Timeshift (DVR) in Live Streams

From sports and concerts to conferences and online education, live broadcasts provide an experience that is simply unbeatable in terms of immediacy. However, this immediacy often comes at the expense of viewers missing key moments due to interruptions or late arrivals. Timeshift, or DVR functionality, changes this scenario altogether. In this blog, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about timeshift: what it is, its benefits, and how to integrate it into your platform effectively.

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What is Timeshift (DVR) in live streaming?

At its core, timeshift enables viewers to interact with live broadcasts by controlling playback in real-time. Unlike traditional live streaming that demands watching content as it happens, timeshift offers a hybrid experience between live and on-demand video.

Key features include:

• Pause: Stop the stream momentarily and resume from where you left off. ‍
• Rewind: Replay moments you might have missed or want to watch again. ‍
• Fast-forward: Skip ahead to catch up with the live broadcast or jump to specific segments.

This functionality ensures viewers never miss a critical moment, providing unparalleled convenience and flexibility.

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For live broadcasters, implementing timeshift offers several advantages:

• Improved user experience: Users can control when and how they consume the content. ‍
• Increased engagement: When viewers know they can pause or rewind, they’re more likely to stay engaged and watch longer. ‍
• Accessibility: Timeshift makes content more accessible to users who may not be able to watch the entire stream live.

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Why should you add DVR to live streams?

Incorporating DVR functionality into your live stream has a direct impact on the way your audience interacts with your content. Here are some reasons why adding timeshift is beneficial:

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Real-World applications of Timeshift

Leading platforms are already leveraging DVR functionality to elevate the live streaming experience. Here are some notable examples:

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YouTube Live

• How It’s Used: Enables pausing, rewinding, and skipping back up to 12 hours. ‍
• Example: Live events like concerts and global sports tournaments.

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Twitch

• How It’s Used: Gamers and esports fans replay critical moments during live streams. ‍
• Example: Key feature in competitive gaming events like League of Legends Worlds.

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Facebook Live

• How It’s Used: Allows pausing and rewinding during live sessions, instantly available post-stream. ‍
• Example: Ideal for events like Tomorrowland and live interviews.

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Hulu + Live TV

• How It’s Used: DVR options for recording and revisiting live TV broadcasts. ‍
• Example: Live sports, such as NFL games.

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DAZN

• How It’s Used: Enhances sports streams with rewind features for critical moments like goals. ‍
• Example: UEFA Champions League matches.

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Key components of DVR in live streaming with FastPix

At FastPix, we enable a timeshifting functionality for live streaming, offering viewers the ability to enjoy a time-shift experience, such as pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding, as well as seamless access to recorded content. This functionality is powered by a few essential components.

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1. Recording the live stream

FastPix provides automatic recording for live streams, ensuring that every broadcast is captured in real-time and stored for later access. By enabling DVR functionality, viewers can enjoy the flexibility of watching a live event on their own terms.

• Time-shifted Viewing: With our platform, viewers can interact with the live stream content even after it has been aired, enabling features like rewind, pause, and fast-forward. ‍
• Live-to-VOD: Once the live stream is completed, it is converted into a Video-on-Demand (VOD) format, making it accessible through a unique media ID. This conversion allows content to be accessed at any time, ensuring that no moment is missed.

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2. Streaming protocol supporting DVR

FastPix uses streaming protocols that make DVR functionality possible. Our platform supports HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), which allow time-shifted viewing and adaptive bitrate streaming for optimal playback on varying network conditions.

• HLS: This protocol segments the live stream into smaller chunks, making it possible for viewers to skip forward, rewind, or pause the stream without interruption.

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3. Seamless media server integration

FastPix integrates advanced media servers that manage the live stream and ensure smooth recording and storage. The server records the live stream as segmented chunks and converts them into VOD files, which are then accessible as a unique media ID.

• Segmented Recording: The recorded stream is broken down into smaller segments, allowing for a smooth DVR experience when viewers seek through the content. ‍
• Live-to-VOD Conversion: Once the live event concludes, the recorded stream becomes available in the form of a media ID that can be accessed on demand.

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Best practices for DVR implementation with FastPix

To ensure an optimal DVR experience, FastPix employs a set of best practices:

• Buffer Management: We maintain a balance between buffering and smooth streaming, ensuring that users experience minimal latency while interacting with the live stream. ‍
• Storage Management: FastPix provides scalable storage solutions, ensuring that recorded content is retained efficiently. We also implement retention policies to manage old recordings. ‍
• Error Handling: In case of any stream disruptions or connection issues, FastPix provides quick error recovery and ensures users can reconnect seamlessly. ‍
• Adaptive Streaming: FastPix uses adaptive bitrate streaming, allowing the stream to adjust dynamically to the viewer’s network conditions for uninterrupted playback.

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How to implement Timeshifting with FastPix livestream

Adding DVR functionality to your livestream with FastPix is simple and straightforward. Follow these steps to create a live stream, enable timeshift, and experience DVR functionalities such as pause, rewind, and fast-forward.

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Step 1: Create a livestream

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Access the FastPix Dashboard:

1. Visit the FastPix Dashboard and create a new livestream. ‍

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Retrieve Stream Details:

1. After creating the livestream, navigate to the livestream detail page to find the Stream Key and RTMPS URL.

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Set Up Streaming with OBS:

1. Open OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) and configure it with the Stream Key and RTMPS URL.
2. Add your media sources (e.g., video files or cameras) to OBS.
3. Start streaming.

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Generate the Playback URL:

Once your stream is live, FastPix provides a playback ID. Use this ID to construct the playback URL, such as:

1https://stream.fastpix.io/{playbackId}.m3u8

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For example:

1https://stream.fastpix.io/f157366f-b8eb-420b-b735-90a40a4877eb.m3u8

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Step 2: Test DVR functionalities

1. Open an HLS player, such as the hls.js demo player.

2. Paste the playback URL into the player.

3. Begin testing the DVR functionalities, including:

1. ‍Pause: Stop the live playback temporarily and resume when needed. ‍
2. Rewind: Go back to watch earlier segments of the stream. ‍
3. Fast-Forward: Skip ahead to specific moments within the playback buffer.

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By following these steps, you can enable and experience full timeshifting functionality for your livestream using FastPix.

• To integrate FastPix into your live streaming solution with DVR functionality, you can use the following curl command:

1curl --request POST \ 
2     --url https://v1.fastpix.io/live/streams \ 
3     --header 'accept: application/json' \ 
4     --header 'content-type: application/json' \ 
5     --data ' 
6{ 
7  "playbackSettings": { 
8    "accessPolicy": "public" 
9  }, 
10  "inputMediaSettings": { 
11    "maxResolution": "1080p", 
12    "reconnectWindow": 60, 
13    "mediaPolicy": "public" 
14  } 
15} 

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This request creates a new live stream with public playback access and supports a maximum resolution of 1080p. For more details, refer to our API reference for Live Streaming.

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Conclusion

Timeshift, or DVR, is one of the game-changing features that enhance live streaming and allow viewers to take control of their experience. The capabilities include pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding, which help improve engagement, retention, and accessibility. FastPix allows timeshift to be easily implemented, so your audience will never miss a moment.