The Wowza Video™ service allows you to secure HLS streams using the external method of AES-128 encryption. This article describes how to test AES encryption by playing a media segment (.ts) file from an encrypted stream in VLC media player. If AES encryption is working correctly, VLC won't be able to play the media segment.
Note: For instructions on configuring AES-128 encryption, see Secure HLS streams with AES-128 external encryption in Wowza Video.
- In Wowza Video, start a live stream that has AES-128 encryption enabled.
Important: After starting the live stream, be sure to start your video source as well.
- Copy the playback URL and paste it in the web browser address bar. For live streams, the playback URL is located on the Overview tab of the live stream detail page under the Playback section.
- Save the playlist file to your computer.
- Open the playlist file in a text editor. The contents of the file will be similar to the following:
#EXTM3U
#EXT-X-VERSION:3
#EXT-X-STREAM-INF:BANDWIDTH=2778110,CODECS="avc1.100.31,mp4a.40.2",RESOLUTION=1280x720 ../lvqf41pb/2728/chunklist.m3u8 #EXT-X-STREAM-INF:BANDWIDTH=1900046,CODECS="avc1.77.40,mp4a.40.2",RESOLUTION=854x480 ../pldjp4q7/1728/chunklist.m3u8 - Copy the file path for one of the chunklists and append it to the base playback URL. For example:
https://[wowzasubdomain].wowza.com/1/RjhJRS9ZaUprOFli/QThWMWRK/hls/live/../lvqf41pb/2728/chunklist.m3u8 - Save the chunklist file to your computer.
- Open the chunklist file in a text editor, copy one of the media segment (.ts) file paths, and append it to the chunklist path. For example:
https://[wowzasubdomain].wowza.com/1/RjhJRS9ZaUprOFli/QThWMWRK/hls/live/../lvqf41pb/2728/0002hkn3/media_2.ts - Save the media segment file to your computer.
- Open the media segment file in VLC media player. If the file is encrypted correctly, VLC won't be able to play it.
