Sportall Optimizes Its Streaming Experience with Bitmovin and Quanteec
Sportall, an OTT platform specializing in sports content and a client of QUANTEEC for over a year, has worked intensively to maximize the offload efficiency and improve the delivery capacity from the CDNs it operates with. This goal was achieved by enhancing the next-generation P2P streaming service provided by QUANTEEC. During this process, it became clear that the performance of the video player and its built-in quality adaptation algorithms played a crucial role in maximizing the benefits of QUANTEEC’s technology. While the existing player provided a solid foundation, Sportall’s technical team saw an opportunity to streamline their efforts by leveraging a specialized solution. By adopting a more advanced player, they could focus on other key innovations while ensuring optimal conditions for QUANTEEC’s plugin to deliver the best possible results.
Identifying Key Challenges
Before implementing the improvements, Sportall faced two significant technical challenges with its previous setup, which was based on React-Video and hls.js:
1. Freezing recovery: Any minimal interruption in the connection caused the player to stop working, forcing users to restart the stream manually. This issue, particularly critical during live events, impacted the user experience and reduced the efficiency of QUANTEEC.
2. Unstable Management of Variable Bitrate (QVBR): QVBR dynamically adjusts the bitrate to deliver superior video quality without unnecessarily increasing file size. However, the previous player found it challenging to handle these transitions effectively, leading to constant fluctuations in video quality. This negatively impacted the user experience but also hindered the efficiency of QUANTEEC’s P2P network.
The Solution: A Robust Player to Power P2P Technology
To address these issues, Sportall implemented the Bitmovin player to handle complex video streams stably and efficiently. This player directly resolved the identified problems and provided a solid foundation for QUANTEEC’s plugin to operate optimally, improving video streaming.
QUANTEEC’s next-gen P2P technology, integrated directly into the video player, greatly benefited from Bitmovin’s robustness. The stability in bitrate management enabled QUANTEEC’s P2P algorithms to operate more effectively. As a result, peer selection improved, content distribution among users became more efficient, leading to a better overall quality of experience (QoE) for viewers, and Sportall’s CDNs experienced maximized offloading.
Impact: Cost Savings, Sustainability, and Scalability
The implementation of Bitmovin’s player, combined with QUANTEEC’s technology, has delivered significant impacts for Sportall:
• Cost Savings: Sportall has significantly reduced its delivery costs by using P2P technology to maximize offloads from CDNs.
• Energy Efficiency: Reducing dependence on CDNs optimizes costs and lowers energy consumption. QUANTEEC measures and presents these savings through clear and detailed analytics.
• Preparedness for Scalability: Sportall is better equipped to handle unexpected audience spikes. The ability to scale rapidly and seamlessly ensures smooth transmissions, even during peak demand moments.
A Collaboration Built on Synergy
Bitmovin and QUANTEEC have long explored the potential of collaboration, investigating how their technologies can complement each other to enhance the streaming experience. This partnership extends through the Ecoflow project, where QUANTEEC and Bitmovin collaborated with various companies to promote sustainable streaming solutions. Additionally, QUANTEEC is involved in the Greening of Streaming, working alongside other industry leaders to reduce the environmental footprint of streaming. This case demonstrates how combining a solid player with innovative P2P technology can have a tangible impact on platforms like Sportall.
With this integration, Sportall strengthens its commitment to its community, ensuring that its live sports broadcasts and on-demand content are reliable, high-quality, and sustainable.
About the Companies
• Bitmovin: A leader in video technology, offering a versatile and advanced player compatible with modern protocols like DASH and HLS, adaptable to any configuration.
• QUANTEEC: An innovator in P2P streaming technology, turning users into active nodes for efficient content distribution, reducing costs, and promoting sustainability.
• Sportall: A global leader in the Sports streaming industry, enabling national and international Sports Rights Holders to build and operate their own Digital Sports media.
