What is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live streaming (or livestreaming) has grown so popular that 30% of Internet users stream live every week. The ability to stream or watch live streaming using a number of various devices and apps and is now simpler than ever to begin.

In this blog, we'll introduce you to all you should know regarding live streamers.

• The following article will describe the meaning of live streaming (including details of the technical details).
  
• We'll be sharing some live streaming information and key milestones.
  
• The focus will be on the advantages of HTML0 as well as some examples of live stream.
  
• And we'll walk you through the steps you'll need to follow in order to set up your personal live stream.
  

What exactly is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of showing your viewers on video in real-time. The past, live streaming was only available to media companies that had the technology of live streaming to their audience. However, in recent years live streaming has lit up the internet since more people are creating and consuming the live stream in their own homes, without the need of a costly TV studio.

What is live streaming... technically

Coding
    Technically speaking, your camera is capable of producing uncompressed digital images. However, they are too large to stream efficiently. A encoder (software or hardware) converts the video real-time into codecs (ie. h.264). This reduces the size of the file enough to stream, as well as standardizing it for any device to be capable of reading it.

Compression
    The video is divided into I-frames and P-frames as well as B-frames. I-frames resemble a traditional JPEG image. They comprise all of the frame image with all its specifics.

B-frames and P-frames operate differently. They just capture the parts of the film that change through tracking motion vectors. It's a smaller file that is easier to compress, and faster to replay. When you watch a YouTube video which a person talks in front of something static most of the background's pixels will not change.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) are utilized to capture the movement and variations within the body of the speaker's face as well as movements of the body through reviewing previous frames.
  
• B-frames are even more effective, since they are able to reference previous AND future frames to create the whole image.
  

Internet speed
    Live streaming demands an uninterrupted stream of data. It is referred to as the bit rate. It's the amount of data your device will send out every second.

• 720 (HD) video requires 4 to 4.5 Mbps
  
• 1080p needs at minimum 4-6 5 Mbps
  
• 4k is a requirement of 15-25 Mbps
  

In the case of live streams, the speed of your upload needs to be in line with the stream's information. sends.

Viewers don't require the identical speed. The quality of video players is reduced when they have a slow connection as well as buffer (downloading about three to two minutes earlier) to make the streaming smooth. Additionally, we utilize Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your file in real time to a server located close to the viewer since it needs information to be transported over greater distances.

Latency

The video may not be truly live. It is likely that there's only a couple of seconds delay. We refer to it as latency.

Live Statistic streaming

• 30% of internet viewers view live streaming each week.
  
• One of the most frequently live streamed content is breaking news (34 percent) as well as live sporting events (29 percent).
  
• 91.7% of all internet users worldwide stream live each month.
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok users want to watch live-streamed content.
  
• Smart TVs are by far the most sought-after spot for streaming live media (35.3% of all streamed content).
  
• 28 A majority of videos watched online are live streams.
  
• The longest live stream in history was over 624 hours, by the Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.
  
• The streaming record with the highest number of viewers is held by Spanish streaming artist Ibai, who has 3.44 million Twitch viewers in his La Velada del Ano (3).
  

The way live streaming allowed it to be done (Timeline)

It's impossible to cover all aspects, but this is a brief overview of some technological advancements which allow live streaming to be made possible.

In the early 1990s, technology allowed "packets" which contained media files to stream, and be rendered prior to a complete download.
    1993 to 1993: 1993-93 - The MPEG-1 Standard for compression was made public, making it possible to use video streaming
    1995 Starlight: In 1995, the Starlight company Starlight invented the first online streaming of video using satellites.
     1995- First internet radio: Radio HK.
    1995 1995 RealPlayer was launched. This makes it the very first streaming player. In the following years, it was made available to the Windows 98 installation.
    1996: The Real-time Transport Protocol is invented to create a protocol to transmit audio and video over networks.
    1998-1998 Starlight launched the world's first Web conference product.
    1999 1999 - Victoria's Secret fashion show, which became a massive event, became the first events that live stream, with around 1.5 million viewers.
    2002 2001 Flash Player adds video capabilities to make embeddable video feasible.
    2007 - Launch of Justin.tv (later rebranded as Twitch) which featured Justin Kan wearing a camera all day long. The site would expand into a variety of channels and allow viewers to stream.
    2009 The two streams, Ustream and Live stream both launched
    2011. 2011 was the year in which YouTube included live streaming on its offerings. It first launched live streaming in the year 2005 (fun information: the very first YouTube video was titled "Me at the Zoo). Facebook added live streaming in 2015, Periscope in 2015, and Instagram in 2016.

The benefits of live streaming

Live streaming is vital.

• Super interactive : Viewers cannot only watch the live stream, however they can also communicate, ask questions and provide feedback in different ways.
  
• The video is utterly imperfect, with the exception of edited videos where a creator of content might feel obliged to make improvements, but live streaming can't achieve this (at the very least not currently). Therefore, live streams are authentic and are more interesting.
  
• Less time-consuming: There might need some setup and preparation, but live streams are generally less labor-intensive than making the video you'd like to create. This may involve scripting or re-shooting the video, editing etc.
  
• Costs of production are less : Often it's a smaller lift to get started and then launching.
  
• Repurposing Users can alter and edit your live stream to suit various needs and formats after the fact, as well as hosting videos or recordings.
  
• The importance of live streaming is more urgent. Even if it's someone who uploads a video after the event the event, watching live is a real treat and increases involvement.
  

You will need the following items to stream live?

There's an awesome overview in this video if you're beginning to learn about streaming live!

In other words, here's an outline of live streaming options available to producers. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The greatest benefit of live streaming is that it doesn't require expensive equipment. The latest smartphones come with all the essential features required to run live streaming.

Here are some video options:

• Smartphone videos: Many smartphones can create HD videos. Some modern phones shoot 4K. Make sure to take note that your camera on the front and back of your phone may have different specifications. Both are probably adequate for live stream. It's the easiest method to stream live from your phone.
  
• Webcam: Certain streamers prefer to utilize the built-in webcam on their computer or an external webcam. It is a good choice to stream live on a desktop or laptop.
  
• Professional cameras: The most skilled streamers generally use professional cameras like DSLRs to live stream. These cameras can be linked to laptops, phones or smartphones and will send you a higher quality video, and give users the possibility of picking the lens you like best and style.
  

The sound is vital! There are a few options available:

• Your built-in microphone in your computer or phone (not advised) Phone and microphones for computers are far away from the mouth while you're watching the live stream. They generally are not high quality sound recording devices. You should pick from the choices given below.
  
• The Bluetooth and wired headphones have the microphone placed near your mouth, enhancing sound quality and reducing background sound. Any headset is usually superior to the microphone, which is integrated into the device.
  
• Lapel microphone: A lapel microphone attaches to the shirt or collar and is able to pick up sounds close to your mouth, making the sound more high-quality. They come wired and wireless, and some higher quality microphones have options like noise cancellation.
  
• Shotgun mic The shotgun mic sits in a distance from the face (often it is mounted to the top part of your camera) and captures an all-directional signal for your voice.
  
• Condenser microphone for desktop Most streaming platforms today make use of microphones that are designed for desktops, such as those of the Blue Yeti, which is directly connected to your computer and takes sound direct through your mouth.
  

Below are a few additional streaming live tips that can help you improve your gaming.

2. Software for streaming (optional)

Streaming software doesn't have to be required as you are able to live stream directly on most platforms. This is a great alternative for people who want:

• for sharing a screen from a computer, either of a slideshow or for gaming.
  
• In order to utilize several cameras (ie. different angles).
  
• To overlay logos on chatboxes, graphics cards.
  
• Mixing in various audio source (e.g. music).
  
• For streaming simultaneously on several platforms at the same time (e.g. YouTube + Facebook plus LinkedIn). ).
  

For an example of this, we talked about streaming platforms like StreamYard in our blog article on Zoom Alternatives. It is able to do all of these.

3. Live streaming platforms

It's really easy. It's essential to use an online streaming platform like YouTube along with Twitch.

You can try it ! Mighty makes it super easy to live stream via your mobile or Mighty application. You could even create your own app with a brand name that you can stream live from. And it's easy to monetize, charge for individual streams or even create a membership that has streaming integrated into.

Live streaming is a benefit for businesses.

If you run a business and want to grow, then you must understand the potential that live streaming can bring. The live stream you select to use won't look the same polished and flawless as the promotional videos that you made, but live streaming offers something distinctive. Like we mentioned above it creates a bond between your viewers and you that feels a lot more authentic and unscripted this is a major positive for your company's image. Additionally, live streaming offers an opportunity to be thrilling and unpredictably (in an excellent way). ).

Here are a few benefits of live streaming for businesses:

• Event organizers can host events without the need for space or place Live streams allow businesses to host virtual events and meetings without the need to gather every person in a city.
  
• Learn more about the possibilities for education: Live streams can be an ideal way to increase worth, specifically through the teaching! Live streams can be used by businesses (especially with the webinar format) to let customers know about their offerings and increase branding awareness.
  
• The live stream at any time from anywhere. anyplace around the globe is possible to view a live stream with an internet connection and a device. It brings viewers closer to them and allows the broadcaster to connect with them.
  
• Make money from ticket sales and other events. Businesses can create top-quality digital goods like live streaming as sources of earnings, making money through ticket sales and the ability to grate them.
  

You shouldn't make use of your live stream only to make sales. Give your clients something of value, educate them, inspire them, make them feel valued and engaged. This is the only way you can make live streaming beneficial to your company.

Live streaming is our favorite so we've added live streaming functionality to our various plans.

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Live streaming as an example

There are some massive older live stream streams. These include:

• Michael Jackson's funeral was among of the live streams that were watched by the largest number of people at the moment (2009).
  
• The year 2012 was the last time NASA live streamed Mars Curiosity landing. There is a regularly on NASA live streams on the internet in space.
  
• In 2014, players playing on Twitch were playing Pokemon along with commands received from chat. Later, it was estimated that 1.16 million users played and 55 million people watched.
  

These are amazing! Live streaming can be a powerful tool to connect people. Indeed, we have our own live stream known as People Magic Summit, with leading people in the community and their creators (this event featured guests like Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry as well as Amanda Goetz). Replays can be watched on our website!

Here are a few others examples of what a live stream could look like:

• A Mighty Network host announces a every week challenge live on the stream on Mondays.
  
• A live musician performs on IGTV along with TikTok and performs the audience in a concert of a smaller scale.
  
• A gamer is a player who is a Roblox player as well as Fortnight and streams to viewers.
  
• The school offers students with an online course that is delivered through live streaming.
  
• A thought-leader talks with one of the users on LinkedIn live about an upcoming book launch.
  

Now you can read: 11 of the Most Effective Community Engagement Strategies

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