What is streaming media?

Streaming media is a new media transmission method. It refers to a technology and process that compresses a series of multimedia data and sends the data in segments through the Internet to instantly transmit audio and video for viewing; streaming media The most important technical feature is streaming transmission, which allows data to be transmitted like water. There are two main ways to implement streaming: sequential and real-time streaming.

The operating environment of this tutorial: Windows 7 system, Dell G3 computer.

Streaming media (English: Streaming media) refers to a technology and process that compresses a series of multimedia data, sends the data in segments through the Internet, and instantly transmits audio and video on the Internet for viewing. This technology allows Data packets are sent like a stream. Without this technology, the entire media file must be downloaded before use.

Live streaming refers to the real-time transmission of Internet content, much like live television broadcasts content over the airwaves via a television signal. Live internet streaming requires a form of source media (e.g. a video camera, an audio interface, screen capture software), an encoder to digitize the content, a media publisher, and a content delivery network to distribute and deliver the content. Live streaming does not require recording at the source point, although recording often is required.

Streaming is most prevalent on video on demand and streaming TV services such as Netflix, Disney, HBO Max, Hulu, Paramount, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. Twitch provides Apple Music, YouTube Music and Spotify streaming music and video game live streaming services.

Streaming media characteristics

(1) The content is mainly time-continuous media data (audio, video, animation, multimedia, etc.).

(2) Content can be transmitted using streaming technology without conversion.

(3) It has strong real-time and interactivity.

(4) The startup delay is greatly shortened, shortening the user's waiting time; users do not have to wait until all content is downloaded to the hard disk to start browsing, but can start watching after a period of startup delay.

(5) The requirements for system cache capacity are greatly reduced.

The Internet is an asynchronous transmission based on packet transmission. Data is decomposed into many packets for transmission. Since each packet may choose a different route, the time delay to reach the user's computer will be different. In The client needs a caching system to compensate for the effects of delay and jitter and to ensure the order of packet transmission. During the playback of streaming media files, since all files no longer need to be downloaded to the cache, the requirements for caching are very low.

Streaming transmission method

The most important technical feature of streaming media is streaming transmission, which allows data to be transmitted like running water.

Streaming transmission refers to the general term for the technology of transmitting media (audio, video, etc.) through the network. There are two main ways to implement streaming: progressive streaming and real time streaming. Which method to use depends on the specific needs. The following is a brief introduction to these two methods.

• Sequential streaming

  Sequential streaming is sequential downloading. Users download files while watching online media. In this process, users can only watch The downloaded part cannot be watched directly, but the undownloaded part cannot be watched directly. In other words, the user always sees the information sent by the server after a delay. Because standard HTTP servers can send files in this form, it is often referred to as HTTP streaming.

  Since sequential streaming can better ensure the quality of program playback, it is more suitable for high-quality videos published on websites and available for users to watch on demand.

  Sequential streaming files are placed on a standard HTTP or FTP server, which is easy to manage and basically has nothing to do with firewalls. Sequential streaming is not suitable for long clips and videos with random access requirements, such as lectures, speeches and demonstrations. It also doesn't support live broadcasts.

• Live streaming

  Live streaming must ensure that it matches the connection bandwidth so that the media can be viewed in real time. During the viewing process, users can arbitrarily watch the content in front or behind the media. However, in this transmission method, if the network transmission condition is not ideal, the quality of the received image will be relatively poor. Real-time streaming requires a specific server, such as Quick. Time Streaming Server, Realserver or Windows Media server. These servers allow more levels of control over media delivery, making system setup and management more complex than standard HTTP servers. Real-time streaming also requires special network protocols, such as: RTSP (realtime streaming protocol) or MMS (microsoft media server). While firewalls sometimes block these protocols, preventing users from seeing live content from some locations, live streaming is always delivered in real time, making it particularly suitable for live events.

Streaming media application

Streaming media technology is widely used in many aspects of Internet information services, such as multimedia news releases, online live broadcasts, online advertising, e-commerce, video on demand, distance education, telemedicine, web broadcasts, real-time video conferencing, etc. Streaming media technology The application will bring revolutionary changes to network information exchange and have a profound impact on people's work and life.

Streaming media technology is not a single technology, it is an organic combination of network technology and video/audio technology. In order to implement streaming media technology on the network, we need to solve the production, publishing, transmission and broadcasting of streaming media. question.

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