diff --git a/web/public/locales/en/views/live.json b/web/public/locales/en/views/live.json
index c4f3f91b0b..3ea4689fe5 100644
--- a/web/public/locales/en/views/live.json
+++ b/web/public/locales/en/views/live.json
@@ -173,6 +173,9 @@
       "label": "Play in background",
       "tips": "Enable this option to continue streaming when the player is hidden."
     },
+    "metadata": {
+      "loading": "Fetching stream metadata…"
+    },
     "mode": "Streaming Technology",
     "technology": {
       "description": "Choose your preferred streaming technology. Frigate may still fall back to low bandwidth mode on playback or network errors.",
diff --git a/web/src/components/player/LivePlayer.tsx b/web/src/components/player/LivePlayer.tsx
index ff73e047fa..6f9c94583d 100644
--- a/web/src/components/player/LivePlayer.tsx
+++ b/web/src/components/player/LivePlayer.tsx
@@ -248,10 +248,21 @@ export default function LivePlayer({
   // remounts them in the same render and the new player is hidden until it
   // plays. jsmpeg plays the camera, not the stream, and keeps playing
   const [renderedStream, setRenderedStream] = useState(streamName);
+  const [switchFrame, setSwitchFrame] = useState<HTMLCanvasElement>();
   if (renderedStream !== streamName) {
     setRenderedStream(streamName);
     if (preferredLiveMode !== "jsmpeg") {
       setLiveReady(false);
+
+      // the old video is still in the DOM until this render commits, so its
+      // last frame can cover the gap until the new stream plays. Tiles that
+      // show the camera still already cover it
+      if (!showStillWithoutActivity) {
+        const frame = captureVideoFrame(overlayRef.current);
+        if (frame) {
+          setSwitchFrame(frame);
+        }
+      }
     }
   }
 
@@ -263,6 +274,7 @@ export default function LivePlayer({
 
   const playerIsPlaying = useCallback(() => {
     setLiveReady(true);
+    setSwitchFrame(undefined);
   }, []);
 
   // enabled states
@@ -416,6 +428,12 @@ export default function LivePlayer({
           </div>
         )}
       {player}
+      {switchFrame && !liveReady && (
+        <div
+          className="absolute inset-0"
+          ref={(node) => node?.replaceChildren(switchFrame)}
+        />
+      )}
       {cameraEnabled &&
         !offline &&
         (!showStillWithoutActivity || isReEnabling) &&
@@ -582,3 +600,19 @@ export default function LivePlayer({
     </div>
   );
 }
+
+function captureVideoFrame(
+  container: HTMLElement | null,
+): HTMLCanvasElement | undefined {
+  const video = container?.querySelector("video");
+  if (!video || video.readyState < HTMLMediaElement.HAVE_CURRENT_DATA) {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+
+  const canvas = document.createElement("canvas");
+  canvas.width = video.videoWidth;
+  canvas.height = video.videoHeight;
+  canvas.className = "size-full object-contain";
+  canvas.getContext("2d")?.drawImage(video, 0, 0);
+  return canvas;
+}
diff --git a/web/src/components/player/LiveStreamSelect.tsx b/web/src/components/player/LiveStreamSelect.tsx
index fee9351c00..97d5cc56cf 100644
--- a/web/src/components/player/LiveStreamSelect.tsx
+++ b/web/src/components/player/LiveStreamSelect.tsx
@@ -12,11 +12,15 @@ import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
 import { LuInfo } from "react-icons/lu";
 import { MdOutlineRestartAlt } from "react-icons/md";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { ToggleGroup, ToggleGroupItem } from "@/components/ui/toggle-group";
 
 // Radix Select needs a non-empty value. Auto itself is stored as the
 // absence of a pinned stream
 const AUTO_VALUE = "__frigate_auto__";
 
+const GRID_ITEM =
+  "h-auto min-h-10 min-w-[calc((100%-1rem)/3)] grow whitespace-normal bg-secondary [overflow-wrap:anywhere] px-2 py-2 text-secondary-foreground hover:bg-secondary hover:text-secondary-foreground data-[state=on]:bg-selected data-[state=on]:text-selected-foreground data-[state=on]:hover:bg-selected data-[state=on]:hover:text-selected-foreground";
+
 type LiveStreamSelectProps = {
   // friendly name to go2rtc stream name, in ladder order
   streams: Record<string, string>;
@@ -29,6 +33,7 @@ type LiveStreamSelectProps = {
   // sends auto back to the top of the ladder
   onRetry: () => void;
   disabled: boolean;
+  variant?: "select" | "grid";
 };
 
 export default function LiveStreamSelect({
@@ -40,6 +45,7 @@ export default function LiveStreamSelect({
   onSelect,
   onRetry,
   disabled,
+  variant = "select",
 }: LiveStreamSelectProps) {
   const { t } = useTranslation(["views/live"]);
 
@@ -52,48 +58,78 @@ export default function LiveStreamSelect({
   const auto = autoAvailable && pinnedStream == undefined;
   const value = auto ? AUTO_VALUE : (pinnedStream ?? playingStream);
 
+  const autoLabel = auto
+    ? t("stream.auto.selected", {
+        stream:
+          autoReason === "floor"
+            ? t("stream.auto.floorLabel")
+            : labelFor(playingStream),
+      })
+    : t("stream.auto.label");
+
   return (
     <>
-      <Select
-        value={value}
-        disabled={disabled}
-        onValueChange={(next) =>
-          onSelect(next === AUTO_VALUE ? undefined : next)
-        }
-      >
-        <SelectTrigger className="w-full">
-          <SelectValue>
-            {auto
-              ? t("stream.auto.selected", {
-                  stream:
-                    autoReason === "floor"
-                      ? t("stream.auto.floorLabel")
-                      : labelFor(playingStream),
-                })
-              : labelFor(value)}
-          </SelectValue>
-        </SelectTrigger>
+      {variant === "grid" &&
+      !autoAvailable &&
+      Object.keys(streams).length <= 1 ? (
+        <div className="text-sm">{labelFor(playingStream)}</div>
+      ) : variant === "grid" ? (
+        <ToggleGroup
+          type="single"
+          className="flex flex-wrap items-stretch gap-2"
+          value={value}
+          disabled={disabled}
+          onValueChange={(next) => {
+            // radix sends an empty value when the active item is tapped again
+            if (next) {
+              onSelect(next === AUTO_VALUE ? undefined : next);
+            }
+          }}
+        >
+          {autoAvailable && (
+            <ToggleGroupItem value={AUTO_VALUE} className={GRID_ITEM}>
+              {autoLabel}
+            </ToggleGroupItem>
+          )}
+          {Object.entries(streams).map(([label, name]) => (
+            <ToggleGroupItem key={label} value={name} className={GRID_ITEM}>
+              {label}
+            </ToggleGroupItem>
+          ))}
+        </ToggleGroup>
+      ) : (
+        <Select
+          value={value}
+          disabled={disabled}
+          onValueChange={(next) =>
+            onSelect(next === AUTO_VALUE ? undefined : next)
+          }
+        >
+          <SelectTrigger className="w-full">
+            <SelectValue>{auto ? autoLabel : labelFor(value)}</SelectValue>
+          </SelectTrigger>
 
-        <SelectContent>
-          <SelectGroup>
-            {autoAvailable && (
-              <SelectItem className="cursor-pointer" value={AUTO_VALUE}>
-                <span className="flex flex-col gap-0.5 whitespace-normal">
-                  <span>{t("stream.auto.label")}</span>
-                  <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-                    {t("stream.auto.tips")}
+          <SelectContent>
+            <SelectGroup>
+              {autoAvailable && (
+                <SelectItem className="cursor-pointer" value={AUTO_VALUE}>
+                  <span className="flex flex-col gap-0.5 whitespace-normal">
+                    <span>{t("stream.auto.label")}</span>
+                    <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                      {t("stream.auto.tips")}
+                    </span>
                   </span>
-                </span>
-              </SelectItem>
-            )}
-            {Object.entries(streams).map(([label, name]) => (
-              <SelectItem key={label} className="cursor-pointer" value={name}>
-                {label}
-              </SelectItem>
-            ))}
-          </SelectGroup>
-        </SelectContent>
-      </Select>
+                </SelectItem>
+              )}
+              {Object.entries(streams).map(([label, name]) => (
+                <SelectItem key={label} className="cursor-pointer" value={name}>
+                  {label}
+                </SelectItem>
+              ))}
+            </SelectGroup>
+          </SelectContent>
+        </Select>
+      )}
 
       {auto && autoReason && !disabled && (
         <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-3">
diff --git a/web/src/views/live/LiveCameraView.tsx b/web/src/views/live/LiveCameraView.tsx
index 8252a6692e..71c8e7a7ee 100644
--- a/web/src/views/live/LiveCameraView.tsx
+++ b/web/src/views/live/LiveCameraView.tsx
@@ -230,15 +230,16 @@ export default function LiveCameraView({
     }
   }, [streamNameLoaded, liveStreams, pinnedStream, clearPinnedStream]);
 
-  const { data: cameraMetadata } = useSWR<LiveStreamMetadata>(
-    isRestreamed ? `go2rtc/streams/${streamName}` : null,
-    {
-      revalidateOnFocus: false,
-      revalidateOnReconnect: false,
-      revalidateIfStale: false,
-      dedupingInterval: 60000,
-    },
-  );
+  const { data: cameraMetadata, isLoading: cameraMetadataLoading } =
+    useSWR<LiveStreamMetadata>(
+      isRestreamed ? `go2rtc/streams/${streamName}` : null,
+      {
+        revalidateOnFocus: false,
+        revalidateOnReconnect: false,
+        revalidateIfStale: false,
+        dedupingInterval: 60000,
+      },
+    );
 
   const webRTCAvailability = useWebRTCAvailableForStream(
     cameraMetadata,
@@ -847,6 +848,7 @@ export default function LiveCameraView({
               onResetStream={resetStream}
               supportsAudioOutput={supportsAudioOutput}
               supports2WayTalk={supports2WayTalk}
+              streamMetadataLoading={cameraMetadataLoading}
               cameraEnabled={cameraEnabled}
               debug={debug}
               setDebug={setDebug}
@@ -873,9 +875,12 @@ export default function LiveCameraView({
                   growClassName,
                 )}
                 ref={clickOverlayRef}
-                style={{
-                  aspectRatio: constrainedAspectRatio,
-                }}
+                style={
+                  {
+                    aspectRatio: constrainedAspectRatio,
+                    "--camera-aspect": cameraAspectRatio,
+                  } as React.CSSProperties
+                }
               >
                 {clickOverlay && overlaySize.width > 0 && (
                   <div
@@ -914,7 +919,10 @@ export default function LiveCameraView({
                 )}
                 <LivePlayer
                   key={camera.name}
-                  className={fullscreen ? "rounded-none" : ""}
+                  className={cn(
+                    "aspect-[var(--camera-aspect)]",
+                    fullscreen && "rounded-none",
+                  )}
                   windowVisible
                   showStillWithoutActivity={false}
                   alwaysShowCameraName={false}
@@ -1007,6 +1015,7 @@ type FrigateCameraFeaturesProps = {
   onResetStream: () => void;
   supportsAudioOutput: boolean;
   supports2WayTalk: boolean;
+  streamMetadataLoading: boolean;
   cameraEnabled: boolean;
   debug: boolean;
   setDebug: (debug: boolean) => void;
@@ -1038,6 +1047,7 @@ function FrigateCameraFeatures({
   onResetStream,
   supportsAudioOutput,
   supports2WayTalk,
+  streamMetadataLoading,
   cameraEnabled,
   debug,
   setDebug,
@@ -1434,7 +1444,12 @@ function FrigateCameraFeatures({
                         !debug &&
                         isRestreamed && (
                           <div className="flex flex-row items-center gap-1 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-                            {supportsAudioOutput ? (
+                            {streamMetadataLoading ? (
+                              <>
+                                <ActivityIndicator className="size-4" />
+                                <div>{t("stream.metadata.loading")}</div>
+                              </>
+                            ) : supportsAudioOutput ? (
                               <>
                                 <LuCheck className="size-4 text-success" />
                                 <div>{t("stream.audio.available")}</div>
@@ -1693,72 +1708,7 @@ function FrigateCameraFeatures({
       <DrawerContent className="max-h-[75dvh] overflow-hidden rounded-2xl">
         <div className="scrollbar-container mt-2 flex h-auto flex-col gap-2 overflow-y-auto px-2 py-4">
           <>
-            {isAdmin && (
-              <>
-                <FilterSwitch
-                  label={t("cameraSettings.camera")}
-                  isChecked={enabledState == "ON"}
-                  onCheckedChange={() =>
-                    sendEnabled(enabledState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
-                  }
-                />
-                <FilterSwitch
-                  label={t("cameraSettings.objectDetection")}
-                  isChecked={detectState == "ON"}
-                  onCheckedChange={() =>
-                    sendDetect(detectState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
-                  }
-                />
-                {recordingEnabled && (
-                  <FilterSwitch
-                    label={t("cameraSettings.recording")}
-                    isChecked={recordState == "ON"}
-                    onCheckedChange={() =>
-                      sendRecord(recordState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
-                    }
-                  />
-                )}
-                <FilterSwitch
-                  label={t("cameraSettings.snapshots")}
-                  isChecked={snapshotState == "ON"}
-                  onCheckedChange={() =>
-                    sendSnapshot(snapshotState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
-                  }
-                />
-                {audioDetectEnabled && (
-                  <FilterSwitch
-                    label={t("cameraSettings.audioDetection")}
-                    isChecked={audioState == "ON"}
-                    onCheckedChange={() =>
-                      sendAudio(audioState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
-                    }
-                  />
-                )}
-                {audioDetectEnabled && transcriptionEnabled && (
-                  <FilterSwitch
-                    label={t("cameraSettings.transcription")}
-                    disabled={audioState == "OFF"}
-                    isChecked={transcriptionState == "ON"}
-                    onCheckedChange={() =>
-                      sendTranscription(
-                        transcriptionState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON",
-                      )
-                    }
-                  />
-                )}
-                {autotrackingEnabled && (
-                  <FilterSwitch
-                    label={t("cameraSettings.autotracking")}
-                    isChecked={autotrackingState == "ON"}
-                    onCheckedChange={() =>
-                      sendAutotracking(autotrackingState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
-                    }
-                  />
-                )}
-              </>
-            )}
-
-            <div className="mt-3 flex flex-col gap-5">
+            <div className="mb-3 flex flex-col gap-5">
               {!isRestreamed && (
                 <div className="flex flex-col gap-2 p-2">
                   <Label>{t("stream.title")}</Label>
@@ -1811,6 +1761,7 @@ function FrigateCameraFeatures({
                       onSelect={onSelectStream}
                       onRetry={onResetStream}
                       disabled={debug || forceLowBandwidth}
+                      variant="grid"
                     />
 
                     {debug && (
@@ -1826,7 +1777,12 @@ function FrigateCameraFeatures({
                       !debug &&
                       isRestreamed && (
                         <div className="mt-1 flex flex-row items-center gap-1 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-                          {supportsAudioOutput ? (
+                          {streamMetadataLoading ? (
+                            <>
+                              <ActivityIndicator className="size-4" size={14} />
+                              <div>{t("stream.metadata.loading")}</div>
+                            </>
+                          ) : supportsAudioOutput ? (
                             <>
                               <LuCheck className="size-4 text-success" />
                               <div>{t("stream.audio.available")}</div>
@@ -1955,6 +1911,73 @@ function FrigateCameraFeatures({
                     </p>
                   </div>
                 )}
+            </div>
+            {isAdmin && (
+              <>
+                <FilterSwitch
+                  label={t("cameraSettings.camera")}
+                  isChecked={enabledState == "ON"}
+                  onCheckedChange={() =>
+                    sendEnabled(enabledState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
+                  }
+                />
+                <FilterSwitch
+                  label={t("cameraSettings.objectDetection")}
+                  isChecked={detectState == "ON"}
+                  onCheckedChange={() =>
+                    sendDetect(detectState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
+                  }
+                />
+                {recordingEnabled && (
+                  <FilterSwitch
+                    label={t("cameraSettings.recording")}
+                    isChecked={recordState == "ON"}
+                    onCheckedChange={() =>
+                      sendRecord(recordState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
+                    }
+                  />
+                )}
+                <FilterSwitch
+                  label={t("cameraSettings.snapshots")}
+                  isChecked={snapshotState == "ON"}
+                  onCheckedChange={() =>
+                    sendSnapshot(snapshotState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
+                  }
+                />
+                {audioDetectEnabled && (
+                  <FilterSwitch
+                    label={t("cameraSettings.audioDetection")}
+                    isChecked={audioState == "ON"}
+                    onCheckedChange={() =>
+                      sendAudio(audioState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
+                    }
+                  />
+                )}
+                {audioDetectEnabled && transcriptionEnabled && (
+                  <FilterSwitch
+                    label={t("cameraSettings.transcription")}
+                    disabled={audioState == "OFF"}
+                    isChecked={transcriptionState == "ON"}
+                    onCheckedChange={() =>
+                      sendTranscription(
+                        transcriptionState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON",
+                      )
+                    }
+                  />
+                )}
+                {autotrackingEnabled && (
+                  <FilterSwitch
+                    label={t("cameraSettings.autotracking")}
+                    isChecked={autotrackingState == "ON"}
+                    onCheckedChange={() =>
+                      sendAutotracking(autotrackingState == "ON" ? "OFF" : "ON")
+                    }
+                  />
+                )}
+              </>
+            )}
+
+            <div className="mt-3 flex flex-col gap-5">
               {isRestreamed &&
                 Object.values(camera.live.streams).length > 0 && (
                   <div className="flex flex-col gap-2">