Interactive Livestream (HLS) - React Native

What is Interactive Livestream (HLS)?

Interactive live streaming (HLS) refers to a type of live streaming where viewers can actively engage with the content being streamed and with other viewers in real-time.

In an interactive live stream (HLS), viewers can participate in various activities, such as live polling, Q&A sessions, and even sending virtual gifts to the content creator or each other.

What is Adaptive Live Streaming?

Adaptive live streaming means the stream automatically switches to a lower or higher resolution to match each viewer's preferences and network conditions.

HLS Architecture of VideoSDK

When a host starts the interactive live stream, VideoSDK lays it out with the default theme or your custom template and delivers it to viewers as an M3U8 playlist. Viewers can play it directly, and it adapts to each viewer's network bandwidth.

VideoSDK provides three types of URLs for interactive live streaming:

1. Standard Streaming: Viewers watch the stream live and cannot go back.

2. Rolling Playback: Viewers can rewind and play back the complete stream.

3. VoD Playback Viewers can play back the complete live stream on demand whenever they want.

Using HLS with VideoSDK

You can use HLS with VideoSDK in two different ways.

1. Simple Adaptive Streaming

Simple Adaptive Streaming refers to a type of live stream where there is minimal interaction between hosts and viewers.

This type of livestream is particularly useful when there is a large audience, and the viewers don't actively engage with the hosts. In such a scenario, presenters participate in a VideoSDK room, while viewers primarily watch the livestream without direct interaction with the hosts.

This video is for educational purposes

2. Adaptive Streaming with increased engagement

Use this option when you want to interact with your audience through features like polls and discussions, and let the host decide when viewers join and leave the livestream.

In this setup, both the host and viewers must join a VideoSDK room with distinct roles. To learn more about managing roles in VideoSDK rooms, follow this guide.

This video is for educational purposes