DCR Sweden Video Android SDK: Difference between revisions

From Engineering Client Portal

(improvement: STOP() required when content paused while switching to midroll example)
 
(41 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 33: Line 33:
|-
|-
| '''Android Ad Version'''
| '''Android Ad Version'''
|* Opt-In and Opt-Out functionality managed by Opt out of Ads Personalization setting on device. <br />* The Nielsen SDK will collect the [https://developer.android.com/training/articles/ad-id Google Advertising ID] unless the user Opts out.<br>* If the Google Play Service is unavailable, (ie: Amazon and Huawei devices) the Nielsen SDK will secure the Android ID.<br> * There are 3 versions available starting with the Nielsen SDK 8.1.0.0.
|
* Opt-In and Opt-Out functionality managed by Opt out of Ads Personalization setting on the device.
* The Nielsen SDK will collect the [https://developer.android.com/training/articles/ad-id Google Advertising ID] unless the user Opts out.
* If the Google Play Service is unavailable (ie, Amazon and Huawei devices), the Nielsen SDK will secure the Android ID.
|-
|-
| '''Android No Ad Framework'''
| '''Android No Ad Framework'''
|* Without the Google Play Services SDK, the Nielsen SDK cannot read the Google Advertising ID, so will retrieve the Android ID.<br />* The Android ID is a 64-bit number (expressed as a hexadecimal string), unique to each combination of app-signing key, user and device.<br />* The developer is required to present the User Choice Opt-Out page which is described in the [[#Global_Android_SDK_No_Ad_Framework_Opt-out|Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out]].
|
* Without the Google Play Services SDK, the Nielsen SDK cannot read the Google Advertising ID, so it will retrieve the Android ID.
* The Android ID is a 64-bit number (expressed as a hexadecimal string) unique to each combination of the app-signing key, user and device.
* The developer is required to present the User Choice Opt-Out page, which is described in the [[#Global_Android_SDK_No_Ad_Framework_Opt-out|Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out]].
|-
|-
| '''Android SDK noID'''
| '''Android SDK noID'''
|* This version of the Nielsen SDK is perfect for Kid apps, or where no ID is required.<br>* For the requirement, please review the [https://engineeringportal.nielsen.com//docs/DCR_Sweden_Video_Android_SDK#Global_Android_SDK_No_ID_Optout Global Android SDK No ID Opt-out].
|
* This version of the Nielsen SDK is perfect for Kid apps, or where no ID is required.
* For the requirement, please review the [[#Global_Android_SDK_No_ID_Opt-out|Global Android SDK No ID Opt-out]].
|}
|}


Line 51: Line 59:
<br />
<br />
1) Ensure to unzip the Nielsen App SDK zip file and copy the "AppSdk.jar" into the app/libs folder on the App’s project. Add it as dependency.<br />
1) Ensure to unzip the Nielsen App SDK zip file and copy the "AppSdk.jar" into the app/libs folder on the App’s project. Add it as dependency.<br />
2) Add the following permissions on the project’s "AndroidManifest.xml" file.<br />
2) Add the following permissions to the project’s "AndroidManifest.xml" file.<br />


<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
Line 59: Line 67:
Libraries:
Libraries:
* com.google.android.gms:play-services
* com.google.android.gms:play-services
Requiered Google Play Service Classes and Packages :
Required Google Play Service Classes and Packages :
* com.google.android.gms.ads.identifier.AdvertisingIdClient;
* com.google.android.gms.ads.identifier.AdvertisingIdClient;
* com.google.android.gms.ads.identifier.AdvertisingIdClient.Info;
* com.google.android.gms.ads.identifier.AdvertisingIdClient.Info;
Line 75: Line 83:
*The Nielsen App SDK class is defined as the only public class belonging to the com.nielsen.app.sdk package.
*The Nielsen App SDK class is defined as the only public class belonging to the com.nielsen.app.sdk package.
*Nielsen App SDK is compatible with Android OS versions 2.3+.
*Nielsen App SDK is compatible with Android OS versions 2.3+.
*Clients can control / configure the protocol to be used – HTTPS or HTTP to suit their needs.
*Clients can control/configure the protocol to be used – HTTPS or HTTP to suit their needs.
*The Android OS hosting the App SDK should use a media player supporting HLS streaming (Android 4.0 and later will support it natively).
*The Android OS hosting the App SDK should use a media player supporting HLS streaming (Android 4.0 will later support it natively).
*If the player application uses a 3rd party media player implementing its own HLS/MPEG-DASH stack, then the minimum Android version will be limited to version 2.3, since the SDK depends on Google Play support to work properly.
*If the player application uses a 3rd party media player implementing its own HLS/MPEG-DASH stack, then the minimum Android version will be limited to version 2.3, since the SDK depends on Google Play support to work correctly.


== Create SDK Instance ==
== Create SDK Instance ==
The latest version of the Nielsen App SDK allows instantiating multiple instances of the SDK object when needed, which can then be used simultaneously. '''For the general use case where only one video is played at the same time in the App, a single instance of SDK object can then be used to play back and measure all watched streams one after another.'''
The latest version of the Nielsen App SDK allows instantiating multiple instances of the SDK object when needed, which can be used simultaneously. '''For the general use case where only one video is played at the same time in the App, a single instance of SDK object can then be used to play back and measure all watched streams one after another.'''


The following table contains the list of arguments that can be passed via the AppInfo JSON schema.
The following table contains the list of arguments that can be passed via the AppInfo JSON schema.
Line 96: Line 104:
|| Nielsen-specified || NO || "DEBUG"
|| Nielsen-specified || NO || "DEBUG"
|-
|-
| hem_md5 ||  Hashed email using md5. Used by MMS reach model.
| hem_unknown ||  Hashed email using SHA512. This email is used by MMS reach model.
|| Client-defined || Required if login feature || "61f1121944dfb76f09540c59a99b4000"
|| Client-defined || Required if login feature || "924899b875ea6767ab790bd2f4852345fcfec5d203c49be8e8..."
|-
| enableFpid || true/false value is required to set collection of first-party ID.
|| Nielsen-specified || NO || <syntaxhighlight lang="javascript">
{enableFpid: "true"} //alternative: false
</syntaxhighlight>
|}
|}
<br />
<br />
Line 109: Line 122:
           .put("appversion", "1.0")
           .put("appversion", "1.0")
           .put("appname", "Sample App Name")
           .put("appname", "Sample App Name")
           .put("nol_devDebug", "DEBUG"); // only for debug builds
           .put("nol_devDebug", "DEBUG") // only for debug builds
           .put("hem_md5", "61f1121944dfb76f09540c59a99b4000");  
           .put("hem_unknown", "924899b875ea6767ab790bd2f4852345fcfec5d203c49be8e8...")
          .put("enableFpid", "true"); // alternative is false;  


         // Pass appSdkConfig to the AppSdk constructor
         // Pass appSdkConfig to the AppSdk constructor
Line 129: Line 143:
</syntaxhighlight>
</syntaxhighlight>


So whole Activity will look like
So the whole Activity will look like
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
package com.example.josefvancura.nlsdemotmp;
package com.example.josefvancura.nlsdemotmp;
Line 161: Line 175:
                     .put("appversion", "1.0")
                     .put("appversion", "1.0")
                     .put("appname", "Sample App Name")
                     .put("appname", "Sample App Name")
                     .put("nol_devDebug", "DEBUG"); // only for debug builds
                     .put("nol_devDebug", "DEBUG") // only for debug builds
                     .put("hem_md5", "61f1121944dfb76f09540c59a99b4000");  
                     .put("hem_unknown", "924899b875ea6767ab790bd2f4852345fcfec5d203c49be8e8...")
                    .put("enableFpid", "true"); // alternative is false;  


             // Pass appSdkConfig to the AppSdk constructor
             // Pass appSdkConfig to the AppSdk constructor
Line 187: Line 202:
==== Life cycle of SDK instance ====
==== Life cycle of SDK instance ====
Life cycle of SDK instance includes four general states:
Life cycle of SDK instance includes four general states:
# ""Initial state"" – The SDK is not initialized and hence, not ready to process playing information. Once the SDK is moved out of this state, it needs instantiation of the new SDK instance in order to get the instance in the ""Initial state"".
# '''Initial state''' – The SDK is not initialized and hence, not ready to process playing information. Once the SDK is moved out of this state, it needs instantiation of the new SDK instance in order to get the instance in the ""Initial state"".
# ""Idle state"" – The SDK is initialized and is ready to process playing information. Once Initialized, the SDK instance is not processing any data, but is listening for the play event to occur.
# '''Idle state'''– The SDK is initialized and is ready to process playing information. Once Initialized, the SDK instance is not processing any data, but is listening for the play event to occur.
# ""Processing state"" – The SDK instance is processing playing information. API calls "play" and "loadMetadata" move the SDK instance into this state. In this state, the SDK instance will be able to process the API calls (see below)
# '''Processing state''' – The SDK instance processes playing information. API calls "play" and "loadMetadata" move the SDK instance into this state. In this state, the SDK instance will be able to process the API calls (see below)
# ""Disabled state"" – The SDK instance is disabled and is not processing playing information. SDK instance moves into this state in one of the following scenarios.
# '''Disabled state''' – The SDK instance is disabled and is not processing playing information. SDK instance moves into this state in one of the following scenarios.
## Initialization fails
## Initialization fails
## <code>appDisableApi</code> is called
## <code>appDisableApi</code> is called
Line 200: Line 215:
The parameters passed must be either a JSON formatted string. The JSON passed in the SDK must be well-formed.
The parameters passed must be either a JSON formatted string. The JSON passed in the SDK must be well-formed.


* JSON value must be string value.
* JSON value must be a string value.
** This includes boolean and numeric values. For example, a value of true should be represented with "true", number value 123 should be "123".
** This includes boolean and numeric values. For example, a value of true should be represented with "true", number value 123 should be "123".
** All the Variable Names like appid, appname, dataSrc, title, type etc. are case-sensitive. Use the correct variable name as specified in the documentation.
** All the Variable Names like appid, appname, dataSrc, title, type etc. are case-sensitive. Use the correct variable name as specified in the documentation.
Line 217: Line 232:
|}
|}


=== Create Content Metadata ===
==== Create Content Metadata ====
Content metadata should remain constant throughout the entirety of an episode/clip including when ads play.
Content metadata should remain constant throughout the entirety of an episode/clip, including when ads play.
<br>
<br>
Please see the [[Sweden_SDK_Metadata|Metadata link]] for the full list of content and ad metadata.
Please see the [[Sweden_SDK_Metadata|Metadata link]] for the full list of content metadata.
<br/><br>


<br/>
'''Note:'''  Program and title metadata values should be passed to SDK as UTF-8 strings.
<blockquote> program and title metadata values should be passed to SDK as UTF-8 strings. </blockquote>


{| class="wikitable"
==== Create Ad Metadata ====
|-
The Ad Metadata (if applicable) should be passed for each individual ad.
! Nielsen Key !! MMS Attribute Name, MMS Field Name !! Description !! Values !! Required
<br>
|-
Please see the [[Sweden_SDK_Metadata|Metadata link]] for the full list of ad metadata.<br>
| type ||  || type of asset || "content" || ✓
|-
| assetid || Content ID, mms_tid || unique ID assigned to an asset within the same media house. || For content on simulcast channels, this has a standard format: simulcast_channelnumber ('''Example''' for Channel TV4, the expected value is: simulcast_29).<br>


<small>A complete list of channel reference libraries with channel numbers is on the  [https://mms.se/?page_id=108 MMS homepage]</small>


<small>For VoD, it does not need to follow the simulcast_channelnumber format.</small>
'''Note:''' All metadata values should be passed as UTF-8 strings.


<small>Length limit: 20 characters. [https://engineeringportal.nielsen.com/docs/Special_Characters No special characters]</small>
<blockquote> URL Character Limit: There is a URL character limit of 2K characters due to browser limitations. Exceeding this value could impair data delivery on particular browsers. </blockquote>
|| ✓ <br>
 
|-
| length || Clip Length, ns_st_cl || length of content in seconds || Length of content in seconds.
* <small>for 24/7 live stream, 86400</small>
* <small>for event-Live streams, the planned length</small>
* <small>for VoD, video length</small>
|| ✓
|-
| program || Program Name, ns_st_pr || program name || custom '''example:''' leif-och-billy || ✓
|-
| title || Episode Name, ns_st_ep || episode name || custom '''example:''' en-ny-tjej-i-byn || ✓
|}
 
=== Create Ad Metadata  ===
The Ad Metadata (if applicable) should be passed for each individual ad.
<br>
Please see the [[Sweden_SDK_Metadata|Metadata link]] for the full list of content and ad metadata.
 
Note: All metadata values should be passed as UTF-8 strings.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Keys !! Description !! Values !! Required
|-
| type || type of Ad ||  <code>"preroll"</code>,  <code>"midroll"</code>,  <code>"postroll"</code> <br> <code>"ad"</code>  - If specific type can not be identified.|| ✓
|-
| assetid || unique ID assigned to an asset within the same media house. || custom<br>(no [[Special Characters]]) || ✓
|}


=== MetaData Example ===
=== MetaData Example ===
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
JSONObject channelInfo = new JSONObject()
JSONObject channelInfo = new JSONObject()
     .put("channelname","My Channel Name 1")
     .put("channelName","My Channel Name 1")


JSONObject contentMetadata = new JSONObject()
JSONObject contentMetadata = new JSONObject()
Line 278: Line 261:
   .put("title", "episode title")
   .put("title", "episode title")
   .put("length", "2600");
   .put("length", "2600");
    
   //please see metadata link above for all content parameters


JSONObject adMetadata = new JSONObject()
JSONObject adMetadata = new JSONObject()
   .put("assetid", "uniquepostrolladid")
   .put("assetid", "uniquepostrolladid")
   .put("type", "postroll");
   .put("type", "postroll");
 
    //please see metadata link above for all ad parameters
</syntaxhighlight>
</syntaxhighlight>


Line 296: Line 279:


==== loadMetadata ====
==== loadMetadata ====
Needs to be called at the beginning of each asset, pass JSON object for relevant content or ad. Make sure to pass as 1st loadMetadata for content at the begining of playlist - see below API call sequence examples.
It needs to be called at the beginning of each asset and pass JSON object for relevant content or ad. Make sure to pass as 1st loadMetadata for content at the beginning of the playlist - see below API call sequence examples.
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">mAppSdk.loadMetadata(JSONObject contentMetadata);</syntaxhighlight>
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">mAppSdk.loadMetadata(JSONObject contentMetadata);</syntaxhighlight>


==== playheadPosition ====
==== playheadPosition ====
Pass playhead position every second during playback. for VOD: pass current position in seconds. for Live: current Unix timestamp (seconds since Jan-1-1970 UTC) - if it is possible to seek back in Live content, then pass related Unix time (not current). Pass whole number that increments only by 1 like 1,2,3..
Pass playhead position every second during playback. for VOD: pass the current position in seconds. for Live: current Unix timestamp (seconds since Jan-1-1970 UTC) - if it is possible to seek back in Live content, then pass related Unix time (not current). Pass the whole number that increments only by 1 like 1,2,3..
<syntaxhighlight lang="Java">mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(long videoPositon);</syntaxhighlight>
<syntaxhighlight lang="Java">mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(long videoPositon);</syntaxhighlight>


Line 306: Line 289:
Call when
Call when
* ads complete playing
* ads complete playing
* when a user pauses playback
* When a user pauses playback
* upon any user interruption scenario - see bellow chapter Interruption scenario
* upon any user interruption scenario - see below chapter Interruption scenario


<syntaxhighlight lang="java">mAppSdk.stop();</syntaxhighlight>
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">mAppSdk.stop();</syntaxhighlight>
Line 344: Line 327:
| Interruption || <code>mAppSdk.stop();</code> || // call stop when content playback is interrupted
| Interruption || <code>mAppSdk.stop();</code> || // call stop when content playback is interrupted
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | Resume Content || <code>mAppSdk.loadMetadata(contentMetaDataObject);</code>  || // Call loadMetadata and pass content metadata object when content resumes
| Resume Content || <code>mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition);</code> || // continue pasing playhead position every second starting from position where content is resumed
|-
|<code>mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition);</code> || // continue pasing playhead position every second starting from position where content is resumed
|-  
|-  
| End of Stream || <code>mAppSdk.end();</code> || // Content playback is completed.
| End of Stream || <code>mAppSdk.end();</code> || // Content playback is completed.
Line 368: Line 349:
<blockquote>Note: In case the individual ad details are not available, send ad pod (presence) details through the [[loadMetadata]] and playhead position through [[playheadPosition]].</blockquote>
<blockquote>Note: In case the individual ad details are not available, send ad pod (presence) details through the [[loadMetadata]] and playhead position through [[playheadPosition]].</blockquote>


Call [[setPlayheadPosition()]] every one second until a pause / another [[loadMetadata()]] is called. Playhead should be passed for the entire duration of ad pod, if the ad pod details are passed as part of [[loadMetadata()]].
Call [[setPlayheadPosition()]] every one second until a pause / another [[loadMetadata()]] is called. Playhead should be passed for the entire duration of the ad pod if the ad pod details are passed as part of [[loadMetadata()]].


The sample API sequence can be used as a reference to identify the specific events that need to be called during content and ad playback.
The sample API sequence can be used as a reference to identify the specific events that need to be called during content and ad playback.
Line 385: Line 366:
| <code>mAppSdk.stop();</code> || // Call stop after preroll occurs
| <code>mAppSdk.stop();</code> || // Call stop after preroll occurs
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | Content || <code>mAppSdk.loadMetadata(contentMetaDataObject);</code> || // contentMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the content being played
| rowspan="3" | Content || <code>mAppSdk.loadMetadata(contentMetaDataObject);</code> || // contentMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the content being played
|-
|-
| <code>mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition);</code> || // position is position of the playhead while the content is being played
| <code>mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition);</code> || // position is position of the playhead while the content is being played
|-
|-
| rowspan="6" | Midroll || <code>mAppSdk.loadMetadata(midrollMetaDataObject);</code> || // midrollMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the midroll ad
| <code>mAppSdk.stop();</code> || // content paused before switching to midroll
|-
| <code>mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition);</code> || // position is position of the playhead while the midroll ad is being played
|-
|-
| <code>mAppSdk.stop();</code> || // App moves to background(midroll pauses)
| rowspan="3" | Midroll || <code>mAppSdk.loadMetadata(midrollMetaDataObject);</code> || // midroll starts, midrollMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the midroll ad
|-
|-
| <code>mAppSdk.loadMetadata(midrollMetaDataObject);</code> || // App moves to foreground (midroll resumes)
| <code>mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition);</code> || // position is position of the playhead while the midroll ad is being played  
|-
| <code>mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition);</code> || // playheadPosition is position of the playhead while the midroll ad is being played  
|-
|-
| <code>mAppSdk.stop();</code> || // Call stop after midroll occurs
| <code>mAppSdk.stop();</code> || // Call stop after midroll occurs
Line 414: Line 391:
|}
|}


<blockquote>Note: Each Ad playhead should reset or begin from 0 at ad start. When content has resumed following an ad break, playhead position must continue from where previous content segment was left off.</blockquote>
<blockquote>Note: Each Ad playhead should reset or begin from 0 at ad start. When content has resumed following an ad break, playhead position must continue from where the previous content segment was left off.</blockquote>
 
== Handling Foreground and Background states ==
There are a few approaches to managing the Foreground and Background states of an app available to use for state measurement.
 
*Utilizing the Androidx LifeCycleObserver (The recommended approach starting sdk version 7.1.0.0+)
*Utilizing the SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class
*Adding a tag to the Manifest XML
*Manual Management
=== The LifeCycleObserver ===
AndroidX replaces the original support library APIs with packages in the androidx namespace, and Android Studio 3.2 and higher provide an automated migration tool. (Select '''Refactor> Migrate to AndroidX''' from the menu bar.)
 
Starting with version 7.1.0, with AndroidX support, an additional utility is provided in the AppSDK - application background/foreground state detection by the AppSdk leveraging the Android Architecture component "LifeCycleObserver".
 
The AppSdk is now capable of detecting the application UI visibility state transitions between background and foreground without forcing the applications to register for AppSdk's AppSdkApplication class, which is responsible for handling the detection of application background/foreground state transitions at present.
 
<blockquote>Please note that if you already have an app designed that utilizes the depreciated SdkBgFgDetectionUtility Class, the AppSDK will ignore any calls to these methods if it can utilize the LifeCycleObserver. LifeCycleObserver based auto-detection will take precedence.</blockquote>
 
==== Adding the AndroidX dependency ====
In order to make use of the app background/foreground state transition auto detection feature of AndroidX AppSdk, the app gradle file needs the androidx dependency. The AppSdk API calls - <code>appInForeground()</code> and <code>appInBackground()</code> will still be respected by AppSdk by executing the old AppSdk flow of handling "app in foreground" and "app in background" states as is.
 
==== Using the LifeCycle Extension ====
The following androidx dependency is required in the app gradle file:
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">implementation "androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-extensions:2.1.0"</syntaxhighlight>
 
<blockquote>If you would like to take advantage of this auto-detection feature of AppSdk at the very initial stage (e.g. splash screen or at of app launch time), before the AppSdk is initialized, you can do so by calling the following newly introduced AppSdk public API, passing the application context :
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">public static void registerLifeCycleObserver(Context applicationContext)</syntaxhighlight></blockquote>
 
==== Log messages for the new auto detection ====
 
*When the AppSdk app successfully registers for the LifeCycleObserver : <code>Registered LifeCycleObserver for App Background/Foreground auto-detection</code>
*When the app enters the foreground state :<code>App is in foreground, auto-detected by AppSDK</code>
*When the app enters the background state :<code>App is in background, auto-detected by AppSDK</code>
*If the client app doesn't have the "androidx" gradle dependency and AppSdk fails to register LifeCycleObserver :<code>AndroidX LifecycleObserver can not be observed. Please use androidx dependency to activate SDK auto-detection of app background/foreground state.</code>
*When the appInForeground() is explicitly called while LifeCycleObserver auto detection is active :<code>Ignoring the appInBackground() call, as the App Background/Foreground auto-detection is active. The current state is - foreground</code>
*When the appInBackground() is explicitly called while LifeCycleObserver auto detection is active :<code>Ignoring the appInBackground() call, as the App Background/Foreground auto-detection is active. The current state is - background</code>
 
=== The SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class ===
Foreground/Background state measurement is a requirement of Nielsen AppSDK implementation which is especially crucial for static measurement. It may be implemented in multiple ways for Android. This includes
 
*Enable the Nielsen SDK to measure background/foreground state by making the relevant update to the AndroidManifest.
*Integrate Nielsen’s SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class within your Custom Application Class.
*Custom implementation of the required methods within your application.
 
==== ForeGround/Background Measurement via AndroidManifest ====
The simplest way to measure the app background/foreground state is to add the following application tag to the Manifest XML. Integrating this into the Manifest XML will enable the SDK to measure app state directly. This approach is supported for Android 4.0 and up only; it requires that the application class is not in use for some other purpose.
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="java"> <application android:name="com.nielsen.app.sdk.AppSdkApplication"> </syntaxhighlight>
 
==== Using the Android SdkBgFbDetectionUtility Class ====
For developers who are already using the application class, it is recommended that the background/foreground state is implemented using the [[Android Background Foreground|SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class.]] The [[Android Background Foreground|SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class.]] is compatible with Android 4+ and has been made available to Nielsen clients. (You will need to copy/paste the code provided into a file).
 
==== Manual Background/ForeGround State Management ====
In cases where the developer is not able to use the AndroidManifest.xml solution nor the Nielsen provided [[Android Background Foreground|SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class.]], the developer will need to manually identify the change of state through the application and call the respective API (appInForeground() or appInBackground()) to inform the SDK regarding the change of state from background to foreground or foreground to background.
 
The SDK is informed about app state using the below methods.
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">AppLaunchMeasurementManager.appInForeground(getApplicationContext());</syntaxhighlight>
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">AppLaunchMeasurementManager.appInBackground(getApplicationContext());</syntaxhighlight>
Within the lifecycle of individual activities, onResume() and onPause() are best suited to provide an indication of the app state.
 
 
Correct foreground/background state measurement is crucial to Static App measurement within Nielsen Digital Content Ratings (DCR).
 
 


== Stop/Resume the Measurement for video Playback Interruptions ==
== Stop/Resume the Measurement for video Playback Interruptions ==
Line 442: Line 485:


== Privacy and Opt-Out ==
== Privacy and Opt-Out ==
There are currently 3 flavors of the Nielsen SDK:
There are currently three flavors of the Nielsen SDK:
# '''[[#Global_Android_SDK_Opt-out|Global Android SDK Opt-out]]''' - managed by ''Opt out of Ads Personalization'' setting on device ('''preferred approach''').
# '''[[#Global_Android_SDK_Opt-out|Global Android SDK Opt-out]]''' - managed by ''Opt out of Ads Personalization'' setting on device.
# '''[[#Global_Android_SDK_No_Ad_Framework_Opt-out|Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out]]''' - Direct call to SDK. Can be used without Google Play Services or when using the noAd version of the SDK.
# '''[[#Global_Android_SDK_No_Ad_Framework_Opt-out|Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out]]''' - Direct call to SDK. It can be used without Google Play Services or when using the No Ad version of the SDK.
# '''[[#Global_Android_SDK_No_ID_Opt-out|Global Android SDK No ID Opt-out]]''' - Direct call to SDK. Should be used for Kids Category.
# '''[[#Global_Android_SDK_No_ID_Opt-out|Global Android SDK No ID Opt-out]]''' - Direct call to SDK. It should be used for Kids Category.


=== Global Android SDK Opt-out ===
=== Global Android SDK Opt-out ===
Line 456: Line 499:
If using the Global Android SDK, this optOutURL informs the user how to deactivate/activate “Out of Ads Personalization”.
If using the Global Android SDK, this optOutURL informs the user how to deactivate/activate “Out of Ads Personalization”.


In addition, The following text must be included in your app store description.
==== Retrieve current Opt-Out preference ====
<blockquote>"'''Please note: This app features Nielsen’s proprietary measurement software which contributes to market research, like Nielsen’s TV Ratings. Please see https://nielsen.com/digitalprivacy/ for more information'''"</blockquote>
Whether the user is opted out via OS-level Opt-out or via App-level Opt-out, the current Opt-Out status as detected by the SDK is available via the [[getOptOutStatus()]] property in the Nielsen Android SDK API. <code>appSdk.getOptOutStatus()</code>
 
=== Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out ===
The ''No Ad Framework Opt-out'' can be used when the host application does not leverage Google Play Services such as when using the noAd version or the NoID version.
<blockquote>
Nielsen Android SDK 5.1.1.18 and above will check for ''OS-level opt-out'' first, if available. The user will be opted out if indicated at the OS-level '''OR''' the App-level.</blockquote>
 
==== The No Ad Framework Opt-out method works as follows: ====
* Get the current Nielsen opt-out URL via [[userOptOutURLString()]]
* Display a WebView element whose loadUrl is set to the value obtained from [[userOptOutURLString()]]
* Detect if the WebView URL changes to a special URL that indicates Opt-in, or Opt-out and close the WebView
** Opt-out if the WebView URL = <code>nielsenappsdk://1</code>
** Opt-in if the WebView URL = <code>nielsenappsdk://0</code>
* Pass the detected URL to the [[userOptOut()]] function
** Example: <syntaxhighlight lang=java>appSdk.userOptOut("nielsenappsdk://1");  // User opt-out</syntaxhighlight>
 
=== Global Android SDK No ID Opt-out ===
If you are building an app that will be listed in the Kids Category:
#  Ensure that you are using the NoID version of the Nielsen SDK Framework.
#  Immediately following the initialization of the Nielsen SDK ensure you call the userOptOut API with Opt-out selection:
<syntaxhighlight lang=java>appSdk.userOptOut("nielsenappsdk://1");  // User opt-out</syntaxhighlight>


== Opt-out Sample Code ==
===<span id="Global OptOut Example"></span>Global OptOut Example ===
=== Global Android SDK Opt-out Sample Code ===
The below code is an AndroidX example of displaying the Nielsen Privacy page to the user.  Please see the next section if using the No Ad Framework build
The below code is an AndroidX example of displaying the Nielsen Privacy page to the user.  Please see the next section if using the No Ad Framework build
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
Line 530: Line 552:
<br>
<br>


=== Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out Sample Code ===
=== Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out ===
The ''No Ad Framework Opt-out'' can be used when the host application does not leverage Google Play Services, such as when using the No Ad or No ID versions.
 
==== The No Ad Framework Opt-out method works as follows: ====
* Get the current Nielsen opt-out URL via [[userOptOutURLString()]]
* Display a WebView element whose loadUrl is set to the value obtained from [[userOptOutURLString()]]
* Detect if the WebView URL changes to a special URL that indicates Opt-in, or Opt-out and closes the WebView
** Opt-out if the WebView URL = <code>nielsenappsdk://1</code>
** Opt-in if the WebView URL = <code>nielsenappsdk://0</code>
* Pass the detected URL to the [[userOptOut()]] function
** Example: <syntaxhighlight lang=java>appSdk.userOptOut("nielsenappsdk://1");  // User opt-out</syntaxhighlight>
===<span id="No Ad Framework Optout Sample Code"></span>No Ad Framework Optout Sample Code ===
The below code is an AndroidX example of displaying the Nielsen Privacy page to the user with the No Ad Framework SDK Build.
The below code is an AndroidX example of displaying the Nielsen Privacy page to the user with the No Ad Framework SDK Build.
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
<syntaxhighlight lang="java">
Line 590: Line 623:
}
}
</syntaxhighlight>
</syntaxhighlight>
=== Global Android SDK No ID Opt-out ===
If you are building an app that will be listed in the Kids Category:
#  Ensure that you are using the No ID version of the Nielsen SDK Framework.
#  Immediately following the initialization of the Nielsen SDK ensure you call the userOptOut API with Opt-out selection:
<syntaxhighlight lang=java>appSdk.userOptOut("nielsenappsdk://1");  // User opt-out</syntaxhighlight>


=== Required Privacy Links ===
=== Required Privacy Links ===
Users must either have access to the "About Nielsen Measurement" page, or have similar text available within the native app. Include "About Nielsen Measurement" and "Your Choices" link in the Privacy Policy / EULA or as a button near the link to the app's Privacy Policy.
Users must either have access to the "About Nielsen Measurement" page or have the similar text available within the native app. Include the "About Nielsen Measurement" and "Your Choices" link in the Privacy Policy / EULA or as a button near the link to the app's Privacy Policy.


In addition, the following text must be included in your app store description.
In addition, the following text must be included in your app store description.
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
'''"Please note: This app features Nielsen’s proprietary measurement software which contributes to market research, like Nielsen’s TV Ratings. Please see https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/legal/privacy-statement/digital-measurement/ for more information"'''</blockquote>
'''"Please note: This app features Nielsen’s proprietary measurement software, which contributes to market research, like Nielsen’s TV Ratings. Please see https://www.nielsen.com/legal/privacy-principles/digital-measurement-privacy-statement/?lang=sv for more information"'''</blockquote>
 
=== First Party ID (FPID)===
- The broadcaster must enableFPID in the initialization settings which is set to <code>true</code> or <code>false</code> depending on user consent. This is to be set by the broadcaster when initializing our SDK.<br>
 
- The <code>enableFpid</code> flag is needed to enable/disable FPID usage for the AppID. The default value for this flag is true. If this flag is changed from true to false, then the AppSDK should wipe out the stored FPID and use a blank value for FPID parameter in all the pings.<br>
 
- Generated FPID value is stored in the persistent memory until the application is uninstalled from a device, when FPID is wiped out, or when it is expired.<br>
 
- The default value for this parameter is 180 days. Once this timeout is reached, the FPID should be regenerated.<br>


== Optional Step for DCR Chromecast Android SDK ==
== Optional Step for DCR Chromecast Android SDK ==
Line 603: Line 651:
== Test your player by yourself ==
== Test your player by yourself ==
=== Guide ===
=== Guide ===
1. Connect your PC and test device (tablet or phone) via same router.<br />
1. Connect your PC and test device (tablet or phone) via the same router.<br />
2. PC side: run Proxy sw (like Charles) and get local IP<br />
2. PC side: run Proxy sw (like Charles) and get local IP<br />
3. Test device: modify Wifi setting to pass through Proxy IP from step 2.<br />
3. Test device: modify Wifi setting to pass through Proxy IP from step 2.<br />
4. Test device: run your player, launch video<br />
4. Test device: run your player, launch video<br />
5. PC side: filter traffic by "imr" and confirm presence of GN pings<br />
5. PC side: filter traffic by "imr" and confirm the presence of GN pings<br />


=== Example of GN ping ===
=== Example of GN ping ===

Latest revision as of 10:22, 9 September 2024

Engineering Portal / Digital / International DCR / DCR Sweden Video Android SDK

Overview

The Nielsen SDK is one of the multiple framework SDKs that Nielsen provides to enable measuring linear (live) and on-demand TV viewing using TVs, mobile devices, etc. The App SDK is the framework for mobile application developers to integrate Nielsen Measurement into their media player applications. It supports a variety of Nielsen Measurement Products like It supports a variety of Nielsen Measurement Products like Digital in TV Ratings (DTVR), Digital Content Ratings (DCR), and Digital Ad Ratings (DAR). Nielsen SDKs are also equipped to measure static content and can track key life cycle events of an application like:

  • Application launch events and how long app was running
  • Time of viewing a subsection/page in the application.


This SDK Android integration guide is applicable for Android TV as well.

Prerequisites

Before you start the integration, you will need:

Item Description Source
"App ID (appid)" Unique ID assigned to the player/site and configured by product. Contact Nielsen
"Nielsen SDK" Includes SDK frameworks and "sample implementation"; "See Android SDK Release Notes" Download

Implementation

The Nielsen Android SDK comes in three flavors.

SDK Flavor Description
Android Ad Version
  • Opt-In and Opt-Out functionality managed by Opt out of Ads Personalization setting on the device.
  • The Nielsen SDK will collect the Google Advertising ID unless the user Opts out.
  • If the Google Play Service is unavailable (ie, Amazon and Huawei devices), the Nielsen SDK will secure the Android ID.
Android No Ad Framework
  • Without the Google Play Services SDK, the Nielsen SDK cannot read the Google Advertising ID, so it will retrieve the Android ID.
  • The Android ID is a 64-bit number (expressed as a hexadecimal string) unique to each combination of the app-signing key, user and device.
  • The developer is required to present the User Choice Opt-Out page, which is described in the Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out.
Android SDK noID

How to obtain the NielsenAppApi

The Nielsen AppSDK can either be downloaded directly or can be integrated directly within an application through the use of Gradle. We recommend using the Gradle-based integration whenever possible to ensure you maintain the most recent changes and enhancements to the Nielsen libraries.

Setting up your Android Development Environment


1) Ensure to unzip the Nielsen App SDK zip file and copy the "AppSdk.jar" into the app/libs folder on the App’s project. Add it as dependency.
2) Add the following permissions to the project’s "AndroidManifest.xml" file.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>

3) Add Google Play Services lib into dependencies as Nielsen AppSDK uses the following packages/classes from the Google Play service. Libraries:

  • com.google.android.gms:play-services

Required Google Play Service Classes and Packages :

  • com.google.android.gms.ads.identifier.AdvertisingIdClient;
  • com.google.android.gms.ads.identifier.AdvertisingIdClient.Info;
  • com.google.android.gms.common.ConnectionResult;
  • com.google.android.gms.common.GooglePlayServicesUtil;
  • com.google.android.gms.common.GooglePlayServicesRepairableException;
  • com.google.android.gms.common.GooglePlayServicesNotAvailableException;

4) Once the files are in place, import com.nielsen.app.sdk to the java source code and start accessing the public interface.

import com.nielsen.app.sdk.*;



Notes:

  • The Nielsen App SDK (located in the "com.nielsen.app.sdk" package) class is the primary application interface to the Nielsen App SDK on Android.
  • The Nielsen App SDK class is defined as the only public class belonging to the com.nielsen.app.sdk package.
  • Nielsen App SDK is compatible with Android OS versions 2.3+.
  • Clients can control/configure the protocol to be used – HTTPS or HTTP to suit their needs.
  • The Android OS hosting the App SDK should use a media player supporting HLS streaming (Android 4.0 will later support it natively).
  • If the player application uses a 3rd party media player implementing its own HLS/MPEG-DASH stack, then the minimum Android version will be limited to version 2.3, since the SDK depends on Google Play support to work correctly.

Create SDK Instance

The latest version of the Nielsen App SDK allows instantiating multiple instances of the SDK object when needed, which can be used simultaneously. For the general use case where only one video is played at the same time in the App, a single instance of SDK object can then be used to play back and measure all watched streams one after another.

The following table contains the list of arguments that can be passed via the AppInfo JSON schema.

Parameter / Argument Description Source Required/Obligatory? Example
appid Unique id for the application assigned by Nielsen. It is GUID data type. Nielsen-specified YES "PXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX"
appname Name of the application Client-defined NO "Nielsen Sample App"
appversion Current version of the app used Client-defined NO "1.0.2"
nol_devDebug Enables Nielsen console logging. Only required for testing Nielsen-specified NO "DEBUG"
hem_unknown Hashed email using SHA512. This email is used by MMS reach model. Client-defined Required if login feature "924899b875ea6767ab790bd2f4852345fcfec5d203c49be8e8..."
enableFpid true/false value is required to set collection of first-party ID. Nielsen-specified NO
{enableFpid: "true"} //alternative: false


1) AppSDK() is no longer a singleton object and should be created as below.

try{
  // Prepare AppSdk configuration object (JSONObject)
  JSONObject appSdkConfig = new JSONObject()
          .put("appid", "PXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX")
          .put("appversion", "1.0")
          .put("appname", "Sample App Name")
          .put("nol_devDebug", "DEBUG") // only for debug builds
          .put("hem_unknown", "924899b875ea6767ab790bd2f4852345fcfec5d203c49be8e8...")
          .put("enableFpid", "true"); // alternative is false; 

         // Pass appSdkConfig to the AppSdk constructor
         mAppSdk = new AppSdk(appContext, appSdkConfig, this);
}
catch (JSONException e){
         Log.e(TAG, "Couldn’t prepare JSONObject for appSdkConfig", e);
}

2) implement IAppNotifier into your activity like

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity implements IAppNotifier

3) implement callback

@Override
public void onAppSdkEvent(long timestamp, int code, String description){
  Log.d(TAG, "SDK callback onAppSdkEvent " + description);
}

So the whole Activity will look like

package com.example.josefvancura.nlsdemotmp;

import android.content.Context;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.util.Log;

import com.nielsen.app.sdk.*;

import org.json.JSONException;
import org.json.JSONObject;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity implements IAppNotifier {

    private AppSdk mAppSdk = null;
    private String TAG = "MainActivity";

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

        Context context = getApplicationContext();

        try{
            // Prepare AppSdk configuration object (JSONObject)
            JSONObject appSdkConfig = new JSONObject()
                    .put("appid", "PXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX")
                    .put("appversion", "1.0")
                    .put("appname", "Sample App Name")
                    .put("nol_devDebug", "DEBUG") // only for debug builds
                    .put("hem_unknown", "924899b875ea6767ab790bd2f4852345fcfec5d203c49be8e8...")
                    .put("enableFpid", "true"); // alternative is false; 

            // Pass appSdkConfig to the AppSdk constructor
            mAppSdk = new AppSdk(context, appSdkConfig, this ); // Notifier - activity implements IAppNotifier, callback in onAppSdkEvent()

        }
        catch (JSONException e){
            Log.e(TAG, "Couldn’t prepare JSONObject for appSdkConfig", e);
        }

    }

    @Override
    public void onAppSdkEvent(long timestamp, int code, String description) {
        Log.d(TAG, "SDK callback onAppSdkEvent " + description);
    }

}

APP SDK Error & Event Codes

To view the Error and Event codes for iOS and Android, please review the App SDK Event Code Reference page.

Life cycle of SDK instance

Life cycle of SDK instance includes four general states:

  1. Initial state – The SDK is not initialized and hence, not ready to process playing information. Once the SDK is moved out of this state, it needs instantiation of the new SDK instance in order to get the instance in the ""Initial state"".
  2. Idle state– The SDK is initialized and is ready to process playing information. Once Initialized, the SDK instance is not processing any data, but is listening for the play event to occur.
  3. Processing state – The SDK instance processes playing information. API calls "play" and "loadMetadata" move the SDK instance into this state. In this state, the SDK instance will be able to process the API calls (see below)
  4. Disabled state – The SDK instance is disabled and is not processing playing information. SDK instance moves into this state in one of the following scenarios.
    1. Initialization fails
    2. appDisableApi is called
@property (assign) BOOL appDisableApi;

Create Metadata Objects

The parameters passed must be either a JSON formatted string. The JSON passed in the SDK must be well-formed.

  • JSON value must be a string value.
    • This includes boolean and numeric values. For example, a value of true should be represented with "true", number value 123 should be "123".
    • All the Variable Names like appid, appname, dataSrc, title, type etc. are case-sensitive. Use the correct variable name as specified in the documentation.
  • JSON string can be prepared using either raw NSString or serialized NSDictionary.


Create channelName Metadata

channelName should remain constant throughout the completion of an episode or live stream.

Key Description Values Required
channelName Any string representing the channel/stream custom

Create Content Metadata

Content metadata should remain constant throughout the entirety of an episode/clip, including when ads play.
Please see the Metadata link for the full list of content metadata.

Note: Program and title metadata values should be passed to SDK as UTF-8 strings.

Create Ad Metadata

The Ad Metadata (if applicable) should be passed for each individual ad.
Please see the Metadata link for the full list of ad metadata.


Note: All metadata values should be passed as UTF-8 strings.

URL Character Limit: There is a URL character limit of 2K characters due to browser limitations. Exceeding this value could impair data delivery on particular browsers.

MetaData Example

JSONObject channelInfo = new JSONObject()
    .put("channelName","My Channel Name 1")

JSONObject contentMetadata = new JSONObject()
   .put("assetid", "uniqueassetid")
   .put("type", "content")
   .put("program", "program name")
   .put("title", "episode title")
   .put("length", "2600");
   //please see metadata link above for all content parameters

JSONObject adMetadata = new JSONObject()
   .put("assetid", "uniquepostrolladid")
   .put("type", "postroll");
    //please see metadata link above for all ad parameters

Start the Measurement

Overview of SDK API Calls

play

The play method prepares the SDK for reporting once an asset has loaded and playback has begun. Use play to pass the channel descriptor information through channelName parameter when the user taps the ""Play"" button on the player. Call play only when initially starting the video.

mAppSdk.play(JSONObject channelInfo);

loadMetadata

It needs to be called at the beginning of each asset and pass JSON object for relevant content or ad. Make sure to pass as 1st loadMetadata for content at the beginning of the playlist - see below API call sequence examples.

mAppSdk.loadMetadata(JSONObject contentMetadata);

playheadPosition

Pass playhead position every second during playback. for VOD: pass the current position in seconds. for Live: current Unix timestamp (seconds since Jan-1-1970 UTC) - if it is possible to seek back in Live content, then pass related Unix time (not current). Pass the whole number that increments only by 1 like 1,2,3..

mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(long videoPositon);

stop

Call when

  • ads complete playing
  • When a user pauses playback
  • upon any user interruption scenario - see below chapter Interruption scenario
mAppSdk.stop();

end

Call when the content asset completes playback. Stops measurement progress.

mAppSdk.end();



API Call Sequence

Use Case 1: Content has no Ads

Call play() at start of stream

Call loadMetadata() with JSON metadata for content as below.

{
  "type": "content",
  "assetid": "vid345-67483",
  "program": "ProgramName",
  "title": "Program S3, EP1",
  "length": "3600",
  ...
}

Call setPlayheadPosition() every one second until a pause. Use the sample API sequence below as a reference to identify the specific events that need to be called during content playback without ads.

Type Sample code Description
Start of stream mAppSdk.play(); // Call at start of each new stream
mAppSdk.loadMetadata(contentMetaDataObject); // contentMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the content being played
Content mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition); // position is position of the playhead while the content is being played
Interruption mAppSdk.stop(); // call stop when content playback is interrupted
Resume Content mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition); // continue pasing playhead position every second starting from position where content is resumed
End of Stream mAppSdk.end(); // Content playback is completed.

Use Case 2: Content has Ads

Call play() with channelName JSON as below.

{
   "channelName": "My Channel Name 1"
}


Call loadMetadata() with JSON metadata for ad as below.

{
   "type": "preroll",
   "assetid": "ad-123"
   ...
}


Note: In case the individual ad details are not available, send ad pod (presence) details through the loadMetadata and playhead position through playheadPosition.

Call setPlayheadPosition() every one second until a pause / another loadMetadata() is called. Playhead should be passed for the entire duration of the ad pod if the ad pod details are passed as part of loadMetadata().

The sample API sequence can be used as a reference to identify the specific events that need to be called during content and ad playback.

Type Sample code Description
Start of stream mAppSdk.play(channelInfo); // channelName contains JSON metadata of channel name being played
mAppSdk.loadMetadata(contentMetaDataObject); // contentMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the content being played
Preroll mAppSdk.loadMetadata(prerollMetadataObject); // prerollMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the preroll ad
mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition); // position is position of the playhead while the preroll ad is being played
mAppSdk.stop(); // Call stop after preroll occurs
Content mAppSdk.loadMetadata(contentMetaDataObject); // contentMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the content being played
mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition); // position is position of the playhead while the content is being played
mAppSdk.stop(); // content paused before switching to midroll
Midroll mAppSdk.loadMetadata(midrollMetaDataObject); // midroll starts, midrollMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the midroll ad
mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition); // position is position of the playhead while the midroll ad is being played
mAppSdk.stop(); // Call stop after midroll occurs
Content (End of stream) mAppSdk.loadMetadata(contentMetaDataObject); // contentMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the content being played
mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition); // position is position of the playhead while the content is being played
End of Stream mAppSdk.end(); // Call end() at the end of content
Postroll mAppSdk.loadMetadata(postrollMetaDataObject); // postrollMetadataObject contains the JSON metadata for the postroll ad
mAppSdk.setPlayheadPosition(playheadPosition); // position is position of the playhead while the postroll ad is being played
mAppSdk.stop(); // Call stop after postroll occurs

Note: Each Ad playhead should reset or begin from 0 at ad start. When content has resumed following an ad break, playhead position must continue from where the previous content segment was left off.

Handling Foreground and Background states

There are a few approaches to managing the Foreground and Background states of an app available to use for state measurement.

  • Utilizing the Androidx LifeCycleObserver (The recommended approach starting sdk version 7.1.0.0+)
  • Utilizing the SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class
  • Adding a tag to the Manifest XML
  • Manual Management

The LifeCycleObserver

AndroidX replaces the original support library APIs with packages in the androidx namespace, and Android Studio 3.2 and higher provide an automated migration tool. (Select Refactor> Migrate to AndroidX from the menu bar.)

Starting with version 7.1.0, with AndroidX support, an additional utility is provided in the AppSDK - application background/foreground state detection by the AppSdk leveraging the Android Architecture component "LifeCycleObserver".

The AppSdk is now capable of detecting the application UI visibility state transitions between background and foreground without forcing the applications to register for AppSdk's AppSdkApplication class, which is responsible for handling the detection of application background/foreground state transitions at present.

Please note that if you already have an app designed that utilizes the depreciated SdkBgFgDetectionUtility Class, the AppSDK will ignore any calls to these methods if it can utilize the LifeCycleObserver. LifeCycleObserver based auto-detection will take precedence.

Adding the AndroidX dependency

In order to make use of the app background/foreground state transition auto detection feature of AndroidX AppSdk, the app gradle file needs the androidx dependency. The AppSdk API calls - appInForeground() and appInBackground() will still be respected by AppSdk by executing the old AppSdk flow of handling "app in foreground" and "app in background" states as is.

Using the LifeCycle Extension

The following androidx dependency is required in the app gradle file:

implementation "androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-extensions:2.1.0"

If you would like to take advantage of this auto-detection feature of AppSdk at the very initial stage (e.g. splash screen or at of app launch time), before the AppSdk is initialized, you can do so by calling the following newly introduced AppSdk public API, passing the application context :

public static void registerLifeCycleObserver(Context applicationContext)

Log messages for the new auto detection

  • When the AppSdk app successfully registers for the LifeCycleObserver : Registered LifeCycleObserver for App Background/Foreground auto-detection
  • When the app enters the foreground state :App is in foreground, auto-detected by AppSDK
  • When the app enters the background state :App is in background, auto-detected by AppSDK
  • If the client app doesn't have the "androidx" gradle dependency and AppSdk fails to register LifeCycleObserver :AndroidX LifecycleObserver can not be observed. Please use androidx dependency to activate SDK auto-detection of app background/foreground state.
  • When the appInForeground() is explicitly called while LifeCycleObserver auto detection is active :Ignoring the appInBackground() call, as the App Background/Foreground auto-detection is active. The current state is - foreground
  • When the appInBackground() is explicitly called while LifeCycleObserver auto detection is active :Ignoring the appInBackground() call, as the App Background/Foreground auto-detection is active. The current state is - background

The SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class

Foreground/Background state measurement is a requirement of Nielsen AppSDK implementation which is especially crucial for static measurement. It may be implemented in multiple ways for Android. This includes

  • Enable the Nielsen SDK to measure background/foreground state by making the relevant update to the AndroidManifest.
  • Integrate Nielsen’s SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class within your Custom Application Class.
  • Custom implementation of the required methods within your application.

ForeGround/Background Measurement via AndroidManifest

The simplest way to measure the app background/foreground state is to add the following application tag to the Manifest XML. Integrating this into the Manifest XML will enable the SDK to measure app state directly. This approach is supported for Android 4.0 and up only; it requires that the application class is not in use for some other purpose.

 <application android:name="com.nielsen.app.sdk.AppSdkApplication">

Using the Android SdkBgFbDetectionUtility Class

For developers who are already using the application class, it is recommended that the background/foreground state is implemented using the SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class. The SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class. is compatible with Android 4+ and has been made available to Nielsen clients. (You will need to copy/paste the code provided into a file).

Manual Background/ForeGround State Management

In cases where the developer is not able to use the AndroidManifest.xml solution nor the Nielsen provided SdkBgFgDetectionUtility class., the developer will need to manually identify the change of state through the application and call the respective API (appInForeground() or appInBackground()) to inform the SDK regarding the change of state from background to foreground or foreground to background.

The SDK is informed about app state using the below methods.

AppLaunchMeasurementManager.appInForeground(getApplicationContext());
AppLaunchMeasurementManager.appInBackground(getApplicationContext());

Within the lifecycle of individual activities, onResume() and onPause() are best suited to provide an indication of the app state.


Correct foreground/background state measurement is crucial to Static App measurement within Nielsen Digital Content Ratings (DCR).


Stop/Resume the Measurement for video Playback Interruptions

As part of integrating Nielsen App SDK with the player application, the Audio / Video app developer needs to handle the following possible interruption scenarios:

  • Pause / Play
  • Network Loss (Wi-Fi / Airplane / Cellular)
  • Call Interrupt (SIM or Third party Skype / Hangout call)
  • Alarm Interrupt
  • Content Buffering
  • Device Lock / Unlock (Video players only, not for Audio players)
  • App going in the Background/Foreground (Video players only, not for Audio players)
  • Channel / Station Change Scenario
  • Unplugging of headphone

In case of encountering one of the above interruptions, the player application needs to

  • Call stop immediately (except when content is buffering) and withhold sending playhead position.
  • Once the playback resumes, start sending pings playheadPosition for the new viewing session.

Please see the Digital Measurement FAQ for more details

Review SDK Integration Architecture Diagram

For Content Playback

SDK Integration Architecture Diagram - Content

For Ad Playback

SDK Integration Architecture Diagram - Ad

Privacy and Opt-Out

There are currently three flavors of the Nielsen SDK:

  1. Global Android SDK Opt-out - managed by Opt out of Ads Personalization setting on device.
  2. Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out - Direct call to SDK. It can be used without Google Play Services or when using the No Ad version of the SDK.
  3. Global Android SDK No ID Opt-out - Direct call to SDK. It should be used for Kids Category.

Global Android SDK Opt-out

OS-level Opt-out method available on Nielsen Android when the Google Play services APIs have been setup in your project.

The Nielsen SDK automatically leverages the Android's Opt out of Ads Personalization setting. The user is opted out of demographic measurement if the OS-level Opt out of Ads Personalization setting is enabled. As a publisher, you cannot override this setting.

Webview Element

It is a requirement to display a WebView element whose loadUrl is set to the value obtained from optOutURL. If using the Global Android SDK, this optOutURL informs the user how to deactivate/activate “Out of Ads Personalization”.

Retrieve current Opt-Out preference

Whether the user is opted out via OS-level Opt-out or via App-level Opt-out, the current Opt-Out status as detected by the SDK is available via the getOptOutStatus() property in the Nielsen Android SDK API. appSdk.getOptOutStatus()

Global OptOut Example

The below code is an AndroidX example of displaying the Nielsen Privacy page to the user. Please see the next section if using the No Ad Framework build

public class OptOutActivity extends AppCompatActivity implements IAppNotifier {

    WebView webView;
    AppSdk appSdk;

    @Override
    public void onCreate(@Nullable Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_optout);
        webView = (WebView) findViewById(R.id.webView);
        webView.getSettings().setJavaScriptEnabled(true);

        webView.setWebViewClient(new WebViewClient() {
            @SuppressWarnings("deprecation")
            @Override
            public void onReceivedError(WebView view, int errorCode, String description, String failingUrl) {
                Toast.makeText(OptOutActivity.this, description, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
            @TargetApi(android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES.M)
            @Override
            public void onReceivedError(WebView view, WebResourceRequest req, WebResourceError rerr) {
                // Redirect to deprecated method, so you can use it in all SDK versions
                onReceivedError(view, rerr.getErrorCode(), rerr.getDescription().toString(), req.getUrl().toString());
            }

        });
        String url = appSdk.userOptOutURLString();   // Request Optout URL from NielsenSDK
        webView.loadUrl(url);                         //Display to the user in a Webview
    }
    @Override
    public void onBackPressed() {
        super.onBackPressed();
        mSdkInterface.getSDK(appSdk);
    }
    @Override
    protected void onDestroy() {
        super.onDestroy();
        if (appSdk != null)
        {
            appSdk.close();
            appSdk = null;
        }
    }
}


Global Android SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out

The No Ad Framework Opt-out can be used when the host application does not leverage Google Play Services, such as when using the No Ad or No ID versions.

The No Ad Framework Opt-out method works as follows:

  • Get the current Nielsen opt-out URL via userOptOutURLString()
  • Display a WebView element whose loadUrl is set to the value obtained from userOptOutURLString()
  • Detect if the WebView URL changes to a special URL that indicates Opt-in, or Opt-out and closes the WebView
    • Opt-out if the WebView URL = nielsenappsdk://1
    • Opt-in if the WebView URL = nielsenappsdk://0
  • Pass the detected URL to the userOptOut() function
    • Example:
      appSdk.userOptOut("nielsenappsdk://1");  // User opt-out
      

No Ad Framework Optout Sample Code

The below code is an AndroidX example of displaying the Nielsen Privacy page to the user with the No Ad Framework SDK Build.

public class OptOutActivity extends AppCompatActivity implements IAppNotifier {

    WebView webView;
    AppSdk appSdk;

    @Override
    public void onCreate(@Nullable Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_optout);
        webView = (WebView) findViewById(R.id.webView);
        webView.getSettings().setJavaScriptEnabled(true);

        webView.setWebViewClient(new WebViewClient() {
            @SuppressWarnings("deprecation")
            @Override
            public void onReceivedError(WebView view, int errorCode, String description, String failingUrl) {
                Toast.makeText(OptOutActivity.this, description, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
            @TargetApi(android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES.M)
            @Override
            public void onReceivedError(WebView view, WebResourceRequest req, WebResourceError rerr) {
                // Redirect to deprecated method, so you can use it in all SDK versions
                onReceivedError(view, rerr.getErrorCode(), rerr.getDescription().toString(), req.getUrl().toString());
            }

  
            @Override
            public boolean shouldOverrideUrlLoading(WebView view, String url) {

                if(url.contains("nielsen")){
                    // If url value = "nielsenappsdk://1" it means the user selected Opt-out
                    // If url value = "nielsenappsdk://0" it means the user selected Opt-in
                    appSdk.userOptOut(url);
                }
                return true;
            }

        });
        String url = appSdk.userOptOutURLString();   // Request Optout URL from NielsenSDK
        webView.loadUrl(url);                         //Display to the user in a Webview
    }
    @Override
    public void onBackPressed() {
        super.onBackPressed();
        mSdkInterface.getSDK(appSdk);
    }
    @Override
    protected void onDestroy() {
        super.onDestroy();
        if (appSdk != null)
        {
            appSdk.close();
            appSdk = null;
        }
    }
}

Global Android SDK No ID Opt-out

If you are building an app that will be listed in the Kids Category:

  1. Ensure that you are using the No ID version of the Nielsen SDK Framework.
  2. Immediately following the initialization of the Nielsen SDK ensure you call the userOptOut API with Opt-out selection:
appSdk.userOptOut("nielsenappsdk://1");  // User opt-out

Required Privacy Links

Users must either have access to the "About Nielsen Measurement" page or have the similar text available within the native app. Include the "About Nielsen Measurement" and "Your Choices" link in the Privacy Policy / EULA or as a button near the link to the app's Privacy Policy.

In addition, the following text must be included in your app store description.

"Please note: This app features Nielsen’s proprietary measurement software, which contributes to market research, like Nielsen’s TV Ratings. Please see https://www.nielsen.com/legal/privacy-principles/digital-measurement-privacy-statement/?lang=sv for more information"

First Party ID (FPID)

- The broadcaster must enableFPID in the initialization settings which is set to true or false depending on user consent. This is to be set by the broadcaster when initializing our SDK.

- The enableFpid flag is needed to enable/disable FPID usage for the AppID. The default value for this flag is true. If this flag is changed from true to false, then the AppSDK should wipe out the stored FPID and use a blank value for FPID parameter in all the pings.

- Generated FPID value is stored in the persistent memory until the application is uninstalled from a device, when FPID is wiped out, or when it is expired.

- The default value for this parameter is 180 days. Once this timeout is reached, the FPID should be regenerated.

Optional Step for DCR Chromecast Android SDK

For the implementation of Chromecast SDK architecture. Please refer to this guide: DCR Chromecast Android SDK

Test your player by yourself

Guide

1. Connect your PC and test device (tablet or phone) via the same router.
2. PC side: run Proxy sw (like Charles) and get local IP
3. Test device: modify Wifi setting to pass through Proxy IP from step 2.
4. Test device: run your player, launch video
5. PC side: filter traffic by "imr" and confirm the presence of GN pings

Example of GN ping

https://secure-sw.imrworldwide.com/cgi-bin/gn?prd=dcr&ci=se-910684&ch=se-910684_c01_P&asn=defChnAsset&fp_id=096ohdsc0jqkmct81qpxhmn19qx041630053963&fp_cr_tm=1630053963&fp_acc_tm=1630053963&fp_emm_tm=1630053963&ve_id=afc5d61a88b62672&sessionId=zc6gh3uhka7d2mtobb2b2m7sixygy1630053963&tl=Djuren%20p%C3%A5%20Djuris&prv=1&c6=vc,c01&ca=se-910684_c01_218531&cg=Hemligheter&c13=asid,T1194003B-797F-4896-A5C0-05914236146E&c32=segA,NA&c33=segB,NA&c34=segC,NA&c15=apn,&plugv=4.4.1&playerv=ExoPlayer&sup=1&segment2=&segment1=&forward=0&ad=1&cr=4_00_99_D1_10000&c9=devid,c041ec5e50722cdf8cc5b4826c24ae54c5747a6570e900006c826b37ca01ce17&enc=true&c1=nuid,c041ec5e50722cdf8cc5b4826c24ae54c5747a6570e900006c826b37ca01ce17&at=timer&rt=video&c16=sdkv,aa.8.1.0&c27=cln,34&crs=0&lat=&lon=&c29=plid,16300539624283525&c30=bldv,aa.8.1.0.0_gaxnons&st=dcr&c7=osgrp,&c8=devgrp,&c10=plt,&c40=adbid,&c14=osver,ANDROID.11&c26=dmap,1&dd=&hrd=&wkd=&c35=adrsid,&c36=cref1,&c37=cref2,&c11=agg,1&c12=apv,4.4.1.4004001&c51=adl,0&c52=noad,0&sd=578&pc=NA&c53=fef,n&c54=oad,&c55=cref3,&c57=adldf,2&ai=218531&c3=st,c&c64=starttm,1630053962&adid=218531&c58=isLive,false&c59=sesid,257f8bz854wmqa31gk3icyi7cmj131630053964&c61=createtm,1630053997&c63=pipMode,&ci_userid=&is_auto_play=no&pl_title=&is_prem=no&is_prog=&ad_origin=&adidx=&is_tpad=&ci_passthr=&c62=sendTime,1630053997&c68=bndlid,air.se.urplay.android_player.debug&nodeTM=&logTM=&c73=phtype,&c74=dvcnm,&c76=adbsnid,&c77=adsuprt,2&uoo=&evdata=PL%3A1630053964727%3A0&c71=ottflg,0&c72=otttyp,&c44=progen,&davty=1&si=&c66=mediaurl,&sdd=retry,0~~retryreason,~~devmodel,SM-G981B~~devtypid,samsung-SM-G981B~~sysname,Android~~sysversion,11~~manuf,samsung&cat_id=3398d8e4-e613-42c1-92aa-1a6fc52dcf5c&vtoff=0&rnd=1630053997971

Step 9 : Provide your app for certification

Once ready please send your application to Nielsen local staff for certification.

Step 10 : Going Live

After the integration has been certified by Nielsen (but not prior to that), do the following:

  1. Disable Debug Logging: Disable logging by deleting {nol_sdkDebug: 'DEBUG'} from initialization call.
  2. Notify Nielsen: Once you are ready to go live, let us know so we can enable you for reporting. We will not be able to collect or report data prior to receiving notification from you.