The playback chain
Your stream, through a managed delivery path
- Your HLS sourceYou operate it and have publishing rights.
- TransferSize relayPasses through the configured stream.
- Viewer’s playerMust support the source formats.
Bring a stream you control
Live Relay reads the playlist and segments from your source. Do not use it for a stream you do not own or have permission to publish.
You need a stream before you need a relay
HLS is a playlist, usually ending in .m3u8, plus short pieces of video that the player downloads in sequence. An origin is the server providing those pieces. A camera feed or ordinary MP4 file is not automatically an HLS source just because it contains video.
Before going live
Check each part of the chain
| You provide | Check before the event |
|---|---|
| Publishing permission | The source, audience and event window are authorized. |
| Healthy HTTPS HLS source | Playlists, segments and source access stay available. |
| Compatible playback | Test the actual viewer devices and codecs. |
| Operating plan | Allow for traffic and monitor source and viewer playback. |
It does not fix or convert video
The source must already have valid playlists, working segments, supported codecs, and the video qualities you want viewers to receive.
Pass-through means the source stays in charge of quality
The relay does not create new resolutions, repair broken segments, change codecs, or manufacture captions. If you want a lower-quality choice for slower connections, your original stream must provide it. Test both the source and the complete relay path.
Useful detail
Operate the event with clear limits
Watch it during the event
Test the source first, keep its access working, and monitor both the source and relay. The base add-on includes one source, 100 hours, 250 GB of traffic, and up to 12 Mbps.
Audience size affects traffic
One source watched by many people can use much more delivery traffic than its running time suggests. Hours, gigabytes, and bitrate are separate limits. Review the add-on and rehearse with a realistic device mix before promising a live event to an audience.
Access control does not grant publishing rights
Use sources you operate or have explicit authority to republish to that audience. A public URL is not a license. The relay also cannot prevent someone who can watch a stream from recording their screen.
Questions
Questions people ask
Can it turn a video file into HLS?
No. It only passes through an existing HLS source.
Can I relay someone else's stream?
Only with clear permission to access and republish it.
Your next step
Read the Live Relay guide →Check the source, plan the audience, and rehearse before the event.