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What Is It?

Streaming video refers to one method that allows computer users to view film, animation, and broadcasts delivered from one computer to another. Instead of downloading a file that contains the video, the user can view the documentation as it “streams” in to the computer from a remote Web site. Streaming video can allow for a variety of personalized ‘broadcast’ programs and formats, access to archives, and sophisticated combinations with other multimedia technologies for Web presentations and conferences. Each streaming procedure is to be distinguished from downloading files, where the file can be contained on the receiver’s computer.

The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) developed and standardized Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) in 1998 as RFC 2326. This protocol is used in streaming media systems that allow a client to control a streaming media server remotely. The user deploys VCR-like commands such as “play” and “pause” in an audio software on that user’s computer to allow time-based access to the delivered sound.

Who Is it For?

Anyone who wants to watch videos, broadcasts, news or other visually-heavy presentation might prefer streaming audio over downloads. However, the ability for the person to receive streaming video will depend upon his or her Internet connection. Anything less than a cable connection will break the “stream,” and will deliver video that is jerky or that basically cannot be delivered due to the bandwidth needed for a smooth stream.

Features

Playback for streaming video begins shortly after the user clicks on a link to a file that contains the streaming audio from a Web page. The stream moves faster than the playback with an appropriate Internet connection, so playback supposedly should not be interrupted. Some users can pause the playback and allow the stream to be delivered fully before playing the entire video file, depending upon the software used for the streaming video delivery. All features within streaming video will depend upon the streaming video or multimedia software used by the person on the receiving end.

Compatibility

The RTSP protocol is not used for sending the streaming data, as most RTSP servers us the standards-based RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol - a standardized packet format for delivering audio and video over the Internet) as the transport protocol for data, acting somewhat like a metadata channel. The RTSP protocol is similar in syntax and operation to HTTP, but RTSP adds new requests such as an ID for temporary session use.

The user will require technologies that permit listening as the signal is transferred to the computer system from a remote Web site. Technologies which permit listening and watching continuously as the signal is transferred to a system from a remote web site include many free options, but that may require paid subscription services. Streaming video requires a high degree of compression for the transfer audio at a minimum of 28.8 Kbps or 14.4 Kbps speeds and still retain quality visuals.

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