General
What is Dynamic Cloud Packaging?
This streaming solution is designed to:
- Allow dynamic streamingAllows a media player to dynamically switch between bit rate streams of varying quality levels, in order to provide an optimal viewing experience based on a client’s bandwidth and CPU usage. of live and on-demand content.
- Allow HLS and MPEG-DASH playback.
- Ingest a live audio/video feed over RTMP.
What is dynamic streaming?
Dynamic streaming provides the capability to stream media of varying quality to your users. Each media player chooses the stream that will deliver the best quality with minimal buffering. This allows high definition streaming without diminishing the viewing experience for users with limited bandwidth.
What is transmuxing?
Transmuxing refers to the process of changing the multimedia containerRefers to a file that identifies and manages various data types. while retaining its content (i.e., audio/video). Dynamic Cloud Packaging transmuxes H.264 content (e.g., mp4) to HLS and MPEG-DASH-compatible packages. This conversion process is necessary for playback of H.264 content and it is automatically performed when using Dynamic Cloud Packaging.
Can I use Token-Based Authentication to secure my streams?
Yes, but streams should not be secured through a directory defined on the Token Auth page. The proper way to set up Token-Based Authentication for use with Dynamic Cloud Packaging is to enable it through Rules Engine. Configure it to enable the Token Auth feature on m3u8 and/or mpd file extensions.
How long does it take for configuration changes to take effect?
All Dynamic Cloud Packaging configuration changes (e.g., creating an instance, setting up live authentication, or setting up a protected directory for encrypted HLS) take approximately 1 hour to take effect.
Where can I view report data for Dynamic Cloud Packaging?
Traffic generated by the Dynamic Cloud Packaging (DCP) service is logged under the HTTP Large platform. This report data may be viewed via our Analytics product. DCP traffic may be distinguished from standard HTTP Large traffic through:
- Custom Reports
- Advanced Content Analytics and Edge Performance Analytics reports that track usage by origin directory.
Live Streaming
What platforms must be activated to use Dynamic Cloud Packaging?
Dynamic Cloud Packaging requires the HTTP Large platform.
Do I need to use a Live Authentication key to authenticate my encoder?
Yes. You must use either a global or stream key to authenticate to our CDN service.
Dynamic Cloud Packaging's Live Authentication key configuration will not affect any other streaming services.
What is the proper format for defining a stream name in my encoder?
The proper format is:
A sample stream name configuration is provided below.
The "%b" variable allows Flash Media Live Encoder to assign a unique name to each stream it publishes. This variable will be replaced with each stream's total bit rate (e.g., MyStream100, MyStream250, and MyStream500).
Learn more.
DVR
Does Dynamic Cloud Packaging support DVR?
Yes. A viewer may pause or rewind a live stream. The length of the DVR window is defined when setting up an instance configuration.
How long after the completion of a live event will DVR remain available?
Upon the completion of a live event, viewers may continue to view the live stream on delay for whichever of the following two conditions is shorter:
- DVR window length
- Total live stream length
View Sample Scenarios.
Sample Scenario #1:
In this scenario, viewers will be able to view the live stream until 5 p.m.
- Live Stream Start Time: 2 p.m.
- Live Stream End Time: 4 p.m.
- DVR Window: 60 minutes
Sample Scenario #2:
In this scenario, viewers will be able to view the live stream until 4:30 p.m.
- Live Stream Start Time: 3:30 p.m.
- Live Stream End Time: 4 p.m.
- DVR Window: 60 minutes
Can I clear the DVR window?
Yes. Once the live event is over, the DVR window can be cleared by issuing a purge request for the live stream in question.
On-Demand Streaming
Can I stream on-demand content from any origin server?
Yes. Our Dynamic Cloud Packaging On-Demand Streaming service can transmuxRefers to the process of changing the multimedia container while retaining its content (i.e., audio/video). H.264 encoded media residing on CDN storage or a customer origin. It will dynamically segment the encoded media as it is requested by a client. Make sure to use a HLS or MPEG-DASH playback URL.
Sample playback URL:
Upon receiving the above request, Dynamic Cloud Packaging will generate a dynamic stream for the following assets: fly110.mp4, fly400.mp4, and fly650.mp4.
Manual Packaging
Alternatively, on-demand content may be streamed through CDN storage or a customer origin if it has been previously segmented. This process requires a file segmenter. Once the desired media has been segmented, simply upload it to the desired origin server and then point the desired media player to it using a standard CDN or edge CNAME URL. This alternative solution does not leverage our Dynamic Cloud Packaging solution. Rather, it simply forwards the player's HTTP request to the origin server over the HTTP Large platform.
More Information
Edgecast CDN