diff --git a/services/capture/src/capture-manager.js b/services/capture/src/capture-manager.js
index e0d3cd4..39f9d87 100644
--- a/services/capture/src/capture-manager.js
+++ b/services/capture/src/capture-manager.js
@@ -7,7 +7,11 @@ import { createUploadStream } from './s3/client.js';
 
 
 const S3_BUCKET = process.env.S3_BUCKET || 'wild-dragon';
-const PRE_ROLL_SECONDS = parseInt(process.env.PRE_ROLL_SECONDS || '5', 10);
+// In standby mode the framecache slot has been warm for a long time — reduce
+// pre-roll to 1s (just enough for fc_pipe to sync its read cursor).
+// Override with PRE_ROLL_SECONDS env var if needed.
+const _standbyMode = process.env.STANDBY === '1';
+const PRE_ROLL_SECONDS = parseInt(process.env.PRE_ROLL_SECONDS || (_standbyMode ? '1' : '5'), 10);
 
 
 // Growing-files mode: writes the master to a local SMB-backed share that the