HSS (Smooth Streaming)
Quick look-up table
| HSS | |
|---|---|
| Type of streaming | Psuedo streaming |
| Development State | Not actively maintained |
| Expected Latency | < 30 s |
| Connection type | HTTP(S) |
| Container type | MP4 (CMAF) |
| Where | Silverlight Player |
| Default Port | 80, 443 |
| Modern codecs | H264, AAC |
| Difficulty of read | Beginner |
| Notes | * |
What do I need to know about HSS?
HSS stands for Microsoft HTTP Smooth Streaming, it is also known as MSS, PIFF or Smooth Streaming. It was Microsofts answer to Apple HLS. The one thing to know about it however is that it is no longer in active development. The specification has been completely obsolved by the DASH protocol. If you are interested in HSS it is recommended you look at DASH instead. It launched in 2007, but since 2015 Microsoft has officially recommended to move away from it towards alternatives such as DASH. As of 2021 official support for Silverlight/HSS has ended.
When would you use HSS?
If you work with something ancient that requires HSS
Today, there's no reason to use HSS for anything unless you get specific requirements to work with it and even then you should seriously consider the alternatives.
Things you need to know about using HSS
- HSS requires a Silverlight player, only very specific versions of very specific browsers support this.
Advantages of HSS
- None
Disadvantages of HSS
- No longer supported in modern systems
Ready to move away from HSS?
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