Live Video Streaming

FAQ

Read frequently asked questions from our customers about live video streaming and Live Stream Acceleration.

If you don’t see your question here, send it to us at: info@quantil.com

  • What are the access modes for live video streams to the QUANTIL CDN?

    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.

  • How does QUANTIL secure a live video stream?

    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.

  • What is the process for URL Token Validation?

    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

  • What protocols does QUANTIL support and convert for live video streaming?

    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)

  • Why do I need multi-protocol conversion to stream live video?

    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.

  • Can software on the customer origin server affect how a live video stream accesses the QUANTIL CDN?

    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.

  • What is the standard load time of a live video stream?

    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.