iOS Native Video SDK

Latest version: 2.6.0

Installation

VdoFramework supports Swift Package Manager, CocoaPods and static xcframework

Swift Package Manager

Go to Xcode 13 or above > File > Add Packages and search the following URL:

https://github.com/VdoCipher/swift-pm-repo

Select 'Up to Next Major Version' in Dependency Rule and set value as '2.6.0'. We will be following semantic versioning for the version numbers.

CocoaPods

Add the pod to your Podfile:

pod 'VdoFramework'

And then run:

pod install

After installing the cocoapod into your project import VdoFramework with

import VdoFramework

Static xcframework

Download VdoFramework-2.6.0.xcframework.zip

1. Download the zip file and open it to get the folder called VdoFramework.xcframework.
2. Drag the xcframework folder in the "Frameworks, Libraries and Embedded Content"
3. Import the framework in the swift file where you like to use. You will need AVFoundation. AVKit is only needed when using with AVPlayerViewController
4. Make sure your application deployment target is 11.2 or newer.

import VdoFramework
import AVFoundation

possible mistake

There are folders named Vdocipher.framework inside but you shouldn't use those directly. Make sure to drag the entire xcframework folder. Do not place the framework folder directly in the file-explorer. This will not work for xcframework.

What is xcframework?

An XCFramework is a distributable binary package created by Xcode that contains variants of a framework or library so that it can be used on multiple platforms (iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS), including Simulator builds.

XCFramework allows to make a single distribution which can work on different swift versions.

Setting up in code

0. Integrating Player View

VdoCipher provides two methods for integrating player into your application:

Integrate Player With UI Controls

You can fetch the player view controller from VdoCipher class,

let vdoPlayerController: UIViewController = VdoCipher.getVdoPlayerViewController()

and present that controller on top of another UIViewController for full screen player view.

self.present(vdoPlayerController, animated: true)

Or you can also push it in the navigation controller stack.

self.navigationController?.pushViewController(vdoPlayerController, animated: true)

This is the fastest and easiest way to integrate the player with controls into your application. This includes a prebuilt UI for the player with ample features and functionality.

Alternative: Player Without UI Controls/ Default Controls

With storyboards, use AVPlayerViewController for native (default) controls and AVPlayerLayer for player without native controls. If you use AVPlayerLayer, then you will need to create your own controls.

For SwiftUI, you can skip to SwiftUI Integration

1. Playback delegate

You need a delegate to listen for player setup events. The methods will be called when switching assets or when the video player is ready to play. This is the only way to get the reference to the AVPlayer. Use this object to do much more with AVPlayer API.

Use the playerReadyToPlay to update your UI or start playing the video.

playerCurrentItemDidChange will be useful when you are creating a playlist, and the next video gets loaded after a call to playOnline() or playOffline() methods.

streamLoadError will be useful to identify an error when a playback is initiated.

extension ViewController {
    func streamPlaybackManager(playerReadyToPlay player: AVPlayer) {
        // player is ready to play
        player.play()
    }

    func streamPlaybackManager(playerCurrentItemDidChange player: AVPlayer) {
        /// player current item has changed, use this to set to destination from Step 0, only in case if you are using default `AVPlayerViewController` with default controls for playback.
        playerViewController.player = player
    }

    func streamLoadError(error: VdoError) {
        // Error occured while initiating playback
    }
}

Connect it with your class

// create a delegate for tracking player state
VdoCipher.setPlaybackDelegate(delegate: self)

2. Get otp, playbackInfo & video-id from your backend

Playing vdocipher hosted videos requires these three parameters to authenticate every playback session. Ask the backend to provide the following scheme at the least. The backend application will use this API to get this information.

{
  "otp": "____",
  "playbackInfo": "____",
  "videoId": "_____"
}

Must not be done within app

You must not implement the OTP generating API call from within the application. Making any API call requires the API secret key. Putting this on the app means that anyone can see your keys. Consider your secret API keys like they are passwords.

3. Create an asset

Create an asset using the video-id

// create a new asset
VdoAsset.createAsset(videoId: videoId) { asset, error in
    if let error = error
    {
        // Remove buffering icon and show error
    }
    else
    {
        self.asset = asset // keep this asset reference for your use
        DispatchQueue.main.async {
        let vdoPlayerController: VdoPlayerViewController = VdoCipher.getVdoPlayerViewController()
        self.present(vdoPlayerController, animated: true)

        /** If using your own custom controls on top of AVPlayerlayer,
        then enable the UI for playing. Remove any buffering icon if showing.
        self.playOnlineButton.isEnabled = true
        */
        }
    }
}

4. Call the playOnline method

Use the asset reference generated in Step 2 to play video online

self.asset.playOnline(otp: otp, playbackInfo: playbackInfo)

Next Steps

The video player should be working fine now. For the next steps, you can implement custom controls if native controls does not meet your needs.

For downloading offline, you can read the docs about offline setup.