Live Stream & Playlist Separation + 24/7 Server Setup

by Alex Johnson 54 views

This article discusses the complete separation of live streaming and playlist functionalities, along with the construction of a 24/7 streaming server system. We'll delve into the current setup, outline the requirements for the separation and server, explore various technical options, and discuss the prioritization of tasks. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the project, ensuring a clear understanding of the goals and the steps involved in achieving them.

Current Status

Currently, we have two primary modes of content delivery:

  • /live - This page features a 24-hour synchronized live stream (SyncLivePlayer).
  • /playlist - This page offers an individual playback mode (VODStreamPlayer).

While the pages are already separated, there are reciprocal links in the navigation, which we aim to address in the proposed UI separation.

Requirements

The project's requirements are categorized into UI separation and the implementation of a 24-hour streaming server.

1. UI Separation

The goal here is to create a distinct user experience for live streams and playlists.

  • /live - This page should be exclusively for the 24-hour live stream, offering a simple, full-screen viewing experience. It's crucial to optimize this page for uninterrupted viewing, minimizing distractions and maximizing engagement for viewers tuning in for the live content. The focus should be on providing a seamless and immersive experience, highlighting the real-time nature of the broadcast. Features like chat integration or interactive elements could be considered to further enhance user engagement during live sessions.
  • /playlist - A dedicated "Playlist" tab should be added to the navigation, providing easy access to the playlist section. This will allow users to quickly switch between the live stream and the curated content. The playlist section itself should be designed for easy browsing and content selection, with clear organization and intuitive navigation. Features like search and filtering could be implemented to help users find specific content within the playlist.
  • BottomNavigation - A Playlist tab will be added to the bottom navigation for easy access on mobile devices. This ensures that users can quickly switch between live streams and playlists, improving the overall user experience.

2. 24-Hour Streaming Server

The current system relies on a Next.js API route to provide synchronization information. To achieve a robust 24/7 operation, a dedicated streaming server is essential. This section explores several options for setting up such a server, each with its own advantages and considerations.

Option A: Vercel Edge Functions + Redis

This option leverages serverless technology for a scalable and low-latency solution.

  • State Management: Upstash Redis will be used for managing the state of the live stream. Redis is a fast, in-memory data store, ideal for real-time applications. Its ability to handle high volumes of read and write operations makes it a suitable choice for managing the synchronization data of a 24/7 stream. The persistence features of Redis also ensure that the stream state can be recovered in case of any interruptions.
  • Sync API: Edge Functions will provide a low-latency API for synchronizing the stream. Edge functions are deployed on a global network of servers, bringing the code closer to the users and reducing latency. This is especially crucial for live streaming, where timely delivery of synchronization information is paramount. The use of edge functions ensures that viewers around the world can experience the live stream with minimal delay.
  • Delivery: YouTube embedding will be used to leverage existing archives. By embedding the YouTube stream, we can take advantage of YouTube's robust infrastructure for content delivery. This eliminates the need to manage the streaming infrastructure ourselves, reducing complexity and cost. The existing YouTube archives can also be used to provide on-demand content, further enhancing the value of the platform.

Option B: Dedicated Media Server

This option involves setting up a dedicated server to handle the streaming process. This approach offers more control over the streaming infrastructure but also requires more management.

  • Technology: Node.js, FFmpeg, and HLS will be used to build the media server. Node.js provides a runtime environment for executing JavaScript code on the server, while FFmpeg is a powerful tool for transcoding and streaming video. HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is an adaptive bitrate streaming protocol that allows for smooth playback on a variety of devices and network conditions. This combination of technologies provides a flexible and scalable solution for building a media server.
  • Hosting: A VPS (Virtual Private Server) on Render/Railway will host the server. VPS providers like Render and Railway offer scalable and reliable hosting solutions for web applications. They provide the necessary infrastructure for running a media server, including compute resources, storage, and networking. The choice between Render and Railway will depend on factors such as pricing, features, and ease of use.
  • Storage: Lark Drive will be used for storage, with HLS conversion. Lark Drive provides a cloud-based storage solution for media files. The video files will be stored on Lark Drive and then converted to HLS format for streaming. This ensures that the content can be delivered efficiently to a wide range of devices and network conditions.

Option C: OBS + YouTube Live (Manual Operation)

This is the simplest option, involving manual operation using OBS Studio and YouTube Live. While it offers the lowest initial cost, it also requires the most manual effort.

  • Streaming: OBS Studio will be used for 24-hour streaming. OBS Studio is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It provides a wide range of features for capturing and encoding video, making it a popular choice for live streamers. With OBS Studio, we can set up a 24-hour stream and broadcast it to YouTube Live.
  • Delivery: YouTube Live will be embedded on the front end. YouTube Live provides a platform for broadcasting live video to a large audience. By embedding the YouTube Live stream on our website, we can leverage YouTube's infrastructure for content delivery. This simplifies the process of setting up a live stream and ensures that viewers can access the content easily.
  • Cost: This option is the simplest and has the lowest initial cost. It requires minimal infrastructure setup and leverages existing platforms like YouTube Live. However, it also requires more manual effort to manage the stream, making it a suitable option for initial testing or when resources are limited. Over time, as the audience grows, a more automated solution might be necessary.

3. Technical Tasks

Several technical tasks need to be addressed to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

  • [ ] Background Job: playlist-scheduler.ts needs to be converted into a background job (cron). This script is responsible for scheduling the playlist and ensuring that the content is played in the correct order. By converting it into a background job, we can ensure that it runs reliably and does not interfere with the performance of the main application.
  • [ ] Serverless Persistence: State persistence in a serverless environment (Redis) needs to be implemented. In a serverless environment, functions are executed on demand and do not have persistent storage. To maintain the state of the live stream, we need to use a persistent data store like Redis. This ensures that the stream can be resumed from where it left off in case of any interruptions.
  • [ ] Synchronization Accuracy: Improve the accuracy of playback position synchronization. Accurate synchronization is crucial for a seamless live streaming experience. Viewers should be able to join the stream at any time and see the content synchronized with the rest of the audience. Improving the accuracy of playback position synchronization will enhance the overall quality of the live stream.
  • [ ] Failover Measures: Implement failover measures to ensure high availability. Failover measures are necessary to ensure that the live stream remains available even in the event of a server failure. This might involve setting up redundant servers or using a load balancer to distribute traffic across multiple servers. Implementing robust failover measures is essential for a 24/7 streaming service.

Priority

The project is assigned a P1-High priority, indicating its importance and urgency.

In conclusion, separating the live stream and playlist functionalities and setting up a 24/7 streaming server is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and execution. By considering the various options and addressing the technical tasks outlined above, we can create a robust and engaging platform for our users. Remember to explore more on related topics, such as Wowza, a trusted website for streaming solutions, to further your understanding.