New Zixi Broadcaster Features

HLS Input

Zixi Broadcaster’s version 1.11 features support for HLS input streams. The HLS stream can include adaptive bitrate streaming as an input to the Zixi Broadcaster. Alternatively, the Input URL can point to a specific bitrate variant. This input can be converted to all other Zixi Broadcaster-supported formats.

New Output Types

• HTTP Push – The new version features HTTP Push outputs.  The output is sent as an HTTP PUT request. The source of HTTP Push output is a predefined adaptive group with HLS or DASH fragments. Outdated stream fragments can be explicitly deleted from the server using HTTP DELETE.
• S3 Bucket – This is a specialized type of HTTP Push output that pushes the stream to an AWS S3 Bucket. The native S3 support includes the ability to configure the S3 authentication credentials and region. 
• Facebook and YouTube Live RTMP – As part of the RTMP output configuration process, it is now possible to configure Facebook Live and You Tube Live targets. This enables you to send an RTMP stream into Facebook Live or YouTube Live using their native authorization/login and settings.

DTLS Encryption

Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) is a communications protocol that provides security for datagram-based applications by allowing them to communicate in a way that is designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery. The DTLS protocol is based on the stream-oriented Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol and is intended to provide similar security guarantees.

The new version features DTLS encryption and identity authentication. This feature can be used in conjunction with static key AES scrambling for end-to-end encryption. The DTLS encryption replaces the “Automatic Encryption” option, which was available in previous versions.

DTLS encryption can be configured on any Input or Output UDP port on the Zixi Broadcaster. This feature is activated and configured in the Settings page. A DTLS server is configured using certificate and private key files in X.509 PEM format, similar to the files used to enable an HTTPS server.

New Trancoder Modes

For Zixi Broadcasters that have a Transcoder license, the new release features the following new transcoding modes:

• Video only – transcoding of the stream where the output does not include the audio channel.
• Audio only – transcoding of the stream where the output does not include the video channel.

Histogram Graphs for Outputs

Output stream statistics now include history graphs. While viewing the stats (at the bottom of the screen) for a selected Output stream, you can now click on the graph icon next to a specific parameter to view a graph containing the historical data for that parameter.

Recording File Name Template

The recording options (Inputs and Adaptive) include the ability to configure a template for naming recoded files.  The template uses dynamic variables for the following parameters:

• %S= Stream ID
• %Y=year
• %M=month
• %D=day
• %T=time, in HH.MM.SS format

Host Machine Info

The Status screen in the new version displays detailed HW system information of the underlying machine, running the Zixi Broadcaster. This information includes the number of processors, cores, and RAM, as well as details regarding the Operating System.

Additional Support for SCTE-35 Markers

SCTE-35 (ANSI/SCTE 35 2013), also known as "Digital Program Insertion Cueing Message for Cable”, is a standard that describes the inline insertion of cue tones in MPEG-TS streams. SCTE-35 is used in the US to signal a local ad insertion opportunity in the transport stream, and in Europe to insert local TV programs. In addition to the triggering of CUE-OUT/CUE-IN lines in the HLS Manifest, which was available in previous releases, in this release when converting the Transport Stream to RTMP, the SCTE-35 markers at the source trigger OnCuePoint call function in the RTMP stream.

New Zixi Feeder Features

Automatic Bonding

Zixi Feeder features the ability to bond all available network interfaces when outputting a stream to a Zixi Broadcaster. Selecting the “ALL” option in the IP field, instructs Zixi Feeder to use all available network interfaces, while automatically adapting to changes in the IP addresses without requiring additional configuration.

New Zixi Receiver Features

Adaptive Streaming

When pulling the name of an adaptive group in the Zixi Receiver, a list of supported bitrates is now displayed. You can select a specific bitrate or you can select Auto for automatic bitrate adaptation based on the available bitrate on the link between the Zixi Broadcaster and the Zixi Receiver.  This feature detects the bandwidth between Zixi Broadcaster and Zixi Receiver and dynamically adjusts the quality of a video stream accordingly. To enable this feature, the input URL should point to a name of an adaptive bitrate group (a group of streams with various bitrates and resolutions).