Test Your Streams with Castr HLS/M3U8 Player

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Castr HTML5 HLS/M3U8
Player Features

HLS / MPEG-DASH Support

Our player supports HLS, MPEG-DASH and Progressive streaming. With Castr Livestreaming CDN, you can deliver content using any of those protocol.

Adaptive Bitrate for HLS

Experience smooth streaming with our adaptive bitrate technology designed for HLS streams. Castr transcodes your livestreams to multiple bitrates — so you can deliver content across multiple devices without buffering, lag, or delay.

Chromecast Support

Our HLS/m3u8 player supports built-in support for Chromecast and Airplay. You can start streaming on Castr and get these features enabled within your player.

Ad Injection

Castr HTML5 HLS/m3u8 player supports VAST/VPAID integration. With our enterprise plans, you will get complete access to the player for full customization.

Paywall

Monetize both live and on-demand videos in TVOD and AVOD using VAST and VPAID integration.

Analytics

Track your HLS and m3u8 streams with our advanced video analytics. Integrate easily with Google Analytics to gain comprehensive insights for the player.

Playlist for HLS Streams

Create engaging playlists for your HLS/m3u8 content. Our player allows for seamless compilation of uploaded content into a continuous playback experience.

Dynamic Player

Our Dynamic Player simplifies content management. Get a single embed code and switch between on-demand content or live HLS/m3u8 videos easily, without updating your website each time.

Live HLS Transcoding

Our player supports live transcoding for HLS streams, including codec conversion, resolution adjustment, frame rate adjustment, and interlaced to progressive conversion.

Live to VOD

Transform your live HLS streams into on-demand videos effortlessly, enabling a flexible viewing experience for your audience.

VOD to Live

Broadcast pre-recorded content as live HLS streams, enhancing engagement and providing a dynamic viewing experience.

HLS URL

We offer HLS URL that can be used on your OTT apps, or if you want to use it on your custom player you can use our HLS URL that comes directly from the CDN.   

Password Protection

Secure your HLS and m3u8 streams with password protection, ensuring your content is viewed only by your intended audience.

GEO Blocking

Control who watches your content by enabling geo-blocking for your HLS/m3u8 streams, including both block and whitelist options to manage access effectively.

Domain Protection

Ensure your HLS and m3u8 streams are secure with Castr’s domain referrer protection, preventing unauthorized embeds and securing your player exclusively to your domain.

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Trusted by 200,000+ Streamers

We're rated 4.7 out of 5 on

The glue that brings things together. Very easy to use with lots of platforms available to choose from. Support is very responsive if you have any issues.

Clayton C.

Assistant Director, Government Administration

Our overall experience with Castr has been completely positive. We stream weekly to Facebook, YouTube, and Periscope all at the same time, and have really seen an improvement in our social media reach and especially engagement. It's a really fair price and a great service.

Brian C.

General Manager, Entertainment

The customer service has been great. Questions are answered in a timely manner and completely.

Tim W.

Assistant Pastor, Religious Institution

Overall Castr has been excellent and in the few issues I have experienced, customer service has sorted things out very quickly. I have never had my stream cut out. It offers Pull URL at no extra cost on my package which is much cheaper than other similar services.

Stephen C.

Content Creator, Media Production

A critical part of our stream. Castr was exactly what we needed to livestream our show on multiple platforms at the same time. Simply put, we wouldn't have the audience that we currently do without Castr. It's an integral part of our daily operation.

Todd D.

General Manager, Broadcast Media

Best multistreaming out there! When looking for a solution to livestream to both Facebook and YouTube, we came across Castr and it solved all of our issues. We love the fact that it doesn't require you to put any of their branding in the descriptions and that the stream looks great on both sites.

Jake B.

Creative Director, Religious Institution

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Frequently asked questions

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What is an HLS/m3u8 player?

An HLS/M3U8 player is a type of player specifically designed to support HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and M3U8 playlist files. HLS/m3u8 players are essential for delivering high-quality, adaptive video streams across different devices, ensuring a seamless viewing experience across all devices.
What is the M3U8 link?

An M3U8 link is a URL or file path that points to a playlist file used in HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). This file format, which ends in ".m3u8", contains a list of media files, or segments, that are part of a multimedia presentation. It is particularly used for delivering streaming video content over the internet and is widely supported across various devices and platforms.
How to test an m3u8 link?

Testing an M3U8 link to ensure smooth streaming quality is straightforward with Castr HLS/m3u8 player. Follow these steps to test your HLS streams effectively:
1. Go to castr.com/hlsplayer to access the player
2. Enter the m3u8 link you wish to test into the designated field and click “Play” to initiate the stream.
3. Castr player will load and and begin playing the stream.
4. You can now watch the playback to assess video quality and stability. Look for any issues such as buffering, interruptions, or quality degradation.
How does Adaptive Bitrate Streaming improve viewing experience?

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming dynamically adjusts video quality during playback based on the viewer's network conditions. This feature minimizes buffering, lag, or delays, ensuring an optimal viewing experience even when internet speeds fluctuate.
How can I ensure the security of my HLS streams?

Our HLS/M3U8 player offers several security features, including password protection, GEO blocking, and domain referrer protection. These features help control access to your streams, ensuring that your content is viewed only by your intended audience and is protected against unauthorized use.
What is Castr?

Castr is a video streaming platform that specializes in providing top-tier solutions for livestreaming, multistreaming, video-on-demand (VOD), and IP camera streaming solutions.
What types of subscription plans does Castr offer?

Castr offer several subscription plans that meet every need. From low cost plans to advanced and enterprise-level solutions. Check out Castr pricing for more information. All plans come with an embeddable player powered by Akamai CDN, ensuring optimal HLS stream delivery. Features also include multistreaming, video hosting, and integrated paywall features.