Learn about video playback controls within DIVA.*
For release notes, see DIVA 5.0 on mobile and web, WebTV, Android TV, tvOS, and Roku.
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This article introduces video playback within DIVA 5 across various video states.
Topics covered here:
- What is video playback?
- How does DIVA 5 handle image quality?
- What are deep links?
- What is video trimming?
- What is "spoiler-free" mode?
- Does DIVA support recommendations?
- What happens at the end of video playback?
- Which video states does DIVA support?
What is video playback?
Video playback is a reproduction of a video recording or reading of a video source. The video state determines the available controls, e.g., the ability to pause, jump to live, seek back/forward, and re-watch content.
For more information on interacting with video content, read our interactive timeline article.
How does DIVA 5 handle image quality?
DIVA Player supports the device's base video player. This means if the device in use supports HDR and or 4K, DIVA Player presents content in this format. It's important to note that content must be produced in HDR/4K format, and the HDR device settings must be enabled.
For more information, read our High Dynamic Range (HDR) article.
What are deep links?
Deep links enable operators to initiate video playback on VOD and live DVR content at a defining moment in the stream, for example, a specific video highlight. Users can easily jump straight to a specific point in the video, streamlining the user experience and increasing user engagement.
Deep linking is validated against the trimmed video duration; any configured deep links must be applied within the trimmed video. For more information, read the What is video trimming? section below.
DIVA supports two deep link modes:
- Relative: using a value in seconds to jump to a specific point in the video
- Absolute: using a date-time format to jump to a specific point in the video based on the timecodeIn synchronization
What is video trimming?
Video trimming enables operators to cut down the duration of an original video. Specify a start (trimIn) and an end point (trimOut), which generates a video sub-clip. DIVA receives the trimIn and trimOut values from the VideoMetadata file upon video playback.
The video trimming feature aids video maintenance, scheduling, and delivery. The original un-trimmed video is stored on servers, while the sub-clip trimmed video is accessible via DIVA Player.
Notes:
- The trimIn value supports VOD and live DVR content, while the trimOut value supports VOD content only.
- If DIVA receives a deeplink that is positioned in the portion of the video that has been trimmed, upon loading the video, the trimIn/trimOut values are invalid, and DIVA reverts to the original start/end points.
What is "spoiler-free" mode?
Note: "spoiler-free" mode is enabled by default for video-on-demand content.
If enabled by an operator, "spoiler-free" mode ensures users are not exposed to timeline event markers and cards ahead of the action, resulting in knowing the event's outcome prematurely. Once the playhead position reaches the time of an event, e.g., a goal, the event marker appears on the timeline, and the event card is accessible.
When a timeline event is 'discovered,' both the event marker and card remain visible (spoiled), regardless of where the playhead position is moved afterward. For further information on timeline features, read our interactive timeline article.
Does DIVA support recommendations?
Yes, if content recommendations are set up, video lists display related content after the video loaded in the player ends. Check out our content recommendations article for further information on behavior and supported platforms.
What happens at the end of video playback?
DIVA supports an End-of-Play experience for users when reaching the end of a video stream. The EoP functionality guides users on continuing their onward journey through highlights and recommended content.
Which video states does DIVA support?
DIVA supports the following video states:
- Live
- Live full Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
- Live linear streaming
- Video-on-demand (VOD)
Available video controls depend on the video state; read below for more information and examples.
Content is broadcast as it unfolds in real time. Typically, users cannot skip back or pause content.
Content is live while also being recorded, with a start point but no definitive end point. When the live content ends, the recording is available as video-on-demand. In most cases, the video recording of the live event is available "on the fly," meaning users can skip back but not forward while the event is in progress.
Select an option below to see examples of this feature:
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.
- Tap the screen to display player controls.
- Tap the play/pause icon to play/pause content.
Go live: jump to the live position when the playhead position falls behind the live moment (feature displays when the video is paused, retaining the playhead position).
- Tap the screen to display player controls.
- Tap GO LIVE to jump to the live moment; a LIVE NOW now badge displays.
Seek back/forward via seekbar: navigate through content with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).
- Tap the screen to display player controls.
- Drag the playhead left/right across the timeline to move the playhead position back/forward.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.
- Hover anywhere on the screen to display the timeline.
- Select the play/pause icon to play/pause content.
Go live: jump to the live position when the playhead position falls behind the live moment (feature displays when the video is paused, retaining the playhead position).
- Hover anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
- Select Go Live to jump to the live content, a Live Now badge displays.
Seek back/forward via seekbar: navigate through content with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).
- Hover anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
- Drag the playhead left/right across the timeline to move the playhead position back/forward.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.


Using the remote:
1. Select the up arrow to display player controls. | 2. Select OK to toggle between play/pause. |
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Go live: the red LIVE badge is greyed-out when the playhead position falls behind the live moment. To jump back into the live moment, select the Go live button.

- Select the up arrow to display player controls.
- Select left/right arrows to navigate to the Go live button.
- Select OK with the Go live button in focus.
Seek back/forward via seekbar: navigate through content with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).

- Select left/right arrows to seek back/forward in 10-second increments.
- Hold left/right arrows to skip back/forward in 20-second increments per second held.
- Select OK to initiate playback from the playhead position.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.


Using the circular control on an Android remote:
1. Select up to display player controls. | 2. Select the middle button to toggle between play/pause. |
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Go live: the red LIVE badge is greyed-out when the playhead position falls behind the live moment. To jump back into the live moment, select the Go live button.

- Select up to display player controls.
- Select left/right to navigate to the Go live button.
- Select the middle button with the Go live button in focus to jump to the live moment.
Seek back/forward via seekbar: navigate through content with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).

Using the circular control on an Android remote:
- Select left/right to seek back/forward in 10-second increments.
- Hold left/right to skip back/forward in 20-second increments per second held.
- Select the middle button to initiate playback from the playhead position.
Compatibility information: DIVA supports tvOS 15+
DIVA tvOS uses native OS behavior. Refer to the Apple TV User Guide for details on controlling what's playing.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.

Note: the tvOS native component video title has been modified
Go live: easily jump to the live position in the video stream if you fall behind as a result of pausing or skipping backward. The red LIVE badge is greyed-out when the playhead position falls behind the live moment. To jump back into the live moment, select the Go Live button inside the standard Info panel.
Seek back/forward via the seekbar: navigate through content with a trickplay image (if available).
Quick skip back/forward: if 10 seconds of prior or forthcoming content is available, a single button press skips by 10 seconds, or a continuous press skips in 10-second increments.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.


Using the Roku remote control:
- Select the play/pause button to toggle between play/pause.
Go live: easily jump to the live position of the video stream if you fall behind as a result of pausing or skipping backward. When the playhead position falls behind the live moment, the red LIVE badge is greyed-out. To jump back into the live moment, select the Go live button.

- Select the up arrow to display player controls.
- Select left/right arrows to navigate to the Go live button.
- Select OK with the Go live button in focus to jump to the live moment.
Multi-speed seek back/forward via the seekbar: navigate through content with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).
Example of a thumbnail image:

Example of a time-based tooltip (displays when there is no available thumbnail image):

To seek back/forward, either enter automatic seek mode:
- Long-press the left/right arrow buttons when player UI is hidden to fast-forward/rewind (2-second default seek speed).
- Short-press fast-forward/rewind buttons (2-second default seek speed). Press the fast-forward/rewind button again to increase the seek speed to 10 seconds and a further press to seek at 130 seconds. Press left/right arrow keys to move into manual seek mode.
Or, enter manual seek mode:
- Press the left/right arrow keys once to fast-forward/rewind by 10 seconds.
Resume video playback:
To resume video playback when seek mode is active:
- Select OK or the play/pause button.
- Select the down arrow. Focus moves to the player play/pause toggle.
To exit out of seek mode, select the back arrow. The player transitions out of the controls and initiates video playback from the original playhead position before entering seek mode.
Content is live-streamed and controlled via a broadcast schedule. Only available at that moment, as content is not recorded. Users can pause but cannot resume from the paused point. Instead, a Go live button is available, which jumps to the live point of the stream. Users cannot skip back or forward.
Select an option below to see examples of this feature:
Play/pause: play and pause content from where the user left off.
- Tap the screen to display player controls.
- Tap the play/pause icon to play/pause content.
Go live: easily jump to the live point in the video stream if you fall behind as a result of pausing or skipping backward.
- Tap the screen to display the timeline.
- Tap GO LIVE to jump to the live content, a LIVE NOW badge displays.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.
- Hover anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
- Select the play/pause icon to play/pause content.
Go live: easily jump to the live position in the video stream if you fall behind as a result of pausing or skipping backward.
- Hover anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
- Select Go Live to jump to the live content, a Live Now badge displays.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.

Using the remote:
- Select the up arrow to display player controls.
- Select OK to pause. The button displays to jump to the live moment.
Go live: easily jump to the live position in the video stream if you fall behind as a result of pausing or skipping backward. The red LIVE badge is greyed-out when the playhead position falls behind the live moment. To jump back into the live moment, select the Go live button.
- Select the up arrow to display player controls.
- Select OK with the Go live button in focus to jump to the live moment.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.

Using the circular control on an Android remote:
- Select up to display player controls.
- Select the middle button on the circular control to pause. The Go Live button displays to jump to the live moment.
Go live: easily jump to the live position in the video stream if you fall behind as a result of pausing or skipping backward. When the playhead position falls behind the live moment, the red LIVE badge is greyed-out. To jump back into the live moment, select the Go live button.
Using the circular control on an Android remote:
- Select up to display player controls.
- Select the middle button with the Go live button in focus to jump to the live moment.
Compatibility information: DIVA supports tvOS 15+
DIVA tvOS uses native OS behavior. Refer to the Apple TV User Guide for details on controlling what's playing.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.
Go live: easily jump to the live position in the video stream if you fall behind as a result of pausing or skipping backward. The red LIVE badge is greyed-out when the playhead position falls behind the live moment. To jump back into the live moment, select the Go Live button inside the standard Info panel.
Using the Roku remote control:
- Select the play/pause button to pause. The Go Live button displays to jump to the live moment.
Go live: easily jump to the live position in the video stream if you fall behind as a result of pausing or skipping backward. When the playhead position falls behind the live moment, the red LIVE badge is greyed-out. To jump back into the live moment, select the Go live button.

Using the Roku remote control:
- Select the up arrow to display player controls.
- Select OK with the Go live button in focus to jump to the live moment.
Content is pre-recorded and readily available, allowing you to pause, play, skip back and forward and re-watch at your convenience.
Select an option below to see examples of this feature:
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.
- Tap the screen to display player controls.
- Tap the play/pause icon to play/pause content.
Seek back/forward via the seekbar: navigate through content with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).
- Tap the screen to display the player controls.
- Drag the playhead left/right across the timeline to move the playhead position back/forward.
Quick skip back/forward: if 10 seconds or more of prior or forthcoming content is available, skip back/forward in 10-second increments.
- Tap the screen to display player controls.
- Tap the skip back/forward icons to quickly navigate through content.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.
- Hover anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
- Select the play/pause icon to play/pause content.
Seek back/forward via the seekbar: navigate through content with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).
- Tap the screen to display player controls.
- Drag the playhead left/right across the timeline to move the playhead position back/forward.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.

Using the remote:
- Select the up arrow to display player controls.
- Select OK to toggle between play/pause.
Seek back/forward via the seekbar: navigate through content with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).

- Select left/right arrows to seek back/forward in 10-second increments. Hold left/right arrows to skip back/forward in 20-second increments per second held.
- Select OK to play content from the playhead position.
Quick skip back/forward: if 10 seconds of prior or forthcoming content is available, skip back/forward in 10-second increments.

- Select left/right arrows to skip back/forward through content.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.

Using the circular control on an Android remote:
- Select up to display player controls.
- Select the middle button to toggle between play/pause.
Seek back/forward via the seekbar: navigate through content with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).

- Select left/right to seek back/forward in 10-second increments. Hold left/right on the circular control to skip back/forward in 20-second increments per second held.
- Select the middle button to initiate playback from the playhead position.
Quick skip back/forward: if 10 seconds of prior or forthcoming content is available, skip back/forward in 10-second increments.

- Select left/right to skip back/forward through content.
Compatibility information: DIVA supports tvOS 15+
DIVA tvOS uses native OS behavior. Refer to the Apple TV User Guide for details on controlling what's playing.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.
Seek back/forward via the seekbar: navigate through content with a trickplay image (if available).
Quick skip back/forward: if 10 seconds of prior or forthcoming content is available, a single button press skips by 10 seconds, or a continuous press skips in 10-second increments.
Play/pause: play and pause content from where you left off.

Using the Roku remote control:
- Select the play/pause button to toggle between play/pause.
Multi-speed seek back/forward via the seekbar: navigate through content at various speeds with a tooltip and thumbnail image (if available).

Example of a tumbnail image:
Example of a time-based tooltip (displays when there is no available thumbnail image):
To seek back/forward, either enter automatic seek mode:
- Long-press the left/right arrow buttons when player UI is hidden to fast-forward/rewind (2-second default seek speed).
- Short-press fast-forward/rewind buttons (2-second default seek speed). Press the fast-forward/rewind button again to increase the seek speed to 10 seconds and a further press to seek at 130 seconds. Press left/right arrow keys to move into manual seek mode.
Enter manual seek mode:
- Press the left/right arrow keys once to fast-forward/rewind by 10 seconds.
Resume video playback:
To resume video playback when seek mode is active, either:
- Select OK or the play/pause button.
- Select the down arrow. Focus moves to the player play/pause toggle.
To exit out of seek mode, select the back arrow. The player transitions out of the controls and initiates video playback from the original playhead position before seek mode was entered.
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