Intelligent Media Services:Get started with channel assembly

Step 1: Add media sources

Perform the following steps to add the media sources that you want to play in a channel:

1. Log on to the IMS console and select a region in the upper-left corner based on your business requirements.

2. In the left-side navigation pane, select MediaWeaver > Channel Assembly > Source Locations. Create a source location, which represents the origin server where the master playlist is stored.

   

   Example:

   • Source Location Name: AliChannelAssemblySourceLocations

   • Base URL: The URL of the origin server. For example, if the path of the master playlist is http://myresource.aliyundoc.com/video1.m3u8, enter http://myresource.aliyundoc.com.

3. Click the source location name (AliChannelAssemblySourceLocations) to access the source location details page.

4. To add VOD sources to the source location, click the VOD Source tab and then click Add VOD Source.

   

5. Configure the parameters in the following image based on your business requirements.

   Example:

   • Name: FirstSource

   • Source Group Name: PlayerSource

     Make a note of this name. You will reference it when you create your channel's output.

   • Relative Path: The relative path from the base URL of the source location to the master playlist. For example, if the path of the master playlist is http://myresource.aliyundoc.com/video1.m3u8, enter /video1.m3u8.

6. Click OK to add the VOD source.

If you want to add more VOD sources, repeat steps 4 to 6 in the procedure.

Step 2: Create a channel

1. In the left-side navigation pane, choose MediaWeaver > Channel Assembly > Channels.

2. Click Create Channel.

3. Configure the parameters in the following image based on your business requirements.

   Example:

   • Name: AliChannelAssemblyChannels

   • Tier: Basic

   • Playback Mode: Loop

   • Access Control: Disabled

   • Add Output:

     • Manifest Name: index

     • Source Group Name: PlayerSource

       The value must be the same as the source group name specified for the package configuration of the source.

     • Manifest settings: This example uses the default settings.

Step 3: Configure channel programs

After adding media sources and creating a channel, add programs to the channel. Each program contains a VOD source or a live source from your source locations.

1. Click the channel name (AliChannelAssemblyChannels) to access the channel details page.

2. On the Program & Schedule tab, click Add Program.

3. Configure the parameters in the following image based on your business requirements.

   Example:

   • Name: FirstProgram

   • Source Location: AliChannelAssemblySourceLocations

   • VOD Source: FirstSource

   • Schedule Configuration: This example uses the default settings.

   • Ad Breaks: In this example, no ad breaks are inserted. You can add one later.

4. Click OK to add the program.

If you want to add more programs in the channel, repeat steps 2 to 4 in the procedure.

Programs added are displayed on the Program & Schedule tab.

Step 1: Start a channel

Before you can access the channel's stream, you must start your channel. 

To do so, click the channel name to access its details page, then click Start.

When the channel state turns to Running, the channel is started.

Step 2: Play the channel

1. Click the channel name to access its details page, then click the Output tab.

2. Use the Playback URL provided in the console to play the channel's stream. A player that supports the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol is required.