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SPECIFICTION
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Google Cloud Live Stream API

cloud.google.com

WebAPI
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Spec score 7.2 #43 of 69 in Live Streaming Encoders

Spec sheet

Purpose
The API transcodes live, linear video streams into formats for use across a variety of user devices.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Intended users
Google describes the API as benefiting broadcasters, production companies, businesses, and individuals who adapt live video for different user devices.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Integrations
The API integrates with Cloud Storage, Cloud Audit Logs, and Google Cloud infrastructure.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Security
Access control uses Identity and Access Management, and the API supports content encryption configurations including AES-128, SAMPLE-AES, and MPEG-CENC.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Support
Google Cloud customers, including free-trial customers, get Basic Support with documentation, community forums, billing assistance, and Active Assist.Read 11 Oct 2026 · cloud.google.com
Additional features
The API supports live-to-VOD, content encryption, and image or video slates.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
API access
Programmatic access is available through client libraries and REST.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Automatic provisioning
The API supports automatic infrastructure provisioning.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Encryption dependency
The API does not create or manage encryption keys or licenses directly; customers use a third-party DRM provider and pass keys through Secret Manager.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Inputs and outputs
It accepts SRT or RTMP input and can produce Apple HLS or MPEG-DASH output streams saved to Cloud Storage buckets.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Live operations
Channel events can create ad break markers, mute or unmute a stream, insert a slate, return to the live program, or switch channel input.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Recent capabilities
The release notes list SRT and RTMP distribution, AI-generated captions and translated captions, H.265 and UHD support, and ultra-low-latency input previews.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Redundancy
A channel can include a primary and backup input stream.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com

Plans and prices

On-demand usage Price not published Pay on demand; input and output rates are charged hourly by configured resolution, codec, and region. Distribution endpoints are $0.75 per hour; auto-captioning and auto-translation are $0.75 per minute. 10-minute minimum charge per active channel · channel duration rounded up to nearest minute · no free usage tier Read 11 Oct 2026 · cloud.google.com

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Where Specifiction places it

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