Understanding the Differences Between HLS and Low-Latency HLS
Tags: webdev, beginners, programming, learning
Published: 2024-05-07 09:15:46

Achieving minimal latency is crucial for ensuring a seamless viewing experience in video streaming. Thus, choosing an effective streaming protocol to minimize delays is essential. While HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) is celebrated for its reliability, it doesn’t always perform optimally in scenarios requiring real-time delivery, such as live sports or interactive events. Enter Low-Latency HLS (LL-HLS), an adaptation of HLS crafted specifically to reduce delays. This article will [explore the differences between HLS and LL-HLS](https://www.digitalsamba.com/blog/hls-vs-ll-hls), helping you select the most appropriate technology for your streaming needs. Let’s delve deeper!

What are HLS and LL-HLS?
HLS, or HTTP Live Streaming, is a widely recognized video streaming protocol developed by Apple. It delivers video content efficiently across different internet connections and devices by dividing a stream into smaller segments, which are then made available at various quality levels to ensure smooth playback tailored to the viewer’s connection.

However, standard HLS can introduce a notable delay — typically a few seconds between the live action and the viewer’s screen, which can detract from the experience in live scenarios.

LL-HLS addresses these latency issues by introducing:

Shorter segments: LL-HLS reduces the length of each streaming segment, allowing for quicker delivery. This means segments are made available as soon as they are ready rather than waiting for longer segments to complete.
Quicker delivery: By reducing segment length, LL-HLS allows data to reach the viewer faster, significantly cutting down on delay and enhancing the real-time streaming experience.
Low-Latency HLS is tailored for situations where lower latency is crucial, making it ideal for live broadcasts like sports events or interactive scenarios where viewers’ immediate engagement is necessary.

Understanding the differences between HLS and LL-HLS
HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and its newer counterpart, Low-Latency HLS (LL-HLS), are both protocols used extensively for streaming video content over the internet. While they share a common foundation, there are significant differences between them that impact their suitability for different types of content delivery:

Latency (delay):
HLS: Traditional HLS is designed to prioritise stream stability, which can result in delays ranging from 10 to 30 seconds. This level of latency is generally acceptable for video-on-demand content but may be better for live interactions.
LL-HLS: Created to enhance live streaming experiences, LL-HLS significantly reduces latency to as low as 2–3 seconds. This is particularly advantageous for scenarios that require real-time engagement, such as live sports or interactive broadcasts.
Segment sizes:
HLS typically utilizes longer segment sizes (6–10 seconds), which helps maintain uninterrupted playback across unstable network conditions.
LL-HLS: Utilizes much smaller “partial segments,” often less than a second in length, allowing for quicker delivery to the viewer and reducing the overall latency.
Compatibility:
HLS: Boasts extensive support across a wide range of browsers, devices, and operating systems, making it a reliable choice for broad deployment.
LL-HLS: While LL-HLS is gaining traction, it is primarily supported by Apple and may not yet be compatible with all devices and platforms.
Use cases:
HLS: Ideal for delivering standard video-on-demand services and live streams where slight delays are permissible and do not disrupt the viewer experience.
LL-HLS: Best suited for live events and applications where immediate interaction is crucial, such as online gaming, live auctions, and sports broadcasting.
Choosing between HLS and LL-HLS depends on your streaming application's specific needs. LL-HLS is recommended for situations where reducing latency is critical, whereas HLS remains a robust option for more conventional streaming requirements where compatibility and reliability are the primary concerns.

Elevate your real-time streaming with Digital Samba
Digital Samba stands out as the ideal choice for those seeking a robust, scalable, and straightforward video conferencing solution. While HLS and LL-HLS are reliable protocols, they may need to catch up in scenarios requiring true real-time interaction. Digital Samba excels in this area by harnessing the power of WebRTC technology to provide seamless real-time streaming.

Reasons to choose Digital Samba SDK/API for real-time video conferencing:

Effortless Integration: Our SDK and API are designed to integrate smoothly into your platform, simplifying the setup of video conferencing capabilities.
Crystal-Clear Quality: Enjoy high-definition video and audio that facilitate natural and engaging conversations, enhancing the user experience.
Reliability at Scale: Digital Samba is engineered to efficiently support large user volumes, maintaining high performance without sacrificing quality.
Developer-Friendly: With comprehensive documentation and developer support, our tools are built to ensure a seamless integration process.
Digital Samba provides a user-friendly and powerful solution for scenarios demanding minimal delay and live interaction, bringing real-time video conferencing directly to your applications.

Conclusion
Choosing the right streaming protocol depends on your specific requirements. While HLS offers stability and wide compatibility and is suitable for general video streaming, LL-HLS reduces delay significantly, which is ideal for live interactions. However, for the lowest possible latency and superior real-time communication, Digital Samba’s use of WebRTC technology offers unmatched quality and ease of setup.

Whether for live sports, interactive auctions, or any situation requiring instant response, Digital Samba delivers an exceptional experience. Sign up now to take advantage of our [10,000 free HD video call minutes](https://dashboard.digitalsamba.com/signup) offer and start transforming your digital communication strategy.