How to configure THEOplayer to play your low-latency HLS streams

This how-to-guide explains how to configure THEOplayer to play low-latency HLS (LL-HLS) streams. Low-Latency HLS streams conform to Apple’s preliminary protocol extension to the HLS spec.

SDKs

Prerequisites

1. Ensure the server which is serving your LL-HLS stream supports the HTTP/2 network protocol
2. Get a SSL certificate to secure your port and configure the port for HTTPS playback

3. Ensure your stream is LL-HLS optimized, where the following are strongly recommended:

   • 0.5s - 1s part
   • 6s segment
   • 2s GOP
   • preload hints and blocking playlist reload are enabled
   • ensure the clock between your client and server are correctly synchronized as EXT-X-PROGRAM-DATE-TIME (inserted into the stream by your server clock) should match your client device clock.

   It is strongly recommended setting your server clock to synchronise with an NTP server, to prevent time drift.

4. You would need a Web SDK of THEOplayer with the LL-HLS feature flag specified and a basic configuration to setup your environment. You can create an SDK by signing-in to the THEO Portal Login Here. Be sure to have THEOplayer version 2.65 or higher.
5. Setup a basic HTML file and include the THEOplayer library and Low latency HLS stream. You can also check: How to get started with THEOplayer Web SDK

Enable Low-Latency

Web SDK

1. Specify your LL-HLS stream manifest as the src parameter in your source configuration (as shown in the below example)
2. Set the new flag lowLatency parameter to TRUE, in your source configuration (as shown in the below example)

<script>
// LL-HLS
player.source = {
  sources : [{
    src : 'https://5d6e17f1ca731.streamlock.net/LowLatencyBBB/myStream/playlist.m3u8', // set the LL-HLS source
    type : 'application/x-mpegurl', // set the type to HLS
    lowLatency: true
  }]
};
</script>

Resources

• Getting started with the Web SDK
• Deliver Low-Latency HLS live streams using Wowza Streaming Engine and THEOplayer