SSB allows an HLS player to make a direct HTTP request to the Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) system, where Ad Manager tracks and reports on video stream metrics based on estimates. Any player should be able to play an SSB stream, however feature support is limited.
Compare the features supported for DAI integrations before you choose an implementation type.
You can use the information below to see how to activate and request streams using SSB for either video on demand (VOD), or live linear streams.
Video on demand
Mid-rolls and post-rolls are not supported for VOD with SSB.
Access an SSB stream URL for VOD
VOD streams can only be accessed with an SSB if:
- The Ad Manager content source is not configured to support mid-rolls, and
- The Ad Manager content source specifically activates server-side tracking
You cannot change the server-side tracking after a content source is created.
Find the server-side tracking setting in Ad Manager
- Sign in to Google Ad Manager.
- Click Video
Content sources, and open a source.
- Click
next to "Dynamic ad insertion".
- The "Server-side tracking" setting is either enabled or disabled.
HLS stream URL example for VOD (contains the content ID and video ID)
https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/ondemand/hls/content/<contentId>/vid/<vid>/master.m3u8
DASH stream URL example for VOD (contains the content ID and video ID)
https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/ondemand/dash/content/<contentId>/vid/<vid>/manifest.mpd
Live linear
Live linear streams are always accessible using an SSB stream URL.
Access an SSB stream URL for live
HLS stream URL example for live (contains the asset key)
https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/ssai/event/<assetKey>/master.m3u8
DASH stream URL example for live (contains the asset key)
https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/ssai/event/<assetKey>/manifest.mpd
For any issues related to DAI troubleshooting or outages, contact publisher support.