HTTP Live Streaming
Encyclopedia
HTTP Live Streaming is an HTTP-based media streaming communications protocol implemented by Apple Inc. as part of their QuickTime X and iPhone
software systems. It works by breaking the overall stream into a sequence of small HTTP-based file downloads, each download loading one short chunk of an overall potentially unbounded transport stream. As the stream is played, the client may select from a number of different alternate streams containing the same material encoded at a variety of data rates, allowing the streaming session to adapt to the available data rate. At the start of the streaming session, it downloads an extended M3U playlist
containing the metadata for the various sub-streams which are available.
Since its requests use only standard HTTP transactions, HTTP Live Streaming is capable of traversing any firewall
or proxy server
that lets through standard HTTP traffic, unlike UDP-based protocols such as RTP
. This also allows a Content delivery network
to easily be implemented for any given stream.
Apple has documented HTTP Live Streaming as an Internet-Draft (Individual Submission), the first stage in the process of submitting it to the IETF as an Informational Standard. However, while Apple has submitted occasional minor updates to the draft, no additional steps appear to have been taken towards IETF standardization.
Emblaze has filed a patent suit that may be related to this technology.
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
software systems. It works by breaking the overall stream into a sequence of small HTTP-based file downloads, each download loading one short chunk of an overall potentially unbounded transport stream. As the stream is played, the client may select from a number of different alternate streams containing the same material encoded at a variety of data rates, allowing the streaming session to adapt to the available data rate. At the start of the streaming session, it downloads an extended M3U playlist
Playlist
In its most general form, a playlist is simply a list of songs. They can be played in sequential or shuffled order. The term has several specialized meanings in the realms of radio broadcasting and personal computers.-In radio:...
containing the metadata for the various sub-streams which are available.
Since its requests use only standard HTTP transactions, HTTP Live Streaming is capable of traversing any firewall
Firewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
or proxy server
Proxy server
In computer networks, a proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource available from a different server...
that lets through standard HTTP traffic, unlike UDP-based protocols such as RTP
Real-time Transport Protocol
The Real-time Transport Protocol defines a standardized packet format for delivering audio and video over IP networks. RTP is used extensively in communication and entertainment systems that involve streaming media, such as telephony, video teleconference applications, television services and...
. This also allows a Content delivery network
Content Delivery Network
A content delivery network or content distribution network is a system of computers containing copies of data placed at various nodes of a network....
to easily be implemented for any given stream.
Apple has documented HTTP Live Streaming as an Internet-Draft (Individual Submission), the first stage in the process of submitting it to the IETF as an Informational Standard. However, while Apple has submitted occasional minor updates to the draft, no additional steps appear to have been taken towards IETF standardization.
Emblaze has filed a patent suit that may be related to this technology.
Server implementations
- Anevia ViaMotion Servers support several protocols (HTTP Live Streaming, MS Smooth Streaming, ADS Flash, MPEG DASHDynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTPDynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP is a multimedia streaming technology currently being developed under MPEG. Work on DASH started in 2010; it became a Draft International Standard in January 2011, and it is expected to become an International Standard in November 2011.- Overview :DASH is a...
) for targeting any device. They support both live and on-demand streaming. - TVersityTVersityTVersity Media Server is a software package that allows a personal computer to stream content to UPnP devices, such as the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii, regardless of the limitations of the device. For example, the Xbox 360 does not support most codecs or Internet videos such as YouTube...
supports HTTP Live streaming in conjunction with on-the-fly transcoding for playback of any video content on iOS devices. - Helix Universal ServerHelix Universal ServerThe Helix Universal Streaming Server is developed by RealNetworks and originates from the very first streaming media server originally developed by Progressive Networks in 1994...
from RealNetworks supports iPhone OS 3.0 and later for live and on-demand HTTP Live or On-Demand streaming of H.264 and AAC content to iPhone, iPad and iPod. - IIS Media Services from MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
supports live and on-demand Smooth Streaming and HTTP Live Streaming. - Wowza Media ServerWowza Media ServerWowza Media Server is unified server software developed by Wowza Media Systems. The server is used for streaming of live and on-demand video, audio, and RIAs over public and private IP networks to desktop, laptop, and tablet computers, mobile devices, IPTV set-top boxes, internet-connected TV...
from Wowza Media SystemsWowza Media SystemsWowza Media Systems, Inc. is a media server software company headquartered in Evergreen, Colorado, USA. The company was founded in 2005 by two former Adobe Systems employees, David Stubenvoll and Charlie Good, to focus on creating media server software optimized for streaming of live and on-demand...
supports live and on-demand streaming. - VODOBOX Live Server supports HTTP Live Streaming for iPhone, iPad, iPod and Google Android devices (Honeycomb 3.0 and above).
- AkamaiAkamaiAkamai may refer to:* Akamai Technologies, a company that develops software for web content and application delivery** Akamai Foundation, a sponsor of the American Mathematics Competitions, founded by Akamai Technologies...
supports HTTP Dynamic Streaming for live and on-demand streams. - TellyTellyThe word telly may refer to:* A colloquial term for television* Telly Monster* Telly Awards* Telly Home Entertainment Server*Telly , a range of computer systems*Telly Addicts UK game show*Indian Telly Awards...
supports HTTP Live Streaming of ATSC HDTV from Windows PC to iPhone, iPod, and iPad. - VLC Media PlayerVLC media playerVLC media player is a free and open source media player and multimedia framework written by the VideoLAN project.VLC is a portable multimedia player, encoder, and streamer supporting many audio and video codecs and file formats as well as DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It is able to...
will support HTTP Live Streaming for serving live and on-demand streams in version 1.2
Usage
- Adobe SystemsAdobe SystemsAdobe Systems Incorporated is an American computer software company founded in 1982 and headquartered in San Jose, California, United States...
demonstrated an update to its Adobe Flash Media ServerAdobe Flash Media ServerFlash Media Server is a proprietary data and media server from Adobe Systems . This server works with the Flash Player runtime to create media driven, multiuser RIAs . The server uses ActionScript 1, an ECMAScript based scripting language, for server-side logic...
product supporting HTTP Live Streaming at the NAB Show in April 2011 - Apple Inc. used this on September 1, 2010 to stream their iPod Keynote event live over the internet, and on October 20, 2010 to stream their 'Back to the Mac' Keynote event live over the internet.
- LiveStationLiveStationLivestation is a platform for distributing live television and radio broadcasts over a data network. It has been developed by Skinkers Ltd and is now a new company called Livestation Ltd...
streams numerous TV channels such as France 24France 24France 24 is an international news and current affairs television channel. The service is aimed at the overseas market, similar to BBC World News, DW-TV, NHK World and RT, and broadcast through satellite and cable operators throughout the world. During 2010 the channel started broadcasting through...
, RTRT (TV network)RT, previously known as Russia Today, is a global multilingual television news network based in the Russian Federation run by the state-owned state-run RIA Novosti....
, and Al Jazeera English.http://m.livestation.com/channels - MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
added support for HTTP Live Streaming in IIS Media Services 4.0. - GoogleGoogleGoogle Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
added HTTP Live Streaming support in Android 3.0 Honeycomb.
Clients
| Product | Technology | As Of Version | Vendor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Android | 3.0 Honeycomb | |||
| VLC | 1.2 | note | ||
| iOS | 3.0 | Apple | ||
| iPhone | iOS | iOS 3.0 | Apple | |
| iPad | iOS | All with iOS 3.2 | Apple | |
| iPod Touch | iOS | iOS 3.0 | Apple | |
| QuickTime Player | 10+ | Apple | ||
| Roku Digital Video Player | Roku OS / SDK 2.6 | Roku | ||
| DicePlayer | Android 2.2+ | Diceplayer 1.0+ | INISOFT |
Servers
| Product | Technology | As Of Version | Vendor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VLC | 1.2 | |||
| IIS Media Services | 4.0 | Microsoft | ||
| Adobe Flash Media Server | 4.5 | Adobe | ||
| Anevia ViaMotion Servers | Transcapsulation: from one input, several outputs (HLS, MS Smooth Streaming, ADS Flash, MPEG DASH) |
Anevia | ||
| TVersity Media Server | 1.9 | TVersity | Pro Edition only | |
| Helix Universal Server | RealNetworks | |||
| Wowza Media Server | Wowza Media Systems | |||
| StreamCoder Live Encoder | Realtime video encoder (inputs : DVB/IP stream or video signal). Supports multi-bitrates and multi-languages | Ektacom | ||
| VODOBOX Live Server | Apple HTTP Live Streaming (iOS / Android compliant) | Vodobox | ||
| Apache HTTP Server Apache HTTP Server The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to as Apache , is web server software notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web. In 2009 it became the first web server software to surpass the 100 million website milestone... |
Apache Software Foundation Apache Software Foundation The Apache Software Foundation is a non-profit corporation to support Apache software projects, including the Apache HTTP Server. The ASF was formed from the Apache Group and incorporated in Delaware, U.S., in June 1999.The Apache Software Foundation is a decentralized community of developers... |