Transcode live video content for streaming with low latency on Google Cloud.
What is the Live Stream API?
The Live Stream API is a fully managed service for live video transcoding on Google Cloud. It enables conversion of RTMP streams into adaptive HLS/DASH formats for streaming to millions of viewers with low latency.
The service offers automatic scaling, integrated CDN connectivity, and 99.9% availability. Live Stream API uses Google-optimized video encoders for efficient compression with high quality.
Common Use Cases
Live Events and Conferences
Streaming conferences, webinars, and events in multiple resolutions. Adaptive bitrate control adjusts quality to bandwidth. Integration with Cloud Storage for automatic recording.
Broadcast and Sports Streaming
Broadcasting sports events and TV programs with low latency. Multi-region deployment reduces geographic delays. Redundant encoder configuration increases reliability.
Gaming and E-Sports
Live streaming of gaming content with minimal latency. Integration with YouTube Live and other platforms. Support for high resolutions up to 4K/60fps.
Educational Streaming
Live transmission of lectures and training sessions. Interactive features through integration with other GCP services. Archiving for on-demand access after live events.
Live Stream API Comparison
vs. AWS Elemental MediaLive: Comparable features, Google Cloud offers simpler API and pricing model. AWS stronger in broadcast-grade features. Live Stream API excels with YouTube integration.
vs. Azure Media Services: Azure offers more comprehensive feature set for professional broadcasters. Google Cloud simpler for standard streaming scenarios. Better ML integration for content analysis.
Integration with innFactory
As a Google Cloud partner, innFactory supports you with live streaming projects: architecture design, CDN integration, latency optimization, monitoring setup, and cost optimization.
Contact us for consultation on Live Stream API and video streaming solutions.
Available Tiers & Options
Standard
- Fully managed
- Automatic scaling
- Low latency
- Multi-format output
- Pricing varies by resolution
- Regional availability
Typical Use Cases
Technical Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Live Stream API?
The Live Stream API enables transcoding of live video streams into various formats and resolutions. It supports RTMP input and generates HLS/DASH output for adaptive streaming with low latency.
Which streaming protocols are supported?
The API accepts RTMP as input protocol and generates HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) as output. It supports multi-bitrate encoding for adaptive playback.
How does transcoding work?
The API transcodes live streams in real-time into multiple resolutions (SD, HD, 4K). It uses Google-optimized encoders for efficient compression with high quality. Latency typically remains under 10 seconds.
How do I integrate the Live Stream API into my application?
Create a channel via the API, configure input (RTMP endpoint) and output profiles, start the stream, and distribute HLS/DASH manifests via CDN. Client libraries are available for common programming languages.
What does the Live Stream API cost?
Billing is based on transcoded video duration and resolution. HD streaming costs approximately $0.05 per output hour, 4K approximately $0.20 per hour. Additional costs for Cloud Storage and CDN traffic apply.
How does the Live Stream API scale?
The API scales automatically based on the number of concurrent streams. You can operate multiple channels in parallel. Google infrastructure guarantees high availability and low latency worldwide.
