You used to enjoy live video on social networks, or watch movies and listen to music online from popular platforms. However, do you already understand what a stream is and how it has changed the way we transmit and consume digital content?
What is Stream?
Stream (Streaming) is a term used to refer to the continuous transmission of data over a network. It refers to the transmission of data from a source (such as video, audio or live data) to a user device continuously and without the need for a complete wait or download before viewing. Stream allows data to be streamed and streamed without pre-downloading before viewing or using it, streaming the content directly to other viewers through an Internet connection.
Stream types and examples of streams
- Streaming video: When you watch online videos on YouTube, Netflix, or live broadcasting platforms like Twitch, video data is continuously transmitted from the server to your device through the stream. You can view content instantly without having to download or wait.
- Audio Streaming: When you listen to music online on Spotify, Apple Music, or SoundCloud, the audio data is continuously transferred from the server to your device via stream. You can listen to music without having to download the entire song.
- Game Streaming: When you play an online game like Fortnite, League of Legends, or PUBG, game data is seamlessly transmitted from the game server to your computer or mobile device via stream. You can join the game without having to download the entire game data.
- Streaming live broadcast: When you broadcast live video on platforms such as Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or Twitch, your video data is continuously transmitted from your device to the server serving the broadcast. via stream. Viewers can watch videos directly without having to download or wait.
- Remote data streaming: When you view security cameras remotely, conduct online meetings, or access cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, data is continuously transferred from the server to the device. your via stream. You can access remote data easily and in real time.
How does streaming work?
The performance of streaming depends on the type of data being transmitted (video, audio, live data) and the network protocol used. Here’s a summary of how streaming works: Prepare the source: First, the data source (e.g. video, audio) needs to be prepared for transmission. This includes encrypting and compressing data to reduce size and optimize for transmission over the network. Streaming server: A streaming server is used to store and deliver data to users. This server is usually capable of handling large volumes of traffic and responding to requests from multiple user devices at the same time. Transport Protocol: Streaming uses network protocols such as RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol), HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) or RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) to transmit download data over the network. These protocols allow data to be broken down into packets and transmitted in real time. User interaction: The user uses a web browser or application to connect to a streaming server and receive live data. Through a network protocol, data is transmitted from the server to the user’s device in small pieces (packets) to ensure viewing or listening of the data without having to download it completely. Data synchronization: During streaming, the server and user devices must synchronize to ensure that the data is shown or played back in the correct order and without interruption. This ensures users can experience data seamlessly.
How does the stream require the network?
Streaming requires a stable network connection and enough bandwidth to transmit data continuously and without interruption. Network requirements for streaming depend on the data type (video, audio, live data) and the desired streaming quality. Here are some common network requirements for streaming: Bandwidth: Streaming video and audio requires a large enough bandwidth to transfer data continuously and smoothly. The higher the streaming quality, the larger the bandwidth required. For HD or Ultra HD video, you may need a bandwidth of 5 Mbps to 25 Mbps or more. Latency: Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from the streaming server to the user device. Real-time streaming requires low latency for users to receive data almost instantaneously. Less than 1-2 seconds latency is ideal for live streaming. Stability: The network needs to be stable to transmit data continuously. Loss of connection, reduced speed or network interruption can disrupt streaming and cause difficulties for users. Download speed: Download speed should be fast enough to download data quickly and transmit part of it before playback starts. This helps to avoid buffering during viewing or listening to data. Stable connection: The network connection should not be interrupted or frequently lose connection. Fixed wire connection (cable, fiber) is usually more stable than wireless connection (Wi-Fi, 4G/5G) in streaming data.
How to handle interrupted stream situation
When you encounter a situation where the stream is interrupted, you can try the following measures to solve the problem: Check the network connection: First, check your network connection to make sure it is stable enough. Check the Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable connection and see if the connection is lost or weak to the streaming server. If so, try troubleshooting network connectivity issues first. Reduced streaming quality: If your network doesn’t have enough bandwidth to watch data in high quality, try lowering the streaming quality. In the settings of the streaming application or browser, find the option to reduce the video or audio quality to a lower level to reduce the load on the network connection. Buffering: Try adjusting the buffer settings in the streaming app or browser. Increasing buffer time can help ensure that data is loaded before playback, reducing interruptions during viewing or listening. Use a fixed cable connection: If you’re using a Wi-Fi connection and are having problems with speed or stability, try using a direct Ethernet cable connection to the network device. Fixed cable connections often have higher speed and stability than wireless connections. Restart your device: Try restarting your device, including your network router and streaming device. This can help clear up temporary problems and restore network connectivity. Use a VPN service: Sometimes, a VPN service can help with streaming interruptions by creating a connection to another server or reducing latency. Try using a reliable VPN service and connect to the server closest to you. Check with your service provider: If streaming interruptions persist, contact your streaming service provider or Internet service provider to report the problem and get support.
Stream has become an indispensable element in the transmission and consumption of digital content. It has changed the way we access information, entertain and communicate. With the convenience, flexibility and interactivity that streaming brings, we can enjoy digital content quickly and directly, discover and share information widely, and connect with the world. world around non-stop. The above article has explained in detail what Stream is and the information related to the stream to you.