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PlayReady AV1 Test Content

This section contains a collection of test content that can be used to validate PlayReady+AV1 scenarios for both CBC and CTR block cipher modes.

Test Content Collection

Big Buck Bunny - AV1 CENC with Audio

Content Details:

  • Description: Big Buck Bunny CENC AV-1 1080p DASH with audio
  • Tool Chain: FFmpeg and MP4Box
  • Creation Date: August 1, 2020
  • Video Encoding: AV-1
  • Audio Encoding: Not specified
  • Encryption Settings: Aes128Ctr
  • Video KID: {00000000-03fc-eacd-0000-000000000000}
  • Multi DRM: True
  • PlayReady WRMHEADER: 4.3
  • LA URL: https://test.playready.microsoft.com/core/rightsmanager.asmx

Content URLs:

  • AV1 DASH Manifest: https://test.playready.microsoft.com/media/dash/BBBAV1/manifest.mpd

Big Buck Bunny - AV1 CBCS with Audio

Content Details:

  • Description: Big Buck Bunny CBCS AV-1 1080p DASH with audio
  • Tool Chain: FFmpeg and MP4Box
  • Creation Date: August 1, 2020
  • Video Encoding: AV-1
  • Audio Encoding: Not specified
  • Encryption Settings: Aes128Cbc
  • Video KID: {00000000-03fc-eacd-0000-000000000000}
  • Multi DRM: True
  • PlayReady WRMHEADER: 4.3
  • LA URL: https://test.playready.microsoft.com/core/rightsmanager.asmx?cfg=(ckt:AES128BitCBC)

Content URLs:

  • AV1 CBCS DASH Manifest: https://test.playready.microsoft.com/media/dash/BBBAV1CBC/manifest.mpd

AV1 Codec Overview

What is AV1?

AV1 (AOMedia Video 1) is a modern, royalty-free video codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media:

  • Open Standard: Royalty-free and open source
  • High Efficiency: Superior compression compared to older codecs
  • Wide Adoption: Supported by major browsers and platforms
  • Future-Proof: Designed for modern streaming applications

AV1 with PlayReady

PlayReady support for AV1 enables:

  • Modern Codec Protection: DRM for next-generation video compression
  • Flexible Encryption: Support for both CTR and CBC modes
  • Cross-Platform: Works across devices supporting AV1
  • Standards Compliance: Follows DASH and CENC specifications

Encryption Modes

AES-128-CTR Mode

Counter mode encryption for AV1 content:

  • Mode: Aes128Ctr
  • Characteristics: Stream cipher mode with counter
  • Performance: Generally faster encryption/decryption
  • Compatibility: Widely supported across PlayReady versions

AES-128-CBC Mode

Cipher Block Chaining mode for AV1 content:

  • Mode: Aes128Cbc
  • Configuration: cfg=(ckt:AES128BitCBC)
  • Characteristics: Block cipher mode with chaining
  • Security: Enhanced security through block dependencies
  • Requirements: PlayReady 4.0+ for CBC support

Content Delivery

MPEG-DASH Format

Both AV1 test streams use MPEG-DASH delivery:

  • Adaptive Streaming: Dynamic quality adjustment
  • Industry Standard: Cross-platform compatibility
  • Modern Container: Fragmented MP4 with AV1 tracks
  • Manifest-Driven: MPD files describe content structure

Audio Integration

Test content includes audio tracks:

  • Mixed Streams: Video (AV1) + Audio tracks
  • Synchronized Playback: Proper A/V synchronization
  • Multi-Track Support: Separate encryption for audio/video possible

Tool Chain Information

FFmpeg

Open-source multimedia framework:

  • AV1 Encoding: Software-based AV1 compression
  • Format Support: Multiple container and codec support
  • Encryption: CENC encryption preparation
  • Cross-Platform: Available on multiple operating systems

MP4Box

GPAC multimedia packager:

  • DASH Packaging: Creates DASH-compliant streams
  • Fragmentation: Segments content for streaming
  • Encryption Integration: Applies CENC protection
  • Manifest Generation: Creates MPD files

Client Requirements

AV1 Decoder Support

  • Hardware Acceleration: Preferred for performance
  • Software Decoding: Fallback option for older hardware
  • Browser Support: Modern browsers include AV1 decoders
  • Device Capability: Check for AV1 decode capability

PlayReady Version

  • Minimum Version: PlayReady 4.3 for full AV1 support
  • CBC Support: PlayReady 4.0+ for CBC encryption mode
  • Modern Features: Latest features require recent versions

Platform Support

  • Operating Systems: Windows, Android, iOS, etc.
  • Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (with support)
  • Devices: Smart TVs, streaming devices, mobile devices
  • Applications: Media players with AV1 support

Testing Scenarios

Basic AV1 Playback

  1. Decoder Verification: Confirm AV1 decode capability
  2. Stream Selection: Verify proper AV1 track selection
  3. Quality Adaptation: Test adaptive bitrate switching
  4. Performance: Monitor decode performance and battery usage

Encryption Mode Testing

  1. CTR Mode Validation: Test AES-128-CTR encryption
  2. CBC Mode Validation: Test AES-128-CBC encryption
  3. Mode Comparison: Compare performance between modes
  4. Compatibility: Verify mode support across devices

Multi-DRM Scenarios

  1. Cross-Platform: Test on different platforms
  2. Interoperability: Verify with other DRM systems
  3. License Exchange: Test license acquisition flow
  4. Fallback Handling: Test when AV1 not supported

Performance Considerations

Decode Performance

  • Hardware Acceleration: Significantly improves performance
  • Software Fallback: May impact battery life and performance
  • Resolution Impact: Higher resolutions require more processing
  • Frame Rate: Higher frame rates increase decode requirements

Network Efficiency

  • Compression Gains: AV1 typically 20-30% more efficient than H.264
  • Bandwidth Savings: Reduced data usage for same quality
  • Startup Time: May be slightly higher due to complexity
  • Seeking Performance: Generally good with proper segmentation

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  1. AV1 Not Supported

    • Check device AV1 decode capability
    • Verify browser AV1 support
    • Test with software decoder if available
    • Consider fallback to H.264/H.265

  2. CBC Mode Issues

    • Verify PlayReady 4.0+ support
    • Check CBC encryption support
    • Validate license acquisition URL
    • Test with CTR mode for comparison

  3. Performance Problems

    • Enable hardware acceleration if available
    • Lower resolution/bitrate for testing
    • Monitor CPU and memory usage
    • Consider device capabilities

Debug Information

  • Codec Support: Query AV1 decoder availability
  • Encryption Mode: Verify CTR vs CBC handling
  • Network Analysis: Monitor manifest and segment requests
  • Decode Statistics: Track decode performance metrics

Best Practices

Content Preparation

  • Multiple Renditions: Provide various quality levels
  • Fallback Codecs: Include H.264/H.265 alternatives
  • Proper Packaging: Use appropriate tools and settings
  • Testing: Validate across target devices

Client Implementation

  • Capability Detection: Check AV1 support before selection
  • Graceful Fallback: Handle unsupported scenarios
  • Performance Monitoring: Track decode performance
  • User Experience: Optimize for target devices

Support Resources

For technical support and additional information:

See Also

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