Work with video in Dynamic Media

Video in Dynamic Media is an end-to-end solution that makes it easy to publish high-quality Adaptive Video for streaming across multiple screens, including desktop, iOS, Android™, BlackBerry®, and Windows mobile devices. An Adaptive Video Set groups versions of the same video that are encoded at different bit rates and formats such as 400 kbps, 800 kbps, and 1000 kbps. The desktop computer or mobile device detects the available bandwidth.

For example, on an iOS mobile device, it detects a bandwidth such as 3G, 4G, or Wi-Fi. Then, it automatically selects the right encoded video from among the various video bit rates within the Adaptive Video Set. The video is streamed to desktops, mobile devices, or tablets.

In addition, video quality is dynamically switched automatically if network conditions change on the desktop or on the mobile device. Also, if a customer enters full-screen mode on a desktop, the Adaptive Video Set responds by using a better resolution, improving the customer’s viewing experience. Using Adaptive Video Sets provides you with the best possible playback for customers playing Dynamic Media video on multiple screens and devices.

The logic that a video player uses to determine which encoded video to play or to select during playback is based on the following algorithm:

  1. The video player loads the initial video fragment based on the bit rate that is closest to the value that is set for “initial bitrate” in the player itself.

  2. Video player switches based on changes to the bandwidth speed using the following criteria:

    1. The player picks the highest bandwidth stream below or equal to the estimated bandwidth.
    2. Player considers only 80% of the available bandwidth. However, if it is switching up, it is more conservative at only 70% to avoid overestimating and immediately switching back.

For detailed technical information about the algorithm, see https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/av/+/master/media/libstagefright/httplive/LiveSession.cpp

For managing single video and Adaptive Video Sets, the following is supported:

  • Uploading video from numerous-supported video formats and audio formats and encoding video to MP4 H.264 format for playback across multiple screens. You can use predefined adaptive video presets, single video encoding presets, or customize your own encoding to control the quality and size of the video.

    • When an adaptive video set is generated, it includes MP4 videos.
    • Note: Master/source videos are not added to an Adaptive Video Set.
  • Video captioning in all HTML5 video viewers.

  • Organize, browse, and search video with full metadata support for efficient management of video assets.

  • Deliver Adaptive Video Sets to the web and to desktops and mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPad, Android™, BlackBerry®, and Windows phone.

Adaptive video streaming is supported on various iOS platforms. See Dynamic Media Viewers Reference Guide.

Dynamic Media supports mobile video playback for MP4 H.264 video.

You can find Windows devices that support this video format at the following: Supported media codecs for Windows Phone 8

  • Play back the video using Dynamic Media Video Viewer Presets, including the following:

    • Single video viewers.
    • Mixed Media viewers that combine both video and image content.
  • Configure video players to meet your branding needs.

  • Integrate video to your website, mobile site, or mobile application with a simple URL or embed code.

Best practice: Using the HTML5 video viewer

The Dynamic Media HTML5 Video viewer presets are robust video players. You can use them to avoid many common issues that are associated with HTML5 video playback. And, issues associated with mobile devices such as lack of adaptive bitrate streaming delivery and limited desktop browser reach.

On the design side of the player, you can design the video player’s functionality using standard web development tools. For example, you can design the buttons, controls, and custom poster image background using HTML5 and CSS to help you reach your customers with a customized appearance.

On the playback side of the viewer, it automatically detects the browser’s video capability. It then serves the video using HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) or DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) , also known as adaptive bitrate streaming. Or, if those delivery methods are not present then HTML5 progressive is used instead.

By combining into a single player the following:

  • The ability to design the playback components using HTML5 and CSS
  • Have embedded playback
  • Use adaptive and progressive streaming depending on the browser’s capability

You extend the reach of your rich media content to both desktop and mobile users and ensure a streamlined video experience.

See also About HTML5 Viewers.