Streaming Media
Streaming Media is a process in which an end user constantly receives and views media such as video, audio or real time text from a source via a constant server to client data stream. On demand media streaming implies viewing pre-recorded material stored on a server. Users have the option of pausing, replaying and seeking through media files.
Live streaming allows users access to a live webcast / broadcast. Users have the option of seeking, pausing or replaying the media only if the media is buffered and stored on a local machine.
Advantages
* Eliminates the need for local data storage
* Optimized for low speed networks through client side media quality adjustments
* Simple implementation in most web application
Disadvantages
- Requires a connection to a media server
- Dependent on the stability of the streaming server
- Delays, pauses and breaks in playback from data loss for live transmissions depending on the system used
Components
- FLV
- AVI
- MPEG
- Quick Time
- MP4
- MKV
- OGM
- OGG
- 3GP
Development tools
- VLC media player
- PeerCast
- Unreal Media Server
- Flash Media Server
- Wowza Media Server
- Darwin Streaming Server
- Flumotion Streaming Server
- Firefly
- FreeCast
- Helix Universal Server
- Helix DNA Server
- Windows Media Services
- IIS Media Services
- Icecast
- SHOUTcast
- Logitech Media Server
Versions
- HTTP
- MPEG DASH
- RTSP
- MMS
- RTP
- RTCP
- UDP
- TCP
- RTMP
- Real Data Transport