Howto host video Blog a blog on web video publishing

Streaming Video

Streaming is the ability to use content without (down)loading it in whole first. This is very important for web video since a user would usually want to watch the video online instead of downloading it first. When it comes to web video on a technical level streaming is achieved in two main ways:

• Streaming network protocols – this is the low level concept it involves sending(or broadcasting) packets over an IP network. A media server is required for this process and a player compliant with that server’s protocol. This  method is also referred as “true streaming” or “live streaming” when it is used with a real time feed. Examples of this concept are Macromedia(now under Adobe) Flash Media server and it’s RTMP protocol and Helix Server(Real Media) with the RTSP.
• File container formats – Some video container formats are designed to be like a stream of packets and can be used in a streaming context. This is also called “Progressive Download” a regular HTTP web server is used for the process. Examples of file formats used for streaming include: .flv(Flash Video), .wmv(Windows Media Video) and many others popular formats.

There is also a hack to progressive download called PHP Streaming. This hack concept solves(sort of) some of the limitations of progressive download namely: random access capability.