What exactly is live streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

The popularity of live streaming (or livestreaming) has become so commonplace that 30% of internet viewers watch live streams every single week. It's possible to stream and make live streams using numerous devices and apps It's also much easier than ever to begin.

In this article this article, we'll explain how to go about live streaming.

• The following article will describe the concept of live streaming (including a description of the technical issues).
  
• We'll provide live streaming stats and landmarks.
  
• In this article, we'll discuss advantages as well as practical examples of live streams.
  
• Here's the things you'll require to create your own live stream.
  

What is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the act of showing your viewers a video stream in live-time. The past, live streaming was limited to businesses that could afford to broadcast live to their audience. In the last few years, live streaming technology has lit up the internet, and more and more people are using live streaming from home with no need for an expensive television studio.

What is live streaming... technical

Coding
    Technically, your camera inputs an image that is raw. The problem is that these files are too huge to stream effectively. Therefore, an encoder (software or hardware) converts the video in real-time into codecs (ie. h.264). This makes the files small enough for streaming and ensures that any device can recognize it.

Compression
    The video can be split into P-frames, I-frames, as well as B-frames. I-frames are similar to a standard JPEG image, they contain an entire image frame with all the details.

B-frames and P-frames work slightly differently. They are only able to capture a portion of the movie that is altered in motion vectors through recording these. This makes it a much easier to compress the file, and quicker to playback. In the case of a YouTube video in which the subject speaks against an unchanging background, the majority of the background's pixels will not alter.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) are used to record the movements and modifications in the body of the speaker's face, as well as body movements through reviewing prior frames.
  
• B-frames can be even more efficient, since they are able to use references from previous and future frames, resulting in an overall image.
  

Internet speed
    Live streaming also requires a constant flow of data. This is known as the bitrate, the amount of data the device is capable of streaming in one second.

• HD720 (HD) video requires between 4 and 4.5 milliseconds
  
• 1080p needs 4-6 megabits
  
• 4k is required to reach 15-25 Mbps
  

If you are using live streaming, your upload speed should be compatible with the data streaming.

The video player doesn't have the same amount of speed. The quality of video players will be reduced when connections are poor or buffer (downloading about 2-30 seconds ahead of time) in order to make the video stream smooth. Also, we utilize Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies the video at a constant rate to servers nearer to the viewer because it requires information for travel across longer distances.

Latency

The video might not be real-time. In the simplest case, there's a small delay. We term this delay latency.

Live Statistics streaming

• 30percent of web viewers are watching live streams every week.
  
• The most often streamed live video is live stories (34 percent) as well as streaming live sporting events (29 per cent).
  
• 91.7 percentage of the internet's users globally stream live every month.
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok subscribers want to stream live streaming.
  
• Smart TVs may be the most popular spot for streaming live video (35.3 percent of all streamed video).
  
• 28 A majority of video clips streamed on the internet are streaming live.
  
• Live streaming that was the longest in history ran for more than 624 hours. offered by Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.
  
• The record-holding live stream with the highest number of viewers is currently held by the Spanish Ibai streamer, who has 3.44 million people watching Twitch through the channel La Velada del Ano (3).
  

The method of live streaming that made it feasible (Timeline)

It's not a complete list in this article, but here's an overview timeline of technological developments that enable live streaming.

The 1990s saw the advent of technology that allowed "packets" from media sources to be streamed. They were afterwards rendered prior to complete download.
    1993-1993: The MPEG-1 compression standard is released that allows for the streaming of videos in real-time.
    1995: The company Starlight created the first stream of video via satellites.
     1995- First internet radio: Radio HK.
    1995 1995 RealPlayer debuts, and is the first major streaming media player. Then, it was made available as an option for Windows 98 installation.
    1996 1996 - The Real-time Transport Protocol is developed, creating the framework to transmit audio and video over networks.
    1998 - Starlight unveiled the first web conference products.
    1999 - Victoria's Secret fashion show, hugely successful, turns into one the first live streaming programs, with the potential to attract 1.5 million viewers.
    2001, 2002 Flash Player adds video capabilities that allow embeddable videos to be played.
    2007 - The debut of Justin.tv (later changed to Twitch) that featured Justin Kan with cameras throughout the day. The channel was later extended to numerous channels that would allow the public to stream.
    2009 - - Both Ustream and live stream launched
    The year 2011 was the year that YouTube added live streaming to its offerings. The service was first introduced in 2005 (fun detail: the initial video was titled "Me at the Zoo). Facebook introduced live streaming in 2015, Periscope in 2015, as well as Instagram in the year 2016.

Live streaming has many benefits.

Live streaming is a way of providing power.

• Super-interactive Viewers aren't only able to watch in real time however, they are also able to communicate, ask questions and provide feedback in various ways.
  
• Very imperfect: In contrast to edited videos, where the creator of content might feel obliged to make improvements the content, live streams aren't able to do this (at at least, not at the moment). In the end, live streaming is more natural and much more entertaining.
  
• It's more efficient: There is some pre-production and setup, however live streams are generally shorter than the effort required to create the video that is produced, and may need editing, scripting, re-shooting and more.
  
• Lower cost of production  There is often easier to begin and launch.
  
• The repurposing User can chop and edit the live stream to suit different reasons and formats after the event. This includes making a video from it.
  
• This is a feeling of urgency. Live streaming makes you feel a bit more vital. No matter if someone uploads a video following the event, watching live can make you feel more special and increases the number of viewers.
  

What are the requirements to stream live?

You can get a fantastic overview of live streaming in this video if you're starting to learn about live streaming!

So, let's give an outline of live streaming available to creators. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The best part with live streaming is it's likely you do not require any expensive equipment. Modern smartphones have everything you need for running a live stream.

Here are some possible videos to consider:

• Video on smartphones: The majority of smartphones are capable of creating HD videos. Some smartphones shoot 4K. Make sure to note that your smartphone's camera in the back and front could have different specifications. However, both are most likely to suffice for live streaming. It's easiest to stream directly via your smartphone.
  
• Webcam: Some streaming software developers choose to use webcams built into their laptop or desktop computer, as well as using an external webcam. This is used for live streaming, which is performed with a laptop or desktop.
  
• Professional cameras: Established streamers usually use professional cameras such as DSLRs to stream live. The cameras are able to be linked to your laptop or phone and deliver higher quality video, in addition to allowing you to pick the lenses which best suit your style and style.
  

You'll also need audio! There are a few choices available

• The microphone built into your computer or phone (not recommended) The phone and computer's microphones are away from your mouth during the live streaming They also have audio recorders that are not that high-end. You should pick among the options listed below.
  
• Wireless or Bluetooth headphones bring the microphone closer to your mouth, enhancing audio quality while minimising background noise. Any headset is usually better than using the microphone built into your device.
  
• Lapel mic Lapel microphones are clipped to the collar or shirt of yours and captures sound close to your mouth, making you to enjoy a more premium sound. The microphones are wireless and wired along with some of the higher-end mics come with features such as noise cancellation.
  
• Shotgun microphone The shotgun microphone can be found a distance from your face (often is placed at the very top on the screen) and can record the voice direction.
  
• Condenser microphone for your desktop A lot of streamers today are employing desktop condenser mics, such as Blue Yeti. Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your computer and takes sound straight from your lips.
  

Here are some more streaming live tips for you to enhance your gameplay.

2. Software for streaming (optional)

The usage of streaming software isn't required, since you can live stream directly on various platforms. The streaming software may help those who want for:

• sharing a screen on a computer, either in a slideshow format or as part of games.
  
• In order to utilize multiple cameras (ie. different angles).
  
• To add overlays, graphics, logos for overlays, images, cards or chat boxes.
  
• To mix in different audio streams (e.g. music).
  
• In order to stream on multiple platforms simultaneously (e.g. Facebook and YouTube YouTube or LinkedIn). ).
  

For an example of this we discussed the streaming service StreamYard on our blog post about Zoom Alternatives. It is able to do many of these things.

3. Live streaming platforms

It's pretty simple. It's essential to use an online streaming platform that can support streaming. For instance, YouTube and Twitch.

You can try it ! Mighty permits you to live stream on your phone or the Mighty application, or you could even create an app that you can personalize to stream from. It's also simple to earn profits from it, or even charge per stream or set up a subscription with streaming integrated into.

Live streaming is a benefit for companies

If you're a business owner or the proprietor of a company, then you should be aware of the advantages that live streamers can help your company. If you select a live stream, the one you opt to use won't be as polished or perfect like the promotional video you put together, however live streaming can be something unique. As we said, it creates a feeling of connection between your customers and yourself that is unscripted and real which is an important benefit of your business. Furthermore, live streaming has the potential to be spontaneous and unexpected (in a good way ).

These are other benefits of live streaming for firms:

• Create events without having spaces or even space. Live streams allow businesses to create virtual meetings and events without having to be within the same location.
  
• Make educational possibilities: Live streams can be an ideal way to increase to the benefits of education, especially through the teaching process! Live streaming can be utilized by companies (especially with the webinar format) to inform customers about their services and boost brand recognition.
  
• The audience can stream live anyplace in the world is capable of watching the live stream with the internet and a gadget. It brings them closer, and makes it simpler for users to communicate with you.
  
• Profit from events and ticket sales: Businesses can create high-quality digital services like live streams to generate income, by selling tickets or offering them for free.
  

Use your live stream not to promote sales. Give your clients something of value and teach them skills that inspire, stimulate them, and engage them. This is why live streaming beneficial to your company.

Live streaming is one of our top choices, and that's why we've added live streaming capability to all of our plans.

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Live streaming example

There are some massive old live streams. Things like:

• Michael Jackson's funeral was among the live streams followed by the highest number of viewers at the time (2009).
  
• In 2012 NASA live streamed the Mars Curiosity landing. It is still possible to watch NASA live stream in the space channel.
  
• In 2014, gamers on Twitch were playing Pokemon along with commands received from chat. There were reported as 1.16 million, while 55 million viewed.
  

This is incredible! Live streaming is a powerful tool to unite individuals. Even we host live stream of our very own People Magic Summit, with notable community leaders and creators (this year's attendees included celebrities like Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry along with Amanda Goetz). Replay sessions can be viewed here!

Here are a few additional generic examples of what live streaming might look like.

• The Mighty Network host announces a each week via their live stream every Monday.
  
• Live performances are broadcast on IGTV along with TikTok and plays an intimate performance for the viewers.
  
• Gamer is someone who plays Roblox or Fortnight and broadcasts the game to viewers.
  
• Colleges offer an online course which is taught over the internet via live streams.
  
• A thought leader talks to one of the LinkedIn users LinkedIn live on the internet about the upcoming publication of an upcoming book.
  

You can now read: 11 of the Best Social Engagement Strategies

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