HLS Playback Guide

What is HLS

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) is an HTTP-based adaptive bitrate streaming protocol developed by Apple. HLS works by breaking the stream into small HTTP-based file downloads, downloading only a few at a time.

Key Feature:HLS splits video streams into small segments (typically 2-10 seconds), transmitted via HTTP, ensuring stable playback across various network conditions.

How HLS Works

1. Video Segmentation

HLS splits the original video stream into multiple TS (Transport Stream) segment files:

• Segment length: Typically 2-10 seconds
• File format: .ts (MPEG-2 Transport Stream)
• Encoding: H.264/H.265 + AAC

2. M3U8 Playlist

M3U8 file is a text file containing information about all video segments:

#EXTM3U
#EXT-X-VERSION:3
#EXT-X-TARGETDURATION:10
#EXTINF:10.0,
segment001.ts
#EXTINF:10.0,
segment002.ts
#EXT-X-ENDLIST

3. Adaptive Bitrate

HLS supports adaptive bitrate streaming, automatically switching quality based on network conditions:

• Low bitrate: 480p for slow networks
• Medium bitrate: 720p for normal networks
• High bitrate: 1080p+ for fast networks

HLS Advantages

✅ Great Compatibility

Native support on iOS/macOS, widely supported by modern browsers

✅ Adaptive Streaming

Auto-adjusts quality based on bandwidth, reduces buffering

✅ CDN Friendly

HTTP-based, easy to cache, reduces server load

Implementation Guide

Basic Playback

Using HLS in our player is simple, just enter the M3U8 URL:

https://example.com/stream/playlist.m3u8

Performance Tips

• Segment size: Recommend 6-10s, balance latency and stability
• Bitrate ladder: Set appropriate bitrate differences between resolutions
• CDN config: Use geographically close CDN nodes
• Cache policy: Set appropriate HTTP cache headers