Various on-demand movie and TV services that have sprung up in recent years have introduced new terminology for many of us who are not tech-savvy and are just beginning to explore the vast unknown territories known as the World Wide Web. One term that is practically a household term is transmission. The concept of transmission is not new. Radio and television are broadcast. Streaming is, simply put, a method of media delivery. We can stream anything that can be digitized, including music, movies, sports, and TV shows.
One statistic that may surprise many people is that 30% of all internet traffic today comes from Netflix streams alone. And consumption of over-the-top (OTT) media from distributors like Netflix, Hulu Plus and SuperPass is projected to grow by 60% in the next two years.
To clarify, there are two types of video streaming: live and on-demand. The live stream is viewed on the Internet simultaneously while a camera digitally captures and encodes the event. Progressive streaming is the type of streaming used by OTT streaming providers. On-demand videos are compressed files that are delivered by a streaming server. When an end user wants to stream a movie, for example, they will select the movie and click a play button. The OTT provider will then deliver the requested movie through specialized software called a streaming server. The streaming server will evaluate what is happening in the end user’s media player and make adjustments called buffering to ensure a good viewing experience. Streamed content is not saved to the end user’s hard drive. Once the content is streamed, it cannot be accessed again unless the file is requested again from the streaming service provider.
In addition to streaming, there is another delivery method for these compressed files, which is called downloading. When you buy a movie, song, or TV show, you download the file from a web server (instead of a streaming server) and save the file somewhere you can access it whenever you want, usually on your hard drive. . Typically, at least part of the download must be completed before you can begin viewing content without interruption.
Downloads can be rentals or purchases. If it’s a rental, the OTT provider usually allows a specific period of time from the time of rental to view the content before the file is deleted. It’s important to note that downloaded files may contain viruses and malware, so be sure to trust whatever source you download a file from.
Media players can take many forms when you stream or view your downloaded purchase. If you watch the content on your computer, you’ll probably be using the media player that comes with your operating system, or you can download a free or premium media player that your streaming service provider recommends. If you want to watch on your TV, you’ll need to use a game console, Blu-ray player, Internet-enabled TV, or streaming media player that’s connected to your TV and your home wireless network. It is important to make sure that your OTT provider supports your intended media player.
Streaming is definitely here to stay as part of our entertainment options. See how technology continues to improve and more options are available to consumers.
