# SMIL file for ABR live streams: required or not?

**URL:** <https://community.wowza.com/t/smil-file-for-abr-live-streams-required-or-not/35804>\
**Category:** Wowza Streaming Engine\
**Created:** [December 23, 2015, 11:31am UTC](https://community.wowza.com/t/smil-file-for-abr-live-streams-required-or-not/35804 "2015-12-23T11:31:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rich\_Rodecker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@Rich\_Rodecker](https://community.wowza.com/u/Rich_Rodecker)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2015, 11:31am UTC](https://community.wowza.com/t/smil-file-for-abr-live-streams-required-or-not/35804/1 "2015-12-23T11:31:35Z")

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Just trying to get some clarification regarding creating SMIL files. On this page: [https://www.wowza.com/docs/how-to-set-up-live-streaming-using-an-rtmp-based-encoder#ABR](https://www.wowza.com/docs/how-to-set-up-live-streaming-using-an-rtmp-based-encoder#ABR) it says:

> You also must create a Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) file that links the streams together for playback.

On this page: [Stream adaptive bitrate content](https://www.wowza.com/docs/how-to-do-adaptive-bitrate-streaming) it says:

> You also must create a Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) file that links the streams together for playback

However, in the Transcoder User Guide, it states:

> Stream Name Groups serve the same purpose as a Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) file and either method can be used for playback of live streams

So do I need to use a SMIL file at all then if I’m pointing to an m3u8 file in the form of: http://[wowza-ip-address]:1935/live/ngrp:myStream\_all/playlist.m3u8?

Thanks,

Rich

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**Author:** ![sal\_jefferson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sal\_jefferson](https://community.wowza.com/u/sal_jefferson)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2015, 6:57am UTC](https://community.wowza.com/t/smil-file-for-abr-live-streams-required-or-not/35804/2 "2015-12-24T06:57:37Z")

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For completeness, you need a .smil file for ABR with VOD streams. For live streams coming through an encoder that can generate multi-bit-rate renditions you also need a .smil file.

Then you would call the .smil file(“stream.smil” for example) as the stream name. (instead of “myStream” for live, or “sample.mp4” for VOD):

```auto
ex. 
http://[wowza-ip-address]:1935/live/smil:myStream.smil/playlist.m3u8

```

When running the live stream through the Wowza Transcoder and generating a NGRP you do not need to create a .smil file.

To answer your question, your playback URL should work assuming everything is setup correctly.

Regards,

Salvadore