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Overview

Livepeer is a full-stack platform for video streaming & AI. The video streaming software is underpinned by a network of actors that perform the work needed to compute, transcode & orchestrate video & AI jobs in the Livepeer network. The Livepeer Protocol is the underlying code that enforces the mechanisms and rules to ensure the reliability, cooperation and coordination of these decentralised actors.

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Core Concepts

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Livepeer Protocol

The protocol is the ruleset + on-chain logic governing:
  • staking
  • delegation
  • inflation & rewards
  • orchestrator selection
  • slashing
  • probabilistic payments
  • verification rules
The economic and coordination layer that enforces correct behavior.

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Livepeer Network

The network is the actual running system of machines performing work:
  • Orchestrators (GPU nodes)
  • Transcoders / Workers
  • Gateways
  • Broadcasters
  • Verification processes
  • Job routing
  • Real-time AI & video compute
It is the live, operational decentralized GPU mesh running video + AI jobs.

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Protocol vs Network

LayerDescription
Livepeer ProtocolOn-chain crypto-economic incentives & coordination; staking; payments.
Livepeer NetworkOff-chain nodes performing real-time work (transcoding, inference, routing).
RelationshipThe network runs the compute; the protocol governs, secures, and pays it.
Fix UGHH (brainsotrm)
Bad Analogy Yikes Protocol = the constitution Network = the population + infrastructure living under that constitution The protocol governs. The network performs the work. The protocol determines the rules of the game The network is the players & participants.

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On-chain vs Off-chain

Livepeer protocol = Arbitrum One (L2) Livepeer token (LPT) = Ethereum mainnet (L1) Livepeer network (GPU nodes + gateways) = off-chain execution layer

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Livepeer Actors

A Livepeer actor is any role or entity that participates in the Livepeer protocol or network and performs actions defined by the system. In Livepeer architecture, “actor” is a formal category used to describe participants with distinct responsibilities, incentives, and interactions. Actors are fundamental to describing how the network functions end-to-end.
INSERT LIVEPEER ACTOR DIAGRAM HERE [THIS ONE LOOKS OLD (whitpaper)