A Closer Look at Live Streaming- Decoding the Hows and Whys
When you watch a video on live, streaming ensures data
transmission from the source server to your device. It sends small bits of the
video content file from a remote storage place, so you don’t have to wait for
the entire file to download before you start watching it.
While these words stand as a gist to what live streaming is all about, below we will see a detailed insight on its perks, and how to broadcast it to audiences.
What Is Live Streaming?
Live streaming is when the video goes straight over the
internet in real-time without being saved first. Examples of video assets that
can be live-streamed include live TV, video games and social media videos.
And solutions like Skype or FaceTime are different; they
work instantly between a few people, not one-to-many like live streaming.
Regular streaming involves the pre-recording and
subsequent playback of video content. This allows viewers to access it at their
convenience. But live streaming entails the immediate broadcast of video
content as it happens. It offers an immersive and interactive experience for
viewers.
How Does Live Streaming Work?
Live streaming happens in a few main steps:
1. Video Capture
It all starts with a camera capturing the video. The camera
takes pictures of what’s happening and turns them into computer language.
Imagine it like changing pictures into a secret code made of 1s and 0s.
2. Compression and Encoding
Next, the video gets smaller and shaped differently. This
makes the file lighter by removing things that stay the same. For example, if
someone talks in front of a still background, the background doesn’t need to be
shown over and over.
Then comes the process of “encoding.” It’s like translating
the video into a terminology that many devices can understand easily. This
helps people watch the video on lots of different gadgets.
3. Transmission: Sending the Video
Once the video is made smaller and changed, it’s sent over
the internet to a special server. This server then sends the video to many
people who want to watch it. This step is important for a smooth watching
experience.
4. Decoding
On the viewer’s side, the video needs to change back to a
format the device can show. This is the opposite of encoding. It makes sure the
video looks right on the screen.
5. Display
Finally, the video appears on the viewer’s device in real-time. People can watch it as it comes in without waiting for the whole thing to
download. This happens because the compressed and changed video keeps coming
through the internet while you watch.
Advantages of Live Streaming
As technology evolves, content creators are leveraging live streaming for a
myriad of purposes. Let's delve into the advantages that make live streaming an
indispensable tool:
1. Brand Building Made Easy
Live streaming, a way of showing things in real-time on the
internet, brings heaps of benefits. But now, it is a must for brands. Live
streaming is easier to do and is more connected. People can join in from their
mobile phones, which are way better for media than computers used to be.
2. Direct Connection
When you live stream on social media, it’s like having a
personal chat with each person watching. They let you into their online space,
where they hang out with friends, crack jokes, and share ideas. Being where
your audience spends most of their digital time is super powerful for your
brand.
3. Not Just a New Mode of Communication
Live streaming isn’t a new idea. It can cost almost nothing
and reach tons of potential customers. It works on different devices and
platforms, like Onthefly. This means it’s a huge chance for brands to get seen
without spending much. And it’s only going to get simpler and better over time.
4. Managing the Audience
Live streams let organizers control the audience better.
They can pick the best questions from the audience before asking them. This
makes Q&A sessions better.
In real live events, the audience might behave
unpredictably, but with live streams, it’s different. You do not have to worry
about online heckling like you might with a live crowd.
5. Sales Boost
Live streams can help sell stuff more effectively than other
events. Businesses selling things online can get a lot of sales during a live
stream. You can easily offer deals during the live show, getting you instant
sales.
6. Lasting Value
Imagine if you could always go back to your best moments.
With live streaming, you can record everything in top quality and use those
bits again for sales and marketing.
What Do You Need to Start Live Streaming?
Getting started with live streaming? Let’s make it easy for
you to kick off your streaming journey:
1. Choosing Your Streaming Platform
It is picking the right platform that matters. Check out platforms that
match your answer for what is streaming. Think about where your audience hangs
out the most. Each platform has its unique stuff and different types of
viewers.
2. Find Software for Live Streaming
Find easy-to-use software that matches your skills. Make
sure they’ve got amazing features like changing background scenes, layering
your video, and they’re not hard to use even for beginners.
3. Basic Gear for Streaming
You do not need a fancy setup to start. Here’s what you’ll
want:
• Camera: A decent webcam or a good smartphone camera works
fine at first. Later, you might upgrade to a DSLR for better quality.
• Microphone: Good sound is super important. Begin with a USB
mic or a headset with a mic. Later on, you can get a better standalone mic for
even better sound.
• Stable Internet Connection: Faster upload speeds make
streaming smoother. If you can, use an Ethernet cable for a more reliable
connection.
• Lighting: Bright lights make your stream look better.
Natural light is good, or you can buy affordable LED lights to make your setup
pop.
• Computer: Make sure your PC can handle the streaming
software. It needs a good processor and enough memory (RAM) to stream without
glitches.
Parting notes
The answer to what streaming means is that it
changes the video into a special format, sends it over the internet, changes it
back, and lets you watch in real-time. This makes it easy for people to watch
things happening live from anywhere.
With live video, you can make sure everyone who wants to see
it can watch it whenever they want. So, if you're looking for a streaming platform that meets your needs, Onthefly helps
make all those amazing live moments stay as clear and good quality forever.
Now, if you are thinking of starting streaming, “Onthefly” can be a handy tool
to kickstart your live streaming journey.
