Introducing low-latency live streams with LL-HLS and LL-DASH

We are thrilled to introduce low-latency live streams for Gcore Video Streaming using LL-HLS and LL-DASH protocols. With a groundbreaking glass-to-glass delay of just 2.2–3.0 seconds, this improvement brings unparalleled speed to your viewers’ live-streaming experience.

Alt: Video illustrating the workflow of low-latency live streaming using LL-HLS and LL-DASH protocols

This demonstration shows the minimal latency of our live streaming solution—just three seconds between the original broadcast (left) and what viewers see online (right).

Key use cases and benefits of low-latency streaming

Our low-latency streaming solutions address the specific needs of content providers, broadcasters, and developers, enabling seamless experiences for diverse use cases.

Ultra-fast live streaming

• Get real-time delivery with glass-to-glass latency of ±2.2 seconds for LL-DASH and ±3.0 seconds for LL-HLS.
• Deliver immediate viewer engagement, ideal for industries such as live sports, e-sports tournaments, and news broadcasting.
• Meet the expectations of audiences who demand instant access to live events without noticeable delays.

Enhanced viewer interaction

• Reduce the delay between live actions and audience reactions, fostering a more immersive viewing experience.
• Support real-time interaction for use cases like virtual conferences, live auctions, Q&A sessions, and live shopping platforms.

Flexible player support

• Seamlessly integrate with your existing player setups, including popular options like hls.js, dash.js, and native Safari support.
• Use our new HTML web player for effortless integration or maintain your current custom player workflows.

Global scalability and reliability

• Leverage our robust CDN network with 200+ Tbps capacity and 180+ PoPs to enable low-latency streams worldwide.
• Deliver a consistent, high-quality experience for global audiences, even during peak traffic events.

Cost-efficiency

• Minimize operational overhead with a streamlined solution that combines advanced encoding, efficient packaging, and reliable delivery.

How it works

Our real-time transcoder and JIT packager generate streaming manifests and chunks optimized for low latency:

• For LL-HLS: The HLS manifest (.m3u8) and chunks comply with the latest standards. Tags like #EXT-X-PART, #EXT-X-PRELOAD-HINT, and others are dynamically generated with best-in-class parameters. Chunks are loaded instantaneously as they appear at the origin.
• For LL-DASH: The DASH manifest (.mpd) leverages advanced MPEG-DASH features. Chunks are transmitted to viewers as soon as encoding begins, with caching finalized once the chunk is fully fetched.

Combined with our fast and reliable CDN delivery, live streams are accessible globally with minimal delay. Our CDN network has an extensive capacity and 180+ PoPs to deliver exceptional performance, even for high-traffic events.

See a live demo in action!

Try WebRTC to HLS/DASH today

We’re also excited to remind you about our WebRTC to HLS/DASH delivery functionality. This innovative feature allows streams created in a standard browser via WebRTC to be:

1. Transcoded on our servers.
2. Delivered with low latency to viewers using HTTP-based LL-HLS and LL-DASH protocols through our CDN.

Try it now in the Gcore Customer Portal.

Shaping the future of streaming

By nearly halving the glass-to-glass delivery time compared to our previous solution, Gcore Video Streaming enables you to deliver a seamless experience for live events, real-time interactions, and other latency-sensitive applications. Whether you’re broadcasting to a global audience or engaging niche communities, our platform provides the tools you need to thrive in today’s dynamic streaming landscape.

Watch our demo to see the difference and explore how this solution fits into your workflows.

Visit our demo player