Video Streaming Formats & Device Support

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)

• Specs
  • HTTP Live Streaming 2nd Edition
  • HLS Authoring Specification for Apple Devices
• Containers: MPEG-TS, fMP4
• Can Deploy on Static Storage (Regular HTTP Servers): Yes
• Fast Channel Switching: No
• Low Latency:
  • Community L-HLS - GitHub thread
  • Official LL-HLS
• Multi-CDN Support: No
• Supported Codecs: H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC in fMP4, AAC, MP3, AC-3, Enhanced AC-3
• Supported Caption Formats: CEA-608, CEA-708, WebVTT, IMSC1, TTML, SRT
• Content Multiplexing: Both multiplexed and non-multiplexed
• Encryption Mode: AES-CBCS

Device Native Support
☑ Chromecast	1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, Ultra, Google Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max	☑ HLS
☑ Roku		☑ HLS
☑ Apple TV	HD, 4K	☑ HLS
☑ Fire TV	Stick 1st Gen, Stick Basic Edition, Stick 4K, Stick 2nd Gen, Stick Lite 1st Gen, Stick 3rd Gen	☑ HLS
	Cube 1st Gen, Cube 2nd Gen	☑ HLS

TV Native Support
☑ Roku TV		☑ HLS
☑ Fire TV Edition	Insignia HD, Toshiba HD, Onida HD, Onida HD/FHD (2020), AmazonBasics HD/FHD, Grundig Vision 6 HD	☑ HLS
	Element 4K, Insignia 4K, Grundig Vision 7 4K, Toshiba 4K, JVC 4K, Grundig OLED 4K, Technika 4K, ok 4K, Insignia 4K UHD (2020)	☑ HLS
☑ Samsung Smart TV Premium	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	☑ HLS
☑ Samsung Smart TV	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	☑ HLS
☑ webOS TV	1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0	☑ HLS - Version 7 only
☑ Android TV	5.0+	☑ HLS

Phone/Tablet Native Support
☑ iPhone	5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE 2nd Gen, 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max	☑ HLS
☑ iPad	5th Gen, Air 2, mini 4	☑ HLS
	6th Gen, 7th Gen, 8th Gen, Air 3rd Gen, Air 4th Gen, mini 5th Gen	☑ HLS
	Pro 2nd Gen, Pro 3rd Gen, Pro 4th Gen, Pro 5th Gen	☑ HLS
☑ Android	4.0+	☑ HLS

Browser Native Support
☑ Edge	12+	☑ HLS - Via MSE
☑ Firefox	42+	☑ HLS - Via MSE
☑ Chrome	23+	☑ HLS - Via MSE
☑ Safari	6+	☑ HLS
☑ Opera	15+	☑ HLS - Via MSE
☑ Safari iOS	3.2+	☑ HLS
☑ Android Browser	4.4+	☑ HLS
☑ Opera Mobile	62+	☑ HLS
☑ Chrome Android	90+	☑ HLS
☑ Firefox Android	87+	☑ HLS - Via MSE
☑ UC Browser Android	12.12+	☑ HLS
☑ Samsung Internet	4+	☑ HLS

Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH)

• Specs: Standards
• Containers: fMP4, WebM, MPEG-TS
• Can Deploy on Static Storage (Regular HTTP Servers): Yes
• Fast Channel Switching: Yes
• Low Latency: LL-DASH
• Multi-CDN Support: Yes
• Supported Codecs: Any
• Supported Caption Formats: WebVTT, TTML, CEA-608, CEA-708, SRT
• Content Multiplexing: Both multiplexed and non-multiplexed
• Encryption Mode: AES-CBCS, AES-CTR

Device Native Support
☑ Chromecast	1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, Ultra, Google Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max	☑ MPEG-DASH
☑ Roku		☑ MPEG-DASH
☑ Fire TV	Stick 1st Gen, Stick Basic Edition, Stick 4K, Stick 2nd Gen, Stick Lite 1st Gen, Stick 3rd Gen	☑ MPEG-DASH
	Cube 1st Gen, Cube 2nd Gen	☑ MPEG-DASH

TV Native Support
☑ Roku TV		☑ MPEG-DASH
☑ Fire TV Edition	Insignia HD, Toshiba HD, Onida HD, Onida HD/FHD (2020), AmazonBasics HD/FHD, Grundig Vision 6 HD	☑ MPEG-DASH
	Element 4K, Insignia 4K, Grundig Vision 7 4K, Toshiba 4K, JVC 4K, Grundig OLED 4K, Technika 4K, ok 4K, Insignia 4K UHD (2020)	☑ MPEG-DASH
☑ Samsung Smart TV Premium	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	☑ MPEG-DASH
☑ Samsung Smart TV	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	☑ MPEG-DASH
☑ Android TV	5.0+	☑ MPEG-DASH

Phone/Tablet Native Support
☑ Android	4.0+	☑ MPEG-DASH

Browser Native Support
☑ Edge	12+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ Firefox	42+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ Chrome	23+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ Safari	8+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ Opera	15+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ Android Browser	4.4+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ Opera Mobile	62+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ Chrome Android	90+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ Firefox Android	87+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ UC Browser Android	12.12+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE
☑ Samsung Internet	9.2+	☑ MPEG-DASH - Via MSE

Smooth Streaming

• Specs: SS Protocol
• Containers: fMP4
• Can Deploy on Static Storage (Regular HTTP Servers): No
• Fast Channel Switching: Yes
• Low Latency: No
• Multi-CDN Support: No
• Supported Codecs: H.264/AVC, AAC-LC
• Supported Caption Formats: TTML
• Content Multiplexing: Non-multiplexed
• Encryption Mode: AES-CBCS, AES-CTR

Device Native Support
☑ Chromecast	1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, Ultra, Google Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max	☑ Smooth Streaming
☑ Roku		☑ Smooth Streaming

TV Native Support
☑ Roku TV		☑ Smooth Streaming
☑ Samsung Smart TV Premium	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	☑ Smooth Streaming
☑ Samsung Smart TV	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	☑ Smooth Streaming
☑ Android TV	5.0+	☑ Smooth Streaming

Phone/Tablet Native Support
☑ Android	4.0+	☑ Smooth Streaming