Professional Real-time HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) Analyzer for validating HLS formats, verifying standard compliance of stream segments, and monitoring service errors. It is suitable for service providers to test HLS video service infrastructure and monitor OTT video service quality (QoS). A single server can simultaneously monitor up to 300 HLS streams. It provides auto-alarm, error logging and report generation functions.

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HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) Analyzer

As smartphones and tablets are getting more popular, more TV programs are consumed by these devices. Content providers estimate as much as 75% of video contents will be watched on devices other than TV sets in the next few years. The most commonly used methods for delivering video services to mobile devices and computers are various media streaming protocols, including RTMP, RTCP, HTTP Live Streaming, and MPEG-DASH via the Internet.

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) is an HTTP-based media streaming protocol implemented by Apple Inc. It breaks the overall stream into a sequence of small files, each containing one short chunk of an overall finite or unbounded transport stream. The client app downloads the files using HTTP protocol and reassembles the files into a continuous transport stream. Since the downloading uses only standard HTTP transactions, HLS is capable of traversing any firewall or proxy server that lets through standard HTTP traffic, unlike UDP-based protocols such as MPEG over UDP or RTP.

However, using IP networks to transport media data can introduce transmission errors such as delay, jitter and packet loss. Video delivered over the Internet over which the video provider does not have full control can exacerbate the problem. On the other hand, video transport has strict requirements on the timely delivery of the video and audio packets to the receivers. Therefore, it is important for service providers to actively test their media service infrastructure and monitor services real-time to discover and resolve any potential problems quickly.

The Mividi HLS Analyzer is designed to verify the quality of digital audio and video services delivered using the HLS protocol. The system can simultaneously start hundreds of HTTP sessions to download audio and video data from one or more video servers, and perform extensive analysis on HTTP transfer status, HLS file formats, MPEG TS standard compliance, and audio and video quality in all video services.

The system is designed for 24 x 7 remote operations. All errors detected by the system are saved in the database, along with transport stream snapshots and HTTP downloading statistics. Multiple reports can be generated to summarize the HTTP session and transport stream status over time.

Application Examples

  • Monitors live and on-demand HLS service
  • Stress test on HLS video servers and network infrastructure
HLS Analyzer application example
HLS playlist URL management

HLS Session Analysis

The system can simulate up to 250 HLS video services, and performs simultaneous HTTP downloading of the playlist and media files in all sessions. All HTTP sessions are monitored and a number of media files and session parameters are recorded in the database, including file name, sequence number, file size, and file downloading time. Various analyses are performed on timing, sequences and media file format. Stream bitrates are calculated based on encoded PCR values.

Comprehensive TS Layer Analysis (MPEG Analysis)

Because HLS uses a series of short chunks of an MPEG transport stream to deliver the video data, the underlying stream must be compliant with the MPEG standards. The system will perform comprehensive real-time analysis on the MPEG TS in all HLS sessions, including:

  • MPEG standard compliance based on DVB test guideline TR 101 290
  • Real-time decoding of H.264 video thumbnails and MP3, AAC, AAC+, AC3 audio PCM
  • Bandwidth utilization and PID monitoring
  • PCR clock analysis
  • Elementary stream buffer and PTS analysis
  • Real-time PSI/SI table decoding and analysis
  • EPG-decoding and display, if applicable
MPEG transport layer analysis for HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)
Remote User Interface of HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) Analyzer

Remote User Interface

The Remote View application can be used to view test results and control the monitoring system remotely. Unlike a typical browser-based web view, the Remote View is a fully featured Windows® application, and dynamically displays video thumbnails and all test results. In addition, it can stream audio and video data from the system to the client PC over an IP network connection, allowing continuous decoding of a video program for visual verification of Quality of Service (QoS).

Error Log and Alarm View of HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) Analyzer

Error Logging and Reports

All errors detected are logged in a database. The logging feature allows the operator to search specific errors based on various searching criteria, including error code and time period the error has occurred. Selected errors can be exported to a text file. The Analyzer allows users to create HTTP flow and transport stream profiles, and the system will test the actual input data against user entered profiles, report and record any deviations. The system can also be configured to send alarm messages to technician once the overall stream quality is below certain threshold and/or some specific errors occur. In addition, a number of reports, including TS and HLS error summary, transport stream snapshots over time, and HLS media file statistics and downloading parameters can be generated.

Server Recommendation

Dell Server PowerEdge R260

The TSM100 software runs on Windows systems. Windows 10, 11 and Windows Server 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022 are all supported. This Dell Rack Server PowerEdge R260 is an example of the servers suitable for most applications. Other servers from different manufacturer with similar CPU performance and RAM will also work.

PowerEdge R260 Configuration
CPU: Intel® Xeon® E-2488 3.2G, 8C/16T, 24M Cache, Turbo, HT (95W) DDR5
RAM: 16GB UDIMM, 5600MT/s ECC
HDD: 2TB Hard Drive SATA 6Gbps 7.2K 512n 3.5in Cabled
OS: Windows Server 2022 Essentials,10CORE,FI,No Med, No CAL, Multi Language

Features

  • Simulates up to hundreds of HTTP Live Streaming sessions from the same or multiple stream servers and simultaneously tests the video service in all sessions.
  • Supports real-time unbounded broadcast service as well as file based on-demand services.
  • Analyzes playlist files, monitor and record media downloading activities.
  • Analyzes HLS bitrate and compares downloading time vs. media time.
  • Supports H.264 video compression standards and multiple audio encoding standards, including MP3, AAC and AAC+.
  • Decodes and display video thumbnails and audio PCM values on multiple programs. Continuously decodes and plays one program at a time.
  • Real-time comprehensive MPEG TS analysis on all HLS services initiated by the analyzer
    • Standard compliance based on MPEG and DVB TR 101 290
    • Bandwidth utilization and PID monitoring
    • PCR clock analysis
    • Elementary stream buffer and PTS analysis
    • Real-time PSI/SI table decoding
    • EPG decoding and display, if applicable
  • Transport stream error summary with a single quality score.
  • User defined profile matching
  • Configurable thresholds and alarm setting
  • Audio/Video loss, frozen frame, and black frame detection
  • Automatically error reporting and alarm for sending email or SMS to technicians with easy and flexible triggers
  • MPEG transport stream recording and playback
  • Remote user-friendly and intuitive user interface
  • Database for error logging and after-facts analysis
  • Multiple reports on error status, TS snapshots and HLS session activities and media file statistics

Specifications

  • IP Input/Output

    • Interface:  Ethernet (RJ45 or Optical), 10/100/1000 Mbps and 10 Gbps
  • Administration

    • Access:  Remote management
  • System Requirements

    • Memory:  8GB DDR2 SDRAM
    • Hard Disk Drive:  At least 100 GB Hard Disk, DVD-RW
    • Operating System:  Windows® 10, 11 or Windows® Server 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022

We offer software or fully-integrated systems for this product. Please see the list below for details.

Model Description
Model LSA100-S Software only
Model LSA100-P Preinstalled in a portable computer
Model LSA100-R Preinstalled in a rack mountable computer

Please click Request for a Quote or send us an email at info@mividi.com for pricing information.

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