Bitrate selection and adaptive streaming for video ads

[Arnaud Leyder]

Hi, 

Flash IMA SDK and HTML5 IMA SDK.

When a VAST tag is returned we often see multiple format, sizes and bitrates for the video ads.

Do the above SDK provide bandwidth detection (client-side)? I mean assuming we have a large player (1280x720) and the VAST returns a suitable ad at this size for this player but the viewer device is on a slow network (say average 3G) will the SDK pick the 1280x720 ad rendition or will it opt automatically for a lower bitrate/resolution knowing the 1280x720 video ad cannot be played properly because the bitrate is too high for the network? I can see the AdsRenderingSettings bitrate setting default to -1 but does this indeed mean the SDK can opt for the better bitrate based on device network condition?

Also it is possible to playback video ads in HLS or MPEG-DASH format (assuming the VAST tag returns those format), where HLS or MPEG-DASH are supported by the device?

Thanks

Arnaud

[Tyler Sidell (IMA SDK Team)]

Hi Arnaud,

The SDK does select the better bitrate based on device network condition. Having said that for the HTML5 & Flash SDKs you can set a maximum bitrate using AdsRenderingSettings.bitrate to set a maximum bitrate. The SDK will pick media with bitrate below the specified max.

Specifically for Flash SDK, you can set a preferred bitrate using desiredBitrate.

The platform will play media files that are supported for that particular device. For instance, the IMA HTML5 will play what the browser can support natively. In most cases, dynamic media doesn't play in browsers. So HLS doesn't work on desktop outside of Safari.

Thanks,
Tyler Sidell
IMA SDK Team

[fcp juwel]

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