What is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live stream streaming (or livestreaming) has become so common that 30% of web users watch a live stream every week. It is possible to watch and create live streams with many various devices and apps, and it's easier than ever to start.

In this article We'll show you everything you need to be aware of concerning live streaming.

•         We'll explain what live streaming means (including a technical explanation).            
  
•         We'll provide live streaming statistics and landmarks.            
  
•         The discussion will focus on the benefits and examples for live stream.            
  
•         and we'll show what you'll need to create your own streaming live.            
  

        Turn a livestream into profit. Explore the platform that has one of the largest communities with a total value of $1 million.  

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What exactly is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of showing your viewers on video in real-time. It was in the past was only available to the media with the capability of broadcasting live to their viewers.

However, in the last couple of years, live streaming technology has exploded on the web, and more and more users are making and enjoying the live stream at home, without the need of an expensive TV studio.

What is live streaming... technical

Coding
Technically speaking, the camera is able to input raw digital images. They are however too large for streaming effectively. Therefore, an encoder (software or hardware) converts the video at real-time and converts it into codecs (ie. h.264). The result is that the file size gets smaller enough to stream and standardizes the way that devices can understand it.

Compression
The video can be split into what are called I-frames or P-frames. They are also known as B-frames. I-frames work a bit similar to a standard JPEG image. They contain a full image frame that includes all details.

P-frames and B frames work a bit differently. They are only capturing the portion of the movie that is changed by tracking motion vectors. This results in an easier file to compress and quicker to replay. In a YouTube video, where a speaker is speaking with an unchanging background, the majority of the background's pixels won't change.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) only need to encode the motion and changes in the face of the speaker and movement of the body by analyzing the previous frames.        
  
• B-frames are even more efficient, because they can reference both previous AND future frames to create an entire picture.      
  

Internet speed
Naturally, live streaming is also dependent on a constant stream of data. This is known as bit rate, the amount of data your device can stream each second.

• 720 (HD) video requires 4 to 4.5 4 Mbps        
  
• 1080p needs 4-6 Mbps        
  
• 4k needs 15-25 Mbps        
  

When doing live streams the upload speed has to keep up with the amount of data your stream is sending.

The viewers do not require the identical speed. Video players decrease quality when a connection is slow, or buffer (downloading two to three seconds earlier) to make the stream smooth. We also use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your file in real time to a server that's nearer to your viewers, because it requires information to travel longer distances.

    Latency

No video is truly live. It's almost always a few seconds delay. We call this latency.

Live Statistics streaming

• 30% of internet people watch a live stream every week.      
  
• The most frequently streamed live content is breaking news (34 percent) as well as live sports (29 percentage).      
  
• 91.7% of the internet's users globally view live streaming throughout the month.      
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok subscribers prefer to watch live content.      
  
• Smart TVs can be the most popular spot to watch live streamed content (35.3% of all streamed content).      
  
• 28% of all online videos watched online live streamed.      
  
• Live streaming that was the longest of all time was over 624 hours, from the Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.        
  
• The record for live streaming for the most viewers ever is held by the Spanish streaming channel Ibai, with 3.44 million Twitch users on his La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

How live streaming became possible (Timeline)

It's impossible to cover all aspects, but here's a quick timeline of the tech developments that allow live streaming.

In the 1990s, technology allowed "packets" from media sources to stream and be rendered before downloading a complete file.
1993 - 1993: The MPEG-1 compression standard is released, enabling practical video streaming
1995 - The company Starlight developed the first video streaming system using satellites.
1995 - First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 - RealPlayer debuts, and becomes the first major stream media player. Later, it was added as an option for Windows 98 installation.
1996 - Real-time Transport Protocol is created, creating a framework for sending audio & video over networks.
1998 - Starlight unveiled the first web product for conferencing.
1999 - The Victoria's Secret fashion show is one of the first live streaming shows, with an estimated 1.5 million spectators.
2002 - Flash Player adds video capabilities that make embedding videos possible.
2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later changed to Twitch) with Justin Kan with a camera all day long. It would grow into several channels, allowing viewers to broadcast.
2009 - Both Ustream and Live stream were launched
2011 2012 YouTube has added live streaming into its offering. It had launched in 2005 (fun fact: the first video was named "Me at the Zoo). Facebook began live streaming in the year 2015, Periscope in 2015, as well as Instagram in 2016.

Live streaming benefits

Live Streaming has an energy.

• Super interactive  Viewers cannot only view live, but they can usually chat, ask questions, and give feedback in other ways.      
  
• Perfectly imperfect Aside from edited videos where a content creator might be compelled to improve, live streaming can't really achieve this (at at least, not currently). This means that live streams are organic, and much more entertaining.    
  
• The time is less consuming: There could some preparation and set-up, but live streams are generally less time-consuming than, say the effort required to create the video that you want to make. This may involve writing, reshooting, editing or other editing.    
  
• Costs of production are lower  Most of the time it's a less lift to get started and launch.      
  
• Recycling  It is possible to can modify and cut the live stream to different purposes and formats after the fact, as well as making a video or a video.      
  
• It's a sense of urgency. Live streaming is a bit more urgent. Even if it's someone who publishes their video later an event, being able to watch live makes you feel special and helps increase the number of people who watch it.    
  

What do you require for live streaming

There's an awesome overview in this video if you're getting started with live streaming!

In other words, this is an overview of live streaming available to creators. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The best part regarding live streaming in the present is it doesn't require any expensive technology. Modern smartphones have everything needed to operate live streams.

Here are a few potential video options:

• Video on smartphones: The majority of phones can create at least HD videos, while some modern phones shoot 4K. Make sure to note that the rear and front camera may differ in quality. Both are probably suitable for a live stream. It's easiest to stream directly from your phone.    
  
• Webcam: Certain streaming software users choose to utilize either an internal computer webcam or an external webcam. This would be for live streaming done on a desktop or laptop.    
  
• Professional cameras: Established streamers usually use professional cameras like DSLRs for live streams. They are able to be tied to phones or laptops and will send you a better quality video, as well as letting you choose the lenses which best suit your style and feel.    
  

And you'll need sound! There are a few options available:

• Mic built into your computer or phone (not recommended) Phone and computer microphones are far away from your mouth during a live stream, and often have low-quality sound recorders. You should pick among the alternatives listed below.    
  
• Wireless or Bluetooth headphones place the microphone next to your mouth, improving audio quality while minimizing background disturbance. The headset you choose to use is typically an improvement over your device's microphone built into the device.    
  
• Lapel mic Lapel microphones are clipped to the collar of your shirt and picks up sounds closer to your mouth. This results in higher high-quality. The mics are wireless and wired as well as some of the higher-end microphones come with features such as noise canceling.    
  
• Shotgun mic  (also known as a shotgun microphone is a distance from you (often is attached to the highest of the camera) and records directional sound from your vocal.      
  
• Desktop condenser mic : More streamers these days are making use of desktop condenser microphones, such as the Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your computer and captures audio from the mouth of your user.      
  

Here are a few more stream live advice to improve your game.

2. Streaming software (optional)

Streaming software isn't always necessary because you can live stream directly on large platforms. However, streaming software could be beneficial for those seeking:

• to share a computer screen, either of a slideshow or for gaming.        
  
• to use multiple cameras (ie. different angles).    
  
• For overlays to graphics, logos, chat boxes or cards.        
  
• To mix different audio source (e.g. music).    
  
• For streaming to several platforms at once (e.g. Facebook + YouTube plus LinkedIn). ).    
  

As an example we discussed the platform StreamYardin our post on Zoom Alternatives. It can do a variety of these kinds of things.

3. A live streaming platform

This is pretty self-explanatory. It is necessary to have a streaming platform that supports streaming, such as YouTube as well as Twitch.

Or come try ! Mighty is a breeze to live stream from your phone or the Mighty application, or you could even create your own app with a branded name to stream live from. You can easily monetize it or charge per stream or even create a membership using streaming built-in.

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Live streaming has benefits to businesses

If you're a proprietor of a company and want to grow, then you must understand the benefits of live streaming. Your live streams won't appear as perfect or polished as that promotional video you labored over, but live streaming has something more distinctive.

We've already mentioned that it builds a bond between you and your viewers that is unscripted and real and is an enormous strength for your brand. Additionally, live streaming offers the ability to be truly exciting and unexpected (in the best way possible). ).

Here are some additional benefits of live streaming to businesses:

• Event organizers can host events without the need for space or place: Live streams allow businesses to hold virtual gatherings and discussions without the need to gather everyone in the same city.    
  
• Make educational possibilities: Live streaming could be an opportunity to add value through the teaching process! Businesses can use live streams (especially in a webinar format) to inform customers about their products and create brand awareness.    
  
• Viewers can view the live stream from any location Anywhere in the world can catch the live stream using the internet and device. The live stream brings your viewers closer and makes it easier to connect with them.    
  
• Earn from ticketing and events Business can design high-end digital goods such as live streaming as sources of revenues, by selling tickets and giving them away.    
  

Don't use your live stream for selling. Give your customers value, teach them things that will inspire, motivate them, and get them involved. It's the only way to make live streaming effective for your business.

We are awestruck by live streaming, and that's why we've added live streaming functionality in all our plans.

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Live streaming examples

There are some huge old live streams. Examples include:

• Michael Jackson's funeral has been one of the live streams that were watched by the most people in its era (2009).      
  
• The year 2012 was the last time NASA live streamed the Mars Curiosity landing. There are still regular NASA live stream on space.    
  
• In 2014, gamers on Twitch engaged in Pokemon along with commands given by the chat. It was later estimated that 1.16 million users played and 55 million people watched.    
  

These are amazing! Live streaming has the power to connect people. We even host our own live stream, People Magic Summit, with prominent creators and community leaders (this year's attendees included celebrities such as Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry and Amanda Goetz). It is possible to rewatch the sessions on our website!

Here are a few general examples of what live streaming might look like:

• A Mighty Network host announces a daily challenge via a live stream on Mondays.        
  
• Live music is performed by a musician on IGTV or TikTok and plays a mini-concert for viewers.        
  
• A gamer plays Roblox or Fortnight and broadcasts to viewers.        
  
• The college provides an online virtual course  taught via live streams.      
  
• A thought leader interviews one of the users on LinkedIn live about an upcoming book launch.        
  

Now Read: 11 of the Top Community Engagement Strategies