Streaming Multimedia Video and Audio

This article introduces the two main methods of streaming video on the Internet, streaming servers (true streaming) and HTTP streaming.

• Creating Good Streaming Videos
• Formats
• Popular Video File Formats
• Streaming Methods
• Downloading
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• HTTP Streaming
• Method – Streaming
• Method – Progressive Downloading
• Which Method?

 

Creating Good Streaming Videos

Making a good streaming video starts by considering the compression process and minimizing its effects. A few simple steps, can significantly reduce the finished file size and reduce the effects of blur.

• Use a steady, unobtrusive background. Use a green screen if you want to change the background during editing.
• Keep the camera stationary.
• Have people wear solid colors rather than patterns.
• Keep it simple, more complexity in your shots means more detail the computer will have to render later.

Formats

When creating streaming video, there are two things you need to understand:

1. The video file format.
2. The streaming method.

Popular Video File Formats

The most popular file formats when creating video streams are:

• Adobe Flash
• MPEG (i.e. MPEG-4)
• Quicktime
• RealMedia
• Windows Media

Although each format has its own strengths and weaknesses the choice of which format to use is really down to personal preference. To reach the widest possible audience, you could distribute your video files in multiple formats, but for most people this simply isn’t practical or cost effective. So chose the format(s) you feel will reach your audience. For distribution via the Internet, Adobe Flash and MPEG seem to be dominant at the moment.

Streaming Methods

The methods for streaming multimedia over the Internet are:

• Downloading
• Streaming
• Progressive downloading

Method – Downloading

When you download a file, the entire file is saved on your computer.

Advantages

This method has the advantage of allowing you to open and view the file at your convenience. Plus the file is quicker to access and can be quickly scanned.

Disadvantages

The big disadvantage of downloading the file is having to wait for the whole file to download before it can be viewed. For small files this may not be a problem but for large videos the wait can be considerable.

The easiest way to provide downloadable multimedia files is to use a standard HTML hyperlink to the file.

HTTP Streaming

A more advanced method would be to embed the file in a web page using HTML code. This is known as HTTP streaming or HTTP delivery and is easy to set up and use on almost any website. No additional software or special hosting plans are required.

Method – Streaming

With streaming media the user can watch the file almost within seconds of the download beginning as the file is sent to the user in a constant stream so it can be watched it as it arrives.

The advantage of streaming media is that no waiting to view the file is involved. This method has the additional advantage of being able to broadcast live events (webcast or netcast).

A potential disadvantage to streaming is that true streaming multimedia must be delivered from a specialized streaming server.

Method – Progressive Downloading

A hybrid method known as progressive download is also quite popular. With this method the multimedia file is downloaded and buffered so a portion of the file can be viewed immediately it’s received, so simulating streaming.

Which Method?

Your method of choose will depend on your circumstances, but the HTTP streaming download or progressive download is the easiest and cheapest way to get started.

You may also be interested in the following:

Adobe. "A Streaming Media Primer." (10/5/2007)
http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/pdfs/AdobeStr.pdf
Adobe products.