Optimizing VLC Media Player for IPTV
July 11, 2019What is OTT TV?
November 27, 2019
What is Internet streaming?
One of the quickest ways to access content over the internet, is streaming. Streaming means watching videos or listening to audios over the internet. The alternative approach is progressive downloading; this is quite traditional and requires the complete file be downloaded before being able to access it. To point out, streaming allows you to start using the content before the file download has been completed. While streaming, data is transmitted continuously, allowing recipients to start watching or listening almost immediately. All things considered, a key difference is that when streaming, the data regarding your content is deleted automatically after you have used it. However, with downloads the content data is stored on your device until you delete it.
Requirements
Bandwidth
This service requires a strong internet connection and wide bandwidth, which depends on the type of multimedia, the quality and the device. For instance, the required speed for streaming a standard definition video is at least 20 megabits per second (Mbps). HD and 4K media would require even higher speeds. Specially, if we want to avoid buffering and decreases in the quality. In other words, streaming a high-quality video would require a larger minimum bandwidth than streaming a video with low quality. Similarly, watching a low-quality video on PC requires a larger bandwidth than that of the same video on smartphones. This is because PCs have larger screens and more pixels (approximately 320 x 240 pixels), requiring a larger amount of data to be transmitted.Weak or interrupted internet connection cause some problems, like buffering. In short, the buffer is the programs temporary memory. While you are streaming content, the buffer stores a few-seconds worth ahead.
System
VOD has certain system requirements such as a compatible OS, production hardware, Java etc. Not to mention, a compatible file format, such as FLV, MP4, MP3, .ismv or .isma.Different Media
Streaming Music
For instance, you may stream a song from Apple Music, Spotify or Play Music. Once you click play, the song starts to play almost immediately. You don’t need to wait for the song to download completely before you can start listening.Streaming Videos
In fact, you may use the internet to stream videos like TV shows, Movies, series etc., for example on Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, some TV websites like abc or cbs. There are even some open source sites that provide links to your desired videos like watchepisodes.Streaming Games and Apps
For the most part, streaming is used to stream songs and videos. Yet, the less traditional approach is to stream games and apps. This is, in fact, called on-demand resources. It allows games and other applications to include certain essential features and functions primarily, when first downloaded. Hence, stream new content per the user’s needs. As such, a game might include the first 4 levels in the initial download; then automatically downloads the next levels as the game progresses. This is quite beneficial for the user, as this would mean that the apps would take up much less space. Likewise, it would also use up less data once being downloaded.Live Streaming
Live streaming is no different from the streaming explained earlier; however, it is the broadcasting of content presented in real time as it occurs, like streaming live television or sports events for example.
