Live Video Streaming

QUANTIL supports push and pull mode for live video streams.

Push mode
A live stream is first pushed from the broadcaster to the QUANTIL CDN. It can be pushed directly to our CDN via customer origin server or third party origin server. Traditionally, a live video stream is pushed using RTMP.

Pull mode
The live video stream file is placed on a customer origin server. Then, QUANTIL actively pulls the live stream into the CDN Ingress Point.

QUANTIL has multiple security features to protect the integrity and access to a live video stream, including:

URL Token Validation
URL tokens are generated at the customer origin and then added to the URL in a query string. The customer creates a URL for a live video stream, which is configured to expire at a specific time and/or date. The customer also configures the URL with a key, which QUANTIL uses to validate the live stream before the content is distributed to the viewer.

Geoblocking
QUANTIL provides geoblocking for live video streams that are broadcast and viewed in the United States or Europe. This is used for location-based access management.

HTTP Referer
HTTP referer is an optional field that enables the customer to specify the address of a HTTP request. The URL of the page where a viewer accesses a live video stream is recorded and the information is stored in the web server log. In this way, the HTTP referer is used to determine the traffic performance of a live stream.

IP Whitelisting
A whitelist is used to provide permissions to a live video stream for select IP addresses.

IP Blacklisting
A blacklist is used to block access to a live video stream for select IP addresses.

An example of the URL Token Authentication process is shown below.

Step 1
Generate request URL
http://www.example.com/test.flv

Step 2
Input parameters
Key = ABC
IP Address = 192.168.1.1
Origin Timestamp (Unix timestamp) = 4d024e80
Output after MD5 encryption = 84579e4b82787870e418004c59f696b0

Step 3
Generate final URL
http://www.example.com/test.flv?wsSecret=84579e4b82787870e418004c59f696b0&wsTime=4d024e80

Our multi-protocol conversion feature supports and converts the following live stream protocols:

Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP)

Apple HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)

Adobe HTTP Dynamic Streaming (HDS)

HTTP Smooth Streaming (HSS)

Multi-protocol conversion allows a live video stream to be optimized for different devices. Given that many streaming applications are based on numerous mobile and desktop platforms, multi-protocol conversion provides the best user experience for any device.

No. Software used on an origin server does not affect the entry of a live video stream into the CDN Ingress Point since the live stream is pushed from the origin server.

Live video stream load times can vary based on network conditions. However, QUANTIL has carried out performance and optimization testing, achieving load times as low as 400 ms.