CMAF

The Common Media Application Format (CMAF) is an emerging standard in the digital streaming industry, designed to simplify the process of delivering audio and video content across various devices and platforms. Developed with the intention of unifying the fragmented landscape of streaming protocols, CMAF aims to establish a common ground where content can be packaged and delivered efficiently, regardless of the viewer's device or network.

Traditionally, streaming content has required multiple formats to ensure compatibility across different playback systems, such as HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) for Apple devices and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) for others. This multiplicity not only complicates the content delivery process but also increases storage and bandwidth costs for content providers. CMAF addresses these challenges by providing a single, standardised format for segmenting and storing media files. It allows content creators to package their content once, and then deliver it seamlessly across various platforms that support CMAF, reducing complexity and cost.

CMAF works by breaking down audio and video content into small, standardized segments, which are then encoded in a way that's compatible with multiple streaming protocols. It leverages the fragmented MP4 (fMP4) file format, making it versatile and broadly compatible. The introduction of CMAF is a significant step towards greater efficiency in the streaming world, potentially leading to faster start times, reduced buffering, and an overall improved user experience. As adoption grows, CMAF is poised to play a crucial role in streamlining content delivery and fostering a more unified and efficient streaming ecosystem.

LINKS

• Wowza: https://www.wowza.com/blog/what-is-cmaf

• Apple: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/http-live-streaming/about-the-common-media-application-format-with-http-live-streaming-hls

• Castr: https://castr.com/blog/what-is-cmaf/