Live Stream API on Google Cloud transcodes live video streams for adaptive streaming with low latency.
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 or SRT streams into adaptive HLS and DASH formats for streaming to large audiences with low latency.
The service offers automatic scaling and can be combined with CDN solutions. The Live Stream API uses Google-optimized video encoders for efficient compression with high quality. Pricing is tiered by region.
Core Features
- Input via RTMP or SRT with H.264 video and AAC audio
- Output as HLS (fMP4 or MPEG2-TS) and MPEG-DASH (fMP4)
- Encryption options such as AES-128, SAMPLE-AES, and MPEG-CENC
- Automatic scaling for multiple parallel channels
- Multi-bitrate encoding for adaptive playback
Typical Use Cases
Live Events and Conferences
Streaming conferences, webinars, and events in multiple resolutions. Adaptive bitrate control adjusts quality to available bandwidth. Integration with Cloud Storage enables automatic recording.
Broadcast and Sports Streaming
Broadcasting sports events and TV programs with low latency. Multi-region deployment reduces geographic delays.
Gaming and E-Sports
Live streaming of gaming content with low latency, including support for high resolutions and frame rates.
Educational Streaming
Live transmission of lectures and training sessions with subsequent archiving for on-demand access.
Benefits
- Fully managed service without owning encoder infrastructure
- Support for multiple input and output protocols
- Automatic scaling as viewer numbers change
- Encryption options for DRM-protected content
Integration with innFactory
As a certified Google Cloud Partner, innFactory supports live streaming projects: architecture design, CDN integration, latency optimization, monitoring setup, and cost optimization.
Available Tiers & Options
Standard
- Fully managed
- Automatic scaling
- Low latency
- Multi-format output
- Pricing varies by region and resolution
- Check 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 accepts RTMP or SRT input and generates HLS and DASH output for adaptive streaming.
Which streaming protocols are supported?
The API accepts RTMP and SRT as input protocols with H.264 video and AAC audio. Output formats are HLS (with fMP4 or MPEG2-TS segments) and MPEG-DASH (with fMP4 segments), including encryption options such as AES-128 and MPEG-CENC.
How does transcoding work?
The API transcodes live streams in real time into multiple resolutions and bitrates for adaptive playback. It uses Google-optimized encoders for efficient compression with high quality.
How do I integrate the Live Stream API into my application?
Create a channel via the API, configure input (RTMP or SRT endpoint) and output profiles, start the stream, and distribute the HLS/DASH manifests via a CDN. Client libraries are available for common programming languages.
What does the Live Stream API cost?
Billing is based on transcoded video duration, resolution, and region. Additional costs apply for Cloud Storage and CDN traffic. Current prices are available in the official Google Cloud pricing list.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Google Cloud (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Google Cloud.
