HLS allows content deployment using ordinary web servers and content delivery networks. As it is based on MPEG TS (with MPEG4 added in the recent revisions) it makes a perfect solution for STANAG VOD distribution.
The StPlayer supports basic HLS features and adds a local file (list) support.
HLS modes
There are two different scenarios:
- HLS VideoOnDemand (Playlist)
- HLS Live Streaming
OnDemand mode.
For Video on Demand (VOD) sessions, the available media files represent the entire duration of the presentation. The index file is static and contains a complete list of URLs to all media files created since the beginning of the presentation. This kind of session allows the client full access to the entire program. Here is the example VOD playlist:
#EXTM3U
#EXT-X-VERSION:3
#EXT-X-TARGETDURATION:11
#EXT-X-MEDIA-SEQUENCE:0
#EXT-X-PLAYLIST-TYPE:VOD
#EXTINF:10.560000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:15:16.000+0200
StHls0.ts
#EXTINF:9.760000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:15:26.560+0200
StHls1.ts
#EXTINF:9.760000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:15:36.320+0200
StHls2.ts
#EXTINF:9.920000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:15:46.080+0200
StHls3.ts
#EXTINF:10.200000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:15:56.000+0200
StHls4.ts
#EXTINF:10.040000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:16:06.200+0200
StHls5.ts
#EXTINF:10.120000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:16:16.240+0200
StHls6.ts
#EXTINF:10.200000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:16:26.360+0200
StHls7.ts
#EXTINF:9.960000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:16:36.560+0200
StHls8.ts
#EXTINF:9.600000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:16:46.520+0200
StHls9.ts
#EXTINF:10.200000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:16:56.120+0200
StHls10.ts
#EXTINF:10.200000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:17:06.320+0200
StHls11.ts
#EXTINF:9.600000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:17:16.520+0200
StHls12.ts
#EXTINF:10.160000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:17:26.120+0200
StHls13.ts
#EXTINF:10.200000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:17:36.280+0200
StHls14.ts
#EXTINF:9.600000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:17:46.480+0200
StHls15.ts
#EXTINF:10.040000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:17:56.080+0200
StHls16.ts
#EXTINF:10.080000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:18:06.120+0200
StHls17.ts
#EXTINF:10.160000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:18:16.200+0200
StHls18.ts
#EXTINF:10.080000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:18:26.360+0200
StHls19.ts
#EXTINF:9.960000,
#EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME:2017-12-03T12:18:36.440+0200
StHls20.ts
#EXT-X-ENDLIST
The EXT-X-ENDLIST tag indicates that no more media files will be added to the playlist file.
Live Playlist mode.
For live sessions, the index file is updated by removing media URIs from the file as new media files are created and made available.
- Note
- The EXT-X-ENDLIST tag is not present in the Live playlist, indicating that new media files will be added to the index file as they become available.
#EXTM3U
#EXT-X-TARGETDURATION:10
#EXT-X-VERSION:3
#EXT-X-MEDIA-SEQUENCE:1
#EXTINF:10,
StHls0.ts
#EXTINF:10,
StHls1.ts
#EXTINF:10,
StHls2.ts
#EXTINF:10,
StHls3.ts
#EXTINF:10,
StHls4.ts
StPlayer operation with HLS
StPlayer works seamlessly with HLS. All you have to do is to provide a manifest file (with extension .m3u8) instead of TS file. In addition to the standard HTTP support StPlayer allows local file playback (no need for the http server). The file location is relative to the manifest (index) file.
Master playlist and I-Frame only manifests support
StPlayer supports (both recording and playback) Master playlist and I-Frame manifests. For playback, simply select a master manifest instead of video manifest. In the case of recording, select ByteRange / Master manifest option.
