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ApsaraVideo VOD:Overview

Last Updated:Jun 03, 2026

ApsaraVideo VOD is an all-in-one on-demand audio and video streaming solution. It covers video collection, editing, uploading, automated transcoding, cloud-based editing, delivery acceleration, playback, and media resource management.

Overall process

The following figure shows how to upload, store, process, and play audio and video in ApsaraVideo VOD.Flowchart

Note

This figure shows a standard process with transcoding and credential-based playback. The process may differ if transcoding is disabled or media review is enabled.

  1. The user obtains upload permission.

  2. ApsaraVideo VOD returns the upload URL, upload credential, and VideoId.

  3. The user uploads the video and saves the VideoId.

  4. The server obtains playback permission.

  5. The client requests the playback URL and credential. ApsaraVideo VOD returns a time-limited playback URL and credential.

  6. The server sends the playback credential to the client for playback.

Access and storage

ApsaraVideo VOD operates in multiple regions worldwide, each with distinct service regions, API regions, and storage regions. Each endpoint corresponds to a storage region, and you cannot access resources across storage regions. Region-to-endpoint mappings are listed in VOD centers and endpoints.

Global configurations

Configuration

Description

References

Account and authorization

ApsaraVideo VOD supports Resource Access Management (RAM) and Security Token Service (STS). Authorization methods:

  • Attach system policies to RAM users

  • Attach custom policies to RAM users

  • Grant permissions to roles by using STS

Accounts and authorization

Multi-application service

Isolate resources, configurations, and data for multiple users within the same account by managing applications and attaching policies to identity entities.

Multi-application service

Event notifications

ApsaraVideo VOD supports callback-based event notifications.

  • HTTP callback (HTTPS compatible)

  • Simple Message Queue (formerly MNS) (SMQ) callback

Event notification

Video security

ApsaraVideo VOD provides multiple security mechanisms for video content:

  • Access control

  • URL signing

  • Remote authentication

  • Video encryption

  • Secure download

Media security

Features

Feature

Description

References

Media upload

Upload audio, video, and image files to ApsaraVideo VOD-allocated OSS buckets. Obtain the upload URL and credential before uploading. Supported methods:

GUI tools

  • ApsaraVideo VOD console

  • PC client

Developer tools

  • Upload SDK

  • API operation for URL-based batch upload

  • OSS SDK

  • OSS API

Media upload

Media asset management

Manage media resources generated after upload or processing, including basic information, source files, playback data, and AI data. You can obtain, update, search, download, or delete these resources.

Media asset management

Media processing

ApsaraVideo VOD provides fundamental media processing capabilities, including audio and video transcoding, snapshot capture, animated GIF generation, and video watermarking. It also offers advanced features such as automated review, online editing.

Media processing

Media review

Overview

Audio and video playback

ApsaraVideo VOD supports three playback methods: console preview, ApsaraVideo Player SDK, and third-party players.

Media playback

Live to VOD

Synchronously record live streams as on-demand videos for later playback.

Live to VOD