diff --git a/tools/cabana/chart/chart.cc b/tools/cabana/chart/chart.cc
index 3711db6853..bd05107297 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/chart/chart.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/chart/chart.cc
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ ChartView::ChartView(const std::pair<double, double> &x_range, ChartsWidget *par
 
   createToolButtons();
   // TODO: enable zoomIn/seekTo in live streaming mode.
-  setRubberBand(can->liveStreaming() ? QChartView::NoRubberBand : QChartView::HorizontalRubberBand);
+  setRubberBand(QChartView::HorizontalRubberBand);
   setMouseTracking(true);
   setTheme(settings.theme == DARK_THEME ? QChart::QChart::ChartThemeDark : QChart::ChartThemeLight);
 
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ void ChartView::updateSeries(const cabana::Signal *sig) {
       }
       s.series->setColor(getColor(s.sig));
 
-      const auto &msgs = can->events().at(s.msg_id);
+      const auto &msgs = can->events(s.msg_id);
       auto first = std::upper_bound(msgs.cbegin(), msgs.cend(), s.last_value_mono_time, [](uint64_t ts, auto e) {
         return ts < e->mono_time;
       });
@@ -439,14 +439,12 @@ void ChartView::mousePressEvent(QMouseEvent *event) {
     drag->setHotSpot(-QPoint(5, 5));
     drag->exec(Qt::CopyAction | Qt::MoveAction, Qt::MoveAction);
   } else if (event->button() == Qt::LeftButton && QApplication::keyboardModifiers().testFlag(Qt::ShiftModifier)) {
-    if (!can->liveStreaming()) {
-      // Save current playback state when scrubbing
-      resume_after_scrub = !can->isPaused();
-      if (resume_after_scrub) {
-        can->pause(true);
-      }
-      is_scrubbing = true;
+    // Save current playback state when scrubbing
+    resume_after_scrub = !can->isPaused();
+    if (resume_after_scrub) {
+      can->pause(true);
     }
+    is_scrubbing = true;
   } else {
     QChartView::mousePressEvent(event);
   }
@@ -473,7 +471,7 @@ void ChartView::mouseReleaseEvent(QMouseEvent *event) {
       viewport()->update();
     }
     event->accept();
-  } else if (!can->liveStreaming() && event->button() == Qt::RightButton) {
+  } else if (event->button() == Qt::RightButton) {
     charts_widget->zoom_undo_stack->undo();
     event->accept();
   } else {
diff --git a/tools/cabana/chart/chartswidget.cc b/tools/cabana/chart/chartswidget.cc
index d015e97c9f..ffb354aa3a 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/chart/chartswidget.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/chart/chartswidget.cc
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ void ChartsWidget::updateState() {
     double max_sec = std::min(std::floor(display_range.first + max_chart_range), can->lastEventSecond());
     display_range.first = std::max(0.0, max_sec - max_chart_range);
     display_range.second = display_range.first + max_chart_range;
-  } else if (cur_sec < zoomed_range.first || cur_sec >= zoomed_range.second) {
+  } else if (cur_sec < (zoomed_range.first - 0.1) || cur_sec >= zoomed_range.second) {
     // loop in zoomed range
     can->seekTo(zoomed_range.first);
   }
diff --git a/tools/cabana/chart/sparkline.cc b/tools/cabana/chart/sparkline.cc
index 63f672e5ea..6d7b35f3a9 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/chart/sparkline.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/chart/sparkline.cc
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #include "tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.h"
 
 void Sparkline::update(const MessageId &msg_id, const cabana::Signal *sig, double last_msg_ts, int range, QSize size) {
-  const auto &msgs = can->events().at(msg_id);
+  const auto &msgs = can->events(msg_id);
   uint64_t ts = (last_msg_ts + can->routeStartTime()) * 1e9;
   uint64_t first_ts = (ts > range * 1e9) ? ts - range * 1e9 : 0;
   auto first = std::lower_bound(msgs.cbegin(), msgs.cend(), first_ts, [](auto e, uint64_t ts) {
diff --git a/tools/cabana/historylog.cc b/tools/cabana/historylog.cc
index 02e60a80ac..4c193666dc 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/historylog.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/historylog.cc
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ std::deque<HistoryLogModel::Message> HistoryLogModel::fetchData(InputIt first, I
 }
 
 std::deque<HistoryLogModel::Message> HistoryLogModel::fetchData(uint64_t from_time, uint64_t min_time) {
-  const auto &events = can->events().at(msg_id);
+  const auto &events = can->events(msg_id);
   const auto freq = can->lastMessage(msg_id).freq;
   const bool update_colors = !display_signals_mode || sigs.empty();
 
diff --git a/tools/cabana/mainwin.cc b/tools/cabana/mainwin.cc
index dad809afe2..891bfc4bb1 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/mainwin.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/mainwin.cc
@@ -145,10 +145,8 @@ void MainWindow::createActions() {
   commands_act->setDefaultWidget(undo_view);
   commands_menu->addAction(commands_act);
 
-  if (!can->liveStreaming()) {
-    QMenu *tools_menu = menuBar()->addMenu(tr("&Tools"));
-    tools_menu->addAction(tr("Find &Similar Bits"), this, &MainWindow::findSimilarBits);
-  }
+  QMenu *tools_menu = menuBar()->addMenu(tr("&Tools"));
+  tools_menu->addAction(tr("Find &Similar Bits"), this, &MainWindow::findSimilarBits);
 
   QMenu *help_menu = menuBar()->addMenu(tr("&Help"));
   help_menu->addAction(tr("Help"), this, &MainWindow::onlineHelp)->setShortcuts(QKeySequence::HelpContents);
diff --git a/tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.cc b/tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.cc
index de5b2912ea..96616d0de6 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.cc
@@ -3,14 +3,13 @@
 
 AbstractStream *can = nullptr;
 
-AbstractStream::AbstractStream(QObject *parent, bool is_live_streaming) : is_live_streaming(is_live_streaming), QObject(parent) {
+AbstractStream::AbstractStream(QObject *parent) : QObject(parent) {
   can = this;
   new_msgs = std::make_unique<QHash<MessageId, CanData>>();
-  QObject::connect(this, &AbstractStream::received, this, &AbstractStream::process, Qt::QueuedConnection);
   QObject::connect(this, &AbstractStream::seekedTo, this, &AbstractStream::updateLastMsgsTo);
 }
 
-void AbstractStream::process(QHash<MessageId, CanData> *messages) {
+void AbstractStream::updateMessages(QHash<MessageId, CanData> *messages) {
   auto prev_src_size = sources.size();
   for (auto it = messages->begin(); it != messages->end(); ++it) {
     const auto &id = it.key();
@@ -26,45 +25,39 @@ void AbstractStream::process(QHash<MessageId, CanData> *messages) {
   processing = false;
 }
 
-bool AbstractStream::updateEvent(const Event *event) {
-  static double prev_update_ts = 0;
-  if (event->which == cereal::Event::Which::CAN) {
-    double current_sec = event->mono_time / 1e9 - routeStartTime();
-    for (const auto &c : event->event.getCan()) {
-      MessageId id = {.source = c.getSrc(), .address = c.getAddress()};
-      const auto dat = c.getDat();
-      all_msgs[id].compute((const char *)dat.begin(), dat.size(), current_sec, getSpeed());
-      if (!new_msgs->contains(id)) {
-        new_msgs->insert(id, {});
-      }
-    }
-    double ts = millis_since_boot();
-    // delay posting CAN message if UI thread is busy
-    if ((ts - prev_update_ts) > (1000.0 / settings.fps) && !processing && !new_msgs->isEmpty()) {
-      processing = true;
-      prev_update_ts = ts;
-      for (auto it = new_msgs->begin(); it != new_msgs->end(); ++it) {
-        it.value() = all_msgs[it.key()];
-      }
-      // use pointer to avoid data copy in queued connection.
-      emit received(new_msgs.release());
-      new_msgs.reset(new QHash<MessageId, CanData>);
-      new_msgs->reserve(100);
+void AbstractStream::updateEvent(const MessageId &id, double sec, const uint8_t *data, uint8_t size) {
+  all_msgs[id].compute((const char*)data, size, sec, getSpeed());
+  if (!new_msgs->contains(id)) {
+    new_msgs->insert(id, {});
+  }
+}
+
+bool AbstractStream::postEvents() {
+  // delay posting CAN message if UI thread is busy
+  if (!processing) {
+    processing = true;
+    for (auto it = new_msgs->begin(); it != new_msgs->end(); ++it) {
+      it.value() = all_msgs[it.key()];
     }
+    // use pointer to avoid data copy in queued connection.
+    QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, std::bind(&AbstractStream::updateMessages, this, new_msgs.release()), Qt::QueuedConnection);
+    new_msgs.reset(new QHash<MessageId, CanData>);
+    new_msgs->reserve(100);
+    return true;
   }
-  return true;
+  return false;
 }
 
 const CanData &AbstractStream::lastMessage(const MessageId &id) {
-  static CanData empty_data;
+  static CanData empty_data = {};
   auto it = last_msgs.find(id);
   return it != last_msgs.end() ? it.value() : empty_data;
 }
 
 // it is thread safe to update data in updateLastMsgsTo.
-// updateEvent will not be called before replayStream::seekedTo return.
+// updateLastMsgsTo is always called in UI thread.
 void AbstractStream::updateLastMsgsTo(double sec) {
-  new_msgs->clear();
+  new_msgs.reset(new QHash<MessageId, CanData>);
   all_msgs.clear();
   last_msgs.clear();
 
@@ -89,7 +82,7 @@ void AbstractStream::updateLastMsgsTo(double sec) {
   });
 }
 
-void AbstractStream::parseEvents(std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<CanEvent *>> &msgs,
+void AbstractStream::parseEvents(std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<const CanEvent *>> &msgs,
                                  std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator first, std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator last) {
   size_t memory_size = 0;
   for (auto it = first; it != last; ++it) {
@@ -101,22 +94,24 @@ void AbstractStream::parseEvents(std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<CanEve
   }
 
   char *ptr = memory_blocks.emplace_back(new char[memory_size]).get();
-  uint64_t ts = 0;
   for (auto it = first; it != last; ++it) {
     if ((*it)->which == cereal::Event::Which::CAN) {
-      ts = (*it)->mono_time;
+      uint64_t ts = (*it)->mono_time;
       for (const auto &c : (*it)->event.getCan()) {
-        auto dat = c.getDat();
         CanEvent *e = (CanEvent *)ptr;
+        e->src = c.getSrc();
+        e->address = c.getAddress();
         e->mono_time = ts;
+        auto dat = c.getDat();
         e->size = dat.size();
         memcpy(e->dat, (uint8_t *)dat.begin(), e->size);
-        msgs[{.source = c.getSrc(), .address = c.getAddress()}].push_back(e);
+
+        msgs[{.source = e->src, .address = e->address}].push_back(e);
+        all_events_.push_back(e);
         ptr += sizeof(CanEvent) + sizeof(uint8_t) * e->size;
       }
     }
   }
-  last_event_ts = std::max(last_event_ts, ts);
 }
 
 void AbstractStream::mergeEvents(std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator first, std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator last, bool append) {
@@ -125,7 +120,7 @@ void AbstractStream::mergeEvents(std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator first, std
   if (append) {
     parseEvents(events_, first, last);
   } else {
-    std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<CanEvent *>> new_events;
+    std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<const CanEvent *>> new_events;
     parseEvents(new_events, first, last);
     for (auto &[id, new_e] : new_events) {
       auto &e = events_[id];
@@ -133,6 +128,7 @@ void AbstractStream::mergeEvents(std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator first, std
       e.insert(it, new_e.cbegin(), new_e.cend());
     }
   }
+  total_sec = (all_events_.back()->mono_time - all_events_.front()->mono_time) / 1e9;
   emit eventsMerged();
 }
 
diff --git a/tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.h b/tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.h
index 19ab3b01e9..644aa133d4 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.h
+++ b/tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.h
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ struct CanData {
 };
 
 struct CanEvent {
+  uint8_t src;
+  uint32_t address;
   uint64_t mono_time;
   uint8_t size;
   uint8_t dat[];
@@ -36,28 +38,26 @@ class AbstractStream : public QObject {
   Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
-  AbstractStream(QObject *parent, bool is_live_streaming);
+  AbstractStream(QObject *parent);
   virtual ~AbstractStream() {};
-  inline bool liveStreaming() const { return is_live_streaming; }
-  inline double lastEventSecond() const { return last_event_ts / 1e9 - routeStartTime(); }
+  inline bool liveStreaming() const { return route() == nullptr; }
+  inline double lastEventSecond() const { return lastEventMonoTime() / 1e9 - routeStartTime(); }
   virtual void seekTo(double ts) {}
   virtual QString routeName() const = 0;
   virtual QString carFingerprint() const { return ""; }
-  virtual double totalSeconds() const { return 0; }
   virtual double routeStartTime() const { return 0; }
   virtual double currentSec() const = 0;
-  virtual QDateTime currentDateTime() const { return {}; }
-  virtual const CanData &lastMessage(const MessageId &id);
+  double totalSeconds() const { return total_sec; }
+  const CanData &lastMessage(const MessageId &id);
   virtual VisionStreamType visionStreamType() const { return VISION_STREAM_ROAD; }
   virtual const Route *route() const { return nullptr; }
   virtual void setSpeed(float speed) {}
   virtual double getSpeed() { return 1; }
   virtual bool isPaused() const { return false; }
   virtual void pause(bool pause) {}
-  virtual const std::vector<Event*> *rawEvents() const { return nullptr; }
-  const std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<CanEvent *>> &events() const { return events_; }
+  const std::deque<const CanEvent *> &allEvents() const { return all_events_; }
+  const std::deque<const CanEvent *> &events(const MessageId &id) const { return events_.at(id); }
   virtual const std::vector<std::tuple<int, int, TimelineType>> getTimeline() { return {}; }
-  void mergeEvents(std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator first, std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator last, bool append);
 
 signals:
   void paused();
@@ -67,7 +67,6 @@ signals:
   void eventsMerged();
   void updated();
   void msgsReceived(const QHash<MessageId, CanData> *);
-  void received(QHash<MessageId, CanData> *);
   void sourcesUpdated(const SourceSet &s);
 
 public:
@@ -75,17 +74,20 @@ public:
   SourceSet sources;
 
 protected:
-  virtual void process(QHash<MessageId, CanData> *);
-  bool updateEvent(const Event *event);
+  void mergeEvents(std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator first, std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator last, bool append);
+  bool postEvents();
+  uint64_t lastEventMonoTime() const { return all_events_.empty() ? 0 : all_events_.back()->mono_time; }
+  void updateEvent(const MessageId &id, double sec, const uint8_t *data, uint8_t size);
+  void updateMessages(QHash<MessageId, CanData> *);
+  void parseEvents(std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<const CanEvent *>> &msgs, std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator first, std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator last);
   void updateLastMsgsTo(double sec);
-  void parseEvents(std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<CanEvent *>> &msgs, std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator first, std::vector<Event *>::const_iterator last);
 
-  bool is_live_streaming = false;
+  double total_sec = 0;
   std::atomic<bool> processing = false;
   std::unique_ptr<QHash<MessageId, CanData>> new_msgs;
   QHash<MessageId, CanData> all_msgs;
-  std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<CanEvent *>> events_;
-  uint64_t last_event_ts = 0;
+  std::unordered_map<MessageId, std::deque<const CanEvent *>> events_;
+  std::deque<const CanEvent *> all_events_;
   std::deque<std::unique_ptr<char[]>> memory_blocks;
 };
 
diff --git a/tools/cabana/streams/devicestream.cc b/tools/cabana/streams/devicestream.cc
index 24fbaf502c..5bbe527773 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/streams/devicestream.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/streams/devicestream.cc
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ void DeviceStream::streamThread() {
       continue;
     }
 
-    std::lock_guard lk(lock);
-    handleEvent(messages.emplace_back(msg).event);
+    handleEvent(msg->getData(), msg->getSize());
+    delete msg;
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/tools/cabana/streams/livestream.cc b/tools/cabana/streams/livestream.cc
index 1e198a8c5f..466537e9b8 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/streams/livestream.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/streams/livestream.cc
@@ -2,79 +2,118 @@
 
 #include <QTimer>
 
-LiveStream::LiveStream(QObject *parent) : AbstractStream(parent, true) {
+LiveStream::LiveStream(QObject *parent) : AbstractStream(parent) {
   if (settings.log_livestream) {
     std::string path = (settings.log_path + "/" + QDateTime::currentDateTime().toString("yyyy-MM-dd--hh-mm-ss") + "--0").toStdString();
     util::create_directories(path, 0755);
-    fs.reset(new std::ofstream(path + "/rlog" , std::ios::binary | std::ios::out));
+    fs.reset(new std::ofstream(path + "/rlog", std::ios::binary | std::ios::out));
   }
   stream_thread = new QThread(this);
+
+  QObject::connect(&settings, &Settings::changed, this, &LiveStream::startUpdateTimer);
   QObject::connect(stream_thread, &QThread::started, [=]() { streamThread(); });
   QObject::connect(stream_thread, &QThread::finished, stream_thread, &QThread::deleteLater);
 }
 
+void LiveStream::startUpdateTimer() {
+  update_timer.stop();
+  update_timer.start(1000.0 / settings.fps, this);
+  timer_id = update_timer.timerId();
+}
+
 void LiveStream::startStreamThread() {
   // delay the start of the thread to avoid calling startStreamThread
   // in the constructor when other classes' slots have not been connected to
   // the signals of the livestream.
   QTimer::singleShot(0, [this]() { stream_thread->start(); });
+  startUpdateTimer();
 }
 
 LiveStream::~LiveStream() {
+  update_timer.stop();
   stream_thread->requestInterruption();
   stream_thread->quit();
   stream_thread->wait();
 }
 
-void LiveStream::handleEvent(Event *evt) {
+// called in streamThread
+void LiveStream::handleEvent(const char *data, const size_t size) {
   if (fs) {
-    auto bytes = evt->words.asChars();
-    fs->write(bytes.begin(), bytes.size());
+    fs->write(data, size);
   }
 
-  if (start_ts == 0 || evt->mono_time < start_ts) {
-    if (evt->mono_time < start_ts) {
-      qDebug() << "stream is looping back to old time stamp";
+  std::lock_guard lk(lock);
+  auto &msg = receivedMessages.emplace_back(data, size);
+  receivedEvents.push_back(msg.event);
+}
+
+void LiveStream::timerEvent(QTimerEvent *event) {
+  if (event->timerId() == timer_id) {
+    {
+      // merge events received from live stream thread.
+      std::lock_guard lk(lock);
+      mergeEvents(receivedEvents.cbegin(), receivedEvents.cend(), true);
+      receivedEvents.clear();
+      receivedMessages.clear();
     }
-    start_ts = current_ts = evt->mono_time;
+    if (!all_events_.empty()) {
+      begin_event_ts = all_events_.front()->mono_time;
+      updateEvents();
+      return;
+    }
+  }
+  QObject::timerEvent(event);
+}
+
+void LiveStream::updateEvents() {
+  static double prev_speed = 1.0;
+  static uint64_t prev_newest_event_ts = all_events_.back()->mono_time;
+
+  if (first_update_ts == 0) {
+    first_update_ts = nanos_since_boot();
+    first_event_ts = current_event_ts = all_events_.back()->mono_time;
     emit streamStarted();
   }
 
-  received.push_back(evt);
-  if (!pause_) {
-    if (speed_ < 1 && last_update_ts > 0) {
-      auto it = std::upper_bound(received.cbegin(), received.cend(), current_ts, [](uint64_t ts, auto &e) {
-        return ts < e->mono_time;
-      });
-      if (it != received.cend()) {
-        bool skip = (nanos_since_boot() - last_update_ts) < ((*it)->mono_time - current_ts) / speed_;
-        if (skip) return;
-
-        evt = *it;
-      }
-    }
-    current_ts = evt->mono_time;
-    last_update_ts = nanos_since_boot();
-    updateEvent(evt);
+  if (paused_ || prev_speed != speed_) {
+    prev_speed = speed_;
+    first_update_ts = nanos_since_boot();
+    first_event_ts = current_event_ts;
+    return;
   }
-}
 
-void LiveStream::process(QHash<MessageId, CanData> *last_messages) {
-  {
-    std::lock_guard lk(lock);
-    auto first = std::upper_bound(received.cbegin(), received.cend(), last_event_ts, [](uint64_t ts, auto &e) {
-      return ts < e->mono_time;
-    });
-    mergeEvents(first, received.cend(), true);
-    if (speed_ == 1) {
-      received.clear();
-      messages.clear();
-    }
+  uint64_t last_event_ts = all_events_.back()->mono_time;
+  bool at_the_end = current_event_ts == prev_newest_event_ts;
+  if (!at_the_end) {
+    last_event_ts = first_event_ts + (nanos_since_boot() - first_update_ts) * speed_;
   }
-  AbstractStream::process(last_messages);
+
+  auto first = std::upper_bound(all_events_.cbegin(), all_events_.cend(), current_event_ts, [](uint64_t ts, auto e) {
+    return ts < e->mono_time;
+  });
+  auto last = std::upper_bound(first, all_events_.cend(), last_event_ts, [](uint64_t ts, auto e) {
+    return ts < e->mono_time;
+  });
+
+  for (auto it = first; it != last; ++it) {
+    const CanEvent *e = *it;
+    MessageId id = {.source = e->src, .address = e->address};
+    updateEvent(id, (e->mono_time - begin_event_ts) / 1e9, e->dat, e->size);
+    current_event_ts = e->mono_time;
+  }
+  postEvents();
+  prev_newest_event_ts = all_events_.back()->mono_time;
+}
+
+void LiveStream::seekTo(double sec) {
+  sec = std::max(0.0, sec);
+  first_update_ts = nanos_since_boot();
+  first_event_ts = std::min<uint64_t>(sec * 1e9 + begin_event_ts, lastEventMonoTime());
+  current_event_ts = first_event_ts;
+  emit seekedTo((current_event_ts - begin_event_ts) / 1e9);
 }
 
 void LiveStream::pause(bool pause) {
-  pause_ = pause;
-  emit paused();
+  paused_ = pause;
+  emit(pause ? paused() : resume());
 }
diff --git a/tools/cabana/streams/livestream.h b/tools/cabana/streams/livestream.h
index a13c8352f5..197ac64e3e 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/streams/livestream.h
+++ b/tools/cabana/streams/livestream.h
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include <QBasicTimer>
+
 #include "tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.h"
 
 class LiveStream : public AbstractStream {
@@ -8,24 +10,25 @@ class LiveStream : public AbstractStream {
 public:
   LiveStream(QObject *parent);
   virtual ~LiveStream();
-  inline double routeStartTime() const override { return start_ts / (double)1e9; }
-  inline double currentSec() const override { return (current_ts - start_ts) / (double)1e9; }
-  void setSpeed(float speed) override { speed_ = std::min<float>(1.0, speed); }
+  inline double routeStartTime() const override { return begin_event_ts / 1e9; }
+  inline double currentSec() const override { return (current_event_ts - begin_event_ts) / 1e9; }
+  void setSpeed(float speed) override { speed_ = speed; }
   double getSpeed() override { return speed_; }
-  bool isPaused() const override { return pause_; }
+  bool isPaused() const override { return paused_; }
   void pause(bool pause) override;
-  void startStreamThread();
+  void seekTo(double sec) override;
 
 protected:
-  virtual void handleEvent(Event *evt);
   virtual void streamThread() = 0;
-  void process(QHash<MessageId, CanData> *) override;
+  void startStreamThread();
+  void handleEvent(const char *data, const size_t size);
+
+private:
+  void startUpdateTimer();
+  void timerEvent(QTimerEvent *event) override;
+  void updateEvents();
 
   struct Msg {
-    Msg(Message *m) {
-      event = ::new Event(aligned_buf.align(m));
-      delete m;
-    }
     Msg(const char *data, const size_t size) {
       event = ::new Event(aligned_buf.align(data, size));
     }
@@ -34,16 +37,19 @@ protected:
     AlignedBuffer aligned_buf;
   };
 
-  mutable std::mutex lock;
-  std::vector<Event *> received;
-  std::deque<Msg> messages;
-  std::atomic<uint64_t> start_ts = 0;
-  std::atomic<uint64_t> current_ts = 0;
-  std::atomic<float> speed_ = 1;
-  std::atomic<bool> pause_ = false;
-  uint64_t last_update_ts = 0;
+  std::mutex lock;
+  QThread *stream_thread;
+  std::vector<Event *> receivedEvents;
+  std::deque<Msg> receivedMessages;
 
   std::unique_ptr<std::ofstream> fs;
-
-  QThread *stream_thread;
+  int timer_id;
+  QBasicTimer update_timer;
+
+  uint64_t begin_event_ts = 0;
+  uint64_t current_event_ts = 0;
+  uint64_t first_event_ts = 0;
+  uint64_t first_update_ts = 0;
+  double speed_ = 1;
+  bool paused_ = false;
 };
diff --git a/tools/cabana/streams/pandastream.cc b/tools/cabana/streams/pandastream.cc
index ee3197ff75..6eab40a652 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/streams/pandastream.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/streams/pandastream.cc
@@ -79,11 +79,8 @@ void PandaStream::streamThread() {
       canData[i].setSrc(raw_can_data[i].src);
     }
 
-    {
-      std::lock_guard lk(lock);
-      auto bytes = msg.toBytes();
-      handleEvent(messages.emplace_back((const char*)bytes.begin(), bytes.size()).event);
-    }
+    auto bytes = msg.toBytes();
+    handleEvent((const char*)bytes.begin(), bytes.size());
 
     panda->send_heartbeat(false);
   }
diff --git a/tools/cabana/streams/replaystream.cc b/tools/cabana/streams/replaystream.cc
index 625b002ee8..68e46c77da 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/streams/replaystream.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/streams/replaystream.cc
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "common/prefix.h"
 
-ReplayStream::ReplayStream(QObject *parent) : AbstractStream(parent, false) {
+ReplayStream::ReplayStream(QObject *parent) : AbstractStream(parent) {
   QObject::connect(&settings, &Settings::changed, [this]() {
     if (replay) replay->setSegmentCacheLimit(settings.max_cached_minutes);
   });
@@ -48,8 +48,21 @@ bool ReplayStream::loadRoute(const QString &route, const QString &data_dir, uint
 }
 
 bool ReplayStream::eventFilter(const Event *event) {
+  static double prev_update_ts = 0;
+  // delay posting CAN message if UI thread is busy
   if (event->which == cereal::Event::Which::CAN) {
-    updateEvent(event);
+    double current_sec = event->mono_time / 1e9 - routeStartTime();
+    for (const auto &c : event->event.getCan()) {
+      MessageId id = {.source = c.getSrc(), .address = c.getAddress()};
+      const auto dat = c.getDat();
+      updateEvent(id, current_sec, (const uint8_t*)dat.begin(), dat.size());
+    }
+    double ts = millis_since_boot();
+    if ((ts - prev_update_ts) > (1000.0 / settings.fps)) {
+      if (postEvents()) {
+        prev_update_ts = ts;
+      }
+    }
   }
   return true;
 }
diff --git a/tools/cabana/streams/replaystream.h b/tools/cabana/streams/replaystream.h
index d029c62e4b..5b8e018fc9 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/streams/replaystream.h
+++ b/tools/cabana/streams/replaystream.h
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include "tools/cabana/streams/abstractstream.h"
-#include "tools/cabana/settings.h"
 
 class ReplayStream : public AbstractStream {
   Q_OBJECT
@@ -15,16 +14,13 @@ public:
   inline QString routeName() const override { return replay->route()->name(); }
   inline QString carFingerprint() const override { return replay->carFingerprint().c_str(); }
   inline VisionStreamType visionStreamType() const override { return replay->hasFlag(REPLAY_FLAG_ECAM) ? VISION_STREAM_WIDE_ROAD : VISION_STREAM_ROAD; }
-  inline double totalSeconds() const override { return replay->totalSeconds(); }
   inline double routeStartTime() const override { return replay->routeStartTime() / (double)1e9; }
   inline double currentSec() const override { return replay->currentSeconds(); }
-  inline QDateTime currentDateTime() const override { return replay->currentDateTime(); }
   inline const Route *route() const override { return replay->route(); }
   inline void setSpeed(float speed) override { replay->setSpeed(speed); }
   inline float getSpeed() const { return replay->getSpeed(); }
   inline bool isPaused() const override { return replay->isPaused(); }
   void pause(bool pause) override;
-  const std::vector<Event*> *rawEvents() const override { return replay->events(); }
   inline const std::vector<std::tuple<int, int, TimelineType>> getTimeline() override { return replay->getTimeline(); }
   static AbstractOpenStreamWidget *widget(AbstractStream **stream);
 
diff --git a/tools/cabana/tools/findsimilarbits.cc b/tools/cabana/tools/findsimilarbits.cc
index 7fe5b26671..9d81ebd5d0 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/tools/findsimilarbits.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/tools/findsimilarbits.cc
@@ -122,33 +122,26 @@ QList<FindSimilarBitsDlg::mismatched_struct> FindSimilarBitsDlg::calcBits(uint8_
                                                                           int bit_idx, uint8_t find_bus, bool equal, int min_msgs_cnt) {
   QHash<uint32_t, QVector<uint32_t>> mismatches;
   QHash<uint32_t, uint32_t> msg_count;
-  auto events = can->rawEvents();
+  const auto &events = can->allEvents();
   int bit_to_find = -1;
-  for (auto e : *events) {
-    if (e->which == cereal::Event::Which::CAN) {
-      for (const auto &c : e->event.getCan()) {
-        uint8_t src = c.getSrc();
-        uint32_t address = c.getAddress();
-        const auto dat = c.getDat();
-        if (src == bus) {
-          if (address == selected_address && dat.size() > byte_idx) {
-            bit_to_find = ((dat[byte_idx] >> (7 - bit_idx)) & 1) != 0;
-          }
-        }
-        if (src == find_bus) {
-          ++msg_count[address];
-          if (bit_to_find == -1) continue;
-
-          auto &mismatched = mismatches[address];
-          if (mismatched.size() < dat.size() * 8) {
-            mismatched.resize(dat.size() * 8);
-          }
-          for (int i = 0; i < dat.size(); ++i) {
-            for (int j = 0; j < 8; ++j) {
-              int bit = ((dat[i] >> (7 - j)) & 1) != 0;
-              mismatched[i * 8 + j] += equal ? (bit != bit_to_find) : (bit == bit_to_find);
-            }
-          }
+  for (const CanEvent *e : events) {
+    if (e->src == bus) {
+      if (e->address == selected_address && e->size > byte_idx) {
+        bit_to_find = ((e->dat[byte_idx] >> (7 - bit_idx)) & 1) != 0;
+      }
+    }
+    if (e->src == find_bus) {
+      ++msg_count[e->address];
+      if (bit_to_find == -1) continue;
+
+      auto &mismatched = mismatches[e->address];
+      if (mismatched.size() < e->size * 8) {
+        mismatched.resize(e->size * 8);
+      }
+      for (int i = 0; i < e->size; ++i) {
+        for (int j = 0; j < 8; ++j) {
+          int bit = ((e->dat[i] >> (7 - j)) & 1) != 0;
+          mismatched[i * 8 + j] += equal ? (bit != bit_to_find) : (bit == bit_to_find);
         }
       }
     }
diff --git a/tools/cabana/videowidget.cc b/tools/cabana/videowidget.cc
index 99992907c5..53a88972c8 100644
--- a/tools/cabana/videowidget.cc
+++ b/tools/cabana/videowidget.cc
@@ -48,8 +48,6 @@ VideoWidget::VideoWidget(QWidget *parent) : QFrame(parent) {
   QButtonGroup *group = new QButtonGroup(this);
   group->setExclusive(true);
   for (float speed : {0.1, 0.5, 1., 2.}) {
-    if (can->liveStreaming() && speed > 1) continue;
-
     QPushButton *btn = new QPushButton(QString("%1x").arg(speed), this);
     btn->setCheckable(true);
     QObject::connect(btn, &QPushButton::clicked, [=]() { can->setSpeed(speed); });
@@ -117,7 +115,7 @@ QWidget *VideoWidget::createCameraWidget() {
   QObject::connect(slider, &QSlider::valueChanged, [=](int value) { time_label->setText(utils::formatSeconds(value / 1000)); });
   QObject::connect(cam_widget, &CameraWidget::clicked, []() { can->pause(!can->isPaused()); });
   QObject::connect(can, &AbstractStream::updated, this, &VideoWidget::updateState);
-  QObject::connect(can, &AbstractStream::streamStarted, [this]() {
+  QObject::connect(can, &AbstractStream::eventsMerged, [this]() {
     end_time_label->setText(utils::formatSeconds(can->totalSeconds()));
     slider->setRange(0, can->totalSeconds() * 1000);
   });
@@ -125,6 +123,8 @@ QWidget *VideoWidget::createCameraWidget() {
 }
 
 void VideoWidget::rangeChanged(double min, double max, bool is_zoomed) {
+  if (can->liveStreaming()) return;
+
   if (!is_zoomed) {
     min = 0;
     max = can->totalSeconds();