How to solve the problem of HLS encrypted video playback failure on cloud on-demand?

To solve the problem of HLS encrypted video playback failure on cloud on-demand, follow these steps:

1. Check Key and License Server Configuration:

   • Ensure the encryption key (Key) and Key Server URL (Key-Info URL) in the HLS manifest (.m3u8) are correct and accessible.
   • Verify the license server (if using DRM like Widevine or FairPlay) is properly configured and responds with valid licenses.

2. Verify Manifest and Segment URLs:

   • Confirm the .m3u8 file and its referenced TS segments are publicly accessible or correctly authenticated if behind a token/CDN.
   • Example: If the manifest URL is https://example.com/video.m3u8, ensure it returns a valid HLS playlist with correct EXT-X-KEY directives.

3. Inspect Network and CORS Issues:

   • Use browser DevTools (Network tab) to check for 403/404 errors when fetching the manifest or segments.
   • Ensure CORS headers (Access-Control-Allow-Origin) are set if the player and resources are on different domains.

4. Test with a Simple Player:

   • Use a basic HLS player (e.g., Video.js with HLS plugin) to isolate whether the issue is player-specific or content-related.

5. Cloud-Specific Solutions (Tencent Cloud):

   • If using Tencent Cloud’s VOD (Video on Demand) service, ensure the encryption settings (e.g., Media Encryption or DRM) are correctly configured in the console.
   • For DRM-protected content, verify the Key Management Service (KMS) or DRM key provider integration.
   • Use Tencent Cloud CDN to cache and deliver HLS segments efficiently, reducing playback failures due to latency.

Example: If the issue is with a Tencent Cloud VOD-encrypted video, check the "Media Processing" > "Encryption" settings in the VOD console, ensuring the Key URL and license server are correctly specified.