These days, it is normal to watch high-definition movies or have long video calls over the internet. All this has been made possible by a technology called online streaming. It refers to the continuous transmission of audio or video files from a server to a client over the internet.
With online streaming, content playback can start even while the rest of the data is still being sent to the user’s device. This means that you don’t need to wait for a file to complete download and can immediately start consuming content.
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How Does Online Streaming Work?
Online streaming works by breaking down big content files into smaller pieces or data packets. The prerecorded file is stored on a remote server, compressed, and sent when a request is received. Once it is received, the user’s video player interprets the data packets as a movie and starts playing it.
A transmission protocol is used to exchange these data packets over the internet. Most streaming platforms like Netflix use standardized transmission control protocol(TCP)/ internet protocol(IP) layers or user datagram protocol(UDP) to transmit content.
TCP/IP is generally considered the more reliable protocol as it sends data packets where they need to go and in the correct order. However, UDP has a faster transmission time and is mainly used when speed precedes reliability.
Types of Streaming Content
Music and Audio Streaming
Streaming music, podcasts, and other audio content online is extremely popular these days. Music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora let you play millions of songs by different artists over the internet without needing to download files.
These services also offer curated playlists based on genre and mood. You can stream podcasts on various subjects or download them for offline listening.
Video Streaming
The first and largest online streaming hit was video streaming. Services like YouTube revolutionized this space as people no longer needed to download large multimedia files to watch something. This is done by compressing the data into small packets, which are decompressed and displayed once the user’s device receives them.
Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+ are some examples of popular video streaming platforms.
Game Streaming
Game streaming is quite similar to audio and video streaming. It works by sending commands to a more powerful computer that executes them and streams them back to the user’s device.
This saves space and reduces processing demands as everything is offloaded on the company’s gaming server.
People can now also stream themselves playing online games. Platforms like Twitch are the most popular platform for this, but YouTube, Bilibili, Facebook, and Huya Live are also known for this. Professional streamers usually earn revenue from sponsorships, brand deals, subscriptions, ads, and donations.
Apart from this, you can also watch live streams of regular sports like football, hockey, and baseball on various platforms.
Online Radio Streaming
Online radio streaming has been steadily gaining ground while traditional radio is in decline. These are independent radio stations that are completely online and don’t even need a standard radio license to operate.
Tune.fm is an example of such a service that brings together radio stations from across the world and leverages an algorithm to connect users with the right channel. It analyzes the user’s music taste to provide a personalized experience based on their preferred genres, location, and instruments.
Live Stream Shopping
Social media platforms, such as Instagram, are now also popular for shopping live streams. Brands and influencers use it to promote all types of goods- from frying pans to cars on their streams to an established audience.
In shopping live streams, the sellers stream themselves demonstrating and explaining products while the buyers can ask questions and even make purchases in real-time.
This trend started in China, but now even Western platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Poshmark have hopped onto the bandwagon of live stream shopping.
Difference Between Streaming and Downloading
Streaming is different from downloading a file as the former involves a continuous transmission of media files in real time. It can also include live-streamed content, i.e., content that is simultaneously produced and aired.
When you download a media file, a copy of it is saved on your device’s hard drive. The video cannot be played until the file has finished downloading.
Streaming is more efficient in this way as the browser can start playing the video without needing to copy and save it. It also saves disk space as you don’t need to store large multimedia files for everything. On the other hand, there is no chance of buffering with downloaded content.
Benefits of Online Streaming
Instant Playback
The most significant advantage of online streaming is instant playback. The video or audio starts playing more or less immediately after you press the play button. The file size does not matter, and it will play uninterrupted as long as you have a good internet connection.
Efficient Storage
With streaming, you don’t need to store big files on your device. You no longer need to maintain hard drives with sufficient storage space to watch something. Streaming service apps are smaller in size and let you access tons of movies and TV shows without filling up your hard drive.
Live Content
You can also easily access live content with online streaming. It has made it easy to catch up on your favorite tournaments, important political debates, and events in real time through any device.
Convenience
Another benefit of online streaming is the convenience it offers. You don’t need to adhere to a radio or TV schedule and can watch whatever you want at your pace. It also lets you skip or fast-forward scenes; you can save your watch history to start later from right where you left off.
Challenges of Online Streaming
Internet Connection
A good internet connection with Wi-Fi, cellular data, or ethernet is non-negotiable for online streaming. You can stream something only if you’re connected to the internet, and the experience heavily depends on the quality of your connection.
Streams can slow down, and videos may buffer longer if your internet connection is not stable.
Bandwidth Issues
The higher the stream quality, the higher the amount of bandwidth required to deliver it to the end user. There may not be enough bandwidth available to stream high-quality content if several devices use a large amount of data at the same time.
Cost
The idea of a subscription that gives access to infinite ad-free content sounds good, but the costs can quickly add up. The online streaming space is highly fragmented, so different seasons of the same show might be on different platforms. Subscribing to every specialized streaming platform out there can be very expensive.
