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There’s a common way to prepare content for VOD streaming. You take one asset, package it into several output formats, create files for different devices, add separate protection workflows, and store it all.
This approach is smart if you have very popular content and the demand is real. But how to explain this level of complexity and justify “the cost of streaming” for long tail content?
It’s better to use the dynamic packaging approach.
Dynamic packaging is built differently. By packaging dynamically, you keep a single source on disk and generate the requested output format just-in-time when the request comes in. That same workflow can also add encryption and DRM on the fly. You prepare content only when it’s really needed, thereby avoiding storing multiple copies.
Dynamic packaging helps broadcasters, telcos, and streaming providers stop storing unnecessary duplicates and reach more devices from a single source. Companies with a dynamic packaging workflow stay flexible as requirements change and build a workflow that is harder to break and easier to evolve. Unified Origin’s VOD workflow supports major output formats, including HLS, DASH, CMAF/fMP4, HbbTV, HDS, and Smooth, along with major DRM systems such as FairPlay, PlayReady, Widevine, and Marlin. Why not give it a chance?
So what’s JIT packaging, really?
In simple words: you store a single source file, not five versions of the same thing.
Let’s say Hans from Amsterdam wants to watch Emily in Paris on a train. His iPhone’s player requests it in a specific format, and the packager creates it on the fly. It’s not “package everything and store it just in case.” It’s “deliver exactly what is needed, when it is needed.” That’s what packaging dynamically really means.
Dynamic packaging is one of the strong capabilities of Unified Origin. Origin delivers content in a requested output format by generating playout formats on the fly.
Adding support for another device does not automatically mean storing another version of assets. Enabling DRM is done on top without reworking. Kind of a game changer.
Dynamic packaging isn’t magic, but it’s a smarter division of labor among workers: the storing, the packaging, and the delivering.
What workflows are missing while staying static-first?
First, money. You lower storage costs, because you keep only a single copy of content on disk. That matters a lot when you have an extensive library, operate in markets with very different viewer behavior, and have both premieres and older content that are still watched.
Second, flexibility. Dynamic packaging makes it easier to apply changes to a stream on the fly. It’s future-proofing, and this allows you to integrate Dynamic Ad Insertion and DRM without re-encoding. You don’t feel this benefit until the product roadmap changes,or a new partner suddenly wants a different delivery requirement next quarter.
Third, resilience. One of the most common customer feedback about Origin is that it’s reliable. You set up the system once, and “it just works.” But we recommend taking a step back and looking at your workflow in general. Adding a shield cache layer between Origin and CDN, and a reverse-proxy cache between storage and Origin, also helps improve robustness and performance.
So dynamic packaging is more than just an “elegant” way of doing things.
Where JIT VOD is a must
Your classic multi-device catalog
Your audience can’t agree to watch your content on the same device, in the same format, under the same conditions. Some need HLS, some DASH, some need a particular DRM combination. And some are coming in through environments with very specific compatibility expectations.
Premium content
When content cost goes up, the workflow gets less forgiving. Higher quality requirements, advanced audio, subtitles, accessibility, stronger security expectations, and more pressure are essential. It’s wise to use dynamic packaging for 4K HDR delivery, advanced audio, accessibility, and multi-DRM.
Long tail content
If you have a deep catalog, pre-generating and storing every possible output for every title is pretty wasteful. Yes, it makes sense to pre-package your movie premiere, but maybe save those classic Hollywood films from the ‘50s for true admirers.
Our VOD best-practice guidance covers many tips ‘n’ tricks that help you be savvy without compromising the user experience.
Customer stories: how dynamic packaging changes the game
Customer A and common encryption adventures
Customer A had their entire VOD catalog encrypted on disk using an earlier version of the Common Encryption standard. Although the two standards are similar, they are not compatible with each other. This incompatibility initially required the entire catalog to be decrypted and then re-encrypted again. A complete key management nightmare.
We offered an alternative solution: to switch to a dynamic workflow, where Unified Origins can seamlessly convert the previous encryption format to the new standard. This approach offered the added advantage of being effective for the entire catalog right after a software update, eliminating the need for weeks of reprocessing content.
Customer B and a significant S3 storage bill
Customer B had a large collection of high-quality video on demand content stored on their S3. Each piece of content was prepackaged and available in various bitrates and formats. Given the extensive number of items in their long-tail content, this represented a significant financial investment.
By switching to Unified Origin, Customer B was able to noticeably reduce their cloud storage costs. Now, they pre-package and store only the “top and hot” titles, and keep a single source for every title that is not in high demand.
JIT or static? It can be both
Switching to dynamic delivery isn’t the end goal here. All we care about is elevating the viewer experience while optimizing the workflow.
That’s why you can use a server manifest for dynamic playout to generate a complete output package for a specific format. We documented a way to use a single workflow for both dynamic and static packaging.
So this isn’t about choosing a single thing and sticking to the plan. The flexible workflow allows you to decide when dynamic is best and when stored output still makes sense.
Try now, feel the difference
VOD dynamic packaging addresses inefficiencies that arise as new formats, devices, protection requirements, or product ideas increase workflow complexity.
It’s simple: store one source, deliver what’s needed, keep your options open. Less baggage, more readiness for the future, and who knows which formats the future holds!
Read more in our docs. And feel free to book a meeting with us if you want to dive deeper.