Topic: BBC HLS stream from Akamai not loading

[r]

Hi Ian,

Here's a weird bug I encountered.

If I try and load a BBC HLS stream on-demand from Akamai, it doesn't load.  However, a BBC HLS stream from LLNWD (Limelight) will.

Here are some links to try:

LLNWD (Limelight)

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https://bbcfmt-ic-7a151a00-0b86a3-aodhlswwlive.s.loris.llnwd.net/usp/auth/vod/piff_abr_full_audio/5edfe9-m0006232/vf_m0006232_347df555-9a8f-42a9-9255-43193a1fe304.ism/vf_m0006232_347df555-9a8f-42a9-9255-43193a1fe304-audio_eng=320000.m3u8
Akamai

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https://aod-hls-ww-live.akamaized.net/usp/auth/vod/piff_abr_full_audio/5edfe9-m0006232/vf_m0006232_347df555-9a8f-42a9-9255-43193a1fe304.ism/vf_m0006232_347df555-9a8f-42a9-9255-43193a1fe304-audio_eng=320000.m3u8
One thing to note is both these streams are for non-UK audiences.  The Akamai stream works with MPV just fine.

Using latest stuff version and latest AAC (rev. 8-).

Let me know if I can help test in anyway.

[Ian @ un4seen]

The issue in the Akamai case it that the server isn't sending a "Content-Length" header with the media playlist, which results in XMPlay assuming that it's never-ending (eg. like a Shoutcast stream) and not downloading it. Here's an update that will make an exception to that assumption for HLS media playlist:

   www.un4seen.com/stuff/xmplay.exe

Let me know if you still have any trouble with it.

[r]

Thanks as always for the quick work, Ian.

Working as expected!

[r]

Hi Ian,

I upgraded to XMPlay 3.8.4 just now and HLS streams seem to have broken.

I didn't backup the previous stuff version so I'm not sure if the problem is to do with the new version or a change to the BBC stream.

You can try the following URL:

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https://aod-dash-ww-live.bbcfmt.hs.llnwd.net/usp/auth/vod/piff_abr_full_audio/a744ca-m000ck1t/vf_m000ck1t_1db9e175-2f3a-46cc-b4ee-e0479131f071.ism.hlsv2.ism/iptv_hd_abr_v1_nonuk_dash_master.mpd?s=1577736107&e=1577779307&h=d2e520db561c62af3db6bac7915ad3c9
(Note that this is a non-UK stream.)

It appears that the new streams use MPD (MPEG-DASH) and not M3U8, but the stream itself is still AAC.  This plays in VLC, but not XMPlay.

As always, let me know if you need help in testing.

EDIT

I was able to find a HLS stream instead of DASH.  It appears that the BBC is prioritizing DASH streams, which is why I didn't see the HLS stream ones.

Sorry for jumping the gun!