Why Protect Streams?
Videolinq's Stream Protection is an excellent alternative to complex setups and expensive DRM solutions. It works with both live and pre-recorded video managed by the Videolinq platform and adds privacy and protection to video streaming with the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol.
Watch a 12-minute webinar explaining this feature:
Stream Protection is available on the Premium and Enterprise+ subscription plans. It can be configured on Channels or Players. When configured on a Player, Stream Protection can be used with content hosted by other video platforms or CDNs. Stream requests can be restricted to play only to:
Authorized domain names.
Geographic locations.
IP addresses.
Stream Protection does not apply to live streams sent to social media platforms.
Channel Settings
To configure Stream Protection open an active or a new channel. Click on the "Privacy" tab. This will apply when you want to -
Use Videolinq as a streaming provider.
Create a Videolinq Player from the HLS path provided in the channel.
Privacy by domain:
Type the domain(s) you want to allow the stream to come from. When you hit 'Enter' data sync. Privacy rules are attached to a channel/player until removed.
Privacy by geographical region:
Drop down the country list and check country names. Countries checked will allow viewers coming from their access to the broadcast. Everyone else will be blocked.
Privacy by IP:
Type the IP ranges allowed to pull the video. For example "192.168.1.2" or "10.5.1.0/24". IPs hidden before proxy or DNS servers will be invisible and therefore cannot be used. IPV6 numbers are not supported.
Player Privacy
The Videolinq Player includes the same protection rules found in the channel. Settings here override the channel settings. Point to the Videolinq channel HLS path, or to other streaming video services and content delivery networks like Akamai. Remember to "Save" each time a change is made. The Embed player code does not need to be updated on the website after changes were made.
HLS Path Change
When using the privacy settings to secure a stream, flag the stream as a secure stream, by changing the HLS path provided by the channel from this:
https://out.videolinq.net/stream/1234567@abcdefg/playlist.m3u8
to this:
https://out-s.videolinq.net/stream/1234567@abcdefg/playlist.m3u8
If you have questions about the Stream Protection service - contact customer service!