Raw Serve URL — Direct File Access - Content Management
Raw Serve URL — Direct File Access
The raw URL serves the original source file for any entry type — documents, data entries, images, SVGs, videos, or audio. Unlike playManifest (which returns adaptive streaming manifests) or the thumbnail API (which returns transformed images), raw returns the file exactly as uploaded.
URL pattern:
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/\{PARTNER_ID\}/raw/entry_id/\{ENTRY_ID\}/{param}/{value}/...
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
direct_serve | bool | When 1/true, serves inline (no Content-Disposition download prompt) |
forceproxy | bool | When 1/true, proxies the file through the server instead of redirecting |
file_name | string | Sets the Content-Disposition filename for downloads |
format | string | File extension to select a specific flavor (e.g., mp4, mov) |
type | string | Set to download for format-specific download |
version | string | Data version (for data entries) |
ks | string | Kaltura Session for access-controlled entries |
referrer | string | Base64-encoded referrer for domain restrictions |
Behavior by Entry Type
| Entry Type | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Image | Serves the original uploaded image file |
| Video/Audio | Serves original source flavor, falls back to best web-playable flavor |
| Document | Serves document file with Access-Control-Allow-Origin: * |
| Data | Serves the data file, redirects if on remote storage |
Examples
# Serve an SVG inline in the browser
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/$KALTURA_PARTNER_ID/raw/entry_id/$KALTURA_ENTRY_ID/direct_serve/1/forceproxy/true/logo.svg
# Serve a PDF (prompts download — no direct_serve)
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/$KALTURA_PARTNER_ID/raw/entry_id/$KALTURA_ENTRY_ID/forceproxy/true/report.pdf
# Serve original source video inline (native browser player)
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/$KALTURA_PARTNER_ID/raw/entry_id/$KALTURA_ENTRY_ID/direct_serve/1/forceproxy/true/video.mp4
# Access-controlled entry (append KS)
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/$KALTURA_PARTNER_ID/raw/entry_id/$KALTURA_ENTRY_ID/ks/$KALTURA_KS/direct_serve/1/forceproxy/true/file.zip
When to Use Raw vs Other Methods
| Method | Use Case |
|---|---|
raw | Original uploaded file (SVGs, source video, documents, data files, original images) |
playManifest | Adaptive video/audio playback (HLS, DASH). Returns transcoded renditions, not source file |
download | Like raw but with additional flavor selection and access control context |
| Thumbnail API | Images when you need resizing, cropping, format conversion, or video frame extraction |