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Samuel East

I build the video players, DRM systems, and streaming infrastructure behind platforms people use every day.

Cardiff, UK·15+ years in streaming·Available for contract
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About

I have been working in media streaming for over 15 years, running my own company and building services across the industry. For the past five years I have been contracted to two of the most demanding streaming environments around: two years at NBC PeacockTV across PeacockTV, SkyShowTime, and NowTV, and two years at 3SS building Vodafone's next-generation set-top box from the ground up.

With over 15 years in media streaming, I specialise in video player architecture, DRM integration (Widevine, PlayReady, FairPlay), adaptive streaming (HLS, DASH, CMAF), and cross-platform delivery across web, Samsung Tizen, LG WebOS, Xfinity, and custom STB hardware.

I ship reliable, performant video experiences at scale. Whether it's reducing video start times, solving playback issues on constrained devices, or architecting a player that handles live, VOD, catchup, and recordings, I deliver.

Skills

Languages & Frameworks

JavaScript · TypeScript · Node.js · React · Angular · ElectronJS · LightningJS

Video Players

Shaka Player · DashJS · HLS.js · Custom MSE · CastLabs · Bitmovin · VideoJS

DRM & Protocols

Widevine · PlayReady · FairPlay · SPEKE API · CENC · CMAF · SCTE-35

TV & STB Platforms

Samsung Tizen · LG WebOS · Hisense Vidaa · Custom STBs · DVB / OIPF

AWS Media

MediaLive · MediaPackage · MediaConvert · MediaTailor · MediaConnect · CloudFormation

Tooling

Git / GitLab · Jira · Sentry · Conviva · Jest · Agile / Scrum

Certification

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Experience

3SS

2 years · Contract

Video Software Engineer

Worked across multiple operator platforms including Vodafone, Yettel, Entel, and OneTV, delivering live, catchup, start over, channel switching, on demand, and recordings. Worked closely with Nagra on DRM and content protection integration. Helped the team hit critical launch deadlines, working remotely from the UK.

YettelEntelOneTVNagra
  • Architected DVB/OTT playback switching using Shaka Player with seamless protocol handoff
  • Built high-performance UI with LightningJS optimised for low-end STB hardware
  • Implemented Live, StartOver, TimeShift, Catchup, VOD, and recording playback with 7-day rolling buffer
  • Created remote development suite using ZeroTier & Raspberry Pi for real-time STB access
  • Reduced zapping times and improved playback resilience through KPI-driven optimisation
  • Developed stall detection, manifest manipulation, and custom debug UI for memory diagnostics
  • Ported STB app to Samsung Tizen with minimal code changes

NBC PeacockTV

2 years · Contract

Video Software Engineer

Worked across PeacockTV, SkyShowTime, and NowTV. Focused on video start times, rebuffering reduction, and cross-platform delivery at scale.

  • DASH, HLS, MSE & EME implementation across Web, Xfinity, and Samsung
  • KPI monitoring and performance optimisation using Conviva (VST, VSF)
  • BrightLine ad integration and mid-stream adaptive bitrate capping
  • Memory and CPU profiling on low-end Samsung and Xfinity Xi3/Xi6 devices
  • AAMP player development for Xfinity X1 platform
  • CVSDK development in TypeScript with Jest and CI integration

Independent Projects

Personal

Video Engineering

Built end-to-end media tools spanning encoding, live streaming, and DRM-protected content delivery.

  • ElectronJS encoding app with multi-bitrate HLS/DASH, encryption, subtitles, and bulk upload
  • CloudFormation & Lambda automated encoding pipeline via MediaConvert
  • Production live streaming workflow with MediaLive, MediaPackage, and OBS
  • Studio-approved DRM player via SPEKE API with Widevine, PlayReady, FairPlay using BuyDRM and EZDRM

Education

Swansea Metropolitan University

2007 – 2009

BA Hons Interactive Digital Media, 2:1

Swansea College, Tycoch

2003 – 2005

BTEC National Diploma Music Technology, Distinction, Merit, Merit

John Colet School, Wendover

1994 – 1998

9 GCSEs (A–C) including English, Maths, Sciences

Other Stuff I Have Built

Vybe Coding→

Mobile and desktop terminal app with AI-powered voice commands, safety analysis, and remote server management.

Audibase→

Audio management and streaming platform for creators and businesses.

World News Translate→

Global news app with real-time translation powered by Google Translate. Read news from any country in your language.

YT Streamer iOS→

Mobile live streaming application enabling creators to broadcast directly to YouTube.

TVProber

Smart TV remote debugging and development tool. Deploy, inspect, and debug LG WebOS and Samsung Tizen apps from your desktop.

Cubr 3D

Beautifully crafted 3D puzzle cube simulator with realistic controls, challenge mode, leaderboard, and built-in solving algorithms.

Contact

Let's build something
people watch.

[email protected]LinkedIn

Cardiff, South Wales. Open to remote & travel.