Latency Control

One of Vindral Live's key differentiators is its configurable latency system. Unlike many streaming solutions in the market, Vindral allows you to fine-tune latency to match your specific requirements while maintaining superior stability and reliability.

Media over QUIC (MoQ) by Vindral

Vindral is proud to have full support for the emerging Media over QUIC (MoQ) standard in the Vindral Live platform. Built atop the QUIC transport layer, our MoQ implementation delivers ultra-low latency with unmatched stability, even across unpredictable network conditions.

From faster connection setups, multiplexing without head-of-line blocking, improved packet-loss recovery, to seamless switching between channels, Vindral's MoQ integration ensures your live stream stays responsive and resilient. For the full feature-set, workflow integrations and technical details, see our MoQ feature page.

note

Vindral Live's playback-side buffer also acts as a buffer for source/ingress network jitter, helping to ensure smooth playback even under challenging network conditions anywhere in the delivery chain.

Why Configurable Latency Matters

Flexibility Over Fixed Solutions

• Adjust latency from ultra-low (sub-second) to high stability (several seconds) based on your use case
• No one-size-fits-all limitations that force compromise between latency and reliability
• Real-time optimization for changing network conditions

Stable Low Latency

• Vindral Live delivers more stable performance than alternatives thanks to its adaptive buffering algorithms, end to end jitter management, and robust CDN architecture
• Adaptive buffering maintains consistent playback quality across varying network conditions
• Built-in resilience prevents the buffering issues common with rigid low-latency systems

Use Case Optimization

• Interactive streaming: Configure for minimal delay without sacrificing quality
• Live events: Balance latency with broadcast-quality stability
• Global audiences: Optimize for diverse network conditions automatically

Understanding minBufferTime

The minBufferTime parameter is your primary tool for latency control. It sets the target buffer duration in milliseconds, directly affecting the end-to-end latency. The maxBufferTime parameter is by default set to the same as minBufferTime, but setting it to a higher value can help accommodate varying network conditions by allowing the buffer to grow and adapt when needed, instead of leading to buffering issues.

Recommended Settings

Use Case	minBufferTime	Benefits
Real-time	100-500ms	Remote production, internal broadcast, surveillance, robot control
Interactive Streaming	500-1000ms	Viewer engagement, auctions, commentary, iGaming
Live Events	1000-2000ms	Balanced performance, sports, online gaming, live broadcasts, racing
Challenging Networks	2000ms+	Resilient to network variations

Configuration Examples

WebSDK Core

import { Vindral } from "@vindral/web-sdk"

const instance = new Vindral({
  url: "https://lb.cdn.vindral.com",
  channelId: "your_channel_id",
  minBufferTime: 1000, // Configure for your latency requirements
})

Vindral Player (Web Component)

<vindral-player
  channelId="your_channel_id"
  min-buffer-time="1000">
</vindral-player>

Embeddable Player

<iframe
  src="https://player.vindral.com/?channelId=your_channel_id&core.minBufferTime=1000"
  frameborder="0"
  allow="autoplay; fullscreen"
  allowfullscreen
></iframe>

Optimization Strategies

Conservative-First Approach

1. Start stable: Begin with minBufferTime of 1000ms or higher to ensure reliable playback
2. Optimize carefully: Reduce settings incrementally based on performance data. Going below 1000ms often provides diminishing returns
3. Test thoroughly: Validate the optimal balance for your specific audience demographics and network conditions

Real-World Guidelines:

• Global streaming: 1000ms typically provides the optimal balance between responsiveness and stability
• Controlled networks: Lower settings (100-500ms) are possible in high-quality, controlled environments
• Specialized use cases: Ultra-low latency (100ms) works well for remote production, broadcast monitoring, and camera control systems
• Public internet: Settings below 500ms rarely provide meaningful improvements and may compromise stability

Always validate your chosen settings through real-world testing with your actual audience and network conditions before deploying to production.

Performance Monitoring

Vindral's team often helps customers optimize latency settings based on performance metrics. Key areas to monitor include:

• Test in Real Conditions: Always test your latency settings with your actual audience network conditions
• Track buffering metrics: Monitor rebuffering frequency, buffer health, and interruption patterns
• Analyze quality indicators: Review startup time, buffering rates, and video quality consistency
• Use data-driven decisions: Base adjustments on comprehensive performance analytics rather than subjective feedback

Advanced Configuration

Dynamic Adjustment

While minBufferTime sets the baseline, Vindral's adaptive algorithms automatically adjust buffering based on real-time network conditions, ensuring optimal performance without manual intervention. The maxBufferTime parameter can be set higher than minBufferTime to allow for more flexibility in fluctuating network environments. It will help to prevent playback interruptions during temporary network instability for viewers that need it. Note that the dynamic buffer is only used when maxBufferTime is set higher than minBufferTime, and only when the algorithm detects the need for adjustment.

As an example, you may set:

import { Vindral } from "@vindral/web-sdk"

const instance = new Vindral({
  url: "https://lb.cdn.vindral.com",
  channelId: "your_channel_id",
  minBufferTime: 750, // all viewers will start with 750ms latency
  maxBufferTime: 3000, // only those who need it will have buffer increased up to 3000ms
})

Troubleshooting

Have a look at our Troubleshooting Guide for tips on diagnosing and resolving common latency-related issues.

Need Help?

Contact our support team for assistance with latency optimization for your specific use case.