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Manifests

At Native Frame, we've built upon other technologies' (like HLS) use of manifests. Manifests are like roadmaps for your video content, telling the device that is playing the media how exactly to do so. It's a crucial component that helps ensure smooth playback across various devices and network conditions. Let's dive into what a manifest is and why it's so important for your live streaming platform.

The Top Level Manifest​

This manifest is a JSON file that provides a list of all available options for consuming a stream. Each section of available formats contains information about different resolutions and bitrates of the same content.

Think of it as a menu of video viewing options, allowing viewers to choose the "dish" that best suits their device and internet connection.

The different stream options outlined in the manifest are essential for adaptive bitrate streaming. Similar to how teams adjust their strategies in response to evolving situations, a video player can adapt to both network conditions and hardware performance issues by utilizing the different streaming options provided by the manifest.

For instance:

  • If a viewer has a slow connection or encounters network problems, the player can switch to a lower bitrate stream to minimize buffering.
  • As the network conditions improve, the player can smoothly transition back to a higher quality stream, enhancing the viewing experience.

This adaptive approach ensures that your audience can enjoy the stream without interruptions, whether they're watching on a high-speed fiber connection or struggling with spotty 3G.

Manifest URL​

A manifest URL is simply the web address that points to the manifest JSON file. It typically follows this structure:

{yourProtocol}://{yourDomain}/live/{key}.json

For example:

https://manifest2.platform.nativeframe.com/live/event-2024.json

This URL is what your video player will use to fetch the manifest and determine which video streams are available. Playback SDKs will require this URL to play a stream.

info

Checkout the Manifest OpenAPI Spec for more information.

Why Manifests Matter for Your Streaming Platform​

  1. Viewer Experience: Manifests enable adaptive streaming, ensuring viewers can watch streams smoothly regardless of their network conditions.

  2. Bandwidth Optimization: By providing multiple streaming options, you avoid imposing high-quality streams on viewers with limited capabilities, which helps conserve bandwidth and lower costs.

  3. Device Compatibility: Different devices support varying formats and codecs. Manifests enable you to provide multiple options, ensuring compatibility across a wide range of devices.

  4. Content Management: Manifests make it easier to manage and update your live streams without changing the core video player implementation.

By understanding and utilizing manifests effectively, you're ensuring that your streaming platform can deliver a top-notch performance, no matter where or how your audience is watching.