
-/// while the source is temporarily unavailable (e.g. resolution change/reboot).
 const CAPTURE_TIMEOUT_STOP_THRESHOLD: u32 = 60;
+const CAPTURE_TIMEOUT_SOFT_RESTART_THRESHOLD: u32 = 3;
+const CSI_BRIDGE_NOSIGNAL_INTERVAL_MS: u64 = 500;
+const NOSIGNAL_POLL_MAX: Duration = Duration::from_secs(20);
 /// Minimum valid frame size for capture
 const MIN_CAPTURE_FRAME_SIZE: usize = 128;
 /// Validate every JPEG frame during startup to avoid poisoning HW decoders
@@ -49,10 +50,13 @@ const ENCODE_ERROR_THROTTLE_SECS: u64 = 5;
 
 use crate::error::{AppError, Result};
 use crate::utils::LogThrottler;
+use crate::video::csi_bridge::{self, ProbeResult};
 use crate::video::encoder::registry::{EncoderBackend, VideoEncoderType};
 use crate::video::format::{PixelFormat, Resolution};
 use crate::video::frame::{FrameBuffer, FrameBufferPool, VideoFrame};
-use crate::video::v4l2r_capture::V4l2rCaptureStream;
+use crate::video::device::parse_bridge_kind;
+use crate::video::SignalStatus;
+use crate::video::v4l2r_capture::{is_source_changed_error, BridgeContext, V4l2rCaptureStream};
 #[cfg(any(target_arch = "aarch64", target_arch = "arm"))]
 use hwcodec::ffmpeg_hw::last_error_message as ffmpeg_hw_last_error;
 
@@ -77,6 +81,39 @@ enum PipelineCmd {
     SetBitrate { bitrate_kbps: u32, gop: u32 },
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct PipelineStateNotification {
+    pub state: &'static str,
+    pub reason: Option<&'static str>,
+    pub next_retry_ms: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+impl PipelineStateNotification {
+    fn streaming() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            state: "streaming",
+            reason: None,
+            next_retry_ms: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn no_signal(status: SignalStatus, next_retry_ms: Option<u64>) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            state: "no_signal",
+            reason: Some(status.as_str()),
+            next_retry_ms,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn device_busy(reason: &'static str) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            state: "device_busy",
+            reason: Some(reason),
+            next_retry_ms: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Shared video pipeline configuration
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct SharedVideoPipelineConfig {
@@ -241,6 +278,84 @@ pub struct SharedVideoPipeline {
     /// Pipeline start time for PTS calculation (epoch millis, 0 = not set)
     /// Uses AtomicI64 instead of Mutex for lock-free access
     pipeline_start_time_ms: AtomicI64,
+    pending_sync_geometry: ParkingMutex<Option<(Resolution, PixelFormat)>>,
+    state_notifier: ParkingRwLock<Option<Arc<dyn Fn(PipelineStateNotification) + Send + Sync>>>,
+    last_state_notification: ParkingMutex<Option<PipelineStateNotification>>,
+}
+
+fn poll_bridge_subdev_after_no_signal(
+    bridge_ctx: &BridgeContext,
+    pipeline: &SharedVideoPipeline,
+) {
+    let Some(subdev_path) = bridge_ctx.subdev_path.as_ref() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    let kind = bridge_ctx
+        .kind
+        .unwrap_or(csi_bridge::CsiBridgeKind::Unknown);
+    let deadline = Instant::now() + NOSIGNAL_POLL_MAX;
+    let mut poll_count: u32 = 0;
+    info!(
+        "No-signal poll: scanning subdev {:?} every {} ms (max {:?})",
+        subdev_path, CSI_BRIDGE_NOSIGNAL_INTERVAL_MS, NOSIGNAL_POLL_MAX
+    );
+    loop {
+        if !pipeline.running_flag.load(Ordering::Acquire) {
+            return;
+        }
+        if Instant::now() >= deadline {
+            info!(
+                "No-signal poll: stopped after {:?} ({} attempts)",
+                NOSIGNAL_POLL_MAX, poll_count
+            );
+            return;
+        }
+        let fd = match csi_bridge::open_subdev(subdev_path) {
+            Ok(f) => f,
+            Err(e) => {
+                debug!("No-signal poll: open subdev {:?} failed: {}", subdev_path, e);
+                std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(CSI_BRIDGE_NOSIGNAL_INTERVAL_MS));
+                continue;
+            }
+        };
+        match csi_bridge::probe_signal_thread_timeout(
+            &fd,
+            kind,
+            csi_bridge::RK628_SUBDEV_PROBE_TIMEOUT,
+        ) {
+            Some(ProbeResult::Locked(mode)) => {
+                info!(
+                    "No-signal poll: locked {}x{} @ {} Hz — proceeding to capture re-open",
+                    mode.width, mode.height, mode.pixelclock
+                );
+                return;
+            }
+            Some(other) => {
+                poll_count = poll_count.saturating_add(1);
+                if poll_count == 1 || poll_count.is_multiple_of(8) {
+                    debug!(
+                        "No-signal poll: attempt {} — still {:?}",
+                        poll_count,
+                        other.as_status()
+                    );
+                }
+                if let Some(st) = other.as_status() {
+                    pipeline.notify_state(PipelineStateNotification::no_signal(
+                        st,
+                        Some(CSI_BRIDGE_NOSIGNAL_INTERVAL_MS.saturating_add(50)),
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            None => {
+                poll_count = poll_count.saturating_add(1);
+                debug!(
+                    "No-signal poll: attempt {} — probe ioctl timed out",
+                    poll_count
+                );
+            }
+        }
+        std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(CSI_BRIDGE_NOSIGNAL_INTERVAL_MS));
+    }
 }
 
 impl SharedVideoPipeline {
@@ -268,11 +383,43 @@ impl SharedVideoPipeline {
             sequence: AtomicU64::new(0),
             keyframe_requested: AtomicBool::new(false),
             pipeline_start_time_ms: AtomicI64::new(0),
+            pending_sync_geometry: ParkingMutex::new(None),
+            state_notifier: ParkingRwLock::new(None),
+            last_state_notification: ParkingMutex::new(None),
         });
 
         Ok(pipeline)
     }
 
+    pub fn take_pending_sync_geometry(&self) -> Option<(Resolution, PixelFormat)> {
+        self.pending_sync_geometry.lock().take()
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_state_notifier(
+        &self,
+        notifier: Option<Arc<dyn Fn(PipelineStateNotification) + Send + Sync>>,
+    ) {
+        *self.state_notifier.write() = notifier;
+    }
+
+    fn notify_state(&self, notification: PipelineStateNotification) {
+        let should_emit = {
+            let mut last = self.last_state_notification.lock();
+            if last.as_ref() == Some(&notification) {
+                false
+            } else {
+                *last = Some(notification);
+                true
+            }
+        };
+        if !should_emit {
+            return;
+        }
+        if let Some(notifier) = self.state_notifier.read().clone() {
+            notifier(notification);
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Subscribe to encoded frames
     pub fn subscribe(&self) -> mpsc::Receiver<Arc<EncodedVideoFrame>> {
         let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel(4);
@@ -393,13 +540,68 @@ impl SharedVideoPipeline {
         device_path: std::path::PathBuf,
         buffer_count: u32,
         _jpeg_quality: u8,
+        subdev_path: Option<std::path::PathBuf>,
+        bridge_kind: Option<String>,
     ) -> Result<()> {
         if *self.running_rx.borrow() {
             warn!("Pipeline already running");
             return Ok(());
         }
 
-        let config = self.config.read().await.clone();
+        let mut config = self.config.read().await.clone();
+        {
+            let mut last = self.last_state_notification.lock();
+            *last = None;
+        }
+
+        // Pre-open for DV negotiation; align encoder to probed size.
+        let bridge_ctx_probe = BridgeContext::from_parts(
+            subdev_path.clone(),
+            parse_bridge_kind(bridge_kind.as_deref()),
+        );
+        let preopened: Option<V4l2rCaptureStream> =
+            match V4l2rCaptureStream::open_with_bridge(
+                &device_path,
+                config.resolution,
+                config.input_format,
+                config.fps,
+                buffer_count.max(1),
+                Duration::from_secs(2),
+                bridge_ctx_probe,
+            ) {
+                Ok(s) => {
+                    let negotiated_res = s.resolution();
+                    let negotiated_fmt = s.format();
+                    if negotiated_res != config.resolution || negotiated_fmt != config.input_format {
+                        info!(
+                            "Negotiated capture {}x{} {:?} (configured {}x{} {:?}) — aligning encoder to source",
+                            negotiated_res.width,
+                            negotiated_res.height,
+                            negotiated_fmt,
+                            config.resolution.width,
+                            config.resolution.height,
+                            config.input_format
+                        );
+                        config.resolution = negotiated_res;
+                        config.input_format = negotiated_fmt;
+                        *self.config.write().await = config.clone();
+                    }
+                    Some(s)
+                }
+                Err(AppError::CaptureNoSignal { kind }) => {
+                    debug!(
+                        "Pre-probe: no signal — encoder uses configured geometry until capture opens"
+                    );
+                    let status = SignalStatus::from_str(&kind).unwrap_or(SignalStatus::NoSignal);
+                    self.notify_state(PipelineStateNotification::no_signal(
+                        status,
+                        Some(Duration::from_secs(2).as_millis() as u64),
+                    ));
+                    None
+                }
+                Err(e) => return Err(e),
+            };
+
         let mut encoder_state = build_encoder_state(&config)?;
         let _ = self.running.send(true);
         self.running_flag.store(true, Ordering::Release);
@@ -499,28 +701,123 @@ impl SharedVideoPipeline {
             let latest_frame = latest_frame.clone();
             let frame_seq_tx = frame_seq_tx.clone();
             let buffer_pool = buffer_pool.clone();
+            let bridge_ctx = BridgeContext::from_parts(
+                subdev_path,
+                parse_bridge_kind(bridge_kind.as_deref()),
+            );
             std::thread::spawn(move || {
-                let mut stream = match V4l2rCaptureStream::open(
-                    &device_path,
-                    config.resolution,
-                    config.input_format,
-                    config.fps,
-                    buffer_count.max(1),
-                    Duration::from_secs(2),
-                ) {
-                    Ok(stream) => stream,
-                    Err(e) => {
-                        error!("Failed to open capture stream: {}", e);
-                        let _ = pipeline.running.send(false);
-                        pipeline.running_flag.store(false, Ordering::Release);
-                        let _ = frame_seq_tx.send(1);
-                        return;
-                    }
-                };
+                let mut stream: Option<V4l2rCaptureStream> = None;
+                let mut initial_geometry: Option<(Resolution, PixelFormat)> = None;
+                let mut resolution = config.resolution;
+                let mut pixel_format = config.input_format;
+                let mut stride: u32 = 0;
 
-                let resolution = stream.resolution();
-                let pixel_format = stream.format();
-                let stride = stream.stride();
+                match preopened {
+                    Some(s) => {
+                        resolution = s.resolution();
+                        pixel_format = s.format();
+                        stride = s.stride();
+                        initial_geometry = Some((resolution, pixel_format));
+                        stream = Some(s);
+                    }
+                    None => {
+                        match V4l2rCaptureStream::open_with_bridge(
+                            &device_path,
+                            config.resolution,
+                            config.input_format,
+                            config.fps,
+                            buffer_count.max(1),
+                            Duration::from_secs(2),
+                            bridge_ctx.clone(),
+                        ) {
+                            Ok(s) => {
+                                resolution = s.resolution();
+                                pixel_format = s.format();
+                                stride = s.stride();
+                                if resolution != config.resolution
+                                    || pixel_format != config.input_format
+                                {
+                                    info!(
+                                        "First capture open negotiated {}x{} {:?} but encoder expects {}x{} {:?} — stopping for dimension resync",
+                                        resolution.width,
+                                        resolution.height,
+                                        pixel_format,
+                                        config.resolution.width,
+                                        config.resolution.height,
+                                        config.input_format
+                                    );
+                                    pipeline.notify_state(PipelineStateNotification::device_busy(
+                                        "config_changing",
+                                    ));
+                                    *pipeline.pending_sync_geometry.lock() =
+                                        Some((resolution, pixel_format));
+                                    let _ = pipeline.running.send(false);
+                                    pipeline.running_flag.store(false, Ordering::Release);
+                                    let _ = frame_seq_tx.send(1);
+                                    return;
+                                }
+                                initial_geometry = Some((resolution, pixel_format));
+                                stream = Some(s);
+                            }
+                            Err(AppError::CaptureNoSignal { kind }) => {
+                                warn!(
+                                    "Capture stream open reports no signal ({}) — pipeline will retry",
+                                    kind
+                                );
+                                pipeline.notify_state(PipelineStateNotification::no_signal(
+                                    SignalStatus::from_str(&kind).unwrap_or(SignalStatus::NoSignal),
+                                    Some(CSI_BRIDGE_NOSIGNAL_INTERVAL_MS),
+                                ));
+                            }
+                            Err(e) => {
+                                error!("Failed to open capture stream: {}", e);
+                                let _ = pipeline.running.send(false);
+                                pipeline.running_flag.store(false, Ordering::Release);
+                                let _ = frame_seq_tx.send(1);
+                                return;
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                /// Helper: try to (re)open the capture stream. Returns:
+                ///   * `Ok(Some(stream))` — opened successfully
+                ///   * `Ok(None)` — CaptureNoSignal, keep retrying later
+                ///   * `Err(())` — fatal (stop pipeline)
+                enum OpenResult {
+                    Opened(V4l2rCaptureStream),
+                    NoSignal(SignalStatus),
+                    Fatal,
+                }
+
+                fn open_or_retry(
+                    device_path: &std::path::Path,
+                    config: &SharedVideoPipelineConfig,
+                    buffer_count: u32,
+                    bridge_ctx: BridgeContext,
+                ) -> OpenResult {
+                    match V4l2rCaptureStream::open_with_bridge(
+                        device_path,
+                        config.resolution,
+                        config.input_format,
+                        config.fps,
+                        buffer_count.max(1),
+                        Duration::from_secs(2),
+                        bridge_ctx,
+                    ) {
+                        Ok(s) => OpenResult::Opened(s),
+                        Err(AppError::CaptureNoSignal { kind }) => {
+                            debug!("Capture soft-restart: still no signal ({})", kind);
+                            OpenResult::NoSignal(
+                                SignalStatus::from_str(&kind).unwrap_or(SignalStatus::NoSignal),
+                            )
+                        }
+                        Err(e) => {
+                            error!("Capture soft-restart failed: {}", e);
+                            OpenResult::Fatal
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
 
                 let mut no_subscribers_since: Option<Instant> = None;
                 let grace_period = Duration::from_secs(AUTO_STOP_GRACE_PERIOD_SECS);
@@ -569,16 +866,243 @@ impl SharedVideoPipeline {
                         no_subscribers_since = None;
                     }
 
+                    // ── No usable stream?  Try to (re)open, back off on failure. ──
+                    if stream.is_none() {
+                        match open_or_retry(&device_path, &config, buffer_count, bridge_ctx.clone()) {
+                            OpenResult::Opened(new_stream) => {
+                                let new_res = new_stream.resolution();
+                                let new_fmt = new_stream.format();
+                                let new_stride = new_stream.stride();
+
+                                // Pre-probe was skipped (no signal at pipeline start) but the
+                                // encoder was sized to saved settings — if DV timings now
+                                // disagree, we cannot encode until WebRTC resyncs dimensions.
+                                if initial_geometry.is_none()
+                                    && (new_res != config.resolution || new_fmt != config.input_format)
+                                {
+                                    info!(
+                                        "Deferred capture open is {}x{} {:?} but encoder expects {}x{} {:?} — stopping for dimension resync",
+                                        new_res.width,
+                                        new_res.height,
+                                        new_fmt,
+                                        config.resolution.width,
+                                        config.resolution.height,
+                                        config.input_format
+                                    );
+                                    pipeline.notify_state(PipelineStateNotification::device_busy(
+                                        "config_changing",
+                                    ));
+                                    *pipeline.pending_sync_geometry.lock() = Some((new_res, new_fmt));
+                                    let _ = pipeline.running.send(false);
+                                    pipeline.running_flag.store(false, Ordering::Release);
+                                    let _ = frame_seq_tx.send(sequence.wrapping_add(1));
+                                    break;
+                                }
+
+                                // If this is the very first successful open,
+                                // record it and run normally.  Otherwise check
+                                // for a geometry change — the encoder thread
+                                // is pinned to the original geometry, so a
+                                // change requires tearing the pipeline down
+                                // and letting the upper layer rebuild.
+                                match initial_geometry {
+                                    Some((orig_res, orig_fmt))
+                                        if orig_res != new_res || orig_fmt != new_fmt =>
+                                    {
+                                        info!(
+                                            "Capture soft-restart detected geometry change \
+                                             {:?}/{:?} -> {:?}/{:?}, stopping pipeline for \
+                                             encoder rebuild",
+                                            orig_res, orig_fmt, new_res, new_fmt
+                                        );
+                                        pipeline.notify_state(
+                                            PipelineStateNotification::device_busy(
+                                                "config_changing",
+                                            ),
+                                        );
+                                        *pipeline.pending_sync_geometry.lock() =
+                                            Some((new_res, new_fmt));
+                                        let _ = pipeline.running.send(false);
+                                        pipeline.running_flag.store(false, Ordering::Release);
+                                        let _ = frame_seq_tx.send(sequence.wrapping_add(1));
+                                        break;
+                                    }
+                                    _ => {}
+                                }
+
+                                if initial_geometry.is_none() {
+                                    initial_geometry = Some((new_res, new_fmt));
+                                }
+                                resolution = new_res;
+                                pixel_format = new_fmt;
+                                stride = new_stride;
+                                stream = Some(new_stream);
+                                consecutive_timeouts = 0;
+                                info!(
+                                    "Capture stream (re)opened: {}x{} {:?} stride={}",
+                                    resolution.width, resolution.height, pixel_format, stride
+                                );
+                            }
+                            OpenResult::NoSignal(status) => {
+                                consecutive_timeouts =
+                                    consecutive_timeouts.saturating_add(1);
+                                if consecutive_timeouts >= CAPTURE_TIMEOUT_STOP_THRESHOLD {
+                                    warn!(
+                                        "Capture soft-restart gave up after {} attempts, \
+                                         stopping pipeline",
+                                        consecutive_timeouts
+                                    );
+                                    let _ = pipeline.running.send(false);
+                                    pipeline.running_flag.store(false, Ordering::Release);
+                                    let _ = frame_seq_tx.send(sequence.wrapping_add(1));
+                                    break;
+                                }
+                                let wait_ms = CSI_BRIDGE_NOSIGNAL_INTERVAL_MS;
+                                pipeline.notify_state(PipelineStateNotification::no_signal(
+                                    status,
+                                    Some(wait_ms),
+                                ));
+                                std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(wait_ms));
+                                continue;
+                            }
+                            OpenResult::Fatal => {
+                                let _ = pipeline.running.send(false);
+                                pipeline.running_flag.store(false, Ordering::Release);
+                                let _ = frame_seq_tx.send(sequence.wrapping_add(1));
+                                break;
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+
                     let mut owned = buffer_pool.take(MIN_CAPTURE_FRAME_SIZE);
-                    let meta = match stream.next_into(&mut owned) {
+                    let next_result = stream
+                        .as_mut()
+                        .expect("stream is Some above")
+                        .next_into(&mut owned);
+                    let meta = match next_result {
                         Ok(meta) => {
                             consecutive_timeouts = 0;
+                            pipeline.notify_state(PipelineStateNotification::streaming());
                             meta
                         }
                         Err(e) => {
+                            // V4L2 driver reported V4L2_EVENT_SOURCE_CHANGE.
+                            // The current capture is effectively invalidated:
+                            // drop the stream so the next iteration re-opens
+                            // via a fresh DV_TIMINGS probe.  This is the fast
+                            // path for source-side resolution switches on
+                            // RK628 / rkcif — sub-second recovery vs. the ~8 s
+                            // timeout fallback.
+                            if is_source_changed_error(&e) {
+                                info!(
+                                    "Capture reported SOURCE_CHANGE — \
+                                     dropping stream for immediate re-open"
+                                );
+                                consecutive_timeouts = 0;
+                                stream = None;
+                                continue;
+                            }
                             if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::TimedOut {
                                 consecutive_timeouts = consecutive_timeouts.saturating_add(1);
-                                warn!("Capture timeout - no signal?");
+                                let probe_result = {
+                                    let sr = stream.as_mut().expect("stream is Some above");
+                                    sr.probe_bridge_signal_with_timeout(
+                                        csi_bridge::RK628_SUBDEV_PROBE_TIMEOUT,
+                                    )
+                                };
+                                match probe_result {
+                                    Some(ProbeResult::Locked(mode)) => {
+                                        let probed_resolution =
+                                            Resolution::new(mode.width, mode.height);
+                                        if probed_resolution == resolution {
+                                            info!(
+                                                "Capture timeout but bridge is locked at {}x{} — soft-restarting capture without encoder rebuild",
+                                                probed_resolution.width,
+                                                probed_resolution.height
+                                            );
+                                        } else {
+                                            info!(
+                                                "Capture timeout probe detected geometry change {}x{} -> {}x{} — soft-restarting capture for encoder rebuild",
+                                                resolution.width,
+                                                resolution.height,
+                                                probed_resolution.width,
+                                                probed_resolution.height
+                                            );
+                                            pipeline.notify_state(
+                                                PipelineStateNotification::device_busy(
+                                                    "config_changing",
+                                                ),
+                                            );
+                                        }
+                                        consecutive_timeouts = 0;
+                                        stream = None;
+                                        continue;
+                                    }
+                                    Some(other) => {
+                                        let status =
+                                            other.as_status().unwrap_or(SignalStatus::NoSignal);
+                                        warn!(
+                                            "Capture timeout probe reports no signal ({})",
+                                            status.as_str()
+                                        );
+                                        pipeline.notify_state(
+                                            PipelineStateNotification::no_signal(
+                                                status,
+                                                Some(Duration::from_secs(2).as_millis() as u64),
+                                            ),
+                                        );
+                                        // Drop capture so RK628 / rkcif can release the queue,
+                                        // then poll subdev on a fresh fd until timings lock (or
+                                        // timeout).  Avoids sitting on DQBUF 2s × N with a dead
+                                        // stream while `v4l2-ctl --query-dv-timings` already shows
+                                        // a real mode.
+                                        stream = None;
+                                        consecutive_timeouts = 0;
+                                        if bridge_ctx.has_subdev()
+                                            && matches!(
+                                                other,
+                                                ProbeResult::NoSignal
+                                                    | ProbeResult::NoSync
+                                                    | ProbeResult::OutOfRange
+                                            )
+                                        {
+                                            poll_bridge_subdev_after_no_signal(
+                                                &bridge_ctx,
+                                                &pipeline,
+                                            );
+                                        }
+                                        continue;
+                                    }
+                                    None if bridge_ctx.has_subdev() => {
+                                        warn!(
+                                            "DV-timings probe timed out or failed — forcing stream re-open (RK628 / rkcif)"
+                                        );
+                                        consecutive_timeouts = 0;
+                                        stream = None;
+                                        poll_bridge_subdev_after_no_signal(&bridge_ctx, &pipeline);
+                                        continue;
+                                    }
+                                    None => {
+                                        warn!("Capture timeout - no signal?");
+                                    }
+                                }
+
+                                if consecutive_timeouts
+                                    >= CAPTURE_TIMEOUT_SOFT_RESTART_THRESHOLD
+                                {
+                                    // Drop the stream so the next loop
+                                    // iteration re-opens via the DV-timings
+                                    // probe.  This catches source-side
+                                    // resolution changes in ~6 s without
+                                    // taking the encoder down.
+                                    warn!(
+                                        "Capture timed out {} consecutive times, \
+                                         closing stream for soft-restart",
+                                        consecutive_timeouts
+                                    );
+                                    stream = None;
+                                    continue;
+                                }
 
                                 if consecutive_timeouts == CAPTURE_TIMEOUT_RESTART_THRESHOLD {
                                     warn!(
@@ -599,6 +1123,20 @@ impl SharedVideoPipeline {
                                 }
                             } else {
                                 consecutive_timeouts = 0;
+                                // EIO (5) / EPIPE (32) in next_into generally
+                                // mean the source glitched mid-stream.
+                                // Tear down the stream and let the open loop
+                                // re-probe via DV_TIMINGS — same logic as
+                                // timeouts, just triggered earlier.
+                                if matches!(e.raw_os_error(), Some(5) | Some(32)) {
+                                    warn!(
+                                        "Capture transient error ({}), closing stream for \
+                                         soft-restart",
+                                        e
+                                    );
+                                    stream = None;
+                                    continue;
+                                }
                                 let key = classify_capture_error(&e);
                                 if capture_error_throttler.should_log(&key) {
                                     let suppressed =
diff --git a/src/video/stream_manager.rs b/src/video/stream_manager.rs
index 7ffe755e..4bfc8bdd 100644
--- a/src/video/stream_manager.rs
+++ b/src/video/stream_manager.rs
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ use crate::hid::HidController;
 use crate::stream::MjpegStreamHandler;
 use crate::video::codec_constraints::StreamCodecConstraints;
 use crate::video::format::{PixelFormat, Resolution};
-use crate::video::is_rk_hdmirx_device;
-use crate::video::streamer::{Streamer, StreamerState};
+use crate::video::is_csi_hdmi_bridge;
+use crate::video::streamer::{Streamer, StreamerStats, StreamerState};
 use crate::webrtc::WebRtcStreamer;
 
 /// Video stream manager configuration
@@ -353,8 +353,17 @@ impl VideoStreamManager {
             .update_video_config(resolution, format, fps)
             .await;
         if let Some(device_path) = device_path {
+            // Resolve the paired subdev so the WebRTC pipeline can run the
+            // RK628 STREAMON gate + SOURCE_CHANGE polling identically to the
+            // MJPEG path.  See `csi_bridge::discover_subdev_for_video`.
+            let (subdev_path, bridge_kind) = self
+                .streamer
+                .current_device()
+                .await
+                .map(|d| (d.subdev_path.clone(), d.bridge_kind.clone()))
+                .unwrap_or((None, None));
             self.webrtc_streamer
-                .set_capture_device(device_path, jpeg_quality)
+                .set_capture_device(device_path, jpeg_quality, subdev_path, bridge_kind)
                 .await;
         } else {
             warn!("No capture device configured while syncing WebRTC capture source");
@@ -431,7 +440,7 @@ impl VideoStreamManager {
                         device.formats.iter().map(|f| f.format).collect();
 
                     // If current format is not MJPEG and device supports MJPEG, switch to it
-                    if !is_rk_hdmirx_device(&device)
+                    if !is_csi_hdmi_bridge(&device)
                         && current_format != PixelFormat::Mjpeg
                         && available_formats.contains(&PixelFormat::Mjpeg)
                     {
@@ -550,8 +559,14 @@ impl VideoStreamManager {
             }
             if let Some(device_path) = device_path {
                 info!("Configuring direct capture for WebRTC after config change");
+                let (subdev_path, bridge_kind) = self
+                    .streamer
+                    .current_device()
+                    .await
+                    .map(|d| (d.subdev_path.clone(), d.bridge_kind.clone()))
+                    .unwrap_or((None, None));
                 self.webrtc_streamer
-                    .set_capture_device(device_path, jpeg_quality)
+                    .set_capture_device(device_path, jpeg_quality, subdev_path, bridge_kind)
                     .await;
             } else {
                 warn!("No capture device configured for WebRTC after config change");
@@ -610,7 +625,7 @@ impl VideoStreamManager {
 
     /// Get video device info for device_info event
     pub async fn get_video_info(&self) -> VideoDeviceInfo {
-        let stats = self.streamer.stats().await;
+        let stats = self.stats().await;
         let state = self.streamer.state().await;
         let device = self.streamer.current_device().await;
         let mode = self.mode.read().await.clone();
@@ -636,7 +651,7 @@ impl VideoStreamManager {
             config_changing: self.streamer.is_config_changing(),
             error: if state == StreamerState::Error {
                 Some("Video stream error".to_string())
-            } else if state == StreamerState::NoSignal {
+            } else if state.is_no_signal_like() {
                 Some("No video signal".to_string())
             } else {
                 None
@@ -687,8 +702,24 @@ impl VideoStreamManager {
     }
 
     /// Get streamer statistics
-    pub async fn stats(&self) -> crate::video::streamer::StreamerStats {
-        self.streamer.stats().await
+    ///
+    /// In WebRTC mode, resolution/format/target_fps/fps reflect
+    /// [`WebRtcStreamer`]'s config (updated after DV negotiation / geometry sync),
+    /// not only the MJPEG [`Streamer`] snapshot — so `/api/stream/status` matches
+    /// what the shared encoder actually uses.
+    pub async fn stats(&self) -> StreamerStats {
+        let mut s = self.streamer.stats().await;
+        if *self.mode.read().await == StreamMode::WebRTC {
+            let (res, fmt, tgt_fps) = self.webrtc_streamer.current_video_geometry().await;
+            s.format = Some(fmt.to_string());
+            s.resolution = Some((res.width, res.height));
+            s.target_fps = tgt_fps;
+            if let Some(ps) = self.webrtc_streamer.pipeline_stats().await {
+                s.fps = ps.current_fps;
+            }
+            s.clients = self.webrtc_streamer.session_count().await as u64;
+        }
+        s
     }
 
     /// Check if config is being changed
diff --git a/src/video/streamer.rs b/src/video/streamer.rs
index 572d8907..182a4a77 100644
--- a/src/video/streamer.rs
+++ b/src/video/streamer.rs
@@ -5,21 +5,22 @@
 
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU32, Ordering};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU32, AtomicU64, Ordering};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::time::Duration;
 use tokio::sync::RwLock;
 use tracing::{debug, error, info, trace, warn};
 
-use super::device::{enumerate_devices, find_best_device, VideoDevice, VideoDeviceInfo};
+use super::csi_bridge;
+use super::device::{enumerate_devices, find_best_device, parse_bridge_kind, VideoDevice, VideoDeviceInfo};
 use super::format::{PixelFormat, Resolution};
 use super::frame::{FrameBuffer, FrameBufferPool, VideoFrame};
-use super::is_rk_hdmirx_device;
+use super::is_csi_hdmi_bridge;
 use crate::error::{AppError, Result};
 use crate::events::{EventBus, SystemEvent};
 use crate::stream::MjpegStreamHandler;
 use crate::utils::LogThrottler;
-use crate::video::v4l2r_capture::V4l2rCaptureStream;
+use crate::video::v4l2r_capture::{is_source_changed_error, BridgeContext, V4l2rCaptureStream};
 
 /// Minimum valid frame size for capture
 const MIN_CAPTURE_FRAME_SIZE: usize = 128;
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ impl Default for StreamerConfig {
     }
 }
 
-/// Streamer state
+/// Fine-grained capture state; [`external_state`] maps to UI wire names.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum StreamerState {
     /// Not initialized
@@ -62,14 +63,83 @@ pub enum StreamerState {
     Ready,
     /// Actively streaming
     Streaming,
-    /// No video signal
+    /// No video signal (generic / source not detected)
     NoSignal,
+    /// HDMI cable not connected (DV_RX_POWER_PRESENT = false or ENOLINK)
+    NoCable,
+    /// TMDS signal present but timings not locked (ENOLCK)
+    NoSync,
+    /// Source timings are outside of what the capture hardware supports (ERANGE)
+    OutOfRange,
     /// Error occurred
     Error,
     /// Device was lost (unplugged)
     DeviceLost,
     /// Device is being recovered (reconnecting)
     Recovering,
+    Busy,
+}
+
+impl StreamerState {
+    pub fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            StreamerState::Uninitialized => "uninitialized",
+            StreamerState::Ready => "ready",
+            StreamerState::Streaming => "streaming",
+            StreamerState::NoSignal => "no_signal",
+            StreamerState::NoCable => "no_cable",
+            StreamerState::NoSync => "no_sync",
+            StreamerState::OutOfRange => "out_of_range",
+            StreamerState::Error => "error",
+            StreamerState::DeviceLost => "device_lost",
+            StreamerState::Recovering => "recovering",
+            StreamerState::Busy => "device_busy",
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Parse a state string as produced by [`StreamerState::as_str`].
+    pub fn from_str(s: &str) -> Option<Self> {
+        Some(match s {
+            "uninitialized" => StreamerState::Uninitialized,
+            "ready" => StreamerState::Ready,
+            "streaming" => StreamerState::Streaming,
+            "no_signal" => StreamerState::NoSignal,
+            "no_cable" => StreamerState::NoCable,
+            "no_sync" => StreamerState::NoSync,
+            "out_of_range" => StreamerState::OutOfRange,
+            "error" => StreamerState::Error,
+            "device_lost" => StreamerState::DeviceLost,
+            "recovering" => StreamerState::Recovering,
+            "device_busy" | "busy" => StreamerState::Busy,
+            _ => return None,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn is_no_signal_like(self) -> bool {
+        matches!(
+            self,
+            StreamerState::NoSignal
+                | StreamerState::NoCable
+                | StreamerState::NoSync
+                | StreamerState::OutOfRange
+        )
+    }
+
+    pub fn external_state(self) -> (&'static str, Option<&'static str>) {
+        match self {
+            StreamerState::Streaming => ("streaming", None),
+            StreamerState::Ready => ("ready", None),
+            StreamerState::Uninitialized => ("uninitialized", None),
+            StreamerState::Error => ("error", None),
+            StreamerState::NoSignal => ("no_signal", Some("no_signal")),
+            StreamerState::NoCable => ("no_signal", Some("no_cable")),
+            StreamerState::NoSync => ("no_signal", Some("no_sync")),
+            StreamerState::OutOfRange => ("no_signal", Some("out_of_range")),
+            StreamerState::DeviceLost => ("device_lost", Some("device_lost")),
+            StreamerState::Recovering => ("device_lost", Some("recovering")),
+            StreamerState::Busy => ("device_busy", None),
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 /// Video streamer service
@@ -85,8 +155,8 @@ pub struct Streamer {
     current_fps: AtomicU32,
     /// Event bus for broadcasting state changes (optional)
     events: RwLock<Option<Arc<EventBus>>>,
-    /// Last published state (for change detection)
-    last_published_state: RwLock<Option<StreamerState>>,
+    last_published_state: RwLock<Option<(String, Option<String>, Option<u64>)>>,
+    next_retry_ms: AtomicU64,
     /// Flag to indicate config is being changed (prevents auto-start during config change)
     config_changing: std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool,
     /// Flag to indicate background tasks (stats, cleanup, monitor) have been started
@@ -117,6 +187,7 @@ impl Streamer {
             current_fps: AtomicU32::new(0),
             events: RwLock::new(None),
             last_published_state: RwLock::new(None),
+            next_retry_ms: AtomicU64::new(0),
             config_changing: std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false),
             background_tasks_started: std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false),
             recovery_retry_count: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU32::new(0),
@@ -140,6 +211,7 @@ impl Streamer {
             current_fps: AtomicU32::new(0),
             events: RwLock::new(None),
             last_published_state: RwLock::new(None),
+            next_retry_ms: AtomicU64::new(0),
             config_changing: std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false),
             background_tasks_started: std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false),
             recovery_retry_count: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU32::new(0),
@@ -149,7 +221,6 @@ impl Streamer {
         })
     }
 
-    /// Get current state as SystemEvent
     pub async fn current_state_event(&self) -> SystemEvent {
         let state = *self.state.read().await;
         let device = self
@@ -158,21 +229,21 @@ impl Streamer {
             .await
             .as_ref()
             .map(|d| d.path.display().to_string());
+        let (external, reason) = state.external_state();
+        let next = self.next_retry_ms.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
 
         SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
-            state: match state {
-                StreamerState::Uninitialized => "uninitialized".to_string(),
-                StreamerState::Ready => "ready".to_string(),
-                StreamerState::Streaming => "streaming".to_string(),
-                StreamerState::NoSignal => "no_signal".to_string(),
-                StreamerState::Error => "error".to_string(),
-                StreamerState::DeviceLost => "device_lost".to_string(),
-                StreamerState::Recovering => "recovering".to_string(),
-            },
+            state: external.to_string(),
             device,
+            reason: reason.map(|s| s.to_string()),
+            next_retry_ms: if next == 0 { None } else { Some(next) },
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn set_next_retry_ms(&self, ms: u64) {
+        self.next_retry_ms.store(ms, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
     /// Set event bus for broadcasting state changes
     pub async fn set_event_bus(&self, events: Arc<EventBus>) {
         *self.events.write().await = Some(events);
@@ -264,6 +335,13 @@ impl Streamer {
         })
         .await;
 
+        // Surface a "device busy" state so the frontend can render a
+        // "please wait" overlay for the (short) duration of the config
+        // change.  The capture loop itself will flip to `Streaming` once
+        // the first frame of the new geometry arrives.
+        *self.state.write().await = StreamerState::Busy;
+        self.publish_event(self.current_state_event().await).await;
+
         let devices = enumerate_devices()?;
         let device = devices
             .into_iter()
@@ -369,12 +447,36 @@ impl Streamer {
         device: &VideoDeviceInfo,
         preferred: PixelFormat,
     ) -> Result<PixelFormat> {
-        if is_rk_hdmirx_device(device) {
-            return device
+        if is_csi_hdmi_bridge(device) {
+            if !device.has_signal {
+                info!(
+                    "select_format: CSI bridge no signal, keeping preferred {:?}",
+                    preferred
+                );
+                return Ok(preferred);
+            }
+            // Prefer the user-configured format if the device actually supports
+            // it; otherwise fall back to the highest-priority format (formats
+            // are pre-sorted by PixelFormat::priority(), e.g. NV12 > YUYV for rkcif/rk_hdmirx).
+            if device.formats.iter().any(|f| f.format == preferred) {
+                info!(
+                    "select_format: CSI bridge with signal, using preferred {:?}",
+                    preferred
+                );
+                return Ok(preferred);
+            }
+            let fmt = device
                 .formats
                 .first()
                 .map(|f| f.format)
-                .ok_or_else(|| AppError::VideoError("No supported formats found".to_string()));
+                .ok_or_else(|| AppError::VideoError("No supported formats found".to_string()))?;
+            info!(
+                "select_format: CSI bridge with signal, preferred {:?} unavailable, selected {:?} from {:?}",
+                preferred,
+                fmt,
+                device.formats.iter().map(|f| f.format).collect::<Vec<_>>()
+            );
+            return Ok(fmt);
         }
 
         // Check if preferred format is available
@@ -397,18 +499,32 @@ impl Streamer {
         format: &PixelFormat,
         preferred: Resolution,
     ) -> Result<Resolution> {
+        if is_csi_hdmi_bridge(device) && !device.has_signal {
+            info!(
+                "select_resolution: CSI bridge no signal, keeping preferred {}",
+                preferred
+            );
+            return Ok(preferred);
+        }
+
         let format_info = device
             .formats
             .iter()
             .find(|f| &f.format == format)
             .ok_or_else(|| AppError::VideoError("Format not found".to_string()))?;
 
-        if is_rk_hdmirx_device(device) {
-            return Ok(format_info
+        if is_csi_hdmi_bridge(device) {
+            let res = format_info
                 .resolutions
                 .first()
                 .map(|r| r.resolution())
-                .unwrap_or(preferred));
+                .unwrap_or(preferred);
+            info!(
+                "select_resolution: CSI bridge with signal, selected {} (preferred {}, available {:?})",
+                res, preferred,
+                format_info.resolutions.iter().map(|r| format!("{}x{}", r.width, r.height)).collect::<Vec<_>>()
+            );
+            return Ok(res);
         }
 
         // Check if preferred resolution is available
@@ -451,7 +567,8 @@ impl Streamer {
             tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
             let state = *self.state.read().await;
             match state {
-                StreamerState::Streaming | StreamerState::NoSignal => return Ok(()),
+                StreamerState::Streaming => return Ok(()),
+                s if s.is_no_signal_like() => return Ok(()),
                 StreamerState::Error | StreamerState::DeviceLost => {
                     return Err(AppError::VideoError(
                         "Failed to restart capture".to_string(),
@@ -631,14 +748,26 @@ impl Streamer {
         const RETRY_DELAY_MS: u64 = 200;
         const IDLE_STOP_DELAY_SECS: u64 = 5;
         const BUFFER_COUNT: u32 = 2;
-        /// After this many seconds without signal, close+re-open the device.
-        const NOSIGNAL_SOFT_RESTART_SECS: u64 = 8;
-        /// Placeholder frame re-send interval while in NoSignal state (iterations of 100 ms).
-        const NOSIGNAL_PLACEHOLDER_INTERVAL: u32 = 10; // every ~1 s
+        /// Initial back-off after signal loss before the first soft restart.
+        ///
+        /// PiKVM/ustreamer drops to sub-second recovery because it subscribes to
+        /// `V4L2_EVENT_SOURCE_CHANGE`; lacking that (for now), we bound how long
+        /// the user has to stare at a placeholder after a source-side resolution
+        /// change by driving a soft-restart at 1 s, then 2 s, 4 s, …, 8 s.
+        const NOSIGNAL_SOFT_RESTART_INITIAL_SECS: u64 = 1;
+        const NOSIGNAL_SOFT_RESTART_MAX_SECS: u64 = 8;
 
         let handle = tokio::runtime::Handle::current();
         let mut last_state = StreamerState::Streaming;
 
+        // Compute the current soft-restart back-off window (in seconds)
+        // for the exponential ladder 1 s → 2 s → 4 s → 8 s (capped).
+        let backoff_secs = |count: u32| -> u64 {
+            NOSIGNAL_SOFT_RESTART_INITIAL_SECS
+                .saturating_mul(2u64.pow(count.min(3)))
+                .min(NOSIGNAL_SOFT_RESTART_MAX_SECS)
+        };
+
         let mut set_state = |new_state: StreamerState| {
             if new_state != last_state {
                 handle.block_on(async {
@@ -649,9 +778,32 @@ impl Streamer {
             }
         };
 
+        // Helper: drop the MJPEG online flag so any connected HTTP clients
+        // exit their streaming tasks cleanly.  Replaces the old "push a
+        // placeholder JPEG every second" scheme — the frontend now renders
+        // its own overlay from `stream.state_changed` and doesn't need a
+        // fake image to keep the connection alive.  Idempotent.
+        let go_offline = || {
+            self.mjpeg_handler.set_offline();
+        };
+
+        // Helper: record the back-off window on the streamer so it rides
+        // along on the next `stream.state_changed` event; cleared when we
+        // return to `Streaming`.
+        let set_retry = |ms: u64| {
+            self.next_retry_ms.store(ms, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        };
+
         // How many soft-restart cycles have been attempted (for exponential back-off).
         let mut no_signal_restart_count: u32 = 0;
 
+        // Last (resolution, format, fps) combination for which we emitted a
+        // `StreamConfigApplied` event.  Used to de-duplicate the event across
+        // soft-restarts that produce the exact same geometry (e.g. a spurious
+        // single-frame timeout on a stable source) — the frontend would
+        // otherwise re-layout the `<img>` on every glitch.
+        let mut last_applied: Option<(u32, u32, PixelFormat, u32)> = None;
+
         'session: loop {
             if self.direct_stop.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
                 break 'session;
@@ -661,6 +813,62 @@ impl Streamer {
             // call (from a previous soft-restart or recovery) is reflected here.
             let config = handle.block_on(async { self.config.read().await.clone() });
 
+            // ── Resolve the CSI bridge subdev (if any) for this video ──────────
+            //
+            // The subdev is where QUERY_DV_TIMINGS and SOURCE_CHANGE events
+            // actually live on RK628-on-rkcif.  It's stored in
+            // `VideoDeviceInfo` during enumeration; we re-read it here
+            // rather than caching on Streamer so a hot-plug recovery picks
+            // up a possibly-different subdev path.
+            let bridge_ctx = handle.block_on(async {
+                self.current_device
+                    .read()
+                    .await
+                    .as_ref()
+                    .map(|info| {
+                        BridgeContext::from_parts(
+                            info.subdev_path.clone(),
+                            parse_bridge_kind(info.bridge_kind.as_deref()),
+                        )
+                    })
+                    .unwrap_or_default()
+            });
+
+            // ── STREAMON gate: for CSI bridges with a subdev, refuse to
+            //    open the video node when the subdev reports no signal.
+            //    On RK628 this prevents a kernel null-pointer deref.
+            if let Some(subdev_path) = bridge_ctx.subdev_path.as_ref() {
+                match probe_subdev_signal(subdev_path, bridge_ctx.kind) {
+                    Some(crate::video::SignalStatus::NoCable)
+                    | Some(crate::video::SignalStatus::NoSync)
+                    | Some(crate::video::SignalStatus::NoSignal)
+                    | Some(crate::video::SignalStatus::OutOfRange) => {
+                        let status = probe_subdev_signal(subdev_path, bridge_ctx.kind)
+                            .unwrap_or(crate::video::SignalStatus::NoSignal);
+                        let wait_secs = backoff_secs(no_signal_restart_count);
+                        debug!(
+                            "Pre-STREAMON gate: subdev {:?} reports {:?} — \
+                             waiting for SOURCE_CHANGE (<= {}s) before opening {:?}",
+                            subdev_path, status, wait_secs, device_path
+                        );
+                        set_retry(wait_secs.saturating_mul(1000));
+                        go_offline();
+                        set_state(status.into());
+                        // Wait for SOURCE_CHANGE or timeout before retrying.
+                        // Opens the subdev just for the poll — cheap and
+                        // does NOT touch the video node.
+                        wait_subdev_for_source_change(
+                            subdev_path,
+                            &self.direct_stop,
+                            Duration::from_secs(wait_secs),
+                        );
+                        no_signal_restart_count = no_signal_restart_count.saturating_add(1);
+                        continue 'session;
+                    }
+                    _ => {} // Locked (None from as_status) or unknown — proceed
+                }
+            }
+
             // ── Open the capture stream ─────────────────────────────────────────
             let mut stream_opt: Option<V4l2rCaptureStream> = None;
             let mut last_error: Option<String> = None;
@@ -671,18 +879,39 @@ impl Streamer {
                     return;
                 }
 
-                match V4l2rCaptureStream::open(
+                match V4l2rCaptureStream::open_with_bridge(
                     &device_path,
                     config.resolution,
                     config.format,
                     config.fps,
                     BUFFER_COUNT,
                     Duration::from_secs(2),
+                    bridge_ctx.clone(),
                 ) {
                     Ok(stream) => {
                         stream_opt = Some(stream);
                         break;
                     }
+                    Err(AppError::CaptureNoSignal { kind }) => {
+                        // CSI bridge open-time DV-timings probe failed.
+                        // Drop the HTTP stream so the frontend renders its
+                        // "no signal" overlay, update the state with the
+                        // fine-grained reason, and let the outer 'session
+                        // loop back off before the next retry.
+                        let status = crate::video::SignalStatus::from_str(&kind)
+                            .unwrap_or(crate::video::SignalStatus::NoSignal);
+                        debug!(
+                            "CSI open probe reports no signal ({:?}), will soft-restart",
+                            status
+                        );
+                        set_retry(
+                            backoff_secs(no_signal_restart_count).saturating_mul(1000),
+                        );
+                        go_offline();
+                        set_state(status.into());
+                        last_error = Some(format!("CaptureNoSignal({})", kind));
+                        break;
+                    }
                     Err(e) => {
                         let err_str = e.to_string();
                         if err_str.contains("busy") || err_str.contains("resource") {
@@ -705,14 +934,33 @@ impl Streamer {
             let mut stream = match stream_opt {
                 Some(stream) => stream,
                 None => {
-                    error!(
-                        "Failed to open device {:?}: {}",
-                        device_path,
-                        last_error.unwrap_or_else(|| "unknown error".to_string())
+                    // If the open failed because of a no-signal condition, do
+                    // *not* escalate to Error — instead keep the capture loop
+                    // alive in NoSignal-like state and retry via the soft
+                    // restart path.  This lets CSI bridges recover on their
+                    // own when the source comes back (resolution change,
+                    // host reboot, HDMI cable re-plug).
+                    let was_no_signal =
+                        handle.block_on(async { self.state().await }).is_no_signal_like();
+                    if !was_no_signal {
+                        error!(
+                            "Failed to open device {:?}: {}",
+                            device_path,
+                            last_error.unwrap_or_else(|| "unknown error".to_string())
+                        );
+                        self.mjpeg_handler.set_offline();
+                        set_state(StreamerState::Error);
+                        break 'session;
+                    }
+
+                    debug!(
+                        "Open failed in NoSignal-like state, backing off before soft-restart"
                     );
-                    self.mjpeg_handler.set_offline();
-                    set_state(StreamerState::Error);
-                    break 'session;
+                    let wait = backoff_secs(no_signal_restart_count);
+                    set_retry(wait.saturating_mul(1000));
+                    std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(wait));
+                    no_signal_restart_count = no_signal_restart_count.saturating_add(1);
+                    continue 'session;
                 }
             };
 
@@ -748,8 +996,6 @@ impl Streamer {
 
             // None = signal is present; Some(Instant) = when signal was first lost.
             let mut no_signal_since: Option<std::time::Instant> = None;
-            // Counter for periodic placeholder pushes during NoSignal.
-            let mut nosignal_placeholder_counter: u32 = 0;
             // Whether the inner 'capture loop should trigger a soft restart.
             let mut need_soft_restart = false;
 
@@ -780,43 +1026,37 @@ impl Streamer {
                 let meta = match stream.next_into(&mut owned) {
                     Ok(meta) => meta,
                     Err(e) => {
+                        if is_source_changed_error(&e) {
+                            info!("Capture SOURCE_CHANGE — soft-restart for DV re-probe");
+                            set_retry(
+                                backoff_secs(no_signal_restart_count).saturating_mul(1000),
+                            );
+                            go_offline();
+                            set_state(StreamerState::NoSignal);
+                            need_soft_restart = true;
+                            break 'capture;
+                        }
                         if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::TimedOut {
                             if signal_present {
                                 signal_present = false;
-                                // Don't call set_offline() – instead keep the MJPEG stream
-                                // alive by pushing a placeholder frame so clients stay
-                                // connected and see the "no signal" image.
-                                self.mjpeg_handler.push_no_signal_placeholder();
+                                let wait = backoff_secs(no_signal_restart_count);
+                                set_retry(wait.saturating_mul(1000));
+                                go_offline();
                                 set_state(StreamerState::NoSignal);
                                 no_signal_since = Some(std::time::Instant::now());
                                 self.current_fps.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
                                 fps_frame_count = 0;
                                 last_fps_time = std::time::Instant::now();
-                                nosignal_placeholder_counter = 0;
-                            } else {
-                                // Already in NoSignal – re-send placeholder periodically so
-                                // the HTTP keepalive timer does not expire.
-                                nosignal_placeholder_counter =
-                                    nosignal_placeholder_counter.wrapping_add(1);
-                                if nosignal_placeholder_counter >= NOSIGNAL_PLACEHOLDER_INTERVAL {
-                                    nosignal_placeholder_counter = 0;
-                                    self.mjpeg_handler.push_no_signal_placeholder();
-                                }
-
-                                // Soft-restart after exponential back-off.
-                                if let Some(since) = no_signal_since {
-                                    let backoff_secs = NOSIGNAL_SOFT_RESTART_SECS
-                                        .saturating_mul(2u64.pow(no_signal_restart_count.min(2)))
-                                        .min(30);
-                                    if since.elapsed().as_secs() >= backoff_secs {
-                                        info!(
-                                            "NoSignal for {}s, attempting soft restart (attempt {})",
-                                            backoff_secs,
-                                            no_signal_restart_count + 1
-                                        );
-                                        need_soft_restart = true;
-                                        break 'capture;
-                                    }
+                            } else if let Some(since) = no_signal_since {
+                                let wait = backoff_secs(no_signal_restart_count);
+                                if since.elapsed().as_secs() >= wait {
+                                    info!(
+                                        "NoSignal for {}s, attempting soft restart (attempt {})",
+                                        wait,
+                                        no_signal_restart_count + 1
+                                    );
+                                    need_soft_restart = true;
+                                    break 'capture;
                                 }
                             }
 
@@ -824,18 +1064,24 @@ impl Streamer {
                             continue 'capture;
                         }
 
-                        let is_device_lost = match e.raw_os_error() {
-                            Some(6) => true,   // ENXIO
-                            Some(19) => true,  // ENODEV
-                            Some(5) => true,   // EIO
-                            Some(32) => true,  // EPIPE
-                            Some(108) => true, // ESHUTDOWN
-                            _ => false,
-                        };
+                        // Classify the capture error.
+                        //
+                        // Only errnos that mean "the device file is gone"
+                        // (ENODEV, ENXIO, ESHUTDOWN) trigger the full
+                        // DeviceLost → recovery path.
+                        //
+                        // EIO / EPIPE are common transient errors on rkcif
+                        // when the source glitches or re-locks; those are
+                        // treated as NoSignal + soft-restart so we recover
+                        // in ~1 s instead of the 1 s recovery-poll loop.
+                        let os_err = e.raw_os_error();
+                        let is_device_lost = matches!(os_err, Some(6) | Some(19) | Some(108));
+                        let is_transient_signal_error = matches!(os_err, Some(5) | Some(32));
 
                         if is_device_lost {
                             error!("Video device lost: {} - {}", device_path.display(), e);
-                            self.mjpeg_handler.set_offline();
+                            go_offline();
+                            set_retry(0);
                             handle.block_on(async {
                                 *self.last_lost_device.write().await =
                                     Some(device_path.display().to_string());
@@ -851,6 +1097,20 @@ impl Streamer {
                             break 'capture;
                         }
 
+                        if is_transient_signal_error {
+                            warn!(
+                                "Capture transient error ({}): treating as NoSignal + soft-restart",
+                                e
+                            );
+                            set_retry(
+                                backoff_secs(no_signal_restart_count).saturating_mul(1000),
+                            );
+                            go_offline();
+                            set_state(StreamerState::NoSignal);
+                            need_soft_restart = true;
+                            break 'capture;
+                        }
+
                         let key = classify_capture_error(&e);
                         if capture_error_throttler.should_log(&key) {
                             let suppressed = suppressed_capture_errors.remove(&key).unwrap_or(0);
@@ -893,8 +1153,28 @@ impl Streamer {
                     signal_present = true;
                     no_signal_since = None;
                     no_signal_restart_count = 0;
-                    // Stream was kept online (placeholder pushes), just update state.
+                    set_retry(0);
                     set_state(StreamerState::Streaming);
+
+                    let fps_val = config.fps;
+                    let current = (resolution.width, resolution.height, pixel_format, fps_val);
+                    if last_applied != Some(current) {
+                        last_applied = Some(current);
+                        let dp = device_path.display().to_string();
+                        let fmt = format!("{:?}", pixel_format);
+                        let w = resolution.width;
+                        let h = resolution.height;
+                        handle.block_on(async {
+                            self.publish_event(SystemEvent::StreamConfigApplied {
+                                transition_id: None,
+                                device: dp,
+                                resolution: (w, h),
+                                format: fmt,
+                                fps: fps_val,
+                            })
+                            .await;
+                        });
+                    }
                 }
 
                 self.mjpeg_handler.update_frame(frame);
@@ -923,12 +1203,30 @@ impl Streamer {
                 break 'session;
             }
 
-            // ── Soft restart path ───────────────────────────────────────────────
             no_signal_restart_count = no_signal_restart_count.saturating_add(1);
 
-            // Re-probe the device to pick up a changed resolution/format.
             match VideoDevice::open_readonly(&device_path).and_then(|d| d.info()) {
                 Ok(device_info) => {
+                    // Skip re-open while rkcif still reports placeholder (≤64²) geometry.
+                    let probed_res = device_info
+                        .formats
+                        .first()
+                        .and_then(|f| f.resolutions.first())
+                        .map(|r| (r.width, r.height));
+
+                    if matches!(probed_res, Some((w, h)) if w <= 64 || h <= 64)
+                        || probed_res.is_none()
+                    {
+                        warn!(
+                            "Soft restart: probed resolution too small ({:?}), still no signal",
+                            probed_res
+                        );
+                        set_retry(2_000);
+                        go_offline();
+                        std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(2));
+                        continue 'session;
+                    }
+
                     handle.block_on(async {
                         let fmt;
                         let res;
@@ -971,19 +1269,12 @@ impl Streamer {
         self.current_fps.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
     }
 
-    /// Check if streaming (or in NoSignal state — capture thread is still running)
+    /// `Streaming` or any no-signal-like state (capture thread still alive).
     pub async fn is_streaming(&self) -> bool {
-        matches!(
-            self.state().await,
-            StreamerState::Streaming | StreamerState::NoSignal
-        )
+        let s = self.state().await;
+        s == StreamerState::Streaming || s.is_no_signal_like()
     }
 
-    /// Re-probe a device and update the stored config/device info.
-    ///
-    /// Called during recovery or after a NoSignal soft restart so that a
-    /// resolution / format change on the source side is picked up before
-    /// the capture stream is re-opened.
     pub async fn re_init_device(self: &Arc<Self>, device_path: &str) -> Result<()> {
         let device = VideoDevice::open_readonly(device_path)
             .map_err(|e| AppError::VideoError(format!("Cannot open device for re-init: {}", e)))?;
@@ -1030,30 +1321,27 @@ impl Streamer {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Publish event to event bus (if configured)
-    /// For StreamStateChanged events, only publishes if state actually changed (de-duplication)
+    /// Dedupes `StreamStateChanged` on `(state, reason, next_retry_ms)`.
     async fn publish_event(&self, event: SystemEvent) {
         if let Some(events) = self.events.read().await.as_ref() {
-            // For state change events, check if state actually changed
-            if let SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged { ref state, .. } = event {
-                let current_state = match state.as_str() {
-                    "uninitialized" => StreamerState::Uninitialized,
-                    "ready" => StreamerState::Ready,
-                    "streaming" => StreamerState::Streaming,
-                    "no_signal" => StreamerState::NoSignal,
-                    "error" => StreamerState::Error,
-                    "device_lost" => StreamerState::DeviceLost,
-                    "recovering" => StreamerState::Recovering,
-                    _ => StreamerState::Error,
-                };
-
+            if let SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
+                ref state,
+                ref reason,
+                next_retry_ms,
+                ..
+            } = event
+            {
+                let key = (state.clone(), reason.clone(), next_retry_ms);
                 let mut last_state = self.last_published_state.write().await;
-                if *last_state == Some(current_state) {
-                    // State hasn't changed, skip publishing
-                    trace!("Skipping duplicate stream state event: {}", state);
+                if last_state.as_ref() == Some(&key) {
+                    trace!(
+                        "Skipping duplicate stream state event: {} (reason={:?})",
+                        state,
+                        reason
+                    );
                     return;
                 }
-                *last_state = Some(current_state);
+                *last_state = Some(key);
             }
 
             events.publish(event);
@@ -1143,8 +1431,12 @@ impl Streamer {
                     );
                 }
 
-                // Wait before retry (1 second)
-                tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
+                let wait = if attempt == 1 {
+                    std::time::Duration::from_millis(200)
+                } else {
+                    std::time::Duration::from_secs(1)
+                };
+                tokio::time::sleep(wait).await;
 
                 // Check if device file exists
                 let device_exists = std::path::Path::new(&device_path).exists();
@@ -1212,6 +1504,7 @@ impl Default for Streamer {
             current_fps: AtomicU32::new(0),
             events: RwLock::new(None),
             last_published_state: RwLock::new(None),
+            next_retry_ms: AtomicU64::new(0),
             config_changing: std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false),
             background_tasks_started: std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false),
             recovery_retry_count: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU32::new(0),
@@ -1236,20 +1529,73 @@ pub struct StreamerStats {
     pub fps: f32,
 }
 
+fn probe_subdev_signal(
+    subdev_path: &std::path::Path,
+    kind: Option<csi_bridge::CsiBridgeKind>,
+) -> Option<crate::video::SignalStatus> {
+    let fd = match csi_bridge::open_subdev(subdev_path) {
+        Ok(f) => f,
+        Err(e) => {
+            debug!("probe_subdev_signal: failed to open {:?}: {}", subdev_path, e);
+            return Some(crate::video::SignalStatus::NoSignal);
+        }
+    };
+    let kind = kind.unwrap_or(csi_bridge::CsiBridgeKind::Unknown);
+    let probe = csi_bridge::probe_signal(&fd, kind);
+    probe.as_status()
+}
+
+fn wait_subdev_for_source_change(
+    subdev_path: &std::path::Path,
+    direct_stop: &AtomicBool,
+    max_wait: Duration,
+) {
+    let fd = match csi_bridge::open_subdev(subdev_path) {
+        Ok(f) => f,
+        Err(e) => {
+            debug!(
+                "wait_subdev_for_source_change: failed to open {:?}: {}",
+                subdev_path, e
+            );
+            std::thread::sleep(max_wait.min(Duration::from_secs(1)));
+            return;
+        }
+    };
+    if let Err(e) = csi_bridge::subscribe_source_change(&fd) {
+        debug!(
+            "wait_subdev_for_source_change: subscribe failed on {:?}: {}",
+            subdev_path, e
+        );
+    }
+    let slice = Duration::from_millis(250);
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + max_wait;
+    while std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        if direct_stop.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            return;
+        }
+        let remaining = deadline.saturating_duration_since(std::time::Instant::now());
+        let wait = remaining.min(slice);
+        match csi_bridge::wait_source_change(&fd, wait) {
+            Ok(true) => {
+                info!(
+                    "Subdev SOURCE_CHANGE during no-signal wait, retrying open immediately"
+                );
+                return;
+            }
+            Ok(false) => continue,
+            Err(e) => {
+                debug!("wait_source_change error on {:?}: {}", subdev_path, e);
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 impl serde::Serialize for StreamerState {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: S) -> std::result::Result<S::Ok, S::Error>
     where
         S: serde::Serializer,
     {
-        let s = match self {
-            StreamerState::Uninitialized => "uninitialized",
-            StreamerState::Ready => "ready",
-            StreamerState::Streaming => "streaming",
-            StreamerState::NoSignal => "no_signal",
-            StreamerState::Error => "error",
-            StreamerState::DeviceLost => "device_lost",
-            StreamerState::Recovering => "recovering",
-        };
-        serializer.serialize_str(s)
+        serializer.serialize_str(self.as_str())
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/video/v4l2r_capture.rs b/src/video/v4l2r_capture.rs
index 2a1b73a6..e93ceb4a 100644
--- a/src/video/v4l2r_capture.rs
+++ b/src/video/v4l2r_capture.rs
@@ -3,22 +3,37 @@
 use std::fs::File;
 use std::io;
 use std::os::fd::AsFd;
-use std::path::Path;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::time::Duration;
 
 use nix::poll::{poll, PollFd, PollFlags, PollTimeout};
-use tracing::{debug, warn};
-use v4l2r::bindings::{v4l2_requestbuffers, v4l2_streamparm, v4l2_streamparm__bindgen_ty_1};
+use tracing::{debug, info, warn};
+use v4l2r::bindings::{
+    v4l2_dv_timings, v4l2_requestbuffers, v4l2_streamparm, v4l2_streamparm__bindgen_ty_1,
+    V4L2_DV_BT_656_1120,
+};
 use v4l2r::ioctl::{
-    self, Capabilities, Capability as V4l2rCapability, MemoryConsistency, PlaneMapping, QBufPlane,
-    QBuffer, QueryBuffer, V4l2Buffer,
+    self, Capabilities, Capability as V4l2rCapability, Event as V4l2Event, EventType,
+    MemoryConsistency, PlaneMapping, QBufPlane, QBuffer, QueryBuffer, QueryDvTimingsError,
+    SubscribeEventFlags, V4l2Buffer,
 };
 use v4l2r::memory::{MemoryType, MmapHandle};
 use v4l2r::nix::errno::Errno;
 use v4l2r::{Format as V4l2rFormat, PixelFormat as V4l2rPixelFormat, QueueType};
 
 use crate::error::{AppError, Result};
+use crate::video::csi_bridge::{self, CsiBridgeKind, ProbeResult};
 use crate::video::format::{PixelFormat, Resolution};
+use crate::video::SignalStatus;
+
+/// `io::Error` payload when the driver posts `V4L2_EVENT_SOURCE_CHANGE`.
+pub const SOURCE_CHANGED_MARKER: &str = "v4l2_source_changed";
+
+pub fn is_source_changed_error(err: &io::Error) -> bool {
+    err.get_ref()
+        .map(|inner| inner.to_string() == SOURCE_CHANGED_MARKER)
+        .unwrap_or(false)
+}
 
 /// Metadata for a captured frame.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy)]
@@ -27,6 +42,23 @@ pub struct CaptureMeta {
     pub sequence: u64,
 }
 
+/// When set, DV ioctls use the subdev (rkcif: video node has no DV ioctls).
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Default)]
+pub struct BridgeContext {
+    pub subdev_path: Option<PathBuf>,
+    pub kind: Option<CsiBridgeKind>,
+}
+
+impl BridgeContext {
+    pub fn from_parts(subdev_path: Option<PathBuf>, kind: Option<CsiBridgeKind>) -> Self {
+        Self { subdev_path, kind }
+    }
+
+    pub fn has_subdev(&self) -> bool {
+        self.subdev_path.is_some()
+    }
+}
+
 /// V4L2 capture stream backed by v4l2r ioctl.
 pub struct V4l2rCaptureStream {
     fd: File,
@@ -36,9 +68,12 @@ pub struct V4l2rCaptureStream {
     stride: u32,
     timeout: Duration,
     mappings: Vec<Vec<PlaneMapping>>,
+    subdev_fd: Option<File>,
+    bridge_kind: Option<CsiBridgeKind>,
 }
 
 impl V4l2rCaptureStream {
+    /// UVC: uses `resolution`. CSI bridges: DV-probe first; may return `CaptureNoSignal`.
     pub fn open(
         device_path: impl AsRef<Path>,
         resolution: Resolution,
@@ -47,6 +82,69 @@ impl V4l2rCaptureStream {
         buffer_count: u32,
         timeout: Duration,
     ) -> Result<Self> {
+        Self::open_with_bridge(
+            device_path,
+            resolution,
+            format,
+            fps,
+            buffer_count,
+            timeout,
+            BridgeContext::default(),
+        )
+    }
+
+    /// With subdev: probe DV on subdev before opening video (RK628 safety); may ignore requested size.
+    pub fn open_with_bridge(
+        device_path: impl AsRef<Path>,
+        resolution: Resolution,
+        format: PixelFormat,
+        fps: u32,
+        buffer_count: u32,
+        timeout: Duration,
+        bridge: BridgeContext,
+    ) -> Result<Self> {
+        // Probe subdev before video open (RK628: no-signal must not reach capture STREAMON).
+        let mut subdev_fd_opt: Option<File> = None;
+        let mut subdev_dv_mode: Option<csi_bridge::DvTimingsMode> = None;
+
+        if let Some(subdev_path) = bridge.subdev_path.as_ref() {
+            let subdev_fd = csi_bridge::open_subdev(subdev_path).map_err(|e| {
+                AppError::VideoError(format!(
+                    "Failed to open CSI bridge subdev {:?}: {}",
+                    subdev_path, e
+                ))
+            })?;
+
+            let kind = bridge.kind.unwrap_or(CsiBridgeKind::Unknown);
+            match csi_bridge::probe_signal(&subdev_fd, kind) {
+                ProbeResult::Locked(mode) => {
+                    info!(
+                        "Subdev {:?} locked: {}x{} @ {}Hz",
+                        subdev_path, mode.width, mode.height, mode.pixelclock
+                    );
+                    csi_bridge::apply_dv_timings(&subdev_fd, mode.raw);
+                    if let Err(e) = csi_bridge::subscribe_source_change(&subdev_fd) {
+                        debug!("subdev SOURCE_CHANGE subscribe failed: {}", e);
+                    }
+                    subdev_dv_mode = Some(mode);
+                }
+                other => {
+                    let status = other
+                        .as_status()
+                        .unwrap_or(SignalStatus::NoSignal);
+                    debug!(
+                        "Subdev {:?} reports no signal ({:?}) — refusing STREAMON",
+                        subdev_path, status
+                    );
+                    return Err(AppError::CaptureNoSignal {
+                        kind: status.as_str().to_string(),
+                    });
+                }
+            }
+            subdev_fd_opt = Some(subdev_fd);
+        }
+
+        // ── Phase 1: open the capture (video) node ─────────────────────
         let mut fd = File::options()
             .read(true)
             .write(true)
@@ -56,6 +154,8 @@ impl V4l2rCaptureStream {
         let caps: V4l2rCapability = ioctl::querycap(&fd)
             .map_err(|e| AppError::VideoError(format!("Failed to query capabilities: {}", e)))?;
         let caps_flags = caps.device_caps();
+        let driver_name = caps.driver.to_string();
+        let is_csi_bridge = is_csi_bridge_driver(&driver_name);
 
         // Prefer multi-planar capture when available, as it is required for some
         // devices/pixel formats (e.g. NV12 via VIDEO_CAPTURE_MPLANE).
@@ -69,11 +169,50 @@ impl V4l2rCaptureStream {
             ));
         };
 
-        let mut fmt: V4l2rFormat = ioctl::g_fmt(&fd, queue)
-            .map_err(|e| AppError::VideoError(format!("Failed to get device format: {}", e)))?;
+        // CSI/HDMI bridge without a subdev pairing (tc358743 on uvcvideo,
+        // rk_hdmirx on RK3588): probe DV timings on the video node, with
+        // the same no-signal gate as the subdev path.  When we *do* have
+        // a subdev, reuse its already-probed mode to drive S_FMT.
+        let dv_mode = if let Some(mode) = subdev_dv_mode.as_ref() {
+            Some(DvTimingsMode {
+                width: mode.width,
+                height: mode.height,
+                fps: mode.fps,
+            })
+        } else if is_csi_bridge {
+            Some(probe_and_apply_dv_timings(&fd)?)
+        } else {
+            None
+        };
 
-        fmt.width = resolution.width;
-        fmt.height = resolution.height;
+        // rkcif + RK628: G_FMT is often 0×0 until the first S_FMT; G_FMT may
+        // also fail. With DV timings from the subdev, build the format (same as
+        // `v4l2-ctl --set-fmt-video=width=…,height=…`).
+        let mut fmt: V4l2rFormat = match (
+            ioctl::g_fmt::<V4l2rFormat>(&fd, queue),
+            is_csi_bridge,
+            dv_mode.as_ref(),
+        ) {
+            (Ok(f), _, _) if f.width > 0 && f.height > 0 => f,
+            (_, true, Some(m)) => {
+                let fourcc = format.to_fourcc();
+                V4l2rFormat::from((&fourcc, (m.width as usize, m.height as usize)))
+            }
+            (Ok(f), _, _) => f,
+            (Err(e), _, _) => {
+                return Err(AppError::VideoError(format!("Failed to get device format: {}", e)));
+            }
+        };
+
+        // Prefer the DV-timings-reported geometry for CSI bridges — the
+        // source, not the user config, dictates what the capture hardware
+        // will actually deliver.
+        let (target_w, target_h) = match dv_mode {
+            Some(DvTimingsMode { width, height, .. }) => (width, height),
+            None => (resolution.width, resolution.height),
+        };
+        fmt.width = target_w;
+        fmt.height = target_h;
         fmt.pixelformat = V4l2rPixelFormat::from(&format.to_fourcc());
 
         let actual_fmt: V4l2rFormat = ioctl::s_fmt(&mut fd, (queue, &fmt))
@@ -146,12 +285,33 @@ impl V4l2rCaptureStream {
             stride,
             timeout,
             mappings,
+            subdev_fd: subdev_fd_opt,
+            bridge_kind: bridge.kind,
         };
 
         stream.queue_all_buffers()?;
         ioctl::streamon(&stream.fd, stream.queue)
             .map_err(|e| AppError::VideoError(format!("Failed to start capture stream: {}", e)))?;
 
+        // When the subdev path was used, SOURCE_CHANGE was already
+        // subscribed *there* (the rkcif video node returns ENOTTY).
+        // Otherwise try on the video node as a best-effort fallback for
+        // drivers that do honour it (tc358743/uvcvideo, rk_hdmirx).
+        if stream.subdev_fd.is_none() {
+            match ioctl::subscribe_event(
+                &stream.fd,
+                EventType::SourceChange(0),
+                SubscribeEventFlags::empty(),
+            ) {
+                Ok(()) => debug!("Subscribed to V4L2_EVENT_SOURCE_CHANGE on video node"),
+                Err(e) => debug!(
+                    "V4L2_EVENT_SOURCE_CHANGE subscription unavailable on video node \
+                     ({}), falling back to timeout-based restart",
+                    e
+                ),
+            }
+        }
+
         Ok(stream)
     }
 
@@ -167,6 +327,51 @@ impl V4l2rCaptureStream {
         self.stride
     }
 
+    /// Re-probe DV timings on the persistent subdev handle (no extra `open`).
+    pub fn probe_bridge_signal(&self) -> Option<ProbeResult> {
+        let subdev_fd = self.subdev_fd.as_ref()?;
+        Some(csi_bridge::probe_signal(
+            subdev_fd,
+            self.bridge_kind.unwrap_or(CsiBridgeKind::Unknown),
+        ))
+    }
+
+    /// Like [`Self::probe_bridge_signal`] but isolates the ioctl on a dup'd
+    /// fd with a wall-clock cap — see [`csi_bridge::probe_signal_thread_timeout`].
+    pub fn probe_bridge_signal_with_timeout(&self, limit: Duration) -> Option<ProbeResult> {
+        let subdev_fd = self.subdev_fd.as_ref()?;
+        csi_bridge::probe_signal_thread_timeout(
+            subdev_fd,
+            self.bridge_kind.unwrap_or(CsiBridgeKind::Unknown),
+            limit,
+        )
+    }
+
+    fn expected_capture_bytes(&self) -> Option<usize> {
+        if self.format.is_compressed() {
+            return None;
+        }
+        // Stride is bytesperline; packed formats use stride × height (not × bpp).
+        if self.format.bytes_per_pixel().is_some() {
+            return (self.stride as usize).checked_mul(self.resolution.height as usize);
+        }
+        match self.format {
+            PixelFormat::Nv12 | PixelFormat::Nv21 | PixelFormat::Yuv420 | PixelFormat::Yvu420 => {
+                (self.stride as usize)
+                    .checked_mul(self.resolution.height as usize)?
+                    .checked_mul(3)?
+                    .checked_div(2)
+            }
+            PixelFormat::Nv16 => (self.stride as usize)
+                .checked_mul(self.resolution.height as usize)?
+                .checked_mul(2),
+            PixelFormat::Nv24 => (self.stride as usize)
+                .checked_mul(self.resolution.height as usize)?
+                .checked_mul(3),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn next_into(&mut self, dst: &mut Vec<u8>) -> io::Result<CaptureMeta> {
         self.wait_ready()?;
 
@@ -210,6 +415,21 @@ impl V4l2rCaptureStream {
         self.queue_buffer(index as u32)
             .map_err(|e| io::Error::other(e.to_string()))?;
 
+        if let Some(expected) = self.expected_capture_bytes() {
+            if total > 0 && total != expected {
+                warn!(
+                    "DQBUF bytes_used ({}) != expected ({}) for {:?} {}x{} stride={} — requesting stream re-open",
+                    total,
+                    expected,
+                    self.format,
+                    self.resolution.width,
+                    self.resolution.height,
+                    self.stride
+                );
+                return Err(io::Error::other(SOURCE_CHANGED_MARKER));
+            }
+        }
+
         Ok(CaptureMeta {
             bytes_used: total,
             sequence,
@@ -220,13 +440,79 @@ impl V4l2rCaptureStream {
         if self.timeout.is_zero() {
             return Ok(());
         }
-        let mut fds = [PollFd::new(self.fd.as_fd(), PollFlags::POLLIN)];
+        // Multiplex video fd (POLLIN for DQBUF, POLLPRI as fallback for
+        // drivers that deliver events here) and the optional subdev fd
+        // (POLLPRI only — SOURCE_CHANGE on RK628 / rkcif).
+        let mut poll_fds: Vec<PollFd> = Vec::with_capacity(2);
+        poll_fds.push(PollFd::new(
+            self.fd.as_fd(),
+            PollFlags::POLLIN
+                | PollFlags::POLLPRI
+                | PollFlags::POLLERR
+                | PollFlags::POLLHUP,
+        ));
+        if let Some(subdev_fd) = self.subdev_fd.as_ref() {
+            poll_fds.push(PollFd::new(subdev_fd.as_fd(), PollFlags::POLLPRI));
+        }
         let timeout_ms = self.timeout.as_millis().min(u16::MAX as u128) as u16;
-        let ready = poll(&mut fds, PollTimeout::from(timeout_ms))?;
+        let ready = poll(&mut poll_fds, PollTimeout::from(timeout_ms))?;
         if ready == 0 {
             return Err(io::Error::new(io::ErrorKind::TimedOut, "capture timeout"));
         }
-        Ok(())
+
+        // Subdev POLLPRI fires first on rkcif/RK628 when the source-side
+        // HDMI timings changed.  Drain all pending events and bubble up
+        // the `source_changed` marker so the upper layer re-opens with a
+        // fresh DV_TIMINGS probe.
+        if let Some(subdev_fd) = self.subdev_fd.as_ref() {
+            if let Some(revents) = poll_fds.get(1).and_then(|f| f.revents()) {
+                if revents.contains(PollFlags::POLLPRI) {
+                    let drained = drain_events(subdev_fd);
+                    info!(
+                        "Subdev SOURCE_CHANGE detected (drained {} event(s)), \
+                         requesting stream re-open",
+                        drained
+                    );
+                    return Err(io::Error::other(SOURCE_CHANGED_MARKER));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        if let Some(revents) = poll_fds[0].revents() {
+            if revents.contains(PollFlags::POLLERR) || revents.contains(PollFlags::POLLHUP) {
+                debug!(
+                    "capture poll: video revents={:?} (ERR/HUP) — requesting stream re-open",
+                    revents
+                );
+                return Err(io::Error::other(SOURCE_CHANGED_MARKER));
+            }
+            if revents.contains(PollFlags::POLLPRI) {
+                let drained = drain_events(&self.fd);
+                info!(
+                    "Video-node SOURCE_CHANGE detected (drained {} event(s)), \
+                     requesting stream re-open",
+                    drained
+                );
+                return Err(io::Error::other(SOURCE_CHANGED_MARKER));
+            }
+            if !revents.contains(PollFlags::POLLIN) {
+                // rkcif + RK628: the driver may wake `poll` after internally
+                // invalidating queued buffers without queueing a V4L2 event.
+                // Treat like SOURCE_CHANGE so we STREAMOFF / re-S_FMT.
+                debug!(
+                    "capture poll: ready={} video revents={:?} (no POLLIN) — requesting stream re-open",
+                    ready, revents
+                );
+                return Err(io::Error::other(SOURCE_CHANGED_MARKER));
+            }
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+
+        debug!(
+            "capture poll: ready={} but video revents unavailable — requesting stream re-open",
+            ready
+        );
+        Err(io::Error::other(SOURCE_CHANGED_MARKER))
     }
 
     fn queue_all_buffers(&mut self) -> Result<()> {
@@ -256,12 +542,199 @@ impl V4l2rCaptureStream {
 
 impl Drop for V4l2rCaptureStream {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
+        // Release ordering matters on rkcif: a subsequent open()/S_FMT from a
+        // freshly-constructed stream returns EBUSY if the previous capture has
+        // not fully relinquished its buffers.  Mirror the ustreamer teardown
+        // order:
+        //   1. STREAMOFF            (stop DMA)
+        //   2. unsubscribe_all      (no further DQEVENT paths)
+        //   3. munmap via Drop      (release buffer mappings)
+        //   4. REQBUFS count=0      (free kernel buffer list)
+        //   5. close(fd)            (implicit on File Drop)
         if let Err(e) = ioctl::streamoff(&self.fd, self.queue) {
             debug!("Failed to stop capture stream: {}", e);
         }
+        if let Err(e) = ioctl::unsubscribe_all_events(&self.fd) {
+            debug!("Failed to unsubscribe V4L2 events: {}", e);
+        }
+        // Explicit munmap *before* REQBUFS(0) — the kernel refuses to free the
+        // buffer list while mappings are outstanding.
+        self.mappings.clear();
+        if let Err(e) = ioctl::reqbufs::<v4l2_requestbuffers>(
+            &self.fd,
+            self.queue,
+            MemoryType::Mmap,
+            0,
+            MemoryConsistency::empty(),
+        ) {
+            debug!("Failed to release capture buffers: {}", e);
+        }
     }
 }
 
+/// Driver-name check for CSI/HDMI bridge devices (rk_hdmirx, rkcif, tc358743,
+/// …) that expose DV timings.  Kept in sync with `video::is_csi_hdmi_bridge`
+/// but queries the raw V4L2 driver string so we don't need a full
+/// `VideoDeviceInfo` at `V4l2rCaptureStream::open` time.
+fn is_csi_bridge_driver(driver: &str) -> bool {
+    let d = driver.to_ascii_lowercase();
+    d == "rk_hdmirx" || d == "rkcif" || d == "tc358743" || d.starts_with("rkcif")
+}
+
+/// Drain any pending `V4L2_EVENT_*` events on `fd`.  Used after POLLPRI to
+/// clear the queue so the next poll doesn't immediately wake up on stale
+/// state.  Capped at 16 events per call.
+fn drain_events(fd: &File) -> u32 {
+    let mut drained = 0u32;
+    while let Ok(_ev) = ioctl::dqevent::<V4l2Event>(fd) {
+        drained = drained.saturating_add(1);
+        if drained >= 16 {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    drained
+}
+
+/// Result of a successful `VIDIOC_QUERY_DV_TIMINGS` + `VIDIOC_S_DV_TIMINGS`
+/// probe.  Used by the CSI bridge path to override the requested resolution
+/// with the source-reported geometry before `S_FMT`.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy)]
+struct DvTimingsMode {
+    width: u32,
+    height: u32,
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
+    fps: Option<f64>,
+}
+
+/// Probe DV timings from the source and latch them into the driver.
+///
+/// Mirrors PiKVM/ustreamer's `src_hdmi_open_sequence`:
+///   1. `VIDIOC_QUERY_DV_TIMINGS` — active-probe the source.
+///   2. On success, `VIDIOC_S_DV_TIMINGS` — commit so that subsequent
+///      `S_FMT` is accepted at the matching geometry.
+///   3. Return the timings for the caller to feed into `S_FMT`.
+///
+/// Errno mapping (see `V4L2_CID_DV_RX_POWER_PRESENT` semantics):
+///   * `ENOLINK`    → `NoCable`  (TMDS clock absent, cable unplugged)
+///   * `ENOLCK`     → `NoSync`   (TMDS present, timings unstable)
+///   * `ERANGE`     → `OutOfRange` (timings outside hardware caps)
+///   * `ENODATA`    → `NoSignal` (driver says "no DV timings support on
+///                                this input", e.g. EDID not applied yet)
+///   * anything else → `NoSignal` (fallback, keeps the retry loop going)
+fn probe_and_apply_dv_timings(fd: &File) -> Result<DvTimingsMode> {
+    let timings: v4l2_dv_timings = match ioctl::query_dv_timings(fd) {
+        Ok(t) => t,
+        Err(err) => {
+            let status = match &err {
+                QueryDvTimingsError::NoLink => SignalStatus::NoCable,
+                QueryDvTimingsError::UnstableSignal => SignalStatus::NoSync,
+                QueryDvTimingsError::IoctlError(Errno::ERANGE) => SignalStatus::OutOfRange,
+                QueryDvTimingsError::Unsupported => SignalStatus::NoSignal,
+                // I2C-layer failures between rkcif and the RK628 bridge
+                // (`ret=-110`/-121/-5) typically mean the bridge is in the
+                // middle of a PHY re-lock, not that the source is gone.
+                // Classify them as `NoSync` so the upper layer keeps retrying
+                // on the short end of the back-off ladder.
+                QueryDvTimingsError::IoctlError(Errno::EIO)
+                | QueryDvTimingsError::IoctlError(Errno::EREMOTEIO)
+                | QueryDvTimingsError::IoctlError(Errno::ETIMEDOUT) => SignalStatus::NoSync,
+                QueryDvTimingsError::IoctlError(_) => SignalStatus::NoSignal,
+            };
+            info!(
+                "VIDIOC_QUERY_DV_TIMINGS failed: {} -> SignalStatus::{:?}",
+                err, status
+            );
+            return Err(AppError::CaptureNoSignal {
+                kind: status.as_str().to_string(),
+            });
+        }
+    };
+
+    // `v4l2_dv_timings` is a packed union; copy the scalar fields out to
+    // aligned locals before formatting / comparing to avoid UB (and the
+    // rustc E0793 "reference to field of packed struct is unaligned" error).
+    let timings_type: u32 = timings.type_;
+    if timings_type != V4L2_DV_BT_656_1120 {
+        warn!(
+            "QUERY_DV_TIMINGS returned unknown type {}, treating as NoSignal",
+            timings_type
+        );
+        return Err(AppError::CaptureNoSignal {
+            kind: SignalStatus::NoSignal.as_str().to_string(),
+        });
+    }
+
+    let bt = unsafe { timings.__bindgen_anon_1.bt };
+    let bt_width: u32 = bt.width;
+    let bt_height: u32 = bt.height;
+    let bt_pixelclock: u64 = bt.pixelclock;
+    let bt_hfrontporch: u32 = bt.hfrontporch;
+    let bt_hsync: u32 = bt.hsync;
+    let bt_hbackporch: u32 = bt.hbackporch;
+    let bt_vfrontporch: u32 = bt.vfrontporch;
+    let bt_vsync: u32 = bt.vsync;
+    let bt_vbackporch: u32 = bt.vbackporch;
+
+    if bt_width == 0 || bt_height == 0 || bt_width <= 64 || bt_height <= 64 {
+        warn!(
+            "QUERY_DV_TIMINGS returned degenerate {}x{}, treating as NoSignal",
+            bt_width, bt_height
+        );
+        return Err(AppError::CaptureNoSignal {
+            kind: SignalStatus::NoSignal.as_str().to_string(),
+        });
+    }
+
+    // Latch the detected timings so subsequent S_FMT / STREAMON use the
+    // right pixel clock + blanking.  Failure here is *not* fatal on some
+    // drivers (rkcif doesn't implement S_DV_TIMINGS per-output-device, only
+    // on the bridging subdev), so degrade to a warning and keep going.
+    if let Err(e) = ioctl::s_dv_timings::<_, v4l2_dv_timings>(fd, timings) {
+        debug!(
+            "VIDIOC_S_DV_TIMINGS failed ({}), continuing with queried timings for S_FMT",
+            e
+        );
+    }
+
+    let fps = dv_timings_fps_from_scalars(
+        bt_width,
+        bt_height,
+        bt_hfrontporch + bt_hsync + bt_hbackporch,
+        bt_vfrontporch + bt_vsync + bt_vbackporch,
+        bt_pixelclock,
+    );
+    info!(
+        "DV timings locked: {}x{} @ {} (pix_clk={})",
+        bt_width,
+        bt_height,
+        fps.map(|f| format!("{:.2} fps", f))
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "?fps".to_string()),
+        bt_pixelclock
+    );
+
+    Ok(DvTimingsMode {
+        width: bt_width,
+        height: bt_height,
+        fps,
+    })
+}
+
+fn dv_timings_fps_from_scalars(
+    width: u32,
+    height: u32,
+    h_blanking: u32,
+    v_blanking: u32,
+    pixelclock: u64,
+) -> Option<f64> {
+    let total_h = (width + h_blanking) as u64;
+    let total_v = (height + v_blanking) as u64;
+    let denom = total_h.checked_mul(total_v)?;
+    if denom == 0 || pixelclock == 0 {
+        return None;
+    }
+    Some(pixelclock as f64 / denom as f64)
+}
+
 fn set_fps(fd: &File, queue: QueueType, fps: u32) -> std::result::Result<(), ioctl::GParmError> {
     let mut params = unsafe { std::mem::zeroed::<v4l2_streamparm>() };
     params.type_ = queue as u32;
diff --git a/src/web/audio_ws.rs b/src/web/audio_ws.rs
index 564c663e..ce7d6a5d 100644
--- a/src/web/audio_ws.rs
+++ b/src/web/audio_ws.rs
@@ -78,15 +78,13 @@ async fn handle_audio_socket(socket: WebSocket, state: Arc<AppState>) {
     loop {
         tokio::select! {
             // Receive Opus frames and send to client
-            opus_result = opus_rx.changed() => {
-                if opus_result.is_err() {
-                    info!("Audio stream closed");
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                let frame = match opus_rx.borrow().clone() {
-                    Some(frame) => frame,
-                    None => continue,
+            opus_result = opus_rx.recv() => {
+                let frame = match opus_result {
+                    Some(f) => f,
+                    None => {
+                        info!("Audio stream closed");
+                        break;
+                    }
                 };
 
                 let binary = encode_audio_packet(&frame, stream_start);
diff --git a/src/web/handlers/mod.rs b/src/web/handlers/mod.rs
index de8567cd..a99dc30e 100644
--- a/src/web/handlers/mod.rs
+++ b/src/web/handlers/mod.rs
@@ -988,6 +988,7 @@ pub struct VideoDevice {
     pub driver: String,
     pub formats: Vec<VideoFormat>,
     pub usb_bus: Option<String>,
+    pub has_signal: bool,
 }
 
 #[derive(Serialize)]
@@ -1083,10 +1084,14 @@ pub async fn list_devices(State(state): State<Arc<AppState>>) -> Json<DeviceList
                         })
                         .collect(),
                     usb_bus,
+                    has_signal: d.has_signal,
                 }
             })
             .collect(),
-        Err(_) => vec![],
+        Err(e) => {
+            warn!(error = %e, "Video device enumeration failed; returning empty video list for /api/devices");
+            vec![]
+        }
     };
 
     // Detect serial devices (common USB/ACM ports) - single directory read
diff --git a/src/webrtc/universal_session.rs b/src/webrtc/universal_session.rs
index 4e1db442..b52203c5 100644
--- a/src/webrtc/universal_session.rs
+++ b/src/webrtc/universal_session.rs
@@ -589,6 +589,9 @@ impl UniversalSession {
         mut frame_rx: tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<std::sync::Arc<EncodedVideoFrame>>,
         request_keyframe: Arc<dyn Fn() + Send + Sync + 'static>,
     ) {
+        if let Some(handle) = self.video_receiver_handle.lock().await.take() {
+            handle.abort();
+        }
         info!(
             "Starting {} session {} with shared encoder",
             self.codec, self.session_id
@@ -749,7 +752,7 @@ impl UniversalSession {
     /// Start receiving Opus audio frames
     pub async fn start_audio_from_opus(
         &self,
-        mut opus_rx: tokio::sync::watch::Receiver<Option<std::sync::Arc<OpusFrame>>>,
+        mut opus_rx: tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<std::sync::Arc<OpusFrame>>,
     ) {
         let audio_track = match &self.audio_track {
             Some(track) => track.clone(),
@@ -805,15 +808,13 @@ impl UniversalSession {
                         }
                     }
 
-                    result = opus_rx.changed() => {
-                        if result.is_err() {
-                            info!("Opus channel closed for session {}", session_id);
-                            break;
-                        }
-
-                        let opus_frame = match opus_rx.borrow().clone() {
+                    result = opus_rx.recv() => {
+                        let opus_frame = match result {
                             Some(frame) => frame,
-                            None => continue,
+                            None => {
+                                info!("Opus mpsc closed for session {}", session_id);
+                                break;
+                            }
                         };
 
                         // 20ms at 48kHz = 960 samples
diff --git a/src/webrtc/webrtc_streamer.rs b/src/webrtc/webrtc_streamer.rs
index cabab679..553be30e 100644
--- a/src/webrtc/webrtc_streamer.rs
+++ b/src/webrtc/webrtc_streamer.rs
@@ -36,14 +36,15 @@ use tracing::{debug, info, trace, warn};
 
 use crate::audio::{AudioController, OpusFrame};
 use crate::error::{AppError, Result};
-use crate::events::EventBus;
+use crate::events::{EventBus, SystemEvent};
 use crate::hid::HidController;
 use crate::video::encoder::registry::EncoderBackend;
 use crate::video::encoder::registry::VideoEncoderType;
 use crate::video::encoder::VideoCodecType;
 use crate::video::format::{PixelFormat, Resolution};
 use crate::video::shared_video_pipeline::{
-    SharedVideoPipeline, SharedVideoPipelineConfig, SharedVideoPipelineStats,
+    PipelineStateNotification, SharedVideoPipeline, SharedVideoPipelineConfig,
+    SharedVideoPipelineStats,
 };
 
 use super::config::{TurnServer, WebRtcConfig};
@@ -93,6 +94,8 @@ pub struct CaptureDeviceConfig {
     pub device_path: PathBuf,
     pub buffer_count: u32,
     pub jpeg_quality: u8,
+    pub subdev_path: Option<PathBuf>,
+    pub bridge_kind: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// WebRTC streamer statistics
@@ -274,6 +277,73 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
         }
     }
 
+    fn build_pipeline_state_notifier(
+        device: String,
+        events: Option<Arc<EventBus>>,
+    ) -> Option<Arc<dyn Fn(PipelineStateNotification) + Send + Sync>> {
+        events.map(|events| {
+            Arc::new(move |notification: PipelineStateNotification| {
+                events.publish(SystemEvent::StreamStateChanged {
+                    state: notification.state.to_string(),
+                    device: Some(device.clone()),
+                    reason: notification.reason.map(|reason| reason.to_string()),
+                    next_retry_ms: notification.next_retry_ms,
+                });
+            }) as Arc<dyn Fn(PipelineStateNotification) + Send + Sync>
+        })
+    }
+
+    fn make_keyframe_callback(
+        pipeline: Arc<SharedVideoPipeline>,
+        session_id: String,
+    ) -> Arc<dyn Fn() + Send + Sync + 'static> {
+        Arc::new(move || {
+            let pipeline = pipeline.clone();
+            let sid = session_id.clone();
+            tokio::spawn(async move {
+                info!("Requesting keyframe for session {} after reconnect", sid);
+                pipeline.request_keyframe().await;
+            });
+        })
+    }
+
+    async fn reconnect_sessions_to_current_pipeline(
+        self: &Arc<Self>,
+        reason: &str,
+    ) -> Result<usize> {
+        if self.capture_device.read().await.is_none() {
+            return Ok(0);
+        }
+
+        let sessions_to_reconnect: Vec<(String, Arc<UniversalSession>)> = {
+            let sessions = self.sessions.read().await;
+            sessions
+                .iter()
+                .map(|(session_id, session)| (session_id.clone(), session.clone()))
+                .collect()
+        };
+
+        if sessions_to_reconnect.is_empty() {
+            return Ok(0);
+        }
+
+        let pipeline = self.ensure_video_pipeline().await?;
+        for (session_id, session) in &sessions_to_reconnect {
+            info!(
+                "Reconnecting session {} to pipeline after {}",
+                session_id, reason
+            );
+            session
+                .start_from_video_pipeline(
+                    pipeline.subscribe(),
+                    Self::make_keyframe_callback(pipeline.clone(), session_id.clone()),
+                )
+                .await;
+        }
+
+        Ok(sessions_to_reconnect.len())
+    }
+
     /// Ensure video pipeline is initialized and running
     async fn ensure_video_pipeline(self: &Arc<Self>) -> Result<Arc<SharedVideoPipeline>> {
         let mut pipeline_guard = self.video_pipeline.write().await;
@@ -284,24 +354,35 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
             }
         }
 
-        let config = self.config.read().await;
         let codec = *self.video_codec.read().await;
-
-        let pipeline_config = SharedVideoPipelineConfig {
-            resolution: config.resolution,
-            input_format: config.input_format,
-            output_codec: Self::codec_type_to_encoder_type(codec),
-            bitrate_preset: config.bitrate_preset,
-            fps: config.fps,
-            encoder_backend: config.encoder_backend,
+        let pipeline_config = {
+            let config = self.config.read().await;
+            SharedVideoPipelineConfig {
+                resolution: config.resolution,
+                input_format: config.input_format,
+                output_codec: Self::codec_type_to_encoder_type(codec),
+                bitrate_preset: config.bitrate_preset,
+                fps: config.fps,
+                encoder_backend: config.encoder_backend,
+            }
         };
 
         info!("Creating shared video pipeline for {:?}", codec);
         let pipeline = SharedVideoPipeline::new(pipeline_config)?;
         let capture_device = self.capture_device.read().await.clone();
         if let Some(device) = capture_device {
+            pipeline.set_state_notifier(Self::build_pipeline_state_notifier(
+                device.device_path.display().to_string(),
+                self.events.read().await.clone(),
+            ));
             pipeline
-                .start_with_device(device.device_path, device.buffer_count, device.jpeg_quality)
+                .start_with_device(
+                    device.device_path,
+                    device.buffer_count,
+                    device.jpeg_quality,
+                    device.subdev_path,
+                    device.bridge_kind,
+                )
                 .await?;
         } else {
             return Err(AppError::VideoError(
@@ -322,11 +403,13 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
 
                     // Clear pipeline reference in WebRtcStreamer
                     if let Some(streamer) = streamer_weak.upgrade() {
+                        let mut pending_geometry: Option<(Resolution, PixelFormat)> = None;
                         let mut pipeline_guard = streamer.video_pipeline.write().await;
                         // Only clear if it's the same pipeline that stopped
                         if let Some(ref current) = *pipeline_guard {
                             if let Some(stopped_pipeline) = pipeline_weak.upgrade() {
                                 if Arc::ptr_eq(current, &stopped_pipeline) {
+                                    pending_geometry = stopped_pipeline.take_pending_sync_geometry();
                                     *pipeline_guard = None;
                                     info!("Cleared stopped video pipeline reference");
                                 }
@@ -334,6 +417,35 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
                         }
                         drop(pipeline_guard);
 
+                        let should_reconnect = pending_geometry.is_some();
+                        if let Some((r, f)) = pending_geometry {
+                            streamer.sync_video_geometry_from_negotiated(r, f).await;
+                        }
+                        if should_reconnect {
+                            let streamer_for_reconnect = streamer.clone();
+                            tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || {
+                                let handle = tokio::runtime::Handle::current();
+                                handle.block_on(async move {
+                                    match streamer_for_reconnect
+                                        .reconnect_sessions_to_current_pipeline(
+                                            "capture geometry change",
+                                        )
+                                        .await
+                                    {
+                                        Ok(reconnected) if reconnected > 0 => info!(
+                                            "Video pipeline rebuilt after geometry change, reconnected {} sessions",
+                                            reconnected
+                                        ),
+                                        Ok(_) => {}
+                                        Err(e) => warn!(
+                                            "Failed to reconnect sessions after geometry change: {}",
+                                            e
+                                        ),
+                                    }
+                                });
+                            });
+                        }
+
                         info!(
                             "Video pipeline stopped, but keeping capture config for new sessions"
                         );
@@ -344,6 +456,13 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
             debug!("Video pipeline monitor task ended");
         });
 
+        let pipeline_cfg = pipeline.config().await;
+        self.sync_video_geometry_from_negotiated(
+            pipeline_cfg.resolution,
+            pipeline_cfg.input_format,
+        )
+        .await;
+
         *pipeline_guard = Some(pipeline.clone());
         Ok(pipeline)
     }
@@ -367,6 +486,15 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
         }
     }
 
+    pub async fn current_video_geometry(&self) -> (Resolution, PixelFormat, u32) {
+        if let Some(cfg) = self.get_pipeline_config().await {
+            (cfg.resolution, cfg.input_format, cfg.fps)
+        } else {
+            let c = self.config.read().await;
+            (c.resolution, c.input_format, c.fps)
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Request the encoder to generate a keyframe on next encode
     pub async fn request_keyframe(&self) -> Result<()> {
         if let Some(ref pipeline) = *self.video_pipeline.read().await {
@@ -417,7 +545,7 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
     /// Subscribe to encoded Opus frames (for sessions)
     pub async fn subscribe_opus(
         &self,
-    ) -> Option<tokio::sync::watch::Receiver<Option<std::sync::Arc<OpusFrame>>>> {
+    ) -> Option<tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<std::sync::Arc<OpusFrame>>> {
         if let Some(ref controller) = *self.audio_controller.read().await {
             controller.subscribe_opus_async().await
         } else {
@@ -441,16 +569,23 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Set capture device for direct capture pipeline
-    pub async fn set_capture_device(&self, device_path: PathBuf, jpeg_quality: u8) {
+    pub async fn set_capture_device(
+        &self,
+        device_path: PathBuf,
+        jpeg_quality: u8,
+        subdev_path: Option<PathBuf>,
+        bridge_kind: Option<String>,
+    ) {
         info!(
-            "Setting direct capture device for WebRTC: {:?}",
-            device_path
+            "Setting direct capture device for WebRTC: {:?} (subdev={:?}, kind={:?})",
+            device_path, subdev_path, bridge_kind
         );
         *self.capture_device.write().await = Some(CaptureDeviceConfig {
             device_path,
             buffer_count: 2,
             jpeg_quality,
+            subdev_path,
+            bridge_kind,
         });
     }
 
@@ -519,16 +654,54 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
         }
 
         // Update config (preserve user-configured bitrate)
-        let mut config = self.config.write().await;
-        config.resolution = resolution;
-        config.input_format = format;
-        config.fps = fps;
-        // Note: bitrate is NOT auto-scaled here - use set_bitrate() or config to change it
+        {
+            let mut config = self.config.write().await;
+            config.resolution = resolution;
+            config.input_format = format;
+            config.fps = fps;
+            // Note: bitrate is NOT auto-scaled here - use set_bitrate() or config to change it
 
-        info!(
-            "WebRTC config updated: {}x{} {:?} @ {} fps, {}",
-            resolution.width, resolution.height, format, fps, config.bitrate_preset
-        );
+            info!(
+                "WebRTC config updated: {}x{} {:?} @ {} fps, {}",
+                resolution.width,
+                resolution.height,
+                format,
+                fps,
+                config.bitrate_preset
+            );
+        }
+
+        self.notify_device_info_dirty().await;
+    }
+
+    /// Update resolution/format to match DV-negotiated capture without stopping
+    /// the pipeline or closing sessions. Used when hardware timing differs from
+    /// saved settings (e.g. RK628 `S_FMT` follows source while SQLite still has
+    /// a user-chosen preset).
+    pub async fn sync_video_geometry_from_negotiated(
+        &self,
+        resolution: Resolution,
+        format: PixelFormat,
+    ) {
+        {
+            let mut config = self.config.write().await;
+            if config.resolution == resolution && config.input_format == format {
+                return;
+            }
+            info!(
+                "WebRTC geometry aligned to negotiated capture: {}x{} {:?} (was {}x{} {:?})",
+                resolution.width,
+                resolution.height,
+                format,
+                config.resolution.width,
+                config.resolution.height,
+                config.input_format
+            );
+            config.resolution = resolution;
+            config.input_format = format;
+        }
+
+        self.notify_device_info_dirty().await;
     }
 
     /// Update encoder backend (software/hardware selection)
@@ -652,6 +825,14 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
         *self.events.write().await = Some(events);
     }
 
+    /// Push a debounced `system.device_info` refresh so the console status card
+    /// picks up DV-negotiated / pipeline resolution without a separate WebRTC message.
+    async fn notify_device_info_dirty(&self) {
+        if let Some(bus) = self.events.read().await.as_ref() {
+            bus.mark_device_info_dirty();
+        }
+    }
+
     // === Session Management ===
 
     /// Create a new WebRTC session
@@ -695,17 +876,8 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
         // Request keyframe after ICE connection is established and on gaps
         let pipeline_for_callback = pipeline.clone();
         let session_id_for_callback = session_id.clone();
-        let request_keyframe = Arc::new(move || {
-            let pipeline = pipeline_for_callback.clone();
-            let sid = session_id_for_callback.clone();
-            tokio::spawn(async move {
-                info!(
-                    "Requesting keyframe for session {} after ICE connected",
-                    sid
-                );
-                pipeline.request_keyframe().await;
-            });
-        });
+        let request_keyframe =
+            Self::make_keyframe_callback(pipeline_for_callback, session_id_for_callback);
         session
             .start_from_video_pipeline(pipeline.subscribe(), request_keyframe)
             .await;
@@ -939,34 +1111,14 @@ impl WebRtcStreamer {
                 return Ok(());
             }
 
-            let session_ids: Vec<String> = self.sessions.read().await.keys().cloned().collect();
-            if !session_ids.is_empty() {
-                let pipeline = self.ensure_video_pipeline().await?;
-
-                let sessions = self.sessions.read().await;
-                for session_id in &session_ids {
-                    if let Some(session) = sessions.get(session_id) {
-                        info!("Reconnecting session {} to new pipeline", session_id);
-                        let pipeline_for_callback = pipeline.clone();
-                        let sid = session_id.clone();
-                        let request_keyframe = Arc::new(move || {
-                            let pipeline = pipeline_for_callback.clone();
-                            let sid = sid.clone();
-                            tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                info!("Requesting keyframe for session {} after reconnect", sid);
-                                pipeline.request_keyframe().await;
-                            });
-                        });
-                        session
-                            .start_from_video_pipeline(pipeline.subscribe(), request_keyframe)
-                            .await;
-                    }
-                }
-
+            let reconnected = self
+                .reconnect_sessions_to_current_pipeline("bitrate change")
+                .await?;
+            if reconnected > 0 {
                 info!(
                     "Video pipeline restarted with {}, reconnected {} sessions",
                     preset,
-                    session_ids.len()
+                    reconnected
                 );
             }
         } else {
diff --git a/web/src/api/index.ts b/web/src/api/index.ts
index faaa99b8..bd8a01a9 100644
--- a/web/src/api/index.ts
+++ b/web/src/api/index.ts
@@ -213,7 +213,18 @@ export interface VideoEncoderSelfCheckResponse {
 export const streamApi = {
   status: () =>
     request<{
-      state: 'uninitialized' | 'ready' | 'streaming' | 'no_signal' | 'error'
+      state:
+        | 'uninitialized'
+        | 'ready'
+        | 'streaming'
+        | 'no_signal'
+        | 'no_cable'
+        | 'no_sync'
+        | 'out_of_range'
+        | 'device_lost'
+        | 'recovering'
+        | 'device_busy'
+        | 'error'
       device: string | null
       format: string | null
       resolution: [number, number] | null
@@ -649,6 +660,7 @@ export const configApi = {
           }>
         }>
         usb_bus: string | null
+        has_signal: boolean
       }>
       serial: Array<{ path: string; name: string }>
       audio: Array<{
diff --git a/web/src/components/VideoConfigPopover.vue b/web/src/components/VideoConfigPopover.vue
index ebaf4bcf..21abba3f 100644
--- a/web/src/components/VideoConfigPopover.vue
+++ b/web/src/components/VideoConfigPopover.vue
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ interface VideoDevice {
       fps: number[]
     }[]
   }[]
+  has_signal?: boolean
 }
 
 const props = defineProps<{
diff --git a/web/src/composables/useConsoleEvents.ts b/web/src/composables/useConsoleEvents.ts
index b45ffc90..027c08f2 100644
--- a/web/src/composables/useConsoleEvents.ts
+++ b/web/src/composables/useConsoleEvents.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,14 @@ export interface ConsoleEventHandlers {
   onStreamModeSwitching?: (data: { transition_id: string; to_mode: string; from_mode: string }) => void
   onStreamModeReady?: (data: { transition_id: string; mode: string }) => void
   onWebRTCReady?: (data: { codec: string; hardware: boolean; transition_id?: string }) => void
-  onStreamStateChanged?: (data: { state: string; device?: string | null }) => void
+  onStreamStateChanged?: (data: {
+    state: string
+    device?: string | null
+    /** Optional fine-grained diagnostic tag (e.g. `no_cable`, `out_of_range`, `recovering`). */
+    reason?: string | null
+    /** Optional countdown (ms) until the next backend self-recovery attempt. */
+    next_retry_ms?: number | null
+  }) => void
   onStreamDeviceLost?: (data: { device: string; reason: string }) => void
   onStreamReconnecting?: (data: { device: string; attempt: number }) => void
   onStreamRecovered?: (data: { device: string }) => void
diff --git a/web/src/i18n/en-US.ts b/web/src/i18n/en-US.ts
index cc3e565d..b8b659ed 100644
--- a/web/src/i18n/en-US.ts
+++ b/web/src/i18n/en-US.ts
@@ -240,6 +240,8 @@ export default {
     fps: 'Frame Rate',
     selectFps: 'Select FPS',
     noVideoDevices: 'No video devices detected',
+    noSignalDetected: 'No HDMI signal detected. Please connect an HDMI cable and refresh.',
+    refreshDevices: 'Refresh Devices',
     // Audio
     audioDevice: 'Audio Device',
     selectAudioDevice: 'Select audio capture device',
@@ -310,6 +312,33 @@ export default {
     configChanging: 'Applying new configuration...',
     videoRestarted: 'Video stream updated',
     streamError: 'Stream error',
+    // Four canonical video states (backend StreamStateChanged: streaming /
+    // no_signal / device_lost / device_busy).  `reason` provides optional
+    // fine-grained diagnostic sub-text.
+    signal: {
+      noSignal: {
+        title: 'Waiting for video signal',
+        detail: 'Capture device is ready, waiting for the target to output video',
+      },
+      deviceLost: {
+        title: 'Video device offline',
+        detail: 'Capture card is not responding, attempting to re-detect…',
+      },
+      deviceBusy: {
+        title: 'Video channel busy',
+        detail: 'Applying a new configuration or another component is using the device, please wait…',
+      },
+      reason: {
+        no_cable: 'HDMI cable not detected — check the cable and that the target is powered on',
+        no_sync: 'Unstable signal: timings could not be locked — try a lower resolution or refresh rate',
+        out_of_range: 'Resolution or refresh rate exceeds capture capability — try 1080p60 or below',
+        no_signal: 'Capture card is ready, waiting for a picture…',
+        recovering: 'Reconnecting the video device automatically',
+        device_lost: 'Video node disappeared, waiting for the driver to recover',
+        config_changing: 'Applying new configuration',
+        mode_switching: 'Switching video mode',
+      },
+    },
     // WebRTC
     webrtcConnected: 'WebRTC Connected',
     webrtcConnectedDesc: 'Using low-latency H.264 video stream',
diff --git a/web/src/i18n/zh-CN.ts b/web/src/i18n/zh-CN.ts
index de2817f4..1f15baf5 100644
--- a/web/src/i18n/zh-CN.ts
+++ b/web/src/i18n/zh-CN.ts
@@ -240,6 +240,8 @@ export default {
     fps: '帧率',
     selectFps: '选择帧率',
     noVideoDevices: '未检测到视频设备',
+    noSignalDetected: '未检测到 HDMI 信号，请连接 HDMI 线缆后刷新。',
+    refreshDevices: '刷新设备',
     // Audio
     audioDevice: '音频设备',
     selectAudioDevice: '选择音频采集设备',
@@ -310,6 +312,32 @@ export default {
     configChanging: '正在应用新配置...',
     videoRestarted: '视频流已更新',
     streamError: '视频流错误',
+    // 四档视频状态（对应后端 StreamStateChanged：streaming / no_signal /
+    // device_lost / device_busy）.  `reason` 子键可选，用于在副文案中补充细节。
+    signal: {
+      noSignal: {
+        title: '暂无视频信号',
+        detail: '采集卡已就绪，正在等待被控机画面',
+      },
+      deviceLost: {
+        title: '视频设备已断开',
+        detail: '采集卡离线，正在尝试重新识别…',
+      },
+      deviceBusy: {
+        title: '视频通道忙',
+        detail: '正在切换配置或被其他组件占用，请稍候…',
+      },
+      reason: {
+        no_cable: '未检测到 HDMI 线缆，请检查连接或被控机是否已开机',
+        no_sync: '信号不稳定，无法锁定时序，可尝试降低被控机分辨率/刷新率',
+        out_of_range: '分辨率或刷新率超出采集卡能力，建议切换到 1080p60 以内',
+        no_signal: '采集卡已就绪，正在等待画面…',
+        recovering: '正在自动重连视频设备',
+        device_lost: '视频节点丢失，等待驱动恢复',
+        config_changing: '正在应用新配置',
+        mode_switching: '正在切换视频模式',
+      },
+    },
     // WebRTC
     webrtcConnected: 'WebRTC 已连接',
     webrtcConnectedDesc: '正在使用 H.264 低延迟视频流',
diff --git a/web/src/views/ConsoleView.vue b/web/src/views/ConsoleView.vue
index 6423d725..c4b1c718 100644
--- a/web/src/views/ConsoleView.vue
+++ b/web/src/views/ConsoleView.vue
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ import {
   Loader2,
 } from 'lucide-vue-next'
 
-const { t } = useI18n()
+const { t, te } = useI18n()
 const router = useRouter()
 const systemStore = useSystemStore()
 const configStore = useConfigStore()
@@ -98,6 +98,12 @@ const videoErrorMessage = ref('')
 const videoRestarting = ref(false) // Track if video is restarting due to config change
 const mjpegFrameReceived = ref(false) // Whether MJPEG stream has received at least one frame
 
+/** From `stream.state_changed`: ok | no_signal | device_lost | device_busy */
+type StreamSignalState = 'ok' | 'no_signal' | 'device_lost' | 'device_busy'
+const streamSignalState = ref<StreamSignalState>('ok')
+const streamSignalReason = ref<string | null>(null)
+const streamNextRetryMs = ref<number | null>(null)
+
 // Video aspect ratio (dynamically updated from actual video dimensions)
 // Using string format "width/height" to let browser handle the ratio calculation
 const videoAspectRatio = ref<string | null>(null)
@@ -644,6 +650,7 @@ function waitForVideoFirstFrame(el: HTMLVideoElement, timeoutMs = 2000): Promise
   })
 }
 
+/** For WebRTC watch: skip auto-reconnect when these hold. */
 function shouldSuppressAutoReconnect(): boolean {
   return videoMode.value === 'mjpeg'
     || !isConsoleActive.value
@@ -751,6 +758,17 @@ function handleVideoError() {
     return
   }
 
+  // Expected <img> error while overlay shows no_signal / device_* — do not retry.
+  if (streamSignalState.value !== 'ok') {
+    if (retryTimeoutId !== null) {
+      clearTimeout(retryTimeoutId)
+      retryTimeoutId = null
+    }
+    videoLoading.value = false
+    mjpegFrameReceived.value = false
+    return
+  }
+
   // Count consecutive errors even in grace period
   consecutiveErrors++
 
@@ -993,22 +1011,121 @@ function handleStreamModeSwitching(data: { transition_id: string; to_mode: strin
 }
 
 function handleStreamStateChanged(data: any) {
-  if (data.state === 'error') {
+  const state = typeof data?.state === 'string' ? data.state : ''
+  const reason = typeof data?.reason === 'string' && data.reason.length > 0 ? data.reason : null
+  const nextRetry = typeof data?.next_retry_ms === 'number' && data.next_retry_ms > 0
+    ? data.next_retry_ms
+    : null
+
+  streamSignalReason.value = reason
+  streamNextRetryMs.value = nextRetry
+
+  const previous = streamSignalState.value
+
+  switch (state) {
+    case 'streaming':
+    case 'ready':
+    case 'uninitialized':
+      streamSignalState.value = 'ok'
+      break
+    case 'no_signal':
+      streamSignalState.value = 'no_signal'
+      break
+    case 'device_lost':
+      streamSignalState.value = 'device_lost'
+      break
+    case 'device_busy':
+      streamSignalState.value = 'device_busy'
+      break
+  }
+
+  if (state === 'error') {
     videoError.value = true
     videoErrorMessage.value = t('console.streamError')
-  } else if (data.state === 'recovering' && videoMode.value !== 'mjpeg') {
-    // Backend is in the DeviceLost recovery loop; start WebRTC reconnect if not already scheduled.
+  } else if (state === 'no_signal' && videoMode.value !== 'mjpeg') {
+    cancelWebRTCRecovery()
+    videoRestarting.value = false
+    videoError.value = false
+    videoErrorMessage.value = ''
+  } else if (state === 'device_busy' && videoMode.value !== 'mjpeg') {
+    cancelWebRTCRecovery()
+    videoRestarting.value = true
+    videoLoading.value = true
+    videoError.value = false
+    videoErrorMessage.value = ''
+    if (previous !== 'device_busy') {
+      captureFrameOverlay().catch(() => {})
+    }
+  } else if (state === 'device_lost' && videoMode.value !== 'mjpeg') {
     if (webrtcRecoveryTimerId === null && webrtcRecoveryAttempts === 0) {
       scheduleWebRTCRecovery()
     }
-  } else if (data.state === 'streaming' || data.state === 'no_signal') {
-    // Backend stream is alive; cancel any pending recovery timers.
-    if (data.state === 'streaming') {
-      cancelWebRTCRecovery()
+  } else if (state === 'streaming') {
+    cancelWebRTCRecovery()
+    videoError.value = false
+    videoErrorMessage.value = ''
+    videoRestarting.value = false
+    if (
+      videoMode.value === 'mjpeg'
+      && (previous === 'no_signal' || previous === 'device_lost' || previous === 'device_busy')
+    ) {
+      refreshVideo()
+    } else if (
+      videoMode.value !== 'mjpeg'
+      && (previous === 'no_signal' || previous === 'device_busy' || previous === 'device_lost')
+    ) {
+      if (webrtc.isConnected.value && !webrtc.isConnecting.value) {
+        void rebindWebRTCVideo().then(() => {
+          videoLoading.value = false
+        })
+      } else if (!webrtc.isConnected.value && !webrtc.isConnecting.value) {
+        void connectWebRTCSerial('stream recovered').then(async (ok) => {
+          if (ok) {
+            await rebindWebRTCVideo()
+            videoLoading.value = false
+          } else if (webrtcRecoveryTimerId === null && webrtcRecoveryAttempts === 0) {
+            scheduleWebRTCRecovery()
+          }
+        })
+      }
     }
   }
 }
 
+const showSignalOverlay = computed(() => streamSignalState.value !== 'ok')
+
+const signalOverlayInfo = computed(() => {
+  const reason = streamSignalReason.value
+  const reasonHintKey = reason ? `console.signal.reason.${reason}` : ''
+  const hint = reasonHintKey && te(reasonHintKey) ? t(reasonHintKey) : ''
+
+  switch (streamSignalState.value) {
+    case 'no_signal':
+      return {
+        title: t('console.signal.noSignal.title'),
+        detail: t('console.signal.noSignal.detail'),
+        hint,
+        tone: 'info' as const,
+      }
+    case 'device_lost':
+      return {
+        title: t('console.signal.deviceLost.title'),
+        detail: t('console.signal.deviceLost.detail'),
+        hint,
+        tone: 'error' as const,
+      }
+    case 'device_busy':
+      return {
+        title: t('console.signal.deviceBusy.title'),
+        detail: t('console.signal.deviceBusy.detail'),
+        hint,
+        tone: 'info' as const,
+      }
+    default:
+      return { title: '', detail: '', hint: '', tone: 'info' as const }
+  }
+})
+
 function handleStreamStatsUpdate(data: any) {
   // Always update clients count in store (for MJPEG mode display)
   if (typeof data.clients === 'number') {
@@ -1177,8 +1294,12 @@ function refreshVideo() {
 }
 
 // MJPEG URL with cache-busting timestamp (reactive)
-// Only return valid URL when in MJPEG mode to prevent unnecessary requests
-const mjpegTimestamp = ref(0) // Start with 0 to prevent initial load
+// Only return valid URL when in MJPEG mode and the backend reports a
+// healthy stream.  When the backend goes offline (no_signal / device_lost
+// / device_busy) we deliberately return an empty string so the `<img>`
+// tag has no `src` and the 4-state overlay fully owns the video area —
+// no more fake placeholder JPEG peeking through.
+const mjpegTimestamp = ref(0)
 const mjpegUrl = computed(() => {
   if (videoMode.value !== 'mjpeg') {
     return '' // Don't load MJPEG when in H264 mode
@@ -1186,6 +1307,9 @@ const mjpegUrl = computed(() => {
   if (mjpegTimestamp.value === 0) {
     return '' // Don't load until refreshVideo() is called
   }
+  if (streamSignalState.value !== 'ok') {
+    return '' // Backend is offline; let the overlay own the viewport
+  }
   return `${streamApi.getMjpegUrl(myClientId)}&t=${mjpegTimestamp.value}`
 })
 
@@ -1491,21 +1615,27 @@ watch(() => webrtc.state.value, (newState, oldState) => {
     webrtcReconnectTimeout = null
   }
 
-  if (shouldSuppressAutoReconnect()) {
-    return
-  }
-
-  // Update stream online status based on WebRTC connection state
+  // Run before `shouldSuppressAutoReconnect()` so `device_busy` / `videoRestarting`
+  // never blocks clearing the loading overlay when ICE becomes connected.
   if (videoMode.value !== 'mjpeg') {
     if (newState === 'connected') {
       systemStore.setStreamOnline(true)
       webrtcReconnectFailures = 0
+      if (videoLoading.value) {
+        void rebindWebRTCVideo().then(() => {
+          videoLoading.value = false
+        })
+      }
     } else if (newState === 'disconnected' || newState === 'failed') {
       // Don't immediately set offline - wait for potential reconnect
       // The device_info event will eventually sync the correct state
     }
   }
 
+  if (shouldSuppressAutoReconnect()) {
+    return
+  }
+
   // Auto-reconnect when disconnected (but was previously connected)
   if (newState === 'disconnected' && oldState === 'connected' && videoMode.value !== 'mjpeg') {
     webrtcReconnectTimeout = setTimeout(async () => {
@@ -2584,6 +2714,50 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
             </div>
           </Transition>
 
+          <!--
+            Canonical 4-state signal overlay (no_signal / device_lost /
+            device_busy).  Fully covers the video area with a solid dim
+            backdrop so the browser never shows a frozen last frame or a
+            transparent video element peeking through — the MJPEG `<img>`
+            has its `src` cleared the moment the backend goes offline and
+            the WebRTC track is simply obscured.  Sits below the loading /
+            error overlays so those take precedence when both apply.
+          -->
+          <Transition name="fade">
+            <div
+              v-if="showSignalOverlay && !videoLoading && !videoError"
+              class="absolute inset-0 flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-3 p-4 transition-opacity duration-300 pointer-events-none"
+              :class="{
+                'bg-black/80 backdrop-blur-sm': signalOverlayInfo.tone === 'error',
+                'bg-black/70 backdrop-blur-sm': signalOverlayInfo.tone !== 'error',
+              }"
+            >
+              <MonitorOff
+                class="h-10 w-10 sm:h-16 sm:w-16"
+                :class="{
+                  'text-slate-200': signalOverlayInfo.tone === 'info',
+                  'text-red-300': signalOverlayInfo.tone === 'error',
+                }"
+              />
+              <div class="text-center max-w-md">
+                <p
+                  class="font-semibold text-sm sm:text-lg text-white"
+                >{{ signalOverlayInfo.title }}</p>
+                <p
+                  class="text-xs sm:text-sm mt-1 sm:mt-2"
+                  :class="{
+                    'text-slate-200/80': signalOverlayInfo.tone === 'info',
+                    'text-red-100/80': signalOverlayInfo.tone === 'error',
+                  }"
+                >{{ signalOverlayInfo.detail }}</p>
+                <p
+                  v-if="signalOverlayInfo.hint"
+                  class="text-[11px] sm:text-xs mt-2 text-white/50"
+                >{{ signalOverlayInfo.hint }}</p>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </Transition>
+
           <!-- Error Overlay with smooth transition and detailed info -->
           <Transition name="fade">
             <div
diff --git a/web/src/views/SetupView.vue b/web/src/views/SetupView.vue
index 08d69823..cd2098c0 100644
--- a/web/src/views/SetupView.vue
+++ b/web/src/views/SetupView.vue
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ import {
   Check,
   HelpCircle,
   Puzzle,
+  RefreshCw,
 } from 'lucide-vue-next'
 
 const { t } = useI18n()
@@ -106,6 +107,7 @@ interface VideoDeviceInfo {
     }>
   }>
   usb_bus: string | null
+  has_signal: boolean
 }
 
 interface AudioDeviceInfo {
@@ -164,6 +166,29 @@ const passwordStrengthColor = computed(() => {
   return colors[passwordStrength.value] || colors[0]
 })
 
+// Whether the selected video device currently has an HDMI signal
+const selectedDeviceHasSignal = computed(() => {
+  const device = devices.value.video.find((d) => d.path === videoDevice.value)
+  return device?.has_signal ?? true
+})
+
+const refreshingDevices = ref(false)
+
+async function refreshDeviceList() {
+  refreshingDevices.value = true
+  try {
+    const result = await configApi.listDevices()
+    devices.value = result
+    if (result.extensions) {
+      ttydAvailable.value = result.extensions.ttyd_available
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // keep current list
+  } finally {
+    refreshingDevices.value = false
+  }
+}
+
 // Computed: available formats for selected video device
 const availableFormats = computed(() => {
   const device = devices.value.video.find((d) => d.path === videoDevice.value)
@@ -735,6 +760,14 @@ const stepIcons = [User, Video, Keyboard, Puzzle]
               </Select>
             </div>
 
+            <div v-if="videoDevice && !selectedDeviceHasSignal" class="flex items-center gap-3 p-3 rounded-lg border border-orange-500/30 bg-orange-500/5 text-sm text-orange-600 dark:text-orange-400">
+              <p class="flex-1">{{ t('setup.noSignalDetected') }}</p>
+              <Button variant="outline" size="sm" :disabled="refreshingDevices" @click="refreshDeviceList">
+                <RefreshCw class="w-4 h-4 mr-1" :class="{ 'animate-spin': refreshingDevices }" />
+                {{ t('setup.refreshDevices') }}
+              </Button>
+            </div>
+
             <div v-if="videoDevice" class="space-y-2">
               <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
                 <Label for="videoFormat">{{ t('setup.videoFormat') }}</Label>