What Is Streaming?

Date First Published: 15th March 2022

Topic: Computer Networking

Subtopic: Data Transmission Technologies

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty Level: 4/10

Learn more about what streaming is in this article.

Streaming is the process of transferring data from the internet, usually audio and video files directly to a device without the need for it to be downloaded. Even though streamed audio and videos are not completely downloaded to a device, they are temporarily cached in order for them to load smoothly. An example of a streaming website is YouTube, since it allows users to watch videos without actually downloading them to their device. Examples of content that could be streamed online are music, podcasts, films, and videos. Other downloadable content, such as computer programs and documents that can be found on the internet is not streamed content.

Streaming requires a fast internet connection. For example, Netflix requires an internet connection of at least 2.5 Mb/s for streaming full HD content and 1.5 Mb/s for standard streaming. Amazon Prime requires an internet connection of at least 1 Mb/s. Ideally, a 10 Mb/s internet connection is required for high definition content. Slower internet connection speeds when watching streamed content often result in the video failing to load or frequent pauses.

Streaming content has a number of advantages. Streaming content enables users to listen to or watch the content almost immediately, it is unnecessary for users to worry about running out of storage space on their device, since the streamed content does not actually have to be downloaded to the device, and streaming is compatible with a variety of devices. However, streaming requires an internet connection at all times and listening to or watching streamed content is much slower than if it was stored on the device. In addition, most streaming sites, such as Netflix, require monthly fees in order for the content to be accessed.

Live Streaming

When an audio or video file is available on the internet without it actually being downloaded to a device, but without an end to the video and no ability to skip forwards, it is known as live streaming. Youtube, a popular video-sharing website, contains live videos. Live streaming videos may include additional features, such as chatrooms and comments.

History

Starworks was the first commercial streaming service, which was released in late 1992. On-demand MPEG-1 full-motion videos could now be accessed at random on business Ethernet networks due to Starworks. Starworks was created by Starlight Networks, which with Hughes Network Systems introduced live video streaming over Ethernet and through internet protocol through the use of satellites. RealNetworks (originally known as Progressive Networks) and Protocomm were two other early businesses to develop streaming video technology, both before the wide use of the World Wide Web. Streaming video over the internet expanded once the internet became popular in the late 1990s, due to companies such as VDOnet (later owned by RealNetworks) and Precept (later owned by Cisco).

In 1995, Microsoft released ActiveMovie, a media player that supported streaming media and included a unique streaming format, which came before the streaming feature added in Windows Media Player 6.4 in 1999. In June 1999, Apple released QuickTime 4, which included a streaming media format. In addition to RealPlayer and Windows Media streaming formats, it was later widely used on websites. In terms of general compatibility, the alternative formats on websites required each user to download the appropriate software for streaming, resulting in a lot of people having to have all three applications on their computer.

In order to help businesses promote themselves, Industryview.com created a streaming video collection website in 2000. Webcasting combines the immersive nature of television with the interaction of the Web.