diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c1e9ecabd9d..0896b5c42c5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ And can be recorded with:
 * Streams are automatically converted from a protocol to another
 * Serve multiple streams at once in separate paths
 * Record streams to disk
+* Playback recordings
 * Authenticate users; use internal or external authentication
 * Redirect readers to other RTSP servers (load balancing)
 * Query and control the server through the API
@@ -115,6 +116,7 @@ _rtsp-simple-server_ has been rebranded as _MediaMTX_. The reason is pretty obvi
   * [Encrypt the configuration](#encrypt-the-configuration)
   * [Remuxing, re-encoding, compression](#remuxing-re-encoding-compression)
   * [Record streams to disk](#record-streams-to-disk)
+  * [Playback recordings](#playback-recordings)
   * [Forward streams to other servers](#forward-streams-to-other-servers)
   * [Proxy requests to other servers](#proxy-requests-to-other-servers)
   * [On-demand publishing](#on-demand-publishing)
@@ -1183,6 +1185,44 @@ To upload recordings to a remote location, you can use _MediaMTX_ together with
 
    If you want to delete local segments after they are uploaded, replace `rclone sync` with `rclone move`.
 
+### Playback recordings
+
+Recordings can be served to users through a dedicated HTTP server, that can be enabled inside the configuration:
+
+```yml
+playback: yes
+playbackAddress: :9996
+```
+
+The server can be queried for recordings by using the URL:
+
+```
+http://localhost:9996/get?path=[mypath]&start=[start_date]&duration=[duration]&format=[format]
+```
+
+Where:
+
+* [mypath] is the path name
+* [start_date] is the start date in RFC3339 format
+* [duration] is the maximum duration of the recording in Golang format (example: 20s, 20h)
+* [format] must be fmp4
+
+All parameters must be [url-encoded](https://www.urlencoder.org/).
+
+For instance:
+
+```
+http://localhost:9996/get?path=stream2&start=2024-01-14T16%3A33%3A17%2B00%3A00&duration=200s&format=fmp4
+```
+
+The resulting stream is natively compatible with any browser, therefore its URL can be directly inserted into a \<video> tag:
+
+```html
+<video controls>
+  <source src="http://localhost:9996/get?path=stream2&start=2024-01-14T16%3A33%3A17%2B00%3A00&duration=200s&format=fmp4" type="video/mp4" />
+</video>
+```
+
 ### Forward streams to other servers
 
 To forward incoming streams to another server, use _FFmpeg_ inside the `runOnReady` parameter:
diff --git a/apidocs/openapi.yaml b/apidocs/openapi.yaml
index 965476e752b..ad82a07bbe5 100644
--- a/apidocs/openapi.yaml
+++ b/apidocs/openapi.yaml
@@ -43,10 +43,6 @@ components:
           type: integer
         externalAuthenticationURL:
           type: string
-        api:
-          type: boolean
-        apiAddress:
-          type: string
         metrics:
           type: boolean
         metricsAddress:
@@ -62,6 +58,18 @@ components:
         runOnDisconnect:
           type: string
 
+        # API
+        api:
+          type: boolean
+        apiAddress:
+          type: string
+
+        # Playback server
+        playback:
+          type: boolean
+        playbackAddress:
+          type: string
+
         # RTSP server
         rtsp:
           type: boolean
@@ -213,9 +221,11 @@ components:
         fallback:
           type: string
 
-        # Record
+        # Record and playback
         record:
           type: boolean
+        playback:
+          type: boolean
         recordPath:
           type: string
         recordFormat:
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index abbdaca04e3..4f28c41867a 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@ require (
 	code.cloudfoundry.org/bytefmt v0.0.0
 	github.com/abema/go-mp4 v1.2.0
 	github.com/alecthomas/kong v0.8.1
-	github.com/aler9/writerseeker v1.1.0
-	github.com/bluenviron/gohlslib v1.2.0
+	github.com/bluenviron/gohlslib v1.2.1-0.20240114214154-83fc88edbaad
 	github.com/bluenviron/gortsplib/v4 v4.7.1
 	github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon v1.9.0
 	github.com/datarhei/gosrt v0.5.7
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 8da8a6a9230..fe280e452cb 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -12,16 +12,14 @@ github.com/aler9/sdp/v3 v3.0.0-20231022165400-33437e07f326 h1:HA7u47vkcxFiHtiOjm
 github.com/aler9/sdp/v3 v3.0.0-20231022165400-33437e07f326/go.mod h1:I40uD/ZSmK2peI6AdJga5fd55d4bFK0oWOgLS9Q8sVc=
 github.com/aler9/webrtc/v3 v3.0.0-20231112223655-e402ed2689c6 h1:wMd3D1mLghoYYh31STig8Kwm2qi8QyQKUy09qUUZrVw=
 github.com/aler9/webrtc/v3 v3.0.0-20231112223655-e402ed2689c6/go.mod h1:1CaT2fcZzZ6VZA+O1i9yK2DU4EOcXVvSbWG9pr5jefs=
-github.com/aler9/writerseeker v1.1.0 h1:t+Sm3tjp8scNlqyoa8obpeqwciMNOvdvsxjxEb3Sx3g=
-github.com/aler9/writerseeker v1.1.0/go.mod h1:QNCcjSKnLsYoTfMmXkEEfgbz6nNXWxKSaBY+hGJGWDA=
 github.com/asticode/go-astikit v0.30.0 h1:DkBkRQRIxYcknlaU7W7ksNfn4gMFsB0tqMJflxkRsZA=
 github.com/asticode/go-astikit v0.30.0/go.mod h1:h4ly7idim1tNhaVkdVBeXQZEE3L0xblP7fCWbgwipF0=
 github.com/asticode/go-astits v1.13.0 h1:XOgkaadfZODnyZRR5Y0/DWkA9vrkLLPLeeOvDwfKZ1c=
 github.com/asticode/go-astits v1.13.0/go.mod h1:QSHmknZ51pf6KJdHKZHJTLlMegIrhega3LPWz3ND/iI=
 github.com/benburkert/openpgp v0.0.0-20160410205803-c2471f86866c h1:8XZeJrs4+ZYhJeJ2aZxADI2tGADS15AzIF8MQ8XAhT4=
 github.com/benburkert/openpgp v0.0.0-20160410205803-c2471f86866c/go.mod h1:x1vxHcL/9AVzuk5HOloOEPrtJY0MaalYr78afXZ+pWI=
-github.com/bluenviron/gohlslib v1.2.0 h1:Hrx2/n/AcmKKIV+MjZLKs5kmW+O7xCdUSPJQoS39JKw=
-github.com/bluenviron/gohlslib v1.2.0/go.mod h1:kG/Sjebsxnf5asMGaGcQ0aSvtFGNChJPgctds2wDHOI=
+github.com/bluenviron/gohlslib v1.2.1-0.20240114214154-83fc88edbaad h1:R9Lqf0A2/3TTB4casoU1LC+HRLmsVxNYUTmnbbD8WAE=
+github.com/bluenviron/gohlslib v1.2.1-0.20240114214154-83fc88edbaad/go.mod h1:k94WhiVkgJl45Q1WkLw8/GG2AJ1+VU9c/3i4f41xMq8=
 github.com/bluenviron/gortsplib/v4 v4.7.1 h1:ZiPHjnIsdPDfPGZgfBr2n2xCFZlvmc/5zEqdoJUa1vU=
 github.com/bluenviron/gortsplib/v4 v4.7.1/go.mod h1:3+IYh85PgIPLHr4D5z7GnRvpu/ogSHMDhsYW/CjrD8E=
 github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon v1.9.0 h1:0I7PuwaDD6uOeQlV3WOlC/7FFESDa4dllYylj1YcnI4=
diff --git a/internal/api/api.go b/internal/api/api.go
index 44bb6320d52..ee47c122f48 100644
--- a/internal/api/api.go
+++ b/internal/api/api.go
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ func (a *API) writeError(ctx *gin.Context, status int, err error) {
 	// show error in logs
 	a.Log(logger.Error, err.Error())
 
-	// send error in response
+	// add error to response
 	ctx.JSON(status, &defs.APIError{
 		Error: err.Error(),
 	})
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ func (a *API) onConfigGlobalPatch(ctx *gin.Context) {
 
 	newConf.PatchGlobal(&c)
 
-	err = newConf.Check()
+	err = newConf.Validate()
 	if err != nil {
 		a.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, err)
 		return
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ func (a *API) onConfigPathDefaultsPatch(ctx *gin.Context) {
 
 	newConf.PatchPathDefaults(&p)
 
-	err = newConf.Check()
+	err = newConf.Validate()
 	if err != nil {
 		a.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, err)
 		return
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ func (a *API) onConfigPathsAdd(ctx *gin.Context) { //nolint:dupl
 		return
 	}
 
-	err = newConf.Check()
+	err = newConf.Validate()
 	if err != nil {
 		a.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, err)
 		return
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ func (a *API) onConfigPathsPatch(ctx *gin.Context) { //nolint:dupl
 		return
 	}
 
-	err = newConf.Check()
+	err = newConf.Validate()
 	if err != nil {
 		a.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, err)
 		return
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ func (a *API) onConfigPathsReplace(ctx *gin.Context) { //nolint:dupl
 		return
 	}
 
-	err = newConf.Check()
+	err = newConf.Validate()
 	if err != nil {
 		a.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, err)
 		return
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ func (a *API) onConfigPathsDelete(ctx *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	err = newConf.Check()
+	err = newConf.Validate()
 	if err != nil {
 		a.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, err)
 		return
diff --git a/internal/conf/conf.go b/internal/conf/conf.go
index f8226bdd2d8..30e3df54fab 100644
--- a/internal/conf/conf.go
+++ b/internal/conf/conf.go
@@ -94,8 +94,6 @@ type Conf struct {
 	WriteQueueSize            int             `json:"writeQueueSize"`
 	UDPMaxPayloadSize         int             `json:"udpMaxPayloadSize"`
 	ExternalAuthenticationURL string          `json:"externalAuthenticationURL"`
-	API                       bool            `json:"api"`
-	APIAddress                string          `json:"apiAddress"`
 	Metrics                   bool            `json:"metrics"`
 	MetricsAddress            string          `json:"metricsAddress"`
 	PPROF                     bool            `json:"pprof"`
@@ -104,6 +102,14 @@ type Conf struct {
 	RunOnConnectRestart       bool            `json:"runOnConnectRestart"`
 	RunOnDisconnect           string          `json:"runOnDisconnect"`
 
+	// API
+	API        bool   `json:"api"`
+	APIAddress string `json:"apiAddress"`
+
+	// Playback
+	Playback        bool   `json:"playback"`
+	PlaybackAddress string `json:"playbackAddress"`
+
 	// RTSP server
 	RTSP              bool        `json:"rtsp"`
 	RTSPDisable       *bool       `json:"rtspDisable,omitempty"` // deprecated
@@ -195,11 +201,16 @@ func (conf *Conf) setDefaults() {
 	conf.WriteTimeout = 10 * StringDuration(time.Second)
 	conf.WriteQueueSize = 512
 	conf.UDPMaxPayloadSize = 1472
-	conf.APIAddress = "127.0.0.1:9997"
 	conf.MetricsAddress = "127.0.0.1:9998"
 	conf.PPROFAddress = "127.0.0.1:9999"
 
-	// RTSP
+	// API
+	conf.APIAddress = "127.0.0.1:9997"
+
+	// Playback server
+	conf.PlaybackAddress = ":9996"
+
+	// RTSP server
 	conf.RTSP = true
 	conf.Protocols = Protocols{
 		Protocol(gortsplib.TransportUDP):          {},
@@ -217,7 +228,7 @@ func (conf *Conf) setDefaults() {
 	conf.ServerCert = "server.crt"
 	conf.AuthMethods = AuthMethods{headers.AuthBasic}
 
-	// RTMP
+	// RTMP server
 	conf.RTMP = true
 	conf.RTMPAddress = ":1935"
 	conf.RTMPSAddress = ":1936"
@@ -236,7 +247,7 @@ func (conf *Conf) setDefaults() {
 	conf.HLSSegmentMaxSize = 50 * 1024 * 1024
 	conf.HLSAllowOrigin = "*"
 
-	// WebRTC
+	// WebRTC server
 	conf.WebRTC = true
 	conf.WebRTCAddress = ":8889"
 	conf.WebRTCServerKey = "server.key"
@@ -248,7 +259,7 @@ func (conf *Conf) setDefaults() {
 	conf.WebRTCAdditionalHosts = []string{}
 	conf.WebRTCICEServers2 = []WebRTCICEServer{}
 
-	// SRT
+	// SRT server
 	conf.SRT = true
 	conf.SRTAddress = ":8890"
 
@@ -274,7 +285,7 @@ func Load(fpath string, defaultConfPaths []string) (*Conf, string, error) {
 		return nil, "", err
 	}
 
-	err = conf.Check()
+	err = conf.Validate()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, "", err
 	}
@@ -337,8 +348,8 @@ func (conf Conf) Clone() *Conf {
 	return &dest
 }
 
-// Check checks the configuration for errors.
-func (conf *Conf) Check() error {
+// Validate checks the configuration for errors.
+func (conf *Conf) Validate() error {
 	// General
 
 	if conf.ReadBufferCount != nil {
@@ -436,7 +447,7 @@ func (conf *Conf) Check() error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Record
+	// Record (deprecated)
 	if conf.Record != nil {
 		conf.PathDefaults.Record = *conf.Record
 	}
@@ -479,7 +490,7 @@ func (conf *Conf) Check() error {
 		pconf := newPath(&conf.PathDefaults, optional)
 		conf.Paths[name] = pconf
 
-		err := pconf.check(conf, name)
+		err := pconf.validate(conf, name)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/internal/conf/conf_test.go b/internal/conf/conf_test.go
index e61262137b4..6575c545c33 100644
--- a/internal/conf/conf_test.go
+++ b/internal/conf/conf_test.go
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ func TestConfFromFile(t *testing.T) {
 			Source:                     "publisher",
 			SourceOnDemandStartTimeout: 10 * StringDuration(time.Second),
 			SourceOnDemandCloseAfter:   10 * StringDuration(time.Second),
+			Playback:                   true,
 			RecordPath:                 "./recordings/%path/%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S-%f",
 			RecordFormat:               RecordFormatFMP4,
 			RecordPartDuration:         100000000,
diff --git a/internal/conf/credential.go b/internal/conf/credential.go
index c1683e2908d..7b6d47399fe 100644
--- a/internal/conf/credential.go
+++ b/internal/conf/credential.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func (d *Credential) UnmarshalJSON(b []byte) error {
 		value: in,
 	}
 
-	return d.validateConfig()
+	return d.validate()
 }
 
 // UnmarshalEnv implements env.Unmarshaler.
@@ -97,26 +97,24 @@ func (d *Credential) Check(guess string) bool {
 	return d.value == guess
 }
 
-func (d *Credential) validateConfig() error {
-	if d.IsEmpty() {
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	switch {
-	case d.IsSha256():
-		if !reBase64.MatchString(d.value) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("credential contains unsupported characters, sha256 hash must be base64 encoded")
-		}
-	case d.IsArgon2():
-		// TODO: remove matthewhartstonge/argon2 when this PR gets merged into mainline Go:
-		// https://go-review.googlesource.com/c/crypto/+/502515
-		_, err := argon2.Decode([]byte(d.value[len("argon2:"):]))
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("invalid argon2 hash: %w", err)
-		}
-	default:
-		if !rePlainCredential.MatchString(d.value) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("credential contains unsupported characters. Supported are: %s", plainCredentialSupportedChars)
+func (d *Credential) validate() error {
+	if !d.IsEmpty() {
+		switch {
+		case d.IsSha256():
+			if !reBase64.MatchString(d.value) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("credential contains unsupported characters, sha256 hash must be base64 encoded")
+			}
+		case d.IsArgon2():
+			// TODO: remove matthewhartstonge/argon2 when this PR gets merged into mainline Go:
+			// https://go-review.googlesource.com/c/crypto/+/502515
+			_, err := argon2.Decode([]byte(d.value[len("argon2:"):]))
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("invalid argon2 hash: %w", err)
+			}
+		default:
+			if !rePlainCredential.MatchString(d.value) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("credential contains unsupported characters. Supported are: %s", plainCredentialSupportedChars)
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	return nil
diff --git a/internal/conf/credential_test.go b/internal/conf/credential_test.go
index a8a43c53906..ef325672b91 100644
--- a/internal/conf/credential_test.go
+++ b/internal/conf/credential_test.go
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ func TestCredential(t *testing.T) {
 		assert.False(t, cred.Check("notestuser"))
 	})
 
-	t.Run("validateConfig", func(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("validate", func(t *testing.T) {
 		tests := []struct {
 			name    string
 			cred    *Credential
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ func TestCredential(t *testing.T) {
 
 		for _, tt := range tests {
 			t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-				err := tt.cred.validateConfig()
+				err := tt.cred.validate()
 				if tt.wantErr {
 					assert.Error(t, err)
 				} else {
diff --git a/internal/conf/path.go b/internal/conf/path.go
index 3633576f6aa..a6b840a0c8b 100644
--- a/internal/conf/path.go
+++ b/internal/conf/path.go
@@ -16,8 +16,7 @@ import (
 
 var rePathName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[0-9a-zA-Z_\-/\.~]+$`)
 
-// IsValidPathName checks if a path name is valid.
-func IsValidPathName(name string) error {
+func isValidPathName(name string) error {
 	if name == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("cannot be empty")
 	}
@@ -47,6 +46,41 @@ func srtCheckPassphrase(passphrase string) error {
 	}
 }
 
+// FindPathConf returns the configuration corresponding to the given path name.
+func FindPathConf(pathConfs map[string]*Path, name string) (string, *Path, []string, error) {
+	err := isValidPathName(name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid path name: %w (%s)", err, name)
+	}
+
+	// normal path
+	if pathConf, ok := pathConfs[name]; ok {
+		return name, pathConf, nil, nil
+	}
+
+	// regular expression-based path
+	for pathConfName, pathConf := range pathConfs {
+		if pathConf.Regexp != nil && pathConfName != "all" && pathConfName != "all_others" {
+			m := pathConf.Regexp.FindStringSubmatch(name)
+			if m != nil {
+				return pathConfName, pathConf, m, nil
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// all_others
+	for pathConfName, pathConf := range pathConfs {
+		if pathConfName == "all" || pathConfName == "all_others" {
+			m := pathConf.Regexp.FindStringSubmatch(name)
+			if m != nil {
+				return pathConfName, pathConf, m, nil
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return "", nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("path '%s' is not configured", name)
+}
+
 // Path is a path configuration.
 type Path struct {
 	Regexp *regexp.Regexp `json:"-"`    // filled by Check()
@@ -62,8 +96,9 @@ type Path struct {
 	SRTReadPassphrase          string         `json:"srtReadPassphrase"`
 	Fallback                   string         `json:"fallback"`
 
-	// Record
+	// Record and playback
 	Record                bool           `json:"record"`
+	Playback              bool           `json:"playback"`
 	RecordPath            string         `json:"recordPath"`
 	RecordFormat          RecordFormat   `json:"recordFormat"`
 	RecordPartDuration    StringDuration `json:"recordPartDuration"`
@@ -152,7 +187,8 @@ func (pconf *Path) setDefaults() {
 	pconf.SourceOnDemandStartTimeout = 10 * StringDuration(time.Second)
 	pconf.SourceOnDemandCloseAfter = 10 * StringDuration(time.Second)
 
-	// Record
+	// Record and playback
+	pconf.Playback = true
 	pconf.RecordPath = "./recordings/%path/%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S-%f"
 	pconf.RecordFormat = RecordFormatFMP4
 	pconf.RecordPartDuration = 100 * StringDuration(time.Millisecond)
@@ -212,7 +248,7 @@ func (pconf Path) Clone() *Path {
 	return &dest
 }
 
-func (pconf *Path) check(conf *Conf, name string) error {
+func (pconf *Path) validate(conf *Conf, name string) error {
 	pconf.Name = name
 
 	switch {
@@ -220,7 +256,7 @@ func (pconf *Path) check(conf *Conf, name string) error {
 		pconf.Regexp = regexp.MustCompile("^.*$")
 
 	case name == "" || name[0] != '~': // normal path
-		err := IsValidPathName(name)
+		err := isValidPathName(name)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("invalid path name '%s': %w", name, err)
 		}
@@ -325,7 +361,7 @@ func (pconf *Path) check(conf *Conf, name string) error {
 	}
 	if pconf.Fallback != "" {
 		if strings.HasPrefix(pconf.Fallback, "/") {
-			err := IsValidPathName(pconf.Fallback[1:])
+			err := isValidPathName(pconf.Fallback[1:])
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("'%s': %w", pconf.Fallback, err)
 			}
diff --git a/internal/core/core.go b/internal/core/core.go
index 688bdadf437..4cb1c333d74 100644
--- a/internal/core/core.go
+++ b/internal/core/core.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/externalcmd"
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/logger"
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/metrics"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/playback"
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/pprof"
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/record"
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/rlimit"
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ func gatherCleanerEntries(paths map[string]*conf.Path) []record.CleanerEntry {
 	for _, pa := range paths {
 		if pa.Record && pa.RecordDeleteAfter != 0 {
 			entry := record.CleanerEntry{
-				PathFormat:  pa.RecordPath,
+				Path:        pa.RecordPath,
 				Format:      pa.RecordFormat,
 				DeleteAfter: time.Duration(pa.RecordDeleteAfter),
 			}
@@ -65,8 +66,8 @@ func gatherCleanerEntries(paths map[string]*conf.Path) []record.CleanerEntry {
 	}
 
 	sort.Slice(out2, func(i, j int) bool {
-		if out2[i].PathFormat != out2[j].PathFormat {
-			return out2[i].PathFormat < out2[j].PathFormat
+		if out2[i].Path != out2[j].Path {
+			return out2[i].Path < out2[j].Path
 		}
 		return out2[i].DeleteAfter < out2[j].DeleteAfter
 	})
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ type Core struct {
 	metrics         *metrics.Metrics
 	pprof           *pprof.PPROF
 	recordCleaner   *record.Cleaner
+	playbackServer  *playback.Server
 	pathManager     *pathManager
 	rtspServer      *rtsp.Server
 	rtspsServer     *rtsp.Server
@@ -312,20 +314,35 @@ func (p *Core) createResources(initial bool) error {
 		p.recordCleaner.Initialize()
 	}
 
+	if p.conf.Playback &&
+		p.playbackServer == nil {
+		p.playbackServer = &playback.Server{
+			Address:     p.conf.PlaybackAddress,
+			ReadTimeout: p.conf.ReadTimeout,
+			PathConfs:   p.conf.Paths,
+			Parent:      p,
+		}
+		err := p.playbackServer.Initialize()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
 	if p.pathManager == nil {
-		p.pathManager = newPathManager(
-			p.conf.LogLevel,
-			p.conf.ExternalAuthenticationURL,
-			p.conf.RTSPAddress,
-			p.conf.AuthMethods,
-			p.conf.ReadTimeout,
-			p.conf.WriteTimeout,
-			p.conf.WriteQueueSize,
-			p.conf.UDPMaxPayloadSize,
-			p.conf.Paths,
-			p.externalCmdPool,
-			p,
-		)
+		p.pathManager = &pathManager{
+			logLevel:                  p.conf.LogLevel,
+			externalAuthenticationURL: p.conf.ExternalAuthenticationURL,
+			rtspAddress:               p.conf.RTSPAddress,
+			authMethods:               p.conf.AuthMethods,
+			readTimeout:               p.conf.ReadTimeout,
+			writeTimeout:              p.conf.WriteTimeout,
+			writeQueueSize:            p.conf.WriteQueueSize,
+			udpMaxPayloadSize:         p.conf.UDPMaxPayloadSize,
+			pathConfs:                 p.conf.Paths,
+			externalCmdPool:           p.externalCmdPool,
+			parent:                    p,
+		}
+		p.pathManager.initialize()
 
 		if p.metrics != nil {
 			p.metrics.SetPathManager(p.pathManager)
@@ -619,6 +636,15 @@ func (p *Core) closeResources(newConf *conf.Conf, calledByAPI bool) {
 		!reflect.DeepEqual(gatherCleanerEntries(newConf.Paths), gatherCleanerEntries(p.conf.Paths)) ||
 		closeLogger
 
+	closePlaybackServer := newConf == nil ||
+		newConf.Playback != p.conf.Playback ||
+		newConf.PlaybackAddress != p.conf.PlaybackAddress ||
+		newConf.ReadTimeout != p.conf.ReadTimeout ||
+		closeLogger
+	if !closePlaybackServer && p.playbackServer != nil && !reflect.DeepEqual(newConf.Paths, p.conf.Paths) {
+		p.playbackServer.ReloadPathConfs(newConf.Paths)
+	}
+
 	closePathManager := newConf == nil ||
 		newConf.LogLevel != p.conf.LogLevel ||
 		newConf.ExternalAuthenticationURL != p.conf.ExternalAuthenticationURL ||
@@ -631,7 +657,7 @@ func (p *Core) closeResources(newConf *conf.Conf, calledByAPI bool) {
 		closeMetrics ||
 		closeLogger
 	if !closePathManager && !reflect.DeepEqual(newConf.Paths, p.conf.Paths) {
-		p.pathManager.ReloadConf(newConf.Paths)
+		p.pathManager.ReloadPathConfs(newConf.Paths)
 	}
 
 	closeRTSPServer := newConf == nil ||
@@ -865,6 +891,11 @@ func (p *Core) closeResources(newConf *conf.Conf, calledByAPI bool) {
 		p.pathManager = nil
 	}
 
+	if closePlaybackServer && p.playbackServer != nil {
+		p.playbackServer.Close()
+		p.playbackServer = nil
+	}
+
 	if closeRecorderCleaner && p.recordCleaner != nil {
 		p.recordCleaner.Close()
 		p.recordCleaner = nil
diff --git a/internal/core/path.go b/internal/core/path.go
index e090e9fa69c..a88cbc8e22f 100644
--- a/internal/core/path.go
+++ b/internal/core/path.go
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ type pathAPIPathsGetReq struct {
 }
 
 type path struct {
+	parentCtx         context.Context
 	logLevel          conf.LogLevel
 	rtspAddress       string
 	readTimeout       conf.StringDuration
@@ -115,65 +116,33 @@ type path struct {
 	done chan struct{}
 }
 
-func newPath(
-	parentCtx context.Context,
-	logLevel conf.LogLevel,
-	rtspAddress string,
-	readTimeout conf.StringDuration,
-	writeTimeout conf.StringDuration,
-	writeQueueSize int,
-	udpMaxPayloadSize int,
-	confName string,
-	cnf *conf.Path,
-	name string,
-	matches []string,
-	wg *sync.WaitGroup,
-	externalCmdPool *externalcmd.Pool,
-	parent pathParent,
-) *path {
-	ctx, ctxCancel := context.WithCancel(parentCtx)
-
-	pa := &path{
-		logLevel:                       logLevel,
-		rtspAddress:                    rtspAddress,
-		readTimeout:                    readTimeout,
-		writeTimeout:                   writeTimeout,
-		writeQueueSize:                 writeQueueSize,
-		udpMaxPayloadSize:              udpMaxPayloadSize,
-		confName:                       confName,
-		conf:                           cnf,
-		name:                           name,
-		matches:                        matches,
-		wg:                             wg,
-		externalCmdPool:                externalCmdPool,
-		parent:                         parent,
-		ctx:                            ctx,
-		ctxCancel:                      ctxCancel,
-		readers:                        make(map[defs.Reader]struct{}),
-		onDemandStaticSourceReadyTimer: newEmptyTimer(),
-		onDemandStaticSourceCloseTimer: newEmptyTimer(),
-		onDemandPublisherReadyTimer:    newEmptyTimer(),
-		onDemandPublisherCloseTimer:    newEmptyTimer(),
-		chReloadConf:                   make(chan *conf.Path),
-		chStaticSourceSetReady:         make(chan defs.PathSourceStaticSetReadyReq),
-		chStaticSourceSetNotReady:      make(chan defs.PathSourceStaticSetNotReadyReq),
-		chDescribe:                     make(chan defs.PathDescribeReq),
-		chAddPublisher:                 make(chan defs.PathAddPublisherReq),
-		chRemovePublisher:              make(chan defs.PathRemovePublisherReq),
-		chStartPublisher:               make(chan defs.PathStartPublisherReq),
-		chStopPublisher:                make(chan defs.PathStopPublisherReq),
-		chAddReader:                    make(chan defs.PathAddReaderReq),
-		chRemoveReader:                 make(chan defs.PathRemoveReaderReq),
-		chAPIPathsGet:                  make(chan pathAPIPathsGetReq),
-		done:                           make(chan struct{}),
-	}
+func (pa *path) initialize() {
+	ctx, ctxCancel := context.WithCancel(pa.parentCtx)
+
+	pa.ctx = ctx
+	pa.ctxCancel = ctxCancel
+	pa.readers = make(map[defs.Reader]struct{})
+	pa.onDemandStaticSourceReadyTimer = newEmptyTimer()
+	pa.onDemandStaticSourceCloseTimer = newEmptyTimer()
+	pa.onDemandPublisherReadyTimer = newEmptyTimer()
+	pa.onDemandPublisherCloseTimer = newEmptyTimer()
+	pa.chReloadConf = make(chan *conf.Path)
+	pa.chStaticSourceSetReady = make(chan defs.PathSourceStaticSetReadyReq)
+	pa.chStaticSourceSetNotReady = make(chan defs.PathSourceStaticSetNotReadyReq)
+	pa.chDescribe = make(chan defs.PathDescribeReq)
+	pa.chAddPublisher = make(chan defs.PathAddPublisherReq)
+	pa.chRemovePublisher = make(chan defs.PathRemovePublisherReq)
+	pa.chStartPublisher = make(chan defs.PathStartPublisherReq)
+	pa.chStopPublisher = make(chan defs.PathStopPublisherReq)
+	pa.chAddReader = make(chan defs.PathAddReaderReq)
+	pa.chRemoveReader = make(chan defs.PathRemoveReaderReq)
+	pa.chAPIPathsGet = make(chan pathAPIPathsGetReq)
+	pa.done = make(chan struct{})
 
 	pa.Log(logger.Debug, "created")
 
 	pa.wg.Add(1)
 	go pa.run()
-
-	return pa
 }
 
 func (pa *path) close() {
diff --git a/internal/core/path_manager.go b/internal/core/path_manager.go
index 944e1090c72..c4a0ff48a1f 100644
--- a/internal/core/path_manager.go
+++ b/internal/core/path_manager.go
@@ -35,40 +35,6 @@ func pathConfCanBeUpdated(oldPathConf *conf.Path, newPathConf *conf.Path) bool {
 	return newPathConf.Equal(clone)
 }
 
-func getConfForPath(pathConfs map[string]*conf.Path, name string) (string, *conf.Path, []string, error) {
-	err := conf.IsValidPathName(name)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid path name: %w (%s)", err, name)
-	}
-
-	// normal path
-	if pathConf, ok := pathConfs[name]; ok {
-		return name, pathConf, nil, nil
-	}
-
-	// regular expression-based path
-	for pathConfName, pathConf := range pathConfs {
-		if pathConf.Regexp != nil && pathConfName != "all" && pathConfName != "all_others" {
-			m := pathConf.Regexp.FindStringSubmatch(name)
-			if m != nil {
-				return pathConfName, pathConf, m, nil
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	// process path configuration "all_others" after everything else
-	for pathConfName, pathConf := range pathConfs {
-		if pathConfName == "all" || pathConfName == "all_others" {
-			m := pathConf.Regexp.FindStringSubmatch(name)
-			if m != nil {
-				return pathConfName, pathConf, m, nil
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	return "", nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("path '%s' is not configured", name)
-}
-
 type pathManagerHLSServer interface {
 	PathReady(defs.Path)
 	PathNotReady(defs.Path)
@@ -99,62 +65,37 @@ type pathManager struct {
 	pathsByConf map[string]map[*path]struct{}
 
 	// in
-	chReloadConf     chan map[string]*conf.Path
-	chSetHLSServer   chan pathManagerHLSServer
-	chClosePath      chan *path
-	chPathReady      chan *path
-	chPathNotReady   chan *path
-	chGetConfForPath chan defs.PathGetConfForPathReq
-	chDescribe       chan defs.PathDescribeReq
-	chAddReader      chan defs.PathAddReaderReq
-	chAddPublisher   chan defs.PathAddPublisherReq
-	chAPIPathsList   chan pathAPIPathsListReq
-	chAPIPathsGet    chan pathAPIPathsGetReq
-}
-
-func newPathManager(
-	logLevel conf.LogLevel,
-	externalAuthenticationURL string,
-	rtspAddress string,
-	authMethods conf.AuthMethods,
-	readTimeout conf.StringDuration,
-	writeTimeout conf.StringDuration,
-	writeQueueSize int,
-	udpMaxPayloadSize int,
-	pathConfs map[string]*conf.Path,
-	externalCmdPool *externalcmd.Pool,
-	parent pathManagerParent,
-) *pathManager {
+	chReloadConf   chan map[string]*conf.Path
+	chSetHLSServer chan pathManagerHLSServer
+	chClosePath    chan *path
+	chPathReady    chan *path
+	chPathNotReady chan *path
+	chFindPathConf chan defs.PathFindPathConfReq
+	chDescribe     chan defs.PathDescribeReq
+	chAddReader    chan defs.PathAddReaderReq
+	chAddPublisher chan defs.PathAddPublisherReq
+	chAPIPathsList chan pathAPIPathsListReq
+	chAPIPathsGet  chan pathAPIPathsGetReq
+}
+
+func (pm *pathManager) initialize() {
 	ctx, ctxCancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 
-	pm := &pathManager{
-		logLevel:                  logLevel,
-		externalAuthenticationURL: externalAuthenticationURL,
-		rtspAddress:               rtspAddress,
-		authMethods:               authMethods,
-		readTimeout:               readTimeout,
-		writeTimeout:              writeTimeout,
-		writeQueueSize:            writeQueueSize,
-		udpMaxPayloadSize:         udpMaxPayloadSize,
-		pathConfs:                 pathConfs,
-		externalCmdPool:           externalCmdPool,
-		parent:                    parent,
-		ctx:                       ctx,
-		ctxCancel:                 ctxCancel,
-		paths:                     make(map[string]*path),
-		pathsByConf:               make(map[string]map[*path]struct{}),
-		chReloadConf:              make(chan map[string]*conf.Path),
-		chSetHLSServer:            make(chan pathManagerHLSServer),
-		chClosePath:               make(chan *path),
-		chPathReady:               make(chan *path),
-		chPathNotReady:            make(chan *path),
-		chGetConfForPath:          make(chan defs.PathGetConfForPathReq),
-		chDescribe:                make(chan defs.PathDescribeReq),
-		chAddReader:               make(chan defs.PathAddReaderReq),
-		chAddPublisher:            make(chan defs.PathAddPublisherReq),
-		chAPIPathsList:            make(chan pathAPIPathsListReq),
-		chAPIPathsGet:             make(chan pathAPIPathsGetReq),
-	}
+	pm.ctx = ctx
+	pm.ctxCancel = ctxCancel
+	pm.paths = make(map[string]*path)
+	pm.pathsByConf = make(map[string]map[*path]struct{})
+	pm.chReloadConf = make(chan map[string]*conf.Path)
+	pm.chSetHLSServer = make(chan pathManagerHLSServer)
+	pm.chClosePath = make(chan *path)
+	pm.chPathReady = make(chan *path)
+	pm.chPathNotReady = make(chan *path)
+	pm.chFindPathConf = make(chan defs.PathFindPathConfReq)
+	pm.chDescribe = make(chan defs.PathDescribeReq)
+	pm.chAddReader = make(chan defs.PathAddReaderReq)
+	pm.chAddPublisher = make(chan defs.PathAddPublisherReq)
+	pm.chAPIPathsList = make(chan pathAPIPathsListReq)
+	pm.chAPIPathsGet = make(chan pathAPIPathsGetReq)
 
 	for pathConfName, pathConf := range pm.pathConfs {
 		if pathConf.Regexp == nil {
@@ -166,8 +107,6 @@ func newPathManager(
 
 	pm.wg.Add(1)
 	go pm.run()
-
-	return pm
 }
 
 func (pm *pathManager) close() {
@@ -202,8 +141,8 @@ outer:
 		case pa := <-pm.chPathNotReady:
 			pm.doPathNotReady(pa)
 
-		case req := <-pm.chGetConfForPath:
-			pm.doGetConfForPath(req)
+		case req := <-pm.chFindPathConf:
+			pm.doFindPathConf(req)
 
 		case req := <-pm.chDescribe:
 			pm.doDescribe(req)
@@ -288,25 +227,25 @@ func (pm *pathManager) doPathNotReady(pa *path) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (pm *pathManager) doGetConfForPath(req defs.PathGetConfForPathReq) {
-	_, pathConf, _, err := getConfForPath(pm.pathConfs, req.AccessRequest.Name)
+func (pm *pathManager) doFindPathConf(req defs.PathFindPathConfReq) {
+	_, pathConf, _, err := conf.FindPathConf(pm.pathConfs, req.AccessRequest.Name)
 	if err != nil {
-		req.Res <- defs.PathGetConfForPathRes{Err: err}
+		req.Res <- defs.PathFindPathConfRes{Err: err}
 		return
 	}
 
 	err = doAuthentication(pm.externalAuthenticationURL, pm.authMethods,
 		pathConf, req.AccessRequest)
 	if err != nil {
-		req.Res <- defs.PathGetConfForPathRes{Err: err}
+		req.Res <- defs.PathFindPathConfRes{Err: err}
 		return
 	}
 
-	req.Res <- defs.PathGetConfForPathRes{Conf: pathConf}
+	req.Res <- defs.PathFindPathConfRes{Conf: pathConf}
 }
 
 func (pm *pathManager) doDescribe(req defs.PathDescribeReq) {
-	pathConfName, pathConf, pathMatches, err := getConfForPath(pm.pathConfs, req.AccessRequest.Name)
+	pathConfName, pathConf, pathMatches, err := conf.FindPathConf(pm.pathConfs, req.AccessRequest.Name)
 	if err != nil {
 		req.Res <- defs.PathDescribeRes{Err: err}
 		return
@@ -328,7 +267,7 @@ func (pm *pathManager) doDescribe(req defs.PathDescribeReq) {
 }
 
 func (pm *pathManager) doAddReader(req defs.PathAddReaderReq) {
-	pathConfName, pathConf, pathMatches, err := getConfForPath(pm.pathConfs, req.AccessRequest.Name)
+	pathConfName, pathConf, pathMatches, err := conf.FindPathConf(pm.pathConfs, req.AccessRequest.Name)
 	if err != nil {
 		req.Res <- defs.PathAddReaderRes{Err: err}
 		return
@@ -352,7 +291,7 @@ func (pm *pathManager) doAddReader(req defs.PathAddReaderReq) {
 }
 
 func (pm *pathManager) doAddPublisher(req defs.PathAddPublisherReq) {
-	pathConfName, pathConf, pathMatches, err := getConfForPath(pm.pathConfs, req.AccessRequest.Name)
+	pathConfName, pathConf, pathMatches, err := conf.FindPathConf(pm.pathConfs, req.AccessRequest.Name)
 	if err != nil {
 		req.Res <- defs.PathAddPublisherRes{Err: err}
 		return
@@ -401,21 +340,23 @@ func (pm *pathManager) createPath(
 	name string,
 	matches []string,
 ) {
-	pa := newPath(
-		pm.ctx,
-		pm.logLevel,
-		pm.rtspAddress,
-		pm.readTimeout,
-		pm.writeTimeout,
-		pm.writeQueueSize,
-		pm.udpMaxPayloadSize,
-		pathConfName,
-		pathConf,
-		name,
-		matches,
-		&pm.wg,
-		pm.externalCmdPool,
-		pm)
+	pa := &path{
+		parentCtx:         pm.ctx,
+		logLevel:          pm.logLevel,
+		rtspAddress:       pm.rtspAddress,
+		readTimeout:       pm.readTimeout,
+		writeTimeout:      pm.writeTimeout,
+		writeQueueSize:    pm.writeQueueSize,
+		udpMaxPayloadSize: pm.udpMaxPayloadSize,
+		confName:          pathConfName,
+		conf:              pathConf,
+		name:              name,
+		matches:           matches,
+		wg:                &pm.wg,
+		externalCmdPool:   pm.externalCmdPool,
+		parent:            pm,
+	}
+	pa.initialize()
 
 	pm.paths[name] = pa
 
@@ -433,8 +374,8 @@ func (pm *pathManager) removePath(pa *path) {
 	delete(pm.paths, pa.name)
 }
 
-// ReloadConf is called by core.
-func (pm *pathManager) ReloadConf(pathConfs map[string]*conf.Path) {
+// ReloadPathConfs is called by core.
+func (pm *pathManager) ReloadPathConfs(pathConfs map[string]*conf.Path) {
 	select {
 	case pm.chReloadConf <- pathConfs:
 	case <-pm.ctx.Done():
@@ -469,14 +410,14 @@ func (pm *pathManager) closePath(pa *path) {
 }
 
 // GetConfForPath is called by a reader or publisher.
-func (pm *pathManager) GetConfForPath(req defs.PathGetConfForPathReq) defs.PathGetConfForPathRes {
-	req.Res = make(chan defs.PathGetConfForPathRes)
+func (pm *pathManager) FindPathConf(req defs.PathFindPathConfReq) defs.PathFindPathConfRes {
+	req.Res = make(chan defs.PathFindPathConfRes)
 	select {
-	case pm.chGetConfForPath <- req:
+	case pm.chFindPathConf <- req:
 		return <-req.Res
 
 	case <-pm.ctx.Done():
-		return defs.PathGetConfForPathRes{Err: fmt.Errorf("terminated")}
+		return defs.PathFindPathConfRes{Err: fmt.Errorf("terminated")}
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/defs/path.go b/internal/defs/path.go
index b1b257a18f1..fb5be3686fa 100644
--- a/internal/defs/path.go
+++ b/internal/defs/path.go
@@ -52,16 +52,16 @@ type PathAccessRequest struct {
 	RTSPNonce   string
 }
 
-// PathGetConfForPathRes contains the response of GetConfForPath().
-type PathGetConfForPathRes struct {
+// PathFindPathConfRes contains the response of FindPathConf().
+type PathFindPathConfRes struct {
 	Conf *conf.Path
 	Err  error
 }
 
-// PathGetConfForPathReq contains arguments of GetConfForPath().
-type PathGetConfForPathReq struct {
+// PathFindPathConfReq contains arguments of FindPathConf().
+type PathFindPathConfReq struct {
 	AccessRequest PathAccessRequest
-	Res           chan PathGetConfForPathRes
+	Res           chan PathFindPathConfRes
 }
 
 // PathDescribeRes contains the response of Describe().
diff --git a/internal/defs/path_manager.go b/internal/defs/path_manager.go
index b6e5c715bd1..98cd1ca3a29 100644
--- a/internal/defs/path_manager.go
+++ b/internal/defs/path_manager.go
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ package defs
 
 // PathManager is a path manager.
 type PathManager interface {
-	GetConfForPath(req PathGetConfForPathReq) PathGetConfForPathRes
+	FindPathConf(req PathFindPathConfReq) PathFindPathConfRes
 	Describe(req PathDescribeReq) PathDescribeRes
 	AddPublisher(req PathAddPublisherReq) PathAddPublisherRes
 	AddReader(req PathAddReaderReq) PathAddReaderRes
diff --git a/internal/playback/fmp4.go b/internal/playback/fmp4.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a19e41de4e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/playback/fmp4.go
@@ -0,0 +1,410 @@
+package playback
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/abema/go-mp4"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/formats/fmp4"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/formats/fmp4/seekablebuffer"
+)
+
+const (
+	sampleFlagIsNonSyncSample = 1 << 16
+)
+
+func durationGoToMp4(v time.Duration, timeScale uint32) uint64 {
+	timeScale64 := uint64(timeScale)
+	secs := v / time.Second
+	dec := v % time.Second
+	return uint64(secs)*timeScale64 + uint64(dec)*timeScale64/uint64(time.Second)
+}
+
+func durationMp4ToGo(v uint64, timeScale uint32) time.Duration {
+	timeScale64 := uint64(timeScale)
+	secs := v / timeScale64
+	dec := v % timeScale64
+	return time.Duration(secs)*time.Second + time.Duration(dec)*time.Second/time.Duration(timeScale64)
+}
+
+var errTerminated = errors.New("terminated")
+
+func fmp4ReadInit(r io.ReadSeeker) ([]byte, error) {
+	buf := make([]byte, 8)
+	_, err := io.ReadFull(r, buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if !bytes.Equal(buf[4:], []byte{'f', 't', 'y', 'p'}) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ftyp box not found")
+	}
+
+	ftypSize := uint32(buf[0])<<24 | uint32(buf[1])<<16 | uint32(buf[2])<<8 | uint32(buf[3])
+
+	_, err = r.Seek(int64(ftypSize), io.SeekStart)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if !bytes.Equal(buf[4:], []byte{'m', 'o', 'o', 'v'}) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("moov box not found")
+	}
+
+	moovSize := uint32(buf[0])<<24 | uint32(buf[1])<<16 | uint32(buf[2])<<8 | uint32(buf[3])
+
+	_, err = r.Seek(0, io.SeekStart)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	buf = make([]byte, ftypSize+moovSize)
+
+	_, err = io.ReadFull(r, buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return buf, nil
+}
+
+func seekAndMuxParts(
+	r io.ReadSeeker,
+	init []byte,
+	minTime time.Duration,
+	maxTime time.Duration,
+	w io.Writer,
+) (time.Duration, error) {
+	minTimeMP4 := durationGoToMp4(minTime, 90000)
+	maxTimeMP4 := durationGoToMp4(maxTime, 90000)
+	moofOffset := uint64(0)
+	var tfhd *mp4.Tfhd
+	var tfdt *mp4.Tfdt
+	var outPart *fmp4.Part
+	var outTrack *fmp4.PartTrack
+	var outBuf seekablebuffer.Buffer
+	elapsed := uint64(0)
+	initWritten := false
+	firstSampleWritten := make(map[uint32]struct{})
+	gop := make(map[uint32][]*fmp4.PartSample)
+
+	_, err := mp4.ReadBoxStructure(r, func(h *mp4.ReadHandle) (interface{}, error) {
+		switch h.BoxInfo.Type.String() {
+		case "moof":
+			moofOffset = h.BoxInfo.Offset
+			outPart = &fmp4.Part{}
+			return h.Expand()
+
+		case "traf":
+			return h.Expand()
+
+		case "tfhd":
+			box, _, err := h.ReadPayload()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			tfhd = box.(*mp4.Tfhd)
+
+		case "tfdt":
+			box, _, err := h.ReadPayload()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			tfdt = box.(*mp4.Tfdt)
+
+			if tfdt.BaseMediaDecodeTimeV1 >= maxTimeMP4 {
+				return nil, errTerminated
+			}
+
+			outTrack = &fmp4.PartTrack{ID: int(tfhd.TrackID)}
+
+		case "trun":
+			box, _, err := h.ReadPayload()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			trun := box.(*mp4.Trun)
+
+			dataOffset := moofOffset + uint64(trun.DataOffset)
+
+			_, err = r.Seek(int64(dataOffset), io.SeekStart)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+
+			elapsed = tfdt.BaseMediaDecodeTimeV1
+			baseTimeSet := false
+
+			for _, e := range trun.Entries {
+				payload := make([]byte, e.SampleSize)
+				_, err := io.ReadFull(r, payload)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+
+				if elapsed >= maxTimeMP4 {
+					break
+				}
+
+				isRandom := (e.SampleFlags & sampleFlagIsNonSyncSample) == 0
+				_, fsw := firstSampleWritten[tfhd.TrackID]
+
+				sa := &fmp4.PartSample{
+					Duration:        e.SampleDuration,
+					PTSOffset:       e.SampleCompositionTimeOffsetV1,
+					IsNonSyncSample: !isRandom,
+					Payload:         payload,
+				}
+
+				if !fsw {
+					if isRandom {
+						gop[tfhd.TrackID] = []*fmp4.PartSample{sa}
+					} else {
+						gop[tfhd.TrackID] = append(gop[tfhd.TrackID], sa)
+					}
+				}
+
+				if elapsed >= minTimeMP4 {
+					if !baseTimeSet {
+						outTrack.BaseTime = elapsed - minTimeMP4
+
+						if !fsw {
+							if !isRandom {
+								for _, sa2 := range gop[tfhd.TrackID][:len(gop[tfhd.TrackID])-1] {
+									sa2.Duration = 0
+									sa2.PTSOffset = 0
+									outTrack.Samples = append(outTrack.Samples, sa2)
+								}
+							}
+
+							delete(gop, tfhd.TrackID)
+							firstSampleWritten[tfhd.TrackID] = struct{}{}
+						}
+					}
+
+					outTrack.Samples = append(outTrack.Samples, sa)
+				}
+
+				elapsed += uint64(e.SampleDuration)
+			}
+
+			if outTrack.Samples != nil {
+				outPart.Tracks = append(outPart.Tracks, outTrack)
+			}
+
+			outTrack = nil
+
+		case "mdat":
+			if outPart.Tracks != nil {
+				if !initWritten {
+					initWritten = true
+					_, err := w.Write(init)
+					if err != nil {
+						return nil, err
+					}
+				}
+
+				err := outPart.Marshal(&outBuf)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+
+				_, err = w.Write(outBuf.Bytes())
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+
+				outBuf.Reset()
+			}
+
+			outPart = nil
+		}
+		return nil, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, errTerminated) {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+
+	if !initWritten {
+		return 0, errNoSegmentsFound
+	}
+
+	elapsed -= minTimeMP4
+
+	return durationMp4ToGo(elapsed, 90000), nil
+}
+
+func muxParts(
+	r io.ReadSeeker,
+	startTime time.Duration,
+	maxTime time.Duration,
+	w io.Writer,
+) (time.Duration, error) {
+	maxTimeMP4 := durationGoToMp4(maxTime, 90000)
+	moofOffset := uint64(0)
+	var tfhd *mp4.Tfhd
+	var tfdt *mp4.Tfdt
+	var outPart *fmp4.Part
+	var outTrack *fmp4.PartTrack
+	var outBuf seekablebuffer.Buffer
+	elapsed := uint64(0)
+
+	_, err := mp4.ReadBoxStructure(r, func(h *mp4.ReadHandle) (interface{}, error) {
+		switch h.BoxInfo.Type.String() {
+		case "moof":
+			moofOffset = h.BoxInfo.Offset
+			outPart = &fmp4.Part{}
+			return h.Expand()
+
+		case "traf":
+			return h.Expand()
+
+		case "tfhd":
+			box, _, err := h.ReadPayload()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			tfhd = box.(*mp4.Tfhd)
+
+		case "tfdt":
+			box, _, err := h.ReadPayload()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			tfdt = box.(*mp4.Tfdt)
+
+			if tfdt.BaseMediaDecodeTimeV1 >= maxTimeMP4 {
+				return nil, errTerminated
+			}
+
+			outTrack = &fmp4.PartTrack{
+				ID:       int(tfhd.TrackID),
+				BaseTime: tfdt.BaseMediaDecodeTimeV1 + durationGoToMp4(startTime, 90000),
+			}
+
+		case "trun":
+			box, _, err := h.ReadPayload()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			trun := box.(*mp4.Trun)
+
+			dataOffset := moofOffset + uint64(trun.DataOffset)
+
+			_, err = r.Seek(int64(dataOffset), io.SeekStart)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+
+			elapsed = tfdt.BaseMediaDecodeTimeV1
+
+			for _, e := range trun.Entries {
+				payload := make([]byte, e.SampleSize)
+				_, err := io.ReadFull(r, payload)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+
+				if elapsed >= maxTimeMP4 {
+					break
+				}
+
+				isRandom := (e.SampleFlags & sampleFlagIsNonSyncSample) == 0
+
+				sa := &fmp4.PartSample{
+					Duration:        e.SampleDuration,
+					PTSOffset:       e.SampleCompositionTimeOffsetV1,
+					IsNonSyncSample: !isRandom,
+					Payload:         payload,
+				}
+
+				outTrack.Samples = append(outTrack.Samples, sa)
+
+				elapsed += uint64(e.SampleDuration)
+			}
+
+			if outTrack.Samples != nil {
+				outPart.Tracks = append(outPart.Tracks, outTrack)
+			}
+
+			outTrack = nil
+
+		case "mdat":
+			if outPart.Tracks != nil {
+				err := outPart.Marshal(&outBuf)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+
+				_, err = w.Write(outBuf.Bytes())
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+
+				outBuf.Reset()
+			}
+
+			outPart = nil
+		}
+		return nil, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, errTerminated) {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+
+	return durationMp4ToGo(elapsed, 90000), nil
+}
+
+func fmp4SeekAndMux(
+	fpath string,
+	minTime time.Duration,
+	maxTime time.Duration,
+	w io.Writer,
+) (time.Duration, error) {
+	f, err := os.Open(fpath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	defer f.Close()
+
+	init, err := fmp4ReadInit(f)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+
+	elapsed, err := seekAndMuxParts(f, init, minTime, maxTime, w)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+
+	return elapsed, nil
+}
+
+func fmp4Mux(
+	fpath string,
+	startTime time.Duration,
+	maxTime time.Duration,
+	w io.Writer,
+) (time.Duration, error) {
+	f, err := os.Open(fpath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	defer f.Close()
+
+	elapsed, err := muxParts(f, startTime, maxTime, w)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+
+	return elapsed, nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/playback/fmp4_test.go b/internal/playback/fmp4_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1df5ef195a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/playback/fmp4_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+package playback
+
+import (
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/codecs/mpeg4audio"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/formats/fmp4"
+)
+
+func writeBenchInit(f io.WriteSeeker) {
+	init := fmp4.Init{
+		Tracks: []*fmp4.InitTrack{
+			{
+				ID:        1,
+				TimeScale: 90000,
+				Codec: &fmp4.CodecH264{
+					SPS: []byte{
+						0x67, 0x42, 0xc0, 0x28, 0xd9, 0x00, 0x78, 0x02,
+						0x27, 0xe5, 0x84, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x00, 0x04,
+						0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x00, 0xf0, 0x3c, 0x60, 0xc9,
+						0x20,
+					},
+					PPS: []byte{0x08},
+				},
+			},
+			{
+				ID:        2,
+				TimeScale: 90000,
+				Codec: &fmp4.CodecMPEG4Audio{
+					Config: mpeg4audio.Config{
+						Type:         mpeg4audio.ObjectTypeAACLC,
+						SampleRate:   48000,
+						ChannelCount: 2,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	err := init.Marshal(f)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+
+	_, err = f.Write([]byte{
+		'm', 'o', 'o', 'f', 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x10,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkFMP4ReadInit(b *testing.B) {
+	f, err := os.CreateTemp(os.TempDir(), "mediamtx-playback-fmp4-")
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	defer os.Remove(f.Name())
+
+	writeBenchInit(f)
+	f.Close()
+
+	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
+		func() {
+			f, err := os.Open(f.Name())
+			if err != nil {
+				panic(err)
+			}
+			defer f.Close()
+
+			_, err = fmp4ReadInit(f)
+			if err != nil {
+				panic(err)
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/playback/server.go b/internal/playback/server.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7aee0a468b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/playback/server.go
@@ -0,0 +1,299 @@
+// Package playback contains the playback server.
+package playback
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io/fs"
+	"net"
+	"net/http"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/conf"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/logger"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/protocols/httpserv"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/record"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/restrictnetwork"
+	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
+)
+
+const (
+	concatenationTolerance = 1 * time.Second
+)
+
+var errNoSegmentsFound = errors.New("no recording segments found for the given timestamp")
+
+type writerWrapper struct {
+	ctx     *gin.Context
+	written bool
+}
+
+func (w *writerWrapper) Write(p []byte) (int, error) {
+	if !w.written {
+		w.written = true
+		w.ctx.Header("Accept-Ranges", "none")
+		w.ctx.Header("Content-Type", "video/mp4")
+	}
+	return w.ctx.Writer.Write(p)
+}
+
+type segment struct {
+	fpath string
+	start time.Time
+}
+
+func findSegments(
+	pathConf *conf.Path,
+	pathName string,
+	start time.Time,
+	duration time.Duration,
+) ([]segment, error) {
+	if !pathConf.Playback {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("playback is disabled on path '%s'", pathName)
+	}
+
+	recordPath := record.PathAddExtension(
+		strings.ReplaceAll(pathConf.RecordPath, "%path", pathName),
+		pathConf.RecordFormat,
+	)
+
+	// we have to convert to absolute paths
+	// otherwise, recordPath and fpath inside Walk() won't have common elements
+	recordPath, _ = filepath.Abs(recordPath)
+
+	commonPath := record.CommonPath(recordPath)
+	end := start.Add(duration)
+	var segments []segment
+
+	// gather all segments that starts before the end of the playback
+	err := filepath.Walk(commonPath, func(fpath string, info fs.FileInfo, err error) error {
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if !info.IsDir() {
+			var pa record.Path
+			ok := pa.Decode(recordPath, fpath)
+			if ok && !end.Before(time.Time(pa)) {
+				segments = append(segments, segment{
+					fpath: fpath,
+					start: time.Time(pa),
+				})
+			}
+		}
+
+		return nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if segments == nil {
+		return nil, errNoSegmentsFound
+	}
+
+	sort.Slice(segments, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return segments[i].start.Before(segments[j].start)
+	})
+
+	// find the segment that may contain the start of the playback and remove all previous ones
+	found := false
+	for i := 0; i < len(segments)-1; i++ {
+		if !start.Before(segments[i].start) && start.Before(segments[i+1].start) {
+			segments = segments[i:]
+			found = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+
+	// otherwise, keep the last segment only and check whether it may contain the start of the playback
+	if !found {
+		segments = segments[len(segments)-1:]
+		if segments[len(segments)-1].start.After(start) {
+			return nil, errNoSegmentsFound
+		}
+	}
+
+	return segments, nil
+}
+
+// Server is the playback server.
+type Server struct {
+	Address     string
+	ReadTimeout conf.StringDuration
+	PathConfs   map[string]*conf.Path
+	Parent      logger.Writer
+
+	httpServer *httpserv.WrappedServer
+	mutex      sync.RWMutex
+}
+
+// Initialize initializes API.
+func (p *Server) Initialize() error {
+	router := gin.New()
+	router.SetTrustedProxies(nil) //nolint:errcheck
+
+	group := router.Group("/")
+
+	group.GET("/get", p.onGet)
+
+	network, address := restrictnetwork.Restrict("tcp", p.Address)
+
+	var err error
+	p.httpServer, err = httpserv.NewWrappedServer(
+		network,
+		address,
+		time.Duration(p.ReadTimeout),
+		"",
+		"",
+		router,
+		p,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	p.Log(logger.Info, "listener opened on "+address)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Close closes Server.
+func (p *Server) Close() {
+	p.Log(logger.Info, "listener is closing")
+	p.httpServer.Close()
+}
+
+// Log implements logger.Writer.
+func (p *Server) Log(level logger.Level, format string, args ...interface{}) {
+	p.Parent.Log(level, "[playback] "+format, args...)
+}
+
+// ReloadPathConfs is called by core.Core.
+func (p *Server) ReloadPathConfs(pathConfs map[string]*conf.Path) {
+	p.mutex.Lock()
+	defer p.mutex.Unlock()
+	p.PathConfs = pathConfs
+}
+
+func (p *Server) writeError(ctx *gin.Context, status int, err error) {
+	// show error in logs
+	p.Log(logger.Error, err.Error())
+
+	// add error to response
+	ctx.String(status, err.Error())
+}
+
+func (p *Server) safeFindPathConf(name string) (*conf.Path, error) {
+	p.mutex.RLock()
+	defer p.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	_, pathConf, _, err := conf.FindPathConf(p.PathConfs, name)
+	return pathConf, err
+}
+
+func (p *Server) onGet(ctx *gin.Context) {
+	pathName := ctx.Query("path")
+
+	start, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, ctx.Query("start"))
+	if err != nil {
+		p.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, fmt.Errorf("invalid start: %w", err))
+		return
+	}
+
+	duration, err := time.ParseDuration(ctx.Query("duration"))
+	if err != nil {
+		p.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, fmt.Errorf("invalid duration: %w", err))
+		return
+	}
+
+	format := ctx.Query("format")
+	if format != "fmp4" {
+		p.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, fmt.Errorf("invalid format: %s", format))
+		return
+	}
+
+	pathConf, err := p.safeFindPathConf(pathName)
+	if err != nil {
+		p.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	segments, err := findSegments(pathConf, pathName, start, duration)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, errNoSegmentsFound) {
+			p.writeError(ctx, http.StatusNotFound, err)
+		} else {
+			p.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	if pathConf.RecordFormat != conf.RecordFormatFMP4 {
+		p.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, fmt.Errorf("format of recording segments is not fmp4"))
+		return
+	}
+
+	ww := &writerWrapper{ctx: ctx}
+	minTime := start.Sub(segments[0].start)
+	maxTime := minTime + duration
+
+	elapsed, err := fmp4SeekAndMux(
+		segments[0].fpath,
+		minTime,
+		maxTime,
+		ww)
+	if err != nil {
+		// user aborted the download
+		var neterr *net.OpError
+		if errors.As(err, &neterr) {
+			return
+		}
+
+		// nothing has been written yet; send back JSON
+		if !ww.written {
+			if errors.Is(err, errNoSegmentsFound) {
+				p.writeError(ctx, http.StatusNotFound, err)
+			} else {
+				p.writeError(ctx, http.StatusBadRequest, err)
+			}
+			return
+		}
+
+		// something has been already written: abort and write to logs only
+		p.Log(logger.Error, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+
+	start = start.Add(elapsed)
+	duration -= elapsed
+	overallElapsed := elapsed
+
+	for _, seg := range segments[1:] {
+		// there's a gap between segments; stop serving the recording.
+		if seg.start.Before(start.Add(-concatenationTolerance)) || seg.start.After(start.Add(concatenationTolerance)) {
+			return
+		}
+
+		elapsed, err := fmp4Mux(seg.fpath, overallElapsed, duration, ctx.Writer)
+		if err != nil {
+			// user aborted the download
+			var neterr *net.OpError
+			if errors.As(err, &neterr) {
+				return
+			}
+
+			// something has been already written: abort and write to logs only
+			p.Log(logger.Error, err.Error())
+			return
+		}
+
+		start = seg.start.Add(elapsed)
+		duration -= elapsed
+		overallElapsed += elapsed
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/playback/server_test.go b/internal/playback/server_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3a26401f2d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/playback/server_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,228 @@
+package playback
+
+import (
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/url"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/formats/fmp4"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/formats/fmp4/seekablebuffer"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/conf"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/logger"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+type nilLogger struct{}
+
+func (nilLogger) Log(_ logger.Level, _ string, _ ...interface{}) {
+}
+
+func writeSegment1(t *testing.T, fpath string) {
+	init := fmp4.Init{
+		Tracks: []*fmp4.InitTrack{{
+			ID:        1,
+			TimeScale: 90000,
+			Codec: &fmp4.CodecH264{
+				SPS: []byte{
+					0x67, 0x42, 0xc0, 0x28, 0xd9, 0x00, 0x78, 0x02,
+					0x27, 0xe5, 0x84, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x00, 0x04,
+					0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x00, 0xf0, 0x3c, 0x60, 0xc9,
+					0x20,
+				},
+				PPS: []byte{0x08},
+			},
+		}},
+	}
+
+	var buf1 seekablebuffer.Buffer
+	err := init.Marshal(&buf1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	var buf2 seekablebuffer.Buffer
+	parts := fmp4.Parts{
+		{
+			SequenceNumber: 1,
+			Tracks: []*fmp4.PartTrack{{
+				ID:       1,
+				BaseTime: 0,
+				Samples:  []*fmp4.PartSample{},
+			}},
+		},
+		{
+			SequenceNumber: 1,
+			Tracks: []*fmp4.PartTrack{{
+				ID:       1,
+				BaseTime: 30 * 90000,
+				Samples: []*fmp4.PartSample{
+					{
+						Duration:        30 * 90000,
+						IsNonSyncSample: false,
+						Payload:         []byte{1, 2},
+					},
+					{
+						Duration:        1 * 90000,
+						IsNonSyncSample: false,
+						Payload:         []byte{3, 4},
+					},
+					{
+						Duration:        1 * 90000,
+						IsNonSyncSample: true,
+						Payload:         []byte{5, 6},
+					},
+				},
+			}},
+		},
+	}
+	err = parts.Marshal(&buf2)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	err = os.WriteFile(fpath, append(buf1.Bytes(), buf2.Bytes()...), 0o644)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+}
+
+func writeSegment2(t *testing.T, fpath string) {
+	init := fmp4.Init{
+		Tracks: []*fmp4.InitTrack{{
+			ID:        1,
+			TimeScale: 90000,
+			Codec: &fmp4.CodecH264{
+				SPS: []byte{
+					0x67, 0x42, 0xc0, 0x28, 0xd9, 0x00, 0x78, 0x02,
+					0x27, 0xe5, 0x84, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x00, 0x04,
+					0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x00, 0xf0, 0x3c, 0x60, 0xc9,
+					0x20,
+				},
+				PPS: []byte{0x08},
+			},
+		}},
+	}
+
+	var buf1 seekablebuffer.Buffer
+	err := init.Marshal(&buf1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	var buf2 seekablebuffer.Buffer
+	parts := fmp4.Parts{
+		{
+			SequenceNumber: 1,
+			Tracks: []*fmp4.PartTrack{{
+				ID:       1,
+				BaseTime: 0,
+				Samples: []*fmp4.PartSample{
+					{
+						Duration:        1 * 90000,
+						IsNonSyncSample: false,
+						Payload:         []byte{7, 8},
+					},
+					{
+						Duration:        1 * 90000,
+						IsNonSyncSample: false,
+						Payload:         []byte{9, 10},
+					},
+				},
+			}},
+		},
+	}
+	err = parts.Marshal(&buf2)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	err = os.WriteFile(fpath, append(buf1.Bytes(), buf2.Bytes()...), 0o644)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestServer(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "mediamtx-playback")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer os.RemoveAll(dir)
+
+	err = os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(dir, "mypath"), 0o755)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	writeSegment1(t, filepath.Join(dir, "mypath", "2008-11-07_11-22-00-000000.mp4"))
+	writeSegment2(t, filepath.Join(dir, "mypath", "2008-11-07_11-23-02-000000.mp4"))
+
+	s := &Server{
+		Address:     "127.0.0.1:9996",
+		ReadTimeout: conf.StringDuration(10 * time.Second),
+		PathConfs: map[string]*conf.Path{
+			"mypath": {
+				Playback:   true,
+				RecordPath: filepath.Join(dir, "%path/%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S-%f"),
+			},
+		},
+		Parent: &nilLogger{},
+	}
+	err = s.Initialize()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer s.Close()
+
+	v := url.Values{}
+	v.Set("path", "mypath")
+	v.Set("start", time.Date(2008, 11, 0o7, 11, 23, 1, 0, time.Local).Format(time.RFC3339))
+	v.Set("duration", "2s")
+	v.Set("format", "fmp4")
+
+	u := &url.URL{
+		Scheme:   "http",
+		Host:     "localhost:9996",
+		Path:     "/get",
+		RawQuery: v.Encode(),
+	}
+
+	req, err := http.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, u.String(), nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer res.Body.Close()
+
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.StatusCode)
+
+	buf, err := io.ReadAll(res.Body)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	var parts fmp4.Parts
+	err = parts.Unmarshal(buf)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	require.Equal(t, fmp4.Parts{
+		{
+			SequenceNumber: 0,
+			Tracks: []*fmp4.PartTrack{
+				{
+					ID: 1,
+					Samples: []*fmp4.PartSample{
+						{
+							Duration: 0,
+							Payload:  []byte{3, 4},
+						},
+						{
+							Duration:        90000,
+							IsNonSyncSample: true,
+							Payload:         []byte{5, 6},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			SequenceNumber: 0,
+			Tracks: []*fmp4.PartTrack{
+				{
+					ID:       1,
+					BaseTime: 90000,
+					Samples: []*fmp4.PartSample{
+						{
+							Duration: 90000,
+							Payload:  []byte{7, 8},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}, parts)
+}
diff --git a/internal/record/agent_instance.go b/internal/record/agent_instance.go
index 7081de99314..8e722a8fa4a 100644
--- a/internal/record/agent_instance.go
+++ b/internal/record/agent_instance.go
@@ -34,15 +34,10 @@ type agentInstance struct {
 func (a *agentInstance) initialize() {
 	a.pathFormat = a.agent.PathFormat
 
-	a.pathFormat = strings.ReplaceAll(a.pathFormat, "%path", a.agent.PathName)
-
-	switch a.agent.Format {
-	case conf.RecordFormatMPEGTS:
-		a.pathFormat += ".ts"
-
-	default:
-		a.pathFormat += ".mp4"
-	}
+	a.pathFormat = PathAddExtension(
+		strings.ReplaceAll(a.pathFormat, "%path", a.agent.PathName),
+		a.agent.Format,
+	)
 
 	a.terminate = make(chan struct{})
 	a.done = make(chan struct{})
diff --git a/internal/record/cleaner.go b/internal/record/cleaner.go
index 291116f9936..695b0d1d301 100644
--- a/internal/record/cleaner.go
+++ b/internal/record/cleaner.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"io/fs"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/conf"
@@ -14,36 +13,9 @@ import (
 
 var timeNow = time.Now
 
-func commonPath(v string) string {
-	common := ""
-	remaining := v
-
-	for {
-		i := strings.IndexAny(remaining, "\\/")
-		if i < 0 {
-			break
-		}
-
-		var part string
-		part, remaining = remaining[:i+1], remaining[i+1:]
-
-		if strings.Contains(part, "%") {
-			break
-		}
-
-		common += part
-	}
-
-	if len(common) > 0 {
-		common = common[:len(common)-1]
-	}
-
-	return common
-}
-
 // CleanerEntry is a cleaner entry.
 type CleanerEntry struct {
-	PathFormat  string
+	Path        string
 	Format      conf.RecordFormat
 	DeleteAfter time.Duration
 }
@@ -108,21 +80,13 @@ func (c *Cleaner) doRun() {
 }
 
 func (c *Cleaner) doRunEntry(e *CleanerEntry) error {
-	pathFormat := e.PathFormat
-
-	switch e.Format {
-	case conf.RecordFormatMPEGTS:
-		pathFormat += ".ts"
-
-	default:
-		pathFormat += ".mp4"
-	}
+	entryPath := PathAddExtension(e.Path, e.Format)
 
 	// we have to convert to absolute paths
-	// otherwise, commonPath and fpath inside Walk() won't have common elements
-	pathFormat, _ = filepath.Abs(pathFormat)
+	// otherwise, entryPath and fpath inside Walk() won't have common elements
+	entryPath, _ = filepath.Abs(entryPath)
 
-	commonPath := commonPath(pathFormat)
+	commonPath := CommonPath(entryPath)
 	now := timeNow()
 
 	filepath.Walk(commonPath, func(fpath string, info fs.FileInfo, err error) error { //nolint:errcheck
@@ -131,8 +95,8 @@ func (c *Cleaner) doRunEntry(e *CleanerEntry) error {
 		}
 
 		if !info.IsDir() {
-			var pa path
-			ok := pa.decode(pathFormat, fpath)
+			var pa Path
+			ok := pa.Decode(entryPath, fpath)
 			if ok {
 				if now.Sub(time.Time(pa)) > e.DeleteAfter {
 					c.Log(logger.Debug, "removing %s", fpath)
diff --git a/internal/record/cleaner_test.go b/internal/record/cleaner_test.go
index f7e9eb3498b..788a41f637a 100644
--- a/internal/record/cleaner_test.go
+++ b/internal/record/cleaner_test.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func TestCleaner(t *testing.T) {
 
 	c := &Cleaner{
 		Entries: []CleanerEntry{{
-			PathFormat:  filepath.Join(dir, specialChars+"_%path/%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S-%f"),
+			Path:        filepath.Join(dir, specialChars+"_%path/%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S-%f"),
 			Format:      conf.RecordFormatFMP4,
 			DeleteAfter: 10 * time.Second,
 		}},
diff --git a/internal/record/format_fmp4_part.go b/internal/record/format_fmp4_part.go
index 926499eaca7..dbe8a4a5d41 100644
--- a/internal/record/format_fmp4_part.go
+++ b/internal/record/format_fmp4_part.go
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/aler9/writerseeker"
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/formats/fmp4"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/formats/fmp4/seekablebuffer"
 
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/logger"
 )
@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ func writePart(
 		Tracks:         fmp4PartTracks,
 	}
 
-	var ws writerseeker.WriterSeeker
-	err := part.Marshal(&ws)
+	var buf seekablebuffer.Buffer
+	err := part.Marshal(&buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	_, err = f.Write(ws.Bytes())
+	_, err = f.Write(buf.Bytes())
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func (p *formatFMP4Part) initialize() {
 
 func (p *formatFMP4Part) close() error {
 	if p.s.fi == nil {
-		p.s.path = path(p.s.startNTP).encode(p.s.f.a.pathFormat)
+		p.s.path = Path(p.s.startNTP).Encode(p.s.f.a.pathFormat)
 		p.s.f.a.agent.Log(logger.Debug, "creating segment %s", p.s.path)
 
 		err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(p.s.path), 0o755)
diff --git a/internal/record/format_fmp4_segment.go b/internal/record/format_fmp4_segment.go
index db25da07798..f0695c006c1 100644
--- a/internal/record/format_fmp4_segment.go
+++ b/internal/record/format_fmp4_segment.go
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/aler9/writerseeker"
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/formats/fmp4"
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediacommon/pkg/formats/fmp4/seekablebuffer"
 
 	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/logger"
 )
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@ func writeInit(f io.Writer, tracks []*formatFMP4Track) error {
 		Tracks: fmp4Tracks,
 	}
 
-	var ws writerseeker.WriterSeeker
-	err := init.Marshal(&ws)
+	var buf seekablebuffer.Buffer
+	err := init.Marshal(&buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	_, err = f.Write(ws.Bytes())
+	_, err = f.Write(buf.Bytes())
 	return err
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/record/format_mpegts_segment.go b/internal/record/format_mpegts_segment.go
index 8bdc230e4fc..a3870241057 100644
--- a/internal/record/format_mpegts_segment.go
+++ b/internal/record/format_mpegts_segment.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func (s *formatMPEGTSSegment) close() error {
 
 func (s *formatMPEGTSSegment) Write(p []byte) (int, error) {
 	if s.fi == nil {
-		s.path = path(s.startNTP).encode(s.f.a.pathFormat)
+		s.path = Path(s.startNTP).Encode(s.f.a.pathFormat)
 		s.f.a.agent.Log(logger.Debug, "creating segment %s", s.path)
 
 		err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(s.path), 0o755)
diff --git a/internal/record/path.go b/internal/record/path.go
index c3bf2ae2493..1c31a0495a9 100644
--- a/internal/record/path.go
+++ b/internal/record/path.go
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
+
+	"github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/internal/conf"
 )
 
 func leadingZeros(v int, size int) string {
@@ -21,9 +23,50 @@ func leadingZeros(v int, size int) string {
 	return out2 + out
 }
 
-type path time.Time
+// PathAddExtension adds the file extension to path.
+func PathAddExtension(path string, format conf.RecordFormat) string {
+	switch format {
+	case conf.RecordFormatMPEGTS:
+		return path + ".ts"
+
+	default:
+		return path + ".mp4"
+	}
+}
+
+// CommonPath returns the common path between all segments with given recording path.
+func CommonPath(v string) string {
+	common := ""
+	remaining := v
+
+	for {
+		i := strings.IndexAny(remaining, "\\/")
+		if i < 0 {
+			break
+		}
+
+		var part string
+		part, remaining = remaining[:i+1], remaining[i+1:]
+
+		if strings.Contains(part, "%") {
+			break
+		}
+
+		common += part
+	}
+
+	if len(common) > 0 {
+		common = common[:len(common)-1]
+	}
+
+	return common
+}
+
+// Path is a record path.
+type Path time.Time
 
-func (p *path) decode(format string, v string) bool {
+// Decode decodes a Path.
+func (p *Path) Decode(format string, v string) bool {
 	re := format
 
 	for _, ch := range []uint8{
@@ -141,15 +184,16 @@ func (p *path) decode(format string, v string) bool {
 	}
 
 	if unixSec > 0 {
-		*p = path(time.Unix(unixSec, 0))
+		*p = Path(time.Unix(unixSec, 0))
 	} else {
-		*p = path(time.Date(year, month, day, hour, minute, second, micros*1000, time.Local))
+		*p = Path(time.Date(year, month, day, hour, minute, second, micros*1000, time.Local))
 	}
 
 	return true
 }
 
-func (p path) encode(format string) string {
+// Encode encodes a path.
+func (p Path) Encode(format string) string {
 	format = strings.ReplaceAll(format, "%Y", strconv.FormatInt(int64(time.Time(p).Year()), 10))
 	format = strings.ReplaceAll(format, "%m", leadingZeros(int(time.Time(p).Month()), 2))
 	format = strings.ReplaceAll(format, "%d", leadingZeros(time.Time(p).Day(), 2))
diff --git a/internal/record/path_test.go b/internal/record/path_test.go
index 0acdc66177f..3831561e0f4 100644
--- a/internal/record/path_test.go
+++ b/internal/record/path_test.go
@@ -10,19 +10,19 @@ import (
 var pathCases = []struct {
 	name   string
 	format string
-	dec    path
+	dec    Path
 	enc    string
 }{
 	{
 		"standard",
 		"%path/%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S-%f.mp4",
-		path(time.Date(2008, 11, 0o7, 11, 22, 4, 123456000, time.Local)),
+		Path(time.Date(2008, 11, 0o7, 11, 22, 4, 123456000, time.Local)),
 		"%path/2008-11-07_11-22-04-123456.mp4",
 	},
 	{
 		"unix seconds",
 		"%path/%s.mp4",
-		path(time.Date(2021, 12, 2, 12, 15, 23, 0, time.UTC).Local()),
+		Path(time.Date(2021, 12, 2, 12, 15, 23, 0, time.UTC).Local()),
 		"%path/1638447323.mp4",
 	},
 }
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ var pathCases = []struct {
 func TestPathDecode(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, ca := range pathCases {
 		t.Run(ca.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			var dec path
-			ok := dec.decode(ca.format, ca.enc)
+			var dec Path
+			ok := dec.Decode(ca.format, ca.enc)
 			require.Equal(t, true, ok)
 			require.Equal(t, ca.dec, dec)
 		})
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func TestPathDecode(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPathEncode(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, ca := range pathCases {
 		t.Run(ca.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			require.Equal(t, ca.enc, ca.dec.encode(ca.format))
+			require.Equal(t, ca.enc, ca.dec.Encode(ca.format))
 		})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/servers/hls/http_server.go b/internal/servers/hls/http_server.go
index 9241fb6d119..3145f618898 100644
--- a/internal/servers/hls/http_server.go
+++ b/internal/servers/hls/http_server.go
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ func (s *httpServer) onRequest(ctx *gin.Context) {
 
 	user, pass, hasCredentials := ctx.Request.BasicAuth()
 
-	res := s.pathManager.GetConfForPath(defs.PathGetConfForPathReq{
+	res := s.pathManager.FindPathConf(defs.PathFindPathConfReq{
 		AccessRequest: defs.PathAccessRequest{
 			Name:    dir,
 			Query:   ctx.Request.URL.RawQuery,
diff --git a/internal/servers/webrtc/http_server.go b/internal/servers/webrtc/http_server.go
index f76710205b0..10c78bc26e6 100644
--- a/internal/servers/webrtc/http_server.go
+++ b/internal/servers/webrtc/http_server.go
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func (s *httpServer) checkAuthOutsideSession(ctx *gin.Context, path string, publ
 	remoteAddr := net.JoinHostPort(ip, port)
 	user, pass, hasCredentials := ctx.Request.BasicAuth()
 
-	res := s.pathManager.GetConfForPath(defs.PathGetConfForPathReq{
+	res := s.pathManager.FindPathConf(defs.PathFindPathConfReq{
 		AccessRequest: defs.PathAccessRequest{
 			Name:    path,
 			Query:   ctx.Request.URL.RawQuery,
diff --git a/mediamtx.yml b/mediamtx.yml
index 714af4f60da..d0d63d1800a 100644
--- a/mediamtx.yml
+++ b/mediamtx.yml
@@ -41,11 +41,6 @@ udpMaxPayloadSize: 1472
 # it is discarded.
 externalAuthenticationURL:
 
-# Enable the HTTP API.
-api: no
-# Address of the API listener.
-apiAddress: 127.0.0.1:9997
-
 # Enable Prometheus-compatible metrics.
 metrics: no
 # Address of the metrics listener.
@@ -69,10 +64,26 @@ runOnConnectRestart: no
 # Environment variables are the same of runOnConnect.
 runOnDisconnect:
 
+###############################################
+# Global settings -> API
+
+# Enable controlling the server through the API.
+api: no
+# Address of the API listener.
+apiAddress: 127.0.0.1:9997
+
+###############################################
+# Global settings -> Playback server
+
+# Enable downloading recordings from the playback server.
+playback: no
+# Address of the playback server listener.
+playbackAddress: :9996
+
 ###############################################
 # Global settings -> RTSP server
 
-# Allow publishing and reading streams with the RTSP protocol.
+# Enable publishing and reading streams with the RTSP protocol.
 rtsp: yes
 # List of enabled RTSP transport protocols.
 # UDP is the most performant, but doesn't work when there's a NAT/firewall between
@@ -112,7 +123,7 @@ authMethods: [basic]
 ###############################################
 # Global settings -> RTMP server
 
-# Allow publishing and reading streams with the RTMP protocol.
+# Enable publishing and reading streams with the RTMP protocol.
 rtmp: yes
 # Address of the RTMP listener. This is needed only when encryption is "no" or "optional".
 rtmpAddress: :1935
@@ -132,7 +143,7 @@ rtmpServerCert: server.crt
 ###############################################
 # Global settings -> HLS server
 
-# Allow reading streams with the HLS protocol.
+# Enable reading streams with the HLS protocol.
 hls: yes
 # Address of the HLS listener.
 hlsAddress: :8888
@@ -188,7 +199,7 @@ hlsDirectory: ''
 ###############################################
 # Global settings -> WebRTC server
 
-# Allow publishing and reading streams with the WebRTC protocol.
+# Enable publishing and reading streams with the WebRTC protocol.
 webrtc: yes
 # Address of the WebRTC HTTP listener.
 webrtcAddress: :8889
@@ -236,7 +247,7 @@ webrtcICEServers2: []
 ###############################################
 # Global settings -> SRT server
 
-# Allow publishing and reading streams with the SRT protocol.
+# Enable publishing and reading streams with the SRT protocol.
 srt: yes
 # Address of the SRT listener.
 srtAddress: :8890
@@ -292,10 +303,12 @@ pathDefaults:
   fallback:
 
   ###############################################
-  # Default path settings -> Recording
+  # Default path settings -> Record and playback
 
   # Record streams to disk.
   record: no
+  # Enable serving recordings with the playback server.
+  playback: yes
   # Path of recording segments.
   # Extension is added automatically.
   # Available variables are %path (path name), %Y %m %d %H %M %S %f %s (time in strftime format)