How does VLC handle HTTP streams?

[heftylou]

Hello, I'm currently trying to make an application that can display a live stream from a URL using HTTP. The actual stream is represented as a .ts file.

An example URL would be: "http://host.me:9999/streams/snek.ts"

I'm writing my program in Java, using vlcj and so far, this is the code I have so far: https://pastebin.com/dnqQ6Yt9

The thing is, it pauses... alot.

Now, I know I can change my code to be something like this:

Code: Select all

SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() { public void run() { JFrame frame = new JFrame("A GUI"); frame.setBounds(100, 100, 600, 400); frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE); EmbeddedMediaPlayerComponent mediaPlayer = new EmbeddedMediaPlayerComponent(); frame.setContentPane(mediaPlayer); frame.setVisible(true); //play the StreamMedia object I've created //Play the URL directly instead of creating my own Media class mediaPlayer.getMediaPlayer().playMedia("MY URL"); } });

And that in-fact fixes my stuttering/pausing problem because VLC handles all the network stuff.

However, I also want to record the stream itself and by going this route, I won't be able to customize how VLC reads from the stream.

What am I missing in my original code that's preventing from having the smooth playback as passing in the URL directly?
I've tried buffered inputstreams, but things are read to quickly and it's back to square one with the stuttering.

I'm pretty new to the vlc community and vlcj so apologies if I'm missing obvious things. I also don't have much experience with http.

Thanks.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Your code is probably taking too long to return data, so the VLC buffers get empty.

[heftylou]

Any suggestions to avoid that?

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Return data faster.

[heftylou]

The thing is I can't. I've given my current code and as far as I know, that's how you create an http connection.

My main question is how vlc itself handles an http link when opening media.

[InTheWings]

The right question is: Is there a standard Header in HTTP to flag the content as Paced vs non Paced ?

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

My main question is how vlc itself handles an http link when opening media.

Well... it implements the HTTP protocol on client side using BSD sockets.