Manage Virtual Linear Playlists

Virtual Linear Playlist Management

Use virtual linear playlists to provide a virtual linear experience for one or more assets. View and manage your virtual linear playlists from the Playlists page.

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You may also create, update, and retrieve playlists through the Virtual Linear Playlist API.

Create a virtual linear playlist for Smartstart through the Bulk Smartstart endpoint. This type of virtual linear playlist is assigned the same system-defined ID as its asset.

Key Information

A virtual linear playlist's Require a token for playback option determines whether playback requires a digital signature.
The enforcement of Studio DRM is determined by how the Require studio approved DRM for playback option is configured on:
- The virtual linear playlist
- Each asset associated with the desired virtual linear playlist
  
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  Disabling the Studio DRM requirement on a virtual linear playlist does not affect whether an individual asset requires Studio DRM.
  
  Disable Studio DRM protection for the entire virtual linear playlist viewing experience through the following steps:
  1. Disable the desired virtual linear playlist's Require studio approved DRM for playback option.
  2. Add the following query string parameter to the playback URL: `drm_optional=1'
Restrict a virtual linear playlist to assets that have been encoded with the same codec (i.e., AVC or HEVC).
A virtual linear playlist supports the following types of ads:
- Pre-roll ads: Add the following query string parameter to the playback URL: ad.preroll=1
- Post-roll ads: Add the following query string parameter to the playback URL: ad.postroll=1
- Ads between assets: You may insert ad placeholders within your virtual linear playlist by adding ad breaks.
  
  Adding an ad break will automatically append it to your virtual linear playlist. Drag the ad break's icon to the desired position.
  
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  Alternatively, you add ad breaks through the Virtual Linear Playlist API by defining the ad dictionary between the desired assets.
- Embedded ads: Determine whether an asset's ad breaks will be honored and their duration through the Embedded Ad Break Duration option.
Playback URLs are provided on the desired playlist's Playback tab.

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Alternatively, you can construct a playback URL by using the desired playlist's ID. Each playlist is assigned a 32-character hexadecimal unique identifier upon its creation.
Preview playback by selecting the preview player that appears on the right-hand side of the window. By default, this preview player displays the playlist's poster image.

Create a Virtual Linear Playlist

Navigate to the Playlists page: From the main menu, navigate to Content > Playlists.
Select + Create Playlist.
In the Playlist Name option, assign a name to the new playlist.
Select Create & Edit.
Perform the following steps to determine how ads embedded within assets will behave:
- Enable: Set the Embedded Ad Break Duration option to the durations, in seconds, for each ad break within an asset.
  
  Use the Embedded Ad Break Slate Fill option to determine whether an ad slate will play when there is insufficient ad content for an ad break. Setting this option to No returns the viewer back to content when there is insufficient ad content for an ad break.
- Disable: Set the Embedded Ad Break Duration option to 0.
Verify that the Active option is set to Yes.
Use the Repeat option to determine whether the playlist will repeat when a viewer reaches the end of the playlist. Enabling this option causes it to repeat indefinitely.
Select Save Playlist.
Select the Entries tab.
Add assets to the playlist by performing these steps:

Select + Assets.
Find the desired asset and then mark the checkbox that appears directly to the left of it.

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Assets are added to your playlist in the order in which they are marked. However, they can be reordered after they have been added to your playlist. Reduce this cleanup effort by selecting assets according to the order in which they should appear in your playlist.
Repeat the previous step as needed.
Select Add to Playlist.

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Reposition an asset by dragging the move icon to the desired position in the playlist.

Add ad breaks to the playlist by performing the following steps:
- Select + Ad Break.
- From the Duration (seconds) option, indicate the duration, in seconds, of the ad break.
- Select Add. The ad break will be appended to your playlist.
- Reposition the ad break by dragging the move icon to the desired position in the playlist.
- Repeat Step 12 as needed.
Select Save Playlist.

Duplicate a Virtual Linear Playlist

This feature allows you to copy an existing playlist's entries and settings while leaving the original playlist unchanged.

Navigate to the Playlists page: From the main menu, navigate to Content > Playlists.
Select the row of the playlist.
Select Duplicate from the top right corner.
Enter a name for the new playlist.

By default, the Edit after duplicate option is selected and opens the new playlist after saving. Uncheck to return to the original playlist. Your selection is saved as the default for subsequent playlist duplications.
Select Duplicate.
Optional. If you selected the Edit after duplicate option, make your changes to the playlist.
Select Save.

Modify a Virtual Linear Playlist

Navigate to the Playlists page: From the main menu, navigate to Content > Playlists.
Select the desired playlist.
Perform one of the following actions:
- Add one or more assets to the playlist.
- Remove one or more assets or ad breaks from the playlist.
- Update an ad break's duration.
- Modify how ads embedded within assets will behave.
Enable or disable a playlist through the Active option, which can be found on the Details tab.
Determine whether the playlist will repeat when a viewer reaches the end of the playlist through the Repeat option.

Add Assets to Playlist

Select the Entries tab.
Select + Assets.
Find the desired asset and then mark the checkbox that appears directly to the left of it.

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Assets are added to your playlist in the order in which they are marked. However, they can be reordered after they have been added to your playlist. Reduce this cleanup effort by selecting assets according to the order in which they should appear in your playlist.
Repeat the previous step as needed.
Select Add to Playlist.
Select Save Playlist.

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Reposition an asset by dragging the icon to the desired position in the playlist.

Remove Assets from Playlist

Select the Entries tab.
Mark the checkbox next to each desired asset or ad break.
Select Remove.
Select Save Playlist.

Update an Ad Break's Duration

Select the Entries tab.
Mark the checkbox next to the desired ad break.
Select Remove.
Select + Ad Break.
From the Duration (seconds) option, indicate the duration, in seconds, of the ad break.
Select Add. The ad break will be appended to your playlist.
Reposition the ad break by dragging the icon to the desired position in the playlist.
Select Save Playlist.

Modify Behavior of Ads Embedded in Assets

Enable: From the Details tab, set the Embedded Ad Break Duration option to the durations, in seconds, for each ad break within an asset.

Use the Embedded Ad Break Slate Fill option to determine whether ad slate will play when there is insufficient ad content for an ad break. Setting this option to No returns the viewer back to content when there is insufficient ad content for an ad break.
Disable: From the Details tab, set the Embedded Ad Break Duration option to 0.

Delete a Virtual Linear Playlist

Navigate to the Playlists page: From the main menu, navigate to Content > Playlists.
Select the desired playlist.
Select Delete Playlist from the bottom right corner.
When prompted, confirm deletion by selecting Delete.