This layer contains one or more encoders that ingest source content from multiple cameras and encode the content into multiple renditions at different bit rates. If the encode is Primetime-enabled and can package the content, you need not deploy packagers in this layer. If you deploy multiple encoders, synchronize them using a master LTC clock to ensure consistent stream output.
If your encoder doesn't have packaging capability, deploy Primetime Packager to package the encoded content. The packager divides the encoded media into fragments and maintains a manifest file, which is a playlist for the fragments.
The format of the fragments and the manifest file conform to HTTP delivery protocols, such as HDS, HLS, or MPEG-DASH. The manifest file may contain other custom metadata, for example, metadata to facilitate dynamic Advertising insertion, SMPTE time-codes for synchronization, and entitlement/DRM-metadata if the packaged content is encrypted and DRM-protected.
The packager pushes the fragments to the origin server using HTTP PUT request.