Getting Started

This guide walks you through the basics of adding xStreams to your app.

How xStreams works

1. You create a stream in the xStreams Dashboard and add an RTSP source.
2. xStreams transcodes it to HLS and hosts it on a CDN.
3. Your app loads our player SDK which connects to the stream.
4. The player handles everything — token auth, quality switching, ad breaks, error recovery.

Step by step

1. Create a stream

Go to your xStreams Dashboard → Streams → Create Stream. Give it a name and add your RTSP source URL.

2. Start the stream

Click "Start" on your stream. xStreams will connect to your RTSP source and begin transcoding.

3. Add the player to your app

Follow the Quick Start to embed the player in your website, or use the Android, iOS, or Flutter SDK for mobile apps.

4. (Optional) Protect your stream

Enable playback protection to prevent unauthorized viewing.

5. (Optional) Add ads

Set up ad breaks to monetize your streams with server-side ad insertion.

Architecture overview

Your RTSP camera → xStreams (transcode) → CDN → Player SDK → Viewer
                                            ↑
                                     Ad Worker (SSAI)

The viewer never connects to your camera directly. xStreams sits in the middle, handling transcoding, CDN delivery, ad insertion, and access control.