Reduce Buffering for Your Streaming Viewers with this Very Simple Trick

Frustration of buffering can quickly turn an enjoyable viewing session into a hassle. Buffering issues often arise due to variations in network conditions, but did you know that there's a simple trick you can use to significantly reduce buffering for your viewers? In this article, we'll delve into the world of manifest manipulation and explain how a minor adjustment – putting the lowest resolution video first – can work wonders in minimizing buffering. Keep reading to learn more about this easy and quick tweak that can greatly enhance your viewers' streaming experience.

Understanding Buffering and the Manifest File

Buffering occurs when the video player doesn't have enough data pre-loaded to play the video seamlessly. The video player tries to stay ahead of your viewing, loading a few seconds of video ahead of what you're watching. This is where the manifest file, a crucial component of adaptive streaming, comes into play.

A manifest file is essentially a roadmap for the video player, providing information about available video quality options (resolutions and bitrates) and their corresponding URLs. Adaptive streaming technology allows the video player to dynamically switch between these different quality options based on the viewer's network conditions. The video player downloads the required segments of the video at the selected quality level in advance, which helps to prevent buffering.

Numerous online video platforms depend on external providers such as edg.io (formerly Limelight MMD or MMOD) or solutions like AWS, often lacking the capacity for fine-tuning on the streaming end. Their focus tends to revolve around selling data traffic rather than optimizing video delivery. This reduced flexibility frequently results in increased buffering instances and compatibility challenges, ultimately affecting the seamless viewing experience for your audience

Reduce Buffering for Your Streaming Viewers with this Very Simple Trick

The Very Simple Trick: Putting Lowest Resolution First

While most modern video players are quite adept at choosing the appropriate quality level based on the viewer's network conditions, there's a neat trick you can use to further optimize this process. By rearranging the order of quality options in the manifest file and placing the lowest resolution video as the first option, you can help the video player make a smarter initial choice, thereby reducing the chances of buffering.

Why Does It Work?

When the video player loads the manifest file and sees the lowest resolution option first, it will begin buffering and playing that version immediately. This means that viewers on slower connections will start watching the video sooner, as the lower resolution video requires less data to buffer. As the video progresses, the video player can then adaptively switch to higher resolutions if the network conditions improve, enhancing the viewing experience.

Limitations and Considerations

It's important to note that this manipulation works best with online video providers that host their own videos and don't rely on external third-party services for live streaming.

How to Implement the Adjustment

Access the Manifest File: You'll need access to the manifest file for the video you're hosting. This could involve contacting your video hosting provider or accessing your own server if you're self-hosting the videos.
Rearrange Quality Options: Edit the manifest file and rearrange the order of the quality options, placing the lowest resolution video's URL as the first entry.
Finetune: Dynamically adapt for different viewers, different context.

Buffering issues can be a major headache for both content creators and viewers. By employing a simple 5-second adjustment – placing the lowest resolution video first in the manifest – you can empower your video player to make smarter initial quality choices, minimizing buffering and enhancing the streaming experience. However, remember that this trick might not work universally, and thorough testing is essential. Give it a try and watch your viewers enjoy smoother, uninterrupted playback.

Article written by
Sylvain Corvaisier