Real-Time Streaming

Provides low latency and high concurrency, helping improve the user experience for your live-streaming

Overview

Real-Time Streaming (RTS) is a leading interactive streaming feature that Alibaba Cloud developed based on the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). RTS uses Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) to transfer data.

RTS relies on ApsaraVideo Live and leverages the various Content Delivery Network (CDN) nodes and network resources of Alibaba Cloud CDN worldwide. RTS supports tens of millions of concurrent streams and a maximum end-to-end latency of two seconds while minimizing your deployment costs.

Livestreaming has become popular in various commercial fields. To provide an excellent livestreaming user experience, you must have robust technology and resource support. RTS was developed by Alibaba Cloud based on its practical experience. RTS helped with Taobao’s livestreaming during the Double 11 Global Shopping Festival.

Benefits

  • Low Latency

    At the same freezing rate, the latency of Flash Video (FLV) streaming is about seven seconds, whereas RTS is only about two seconds, which is a 70% reduction.

  • High Concurrency

    RTS supports tens of millions of concurrent streams based on more than 2,800 CDN nodes, sufficient reserved bandwidth, and intelligent scheduling capabilities that Alibaba Cloud CDN provides.

  • Efficient Deployment

    To use RTS, you can update the player SDK without changing the architecture of your ApsaraVideo Live service. RTS is compatible with the stream ingest, transcoding, and snapshot features of ApsaraVideo Live.

Architecture

RTS optimizes the streaming protocol. Streaming URLs for RTS start with a new protocol header, artc://.
To use RTS, you need to add an RTS streaming domain to your current ApsaraVideo Live service.

Scenarios

Livestreaming in E-Commerce

RTS allows sellers to communicate with buyers, answer buyers’ questions, and exchange product information with buyers in real-time. RTS helps sellers improve the gross merchandise value (GMV). During the 2020 Double 11 Global Shopping Festival, RTS helped with Taobao’s livestreaming by transmitting the voice, video, image, and product information data to the audience within seconds.

Livestreaming in Education

RTS supports large-size classes, where a large number of students can communicate with teachers online at the same time with low latency. This helps create a better learning environment. Compared with real-time communication (RTC), RTS supports higher concurrency with lower deployment costs.

Livestreaming in Recreation and Sports

RTS supports sport and event livestreaming with low latency. RTS provides an enhanced livestreaming experience with smooth and high-resolution playback.

User Guide

Apply to Enable RTS
To enable RTS, you must contact the sales staff. You cannot enable RTS in the console by yourself.
Add an RTS Streaming Domain
After RTS is enabled, add an RTS streaming domain in the ApsaraVideo Live console. Then, bind the RTS streaming domain as a sub-streaming domain to a general streaming domain.
Integrate SDKs
Integrate RTS SDKs or player SDKs based on your business needs and verify the integrated SDKs.
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