Streaming content
Streaming content is an audio or video file on the Internet that's played without being fully downloaded. Streaming content or streaming media are more enjoyable because there is little or no wait time before the content starts playing, depending on the Internet connection speed. Online radio stations, YouTube videos, and Netflix are examples of streaming content. In August 2022, Nielsen reported that streaming had surpassed TV viewing for the first time.
Although streamed content isn't permanently saved to the device, parts of the file are briefly stored (cached) to allow it to play smoothly.
What are the top streaming platforms?
Today, there are many streaming platforms. Below, we listed some popular platforms.
- Amazon Music
- Amazon Prime
- Apple Music
- Apple TV+
- Netflix
- YouTube
- Hulu
- iTunes
- Pandora
- Prime Video
- SoundCloud
- Spotify
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- YouTube
- YouTube Music
How much bandwidth is required to stream?
While streaming audio is less bandwidth-intensive, streaming video does require more bandwidth. Users wanting to view streaming movies should have an Internet speed of at least 2.5 Megabits (Mbit) per second. For high-definition content, 10 Mbit/sec is recommended.
Your home Internet connection is shared between all users in your house. If multiple users want to stream at the same time, each user needs to meet the above recommended speeds. In other words, for two users to stream high-definition content, you need at least 20 Mbit/sec (10 x 2).
Advantages of streaming content
Below are all the advantages of streaming any content over the Internet.
- Get to start watching or listening to the content almost immediately.
- Don't have to store much information on your computer or device and run out of storage.
- You can watch streaming content on many devices.
- No additional software or codec is required once the digital distribution platform runs on the computer or device.
Disadvantages of streaming content
Although there are many advantages to streaming content, the following disadvantages remain.
- Always need an Internet connection.
- Need an Internet connection that stays fast enough to stream without noticeable buffering.
- Requires a monthly fee to access the streaming content.
- Purchased content stays with the account and cannot be transferred elsewhere. In other words, you don't own the content you bought.
What is game streaming?
Game streaming is when a person (streamer) live streams themselves playing a video game on a platform like Twitch or YouTube. The audience enjoys watching because of their interest in the game, the streamer's skill, and because the streamer's entertaining.
The term "game streaming" may also be called cloud gaming.
When was the first live stream?
The first live streaming was by the band Severe Tire Damage on June 24, 1993. The event was seen live in Australia and other locations over the Internet.
Alternative terms and acronyms
Below are other terms and acronyms related to streaming content. Most of these terms and acronyms describe the type of content that's being streamed, but they're all similar.
- On demand - Anything that happens when requested. For example, watching a YouTube video is on demand because it starts almost immediately and doesn't require a complete download first.
- SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) - Any service offering video as a subscription.
- VOD (Video on Demand) - Any video that can be played without requiring the full video to be downloaded first.
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