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VoD

Video on Demand (VoD) - a system for personalized media delivery where video content isn't downloaded as a file but streamed directly over the Internet. Users can request content at any time with full playback controls including seeking, pausing, bookmarking, etc.

VoD Object​

The system creates a vod object to manage the service. The primary required parameter is the video content source.

Setup​

To configure VoD, you must specify a video source resource containing the video files.
Supported source types:

note

Supported source video file format: mp4 only

After configuration, the system generates a unique vod_domain for accessing video streams via multiple protocols.

For website sources:

  • HLS: https://{vod_domain}/hls/{filename}/master.m3u8
  • DASH: https://{vod_domain}/dash/{filename}/manifest.mpd
  • MSS: https://{vod_domain}/mss/{filename}/manifest

For bucket sources:

  • HLS: https://{vod_domain}/hls/{bucket_name}/{filename}/master.m3u8
  • DASH: https://{vod_domain}/dash/{bucket_name}/{filename}/manifest.mpd
  • MSS: https://{vod_domain}/mss/{bucket_name}/{filename}/manifest
warning

Deleting the video source automatically removes the associated vod object

Signed URLs​

By default (restrict_access disabled), videos are publicly accessible. Enabling restrict_access requires signed URLs for video access.

Signed URLs follow this format: {vod_url}?token={vod_token}
Where:

  • vod_url = original VoD playlist URL
  • vod_token = digitally signed access token

Token parameters may include:

  • lifetime (seconds): URL validity duration
  • acl_path: Path template specifying accessible files:
  • /* - All files (default)
  • /private_* - Files prefixed with private_
  • /media/* - Files in media folder and subfolders
  • /example.mp4 - Specific file only
important
  • Generated URLs aren't stored in the system (unlimited quantity possible)
  • If compromised, all signed URLs must be revoked simultaneously
note

Access restriction only applies to HLS and DASH protocols

Access Restrictions​

VoD objects support country-based access restrictions.

Adaptive Bitrate​

VoD objects support adaptive bitrate functionality - automatic video quality adjustment based on the user's connection capabilities and device. Adaptivity is achieved by providing the user with one of several videos with different resolutions that best matches their connection capabilities.

note

The player must support Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) functionality for proper operation

note

This option is only available for HLS and DASH protocols

When this feature is enabled, the first playlist request triggers a task to convert the original video into multiple files with different resolutions. Once the task is completed, the adaptive bitrate feature becomes available for this playlist.

Task execution speed is proportional to the original video size and may take considerable time. The VoD object owner can view the list of tasks, their progress, and status.

Converted videos are cached by the system. A cache clearing option is available, which deletes converted files, and the conversion task will restart on the next VoD playlist request. This option can be useful when you need to replace the original video while keeping VoD playlist paths unchanged.

note

Clearing the cache will remove converted files for all videos associated with the VoD object