Adaptive bitrate streaming

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABS) automatically adjusts video quality based on each viewer's network speed and device capabilities. This eliminates buffering, speeds up playback startup, and delivers the best possible experience across all connections.

• Zero buffering: Video automatically adapts to network conditions in real-time
• Fast startup: Begins playback immediately at the lowest quality, then upgrades as bandwidth becomes available
• Universal compatibility: Works seamlessly across all devices from mobile to 4K displays
• Cost efficient: Viewers on slow connections download smaller files, reducing bandwidth costs

Recommended: Use the Video Player SDK for production implementations. It handles ABS automatically with zero configuration complexity:

const player = videoPlayer('my-video', {
  imagekitId: 'YOUR_IMAGEKIT_ID',
  abs: {
    protocol: 'hls', // or 'dash'
    sr: [240, 360, 480, 720, 1080] // Available resolutions
  }
});

player.src({
  src: 'https://ik.imagekit.io/<your-imagekit-id>/video.mp4'
});

That's it! The Video Player SDK handles:

• Manifest generation
• Quality adaptation based on bandwidth
• Seamless transitions between quality levels
• Playback optimization

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming works by splitting your video into multiple quality variants. The viewer's client (video player) loads the manifest file and continuously adapts playback:

1. Player loads manifest file with all available variants
2. Player starts playback at lowest bitrate for fast startup
3. Player monitors network speed and device capabilities
4. Player requests higher quality segments as bandwidth allows
5. Player downgrades quality if network slows down

This continuous adaptation creates a smooth experience without buffering or interruptions.

ImageKit automatically generates all required variants and manifest files from your original video. You only need to provide the source video—ImageKit creates everything else:

• Generates multiple quality versions (240p through 4K)
• Creates HLS and/or DASH manifest files
• Serves all files through ImageKit's CDN
• Caches aggressively for performance

The original video can be hosted in ImageKit Storage or external storage integrated with your ImageKit account.

ImageKit supports both major ABS protocols. Both work with all modern video players and leverage standard HTTP infrastructure including CDN caching:

• HTTP Live Streaming (HLS): Apple's standard, excellent compatibility with all devices
• MPEG-DASH: Industry standard, more flexible and efficient

Choose based on your target audience and player requirements. The Video Player SDK supports both seamlessly.

For custom implementations or when not using the Video Player SDK, construct manifest URLs directly.

https://ik.imagekit.io/YOUR_ID/path/to/video.mp4/ik-master.m3u8?tr=sr-240_360_480_720_1080

https://ik.imagekit.io/YOUR_ID/path/to/video.mp4/ik-master.mpd?tr=sr-240_360_480_720_1080

When you first request a manifest URL:

• Returns 202 Accepted status (processing)
• ImageKit generates variants in the background (takes seconds to minutes depending on file size)
• Second request returns 200 OK with the manifest

Use the <video> element with the appropriate MIME type for your chosen protocol (HLS uses application/x-mpegURL, DASH uses application/dash+xml).

Use the sr parameter to specify which quality variants to generate. You can include any combination of the supported representations below:

Usage: sr-240_360_480_720_1080

This tells ImageKit to generate 5 variants: 240p, 360p, 480p, 720p, and 1080p.

• Use Video Player SDK: The Video Player SDK handles ABS automatically with optimal quality adaptation.
• Include 360p and higher: Always include at least 360p for mobile, then 720p and 1080p for desktop.
• Test manifest generation: Allow 2-5 minutes for processing on first request depending on video size.

• Video Player SDK: Built-in ABS with automatic adaptation and enhanced playback controls
• Video transformations: Apply transformations alongside ABS for quality optimization
• Video optimization: Best practices for video delivery and performance
• Core delivery features: CDN caching, security, and delivery optimization