About version 1.15.1 of the company’s software, the GA (General Availability, or release of the software available to the general public), Unified Streaming Co-founder and CTO Arjen Wagenaar has highlighted two updates in particular that will serve streaming tech folks better.

One update Wagenaar has selected adds transcoding, or media processing capabilities. The other adds support related to HLS, or HTTP live streaming, a streaming protocol developed by Apple.

So if you’re into improving your streaming workflows, or if you’re just a streaming software upgrade enthusiast, read on.

Media processing

According to the release notes for Unified’s software version 1.15.1, the new feature adds the “x264 AVC video encoding plugin, as well as its prerequisite x264_encoding_service. See Media processing for further details.”

What’s this mean? First, let’s do terms. Media processing is often called transcoding. (So all you transcoding fans out there, please lower your fists.)

Media processing manipulates raw, uncompressed media data. Usually, the process goes like this.

1. Decoding (decompression)
   ‍
   Compressed samples get translated to some non-compressed format, such as raw video frames.
   ‍
2. Manipulating
   ‍
   Here, the stream of uncompressed (decoded or decompressed) data gets manipulated.
   ‍
3. Re-encoding (compression)
   ‍
   The uncompressed data gets re-compressed, possibly to a different compression format.

Why use a media processing unit?

Well, the operations involved in media processing (decoding, raw data manipulation, and re-encoding) may consume significant amounts of computing power. This power usage may affect the performance of other software components running on the same host.

Your deployment options may also be hampered by requirements on the hardware or the operating system; the availability of specific runtime libraries; and issues related to patent licensing.

For these reasons, consider the use of an appropriately configured, dedicated (virtual) server: the media processing unit (MPU), which is deployed in close proximity to the origin server. The MPU uses an external x264_encoding_service that integrates with an Apache web server.

MPU runs everywhere. Give it any cloud, vm (virtual machine), something with a compatible OS, and let it loose. It's software-only, so it’s not tied to any specific CPU manufacturer like the Intel Media SDK. MPU gives flexibility, freedom, different ways of scaling, and user control. Not bad.

For the whole kit and caboodle on Unified’s media processing unit, please pore over our documentation on the subject.

‍HLS Delta Playlist Update

In the release notes, an update to Unified Origin states: “added support for HLS Playlist Delta Updates, see HLS Playlist Delta Updates.”

So what are HLS Playlist Delta Updates? They’re a way to optimize live streams by reducing the amount of data transferred for each playlist request.

During a live stream a client is constantly reloading the media playlist to discover new segments.

Instead of reloading the entire playlist each time, the server now shoots only the most recent updates to the client. This delta update approach enables the player to refresh just the new segments, and to merge them with the existing playlist on the device. Playlist Delta Updates keeps the video playing smoothly without reloading thousands of lines, repeatedly.

By reducing the data transferred during each playlist refresh, long-running events, even all-day sports broadcasts, may maintain consistent, high-quality playback across all networks and devices.

Sleek, efficient, compatible: Delta Updates

Most major players already support Playlist Delta Updates. Great news. This means that streaming providers can integrate this technology smoothly without overhauling existing workflows or infrastructure.What are the main benefits of Playlist Delta Updates?

• Reduces data transfer and bandwidth usage
  
  By updating only recent playlist segments, Delta Updates saves on data shot between the server and player.
  

• Improves playback performance
  
  Smaller, more frequent updates allow devices to load playlists faster, helping to reduce buffering and maintain a smooth playback experience.
  
  
• Ensures device compatibility
  
  Delta Updates feature offers flexibility, ensuring players across a range of devices can use the latest playlist without performance issues cropping up.
  

• Optimizes for low-latency streaming
  
  Delta Updates enables shorter segments to be refreshed without overloading the playlist file, supporting a true low-latency experience.

That’s (not) all, folks

The updates above by no means constitute the whole GA. For example, there are significant performance improvements for Unified Virtual Channel socked away in the software upgrade, too.

Take a look at the release notes, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out at sales@unified-streaming.com. We’re always happy to help. (We like to think that our amenability is not an industry secret.)