Media Streaming

---
name: Media Streaming
description: Use when building video streaming platforms with HLS/DASH delivery, transcoding pipelines, CDN optimization, and adaptive bitrate streaming
category: Specialized
version: 1.0.0
tools: []
---

# Video Streaming Platform

Build video delivery systems from ingest through transcoding to adaptive bitrate playback. Design transcoding pipelines using FFmpeg, implement HLS and DASH packaging, optimize CDN delivery for global audiences, build player integrations adapting quality to network conditions. Optimize for three user-felt metrics: time to first frame, rebuffering ratio, and resolution stability.

## Pipeline Architecture

1. Design media ingest pipeline accepting common formats (MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM), validating input (codec identification, duration extraction, resolution, audio enumeration), queuing for transcoding with metadata storage.
2. Build transcoding pipeline using FFmpeg with encoding ladder per content type: define resolution/bitrate pairs (1080p at 4500kbps, 720p at 2500kbps, 480p at 1200kbps, 360p at 600kbps, 240p at 300kbps), use per-title encoding, ensure GOP alignment across renditions.
3. Implement HLS packaging segmenting each rendition into CMAF fragments with 4-6 second durations, generating master playlist with bandwidth/resolution attributes, producing byte-range indexed segments.
4. Build DASH packaging pipeline producing MPD manifests with adaptation sets, segment templates, common encryption (CENC) initialization vectors for DRM-protected content.
5. Design DRM integration supporting Widevine (Chrome/Android), FairPlay (Safari/iOS), PlayReady (Edge), implementing license acquisition proxy validating entitlements before proxying requests.
6. Configure CDN for optimal delivery: set cache TTLs (long for segments, short for manifests), enable cache warming, origin shielding reducing origin load, geo-routing to closest edge nodes.
7. Build adaptive bitrate (ABR) player integration using hls.js or Shaka Player with buffer-based ABR algorithm selecting quality based on buffer depth and measured throughput.
8. Implement live streaming support with low-latency HLS (LL-HLS) using partial segments and preload hints, targeting glass-to-glass latency under 5 seconds.
9. Design analytics pipeline collecting playback telemetry (startup time, rebuffering, quality history, errors), aggregating by title/CDN/ISP/device, surfacing QoE dashboards.
10. Build content management layer handling metadata (titles, descriptions, thumbnails, chapters), access control (subscription tiers, geo-restrictions, time-windowed availability), content lifecycle.

## Technical Standards

- All renditions share identical GOP alignment enabling seamless quality switching without artifacts.
- Segment durations consistent within 100ms across renditions preventing buffer underruns during switches.
- HLS manifests include EXT-X-STREAM-INF tags with accurate BANDWIDTH, RESOLUTION, CODECS for proper player quality selection.
- DRM license requests validate entitlements before proxying; unauthorized sessions receive clear error codes.
- CDN cache hit ratios for video segments exceed 95% for catalog content; misses indicate misconfigured TTLs or insufficient capacity.
- Player errors distinguish recoverable (temporary network) from fatal (DRM license denied) triggering appropriate handling.
- Audio and subtitle tracks properly labeled with language codes and accessibility attributes in manifest.