Why You Should Pick HLS Over MP4

At first glance, MP4 might seem like the easiest way to deliver offline video: just let users download a file and play it locally. But for professional streaming apps, MP4 quickly shows its limits.

No DRM, no adaptive bitrate, no proper subtitle support - MP4 simply can’t deliver the secure and flexible experience modern users expect.

That’s why at The Widlarz Group, we advocate for HLS as the only professional choice for offline playback. And with our Offline Video SDK, you can implement it without the complexity.

The Limitations of MP4 Playback

- No DRM or protection - downloaded MP4 files can be copied and shared.
- One resolution per file - either force one quality for everyone, or manage multiple heavy files.
- Separate playback logic - different code paths for online (HLS) and offline (MP4) lead to bugs and high maintenance.
- Weak audio/subtitle support - adding multiple languages or captions is error-prone.

Why HLS Is the Standard for Offline

HLS is designed for secure, flexible streaming, and it works seamlessly both online and offline:

- Secure DRM support - FairPlay on iOS, Widevine on Android.
- Adaptive bitrate (ABR) - you can select the quality you want before downloading.
- Unified playback - the same player handles both online and offline content.
- Native multi-track audio & subtitles - easy language and captions support.
- First-class platform support - built into iOS and Android SDKs.

How Our Offline Video SDK Unlocks All HLS Capabilities

While HLS offers all the right features, implementing it manually is complex. Our Offline Video SDK hides that complexity behind a clean, unified API.

With Offline Video SDK, you can:
- Choose video quality (e.g. 1080p, 720p, 360p) before downloading.
- Download only selected by you audio tracks and subtitles (e.g. Polish audio + English captions).
- Play DRM-protected content securely, without exposing files.

And for devs:
- One API for iOS + Android (via React Native).
- DRM license handling built-in.
- Configurable download management (pause, resume, cancel).

Start Building Today

Offline video isn’t just a feature, it’s an expectation. With the Offline Video SDK, integration is fast, reliable, and analytics-ready.

📌 Get started today:
- Sign up on SDK Platform - start your free trial, get API key, and track your app usage.
- Check the Docs - explore API details.
- Try the Starter Kit – see it in action immediately.
✉️ Ready to make offline video part of your product strategy? You can contact us for custom help/development at sdk@thewidlarzgroup.com.

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