Azure Media Service limit streaming endpoint usage

Question

Context: In Microsoft Azure Media Services (AMS), a Streaming Endpoint represents a streaming service that can deliver content directly to a client player application. Leaving the endpoint on all the time can be costly and waste of resources.

I'm building a web app that has a video player connected to the endpoint. My goals is to only leave the streaming endpoint on when users are active on the app and turn it off when no users are active.

Its easy to track if there users on the app or not using a analytics/metrics tool. Then we can make a simple API call to turn on/off the streaming endpoint.

Problem: when turning on the streaming endpoint from off state it takes a time before users can even hit play to watch video content.

What is the best way to tackle this challenge (limit streaming endpoint usage but also reduce the time it takes for the video to start playing )

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/media-services/previous/media-services-streaming-endpoints-overview

Answer 1

Thanks for asking question! The streaming endpoint wasn’t designed to be turned off and on like this, especially for video on demand (VOD) content. With VOD the assumption is that the streaming endpoint would run 24x7. The resources that the streaming endpoint needs do take a few moments to start. And if you have the CDN enabled, a while longer for that to be effective.

Also, The best way to share your feedback would be to create a User Voice feedback item and upvote it. The product group monitors this site for feedback. This is the best way to ensure you are heard and you may receive a response depending on how much they information they can currently share.

Hope this helps.