True Streaming with a media server
Jul/090
Streaming means the ability to read parts of the content without loading it in whole. In the sense of web, video streaming means the ability to play video without having to download a file first.
Protocol based streaming or as it is called true streaming, uses a specifically designed network protocol to send packets with video data over a network connection. This approach requires a network server which implements this protocol and provides stream data to a client(player). This type of servers are called “Media Servers” since they generally serve media in the form of video and audio streams (and it was good marketing started by Macromedia).
Live video broadcasting
Jul/090
A video stream that is being broadcasted in near realtime on the net is called live video broadcast or live video feed. Live video can be broadcasted on the internet through a real time protocol by a streaming media server. Live video broadcasting allows an experience similar to TV or satellite broadcast. Another term for live video broadcasting is online TV. The main emphasis of this technology is time synchronization. As with satellite TV there is always a slight delay with live internet video due to network delays and stream processing(replication).
Streaming Video
Jul/091
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.