1. What is Streams, and how can it help me?

Streams is Bitmovin’s latest solution that focuses on simplifying streaming workflows. Typically there are many steps to manage, and Streams helps cut down your tasks and enables you to start streaming in seconds. All you need to do is upload your content, and Bitmovin will host it, encode and provide you with an embeddable HTML code for the video player, so you easily input it on your website. Once done, you can stream to your audience everywhere and optimize the viewing experience through data captured by our Analytics that helps you always ensure you’re consistently delivering the highest quality of experience for users.

2. Who can use Streams?

Streams was built to simplify video streaming workflows in general. Any company in every industry that wants to stream video can use Streams to make content easily viewable for users worldwide.

3. With Streams, do I need any development experience to start?

Bitmovin has built our first low/no-code process where all you’d need to do is upload your content and embed the video player to where you want audiences to see your content.

4. Is it possible to customize the video player?

Currently, we’ve focused on simplifying the video workflow process to get you streaming with ease. However, we will be adding Player customization capabilities in the coming weeks.

5. What is the highest video quality I can upload to Streams?

You can upload videos up to 4K resolution.

6. Will my content be available in higher resolutions if I upload a video in SD?

Any video uploaded will be encoded and made available in its original quality and any lower resolutions possible. For example, suppose you upload a video that has a 4K resolution. In that case, your viewers can view that content in 4K and any resolution lower than that, depending on the viewer's internet connection. However, any video uploaded will not be able to scale up in resolution, meaning if you upload a video file in SD, it will not be playable in 4K.

7. How does Bitmovin ensure viewers are seeing content in the highest quality possible?

Bitmovin is one of the leaders in encoding, and we have integrated our per-title algorithm within Streams, which analyzes the content and ensures that every video you upload will be available to viewers in the best possible quality.

8. Is Adaptive bitrate (ABR) enabled with Streams to ensure my audience can always see my content even if they don’t have a strong internet connection?

Of course. Every file you upload into the Streams dashboard goes through the Bitmovin Encoder, ensuring multiple variations of your video content are available for viewers, even when they don’t have the bandwidth to stream in higher quality.

9. I’m not the most experienced with setting up a streaming workflow. Is there any guide or help section to find out how to get started?

Yes, there is! Our getting started guide gives you a step-by-step guide to getting set up and streaming with Streams.

10. Does Streams enable me to reach viewers anywhere in the world?

Yes. We utilize the AWS global delivery network, so all you need to do is upload your content, embed our video player, and start streaming to viewers everywhere. China is the only location not included as per government policies.

11. Can I apply ads to Streams to monetize my content?

Currently, this functionality is available with our Player solution and not with Streams. However, we have it on our roadmap to add it as a feature for Streams as well. To let us know if this is an essential feature for you, start a conversation about it in the Bitmovin Developer Community or submit a ticket within the Bitmovin Dashboard.

12. Can I suggest a feature for Streams?

Definitely! We are always looking for feedback on how to make Streams better. To let us know about a feature you’d like to see, post it in the Bitmovin Developer Community or submit a ticket within the Bitmovin Dashboard

13. If I have any issues while using Streams, is there any support to help me?

Yes, there is! We have two methods of support for streams. First, you can go through the Bitmovin Dashboard by clicking on support on the lower left side and opening a ticket or posting a topic on the Bitmovin Developer Community.

14. How long does it take for content to be ready to stream once I’ve uploaded it?

Depending on the length of the content, It usually takes a few seconds for the video to be available in the lowest quality so you can see how it will play on the Bitmovin Player. After a few minutes, the content will be ready for viewing in higher quality. You will be able to see the encoding status of the video content by clicking into the content details page and looking at “Encoding” in the top right, where it will either say “Processing” or “Done.”

15. How do I see the analytics of my content?

When you click into your available content in the Streams section on the Bitmovin Dashboard, in the middle of the page, you will see “Performance” as an option next to “Embed.” When you click on “Performance” there, you will see the high-level analytics of that specific video.

16. Is there a holistic data viewing section that I can see?

Yes. Suppose you want to see each piece of content showcased in one view in the same dashboard. In that case, you can click on “Analytics” and “Audience” on the left side or go to the performance page of one of your uploaded pieces of content and “go to metric page,” and it will take you to the “Audience” page under “Analytics.”

17. Is analytics data real-time?

Yes. Data is made available for each piece of content you stream in real-time, so you can see how it plays for your viewers and optimize immediately if any errors occur.

18. Is there a limit on storage?

There is no limit on storage capacity. See the pricing page for more information on costs related to Streams.

19. Is there a limit on delivery bandwidth for the CDN?

There is no limit on CDN bandwidth capacity. See the pricing page for more information on costs related to Streams.

20. Is there an API I can use to upload content and create new “Streams”

Yes. View the API documentation.

21. Can I make the content I’ve uploaded unavailable but keep it in the storage?

Yes. Currently, it can only be done through API (view the API documentation), and we will make it available through the dashboard soon.

22. Is the content I stream secure and can only be accessed by the viewers I want?

Depending on your workflow, your stream will only be accessible where you embed it. However, DRM & Token Authentication functionality is currently being evaluated for Streams and is unavailable.

23. Are there any device limitations my content can play on?

Bitmovin supports the broadest range of devices on the market, and currently, with Streams, you can play content over web browsers, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and game consoles.

24. It seems that I am only able to stream on-demand content. Is there a way to stream live as well?

At the moment, Streams only enables on-demand streaming. However, we will shortly be enabling functionality to stream live as well.

25. What type of video file can I upload?

You can upload MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, MPEG2 TS, MPEG2 PS, MXF, LXF, GXF, 3GP, WebM, MPG, and Quicktime files.

26. Is it possible to use my own domain as a CNAME to the Streams URL provided by Bitmovin?

Currently, overriding the Streams URL generated with your own Domain CNAME is not possible.