Embedded Files
Ads and overlays
Ads and overlays
The concept of server-guided ad insertion (SGAI), first introduced by Hulu in 2019, is getting increasingly popular in the industry. It is markedly more scalable than the traditional server-side (SSAI) approach, but nearly as resilient. It is more interoperable and more resilient than the client-side (CSAI) approach but is nearly as efficient and versatile.
Client-side graphic overlays are to a degree a reincarnation of the banner ads plaguing the web since the '90's. Their main use is not necessarily ad-related -- they are used in a variety of roles from station identification to localization to emergency notification. Their traditional implementation in the video was inserting them in baseband (i.e., pre-transcoder) in a playout system, which is the least scalable and the highest-latency approach possible in the video world.
The streaming ecosystem has standardized and maturing support for SGAI. Interstitials are used to implement the approach in HLS. XLink was used in the original MPEG DASH implementation of the approach; however, XLink suffers from a number of design flaws and was never widely implemented in context of live channels and events.
Media Presentation Insertion, a recent addition to MPEG DASH, revisits this concept and allows spawning a new media presentation while pausing the main channel. As opposed to HLS interstitials, media presentation insertion allows asynchronous termination ("return to network"), supports VAST tracking, and more.
The same server-guided model can be applied to the overlay use case and has a potential to improve scalability, targeting, and glass-to-glass latency in a dramatic way.
This talk will first describe the new MPEG-DASH media presentation description approach and its application to SGAI and blackouts. It will then cover the application of the same principles to the graphic overlays in MPEG-DASH. This presentation will conclude with a description and a demo of an open-source implementation of both technologies.
Overlays Demo
Overlays Demo
Through events signaled within the MPD, it is proposed to allow the player to announce Overlay Events based on HTML content or videos with transparency. These events enable a wide range of use cases, such as inserting logos for FAST channels, adding banners with ads, interactive content like scoreboards for sports events, Picture-in-Picture videos, among many other use cases.
It is also important to note that in other events, it is possible to update the content of an already existing overlay. This way, the video content and the overlay will always remain synchronized regardless of the specific latency of each player.
Discover some of the most powerful use cases built with dash.js
Discover some of the most powerful use cases built with dash.js
By using the HTML overlays inserted in the MPD, it is possible to alert all users of any threat that may be near their home or the location where they are viewing the content.
Using your VOD library to create FAST channels is a great way to monetize your content. Now, with Overlays, it’s also possible to add your logo without the need to pre-process the video. In this example, you can see an overlay of a video with transparency on top of the FAST channel content
Two important sporting events happening at the same time? Create Picture-in-Picture experiences showcasing these events on the MPD so your customers don't need to do more channel surfing.
With Overlays, you can monetize your content seamlessly by displaying ads directly over your videos using HTML or video Overlays.
By enabling communication between the main content and the HTML overlay, it is possible to create overlays synchronized with the main content. Thanks to this, we can create identical experiences for all users.
As overlays can be videos you can make content accessible for everyone adding sign language interpretation to your videos by doing a Picture-in-Picture.
Technical details
Technical details
MPD signaling
MPD signaling
Within the MPD, it will be possible to send Overlay events, which can be videos or HTML content. This specification is not yet finalized, but it has a lot of potential, and we are eager to receive various use cases in order to create a specification that is flexible enough but not overly complex.
Player and overlay communication
Player and overlay communication
In the case of HTML overlays, communication between the main content and the overlay is possible through messaging. To achieve synchronization between the overlay content and the main video, the player constantly announces all events and the current position on the timeline. Additionally, events within the MPD can send update information to the overlay using the same procedure. To know more about this approach, take a look at the synchronized overlay demo where you can see the code of this Proof of Concept not yet implemented into the player.
Page updated
Report abuse