What it is
Video transport protocols: SRT delivers a stream to the server reliably over an unstable link; HLS and WHEP let viewers watch in the browser with low latency.
How we use it
We build our own streaming servers โ a replacement for solutions that drop the broadcast on a poor link or let anyone in to watch.
Where it helps a business
- A broadcast for your own people (a presentation, training, gameplay) must be private, not open to anyone who knows the address.
- The stream must not break when the streamer's internet is unstable.
- A viewer on a phone over LTE and a viewer on a gigabit line should get different streams, not one compromise.
Types
- SRT: delivering the stream to the server over UDP, re-requesting lost packets. Stable on a poor link.
- RTMP: the older way over TCP, which piles up delay on packet loss until the connection breaks.
- HLS: viewing in 2-second segments, with 6โ8 seconds of latency but stable on mobile networks and with rewind.
- WHEP: viewing over WebRTC with under a second of latency.
How we use it
In Peregovorka the stream from the streamer's PC reaches the server over SRT with a password and an encryption key, and RTMP remains as a backup ingest in case UDP is blocked somewhere. Two qualities, 3440ร1440 and a lighter 1720ร720, are encoded by the streamer's graphics card; the server only distributes them. A viewer picks the regular mode (HLS) or the fast one (WHEP), and the stream can also be watched in VLC over RTSP and SRT. Every request to the stream passes an access check in nginx.
Common problems
- A bare nginx-rtmp. The previous unconfigured setup dropped the stream and let in anyone who knew the address.
- Streamer's PC off, no streams. The server does not re-encode video; quality depends entirely on the gaming PC's settings.
- Browsers. Chrome, Edge and Safari play 1440p, while Firefox gets 720p in H.264.
- Recording. Stream recording is switched off and is turned on only together with configured rotation.
When you do not need it
For a public broadcast to a wide audience, ready-made platforms are simpler. Your own setup is needed when the stream is private and must work under restrictions.