How to configure a low-latency HLS workflow using AWS Media Services

This article explains how to configure a low-latency HLS workflow using AWS Media Services such as AWS Elemental MediaLive, AWS Elemental MediaPackage, and Amazon CloudFront. It covers the steps required to set up the workflow, including the configurations for each service, to achieve a glass-to-glass latency of around 5 seconds.

Specifically, the article covers:

• How Low-Latency HLS (LL-HLS) reduces latency through techniques like blocking playlist reload, rendition report, partial segments, hinted partial segments, and HTTP delivery optimizations.
• Configuring MediaPackage for LL-HLS packaging, including creating a channel group, channel, and origin endpoint.
• Configuring MediaLive for ABR encoding with 1-second segments and GOP size.
• Configuring CloudFront with custom cache, origin request, and response header policies for LL-HLS delivery.
• Player support status and configuration recommendations for various players like AVPlayer, hls.js, Exoplayer, THEOplayer, and JW Player.
• Latency results achieved with different segment and GOP durations using various players.