Does Android support HLS Adaptive Bitrate Streaming

Question

I'm trying to implement adaptive bit-rate streaming in my app that automatically switch the quality depending on the connection speed. How could I achieve this. Is there is any third party library available for this. does the default android video view support adaptive bit-rate streaming?

Solution

Android supports HLS, please have a look at the Android documentation about Supported Media Formats.

There is also the ExoPlayer Open Source project, which supports MPEG-DASH and I think also HLS, which can be used to build native apps.

If you want to use the webview (or support playback in the browser) you could also use web-based players, like the Bitmovin Adaptive Streaming Player, which also supports MPEG-DASH and HLS.

Comments

[Drew S]

Where in the "Supported Media Formats" link do you see support for HLS? Did they update it or am I missing something. HLS is indeed working but I would like official documentation on it.

[Daniel]

It's listed in the network protocols section. I've updated the link to directly jump to that section. Please note that the use the full name instead of the abbreviation HLS, so what you're looking for is HTTP/HTTPS live streaming draft protocol.

[Drew S]

Thank you, I was indeed looking for the abbreviation.