HSS
HTTP Smooth Streaming
HTTP Smooth Streaming (HSS) is a form of adaptive bitrate streaming technology developed by Microsoft. It was designed to deliver high-quality streaming of video and audio content over the internet to various devices, including computers, mobile devices, and connected TVs. Like other adaptive streaming technologies, HSS optimizes the streaming experience by dynamically adjusting the quality of the video stream based on the user's current network conditions and device capabilities.
The core mechanism of HSS involves breaking down the video content into multiple, small fragments, each typically ranging from 2 to 10 seconds in length. These fragments are encoded at different bitrates, representing various quality levels. When a user starts streaming, the HSS client, often embedded within a web browser or media player, assesses the user's internet bandwidth and selects the most appropriate quality level for the initial playback. As the video plays, the client continuously monitors the connection speed. If it detects a change, it seamlessly switches to a higher or lower bitrate stream, ensuring the video continues to play smoothly without buffering, even if the network conditions fluctuate.
One of the strengths of HTTP Smooth Streaming is its use of standard HTTP protocols, making it easily deployable and compatible with existing internet infrastructure. This has led to its adoption in various applications, including live event streaming, on-demand video services, and in delivering content for high-profile events. While HSS played a significant role in advancing the field of adaptive bitrate streaming, it's important to note that the streaming industry has largely consolidated around other standards like MPEG-DASH and HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) in recent years. Despite this, the principles and innovations of HTTP Smooth Streaming continue to influence the development of streaming technologies and the delivery of digital media.
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