What is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live stream streaming (or livestreaming) has become so common that 30 percent of Internet users stream live every week. You can watch or make live streams using a variety of various devices and apps, and it's easier than ever to start.

In this post, we'll introduce you to everything you need to learn about live streaming.

• The following article will describe what live streaming means (including an explanation of the technical aspects).        
  
• We'll share some real-time streaming data and milestones.        
  
• The discussion will focus on the advantages of HTML0 and some instances for live stream.        
  
• and we'll explain the steps you'll need in order to build your own live stream.        
  

What is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of presenting to your audience on video in real-time. In the past, this was restricted to only media companies that had the technology of broadcasting live to their viewers. However, in recent years, live streaming technology has lit up the internet as more people are creating and consuming the live stream in their own homes, with no need for a costly television studio.

What is live streaming... technically

Encoding
Technically, your camera outputs raw digital images. They are however too big to stream efficiently. An encoder (software or hardware) converts the video in real-time into codecs (ie. h.264). This makes the files small enough to stream, and also standardizes it so any device can be able to read it.

Compression
The video is split into I-frames and P-frames as well as B-frames. I-frames are a lot like a traditional JPEG image, they contain an entire frame of the image with all its specifics.

B-frames and P-frames operate in a different way. They just capture the parts of the video that changes through tracking motion vectors. It is a smaller file, easier to compress and quicker to replay. In an YouTube video in which a person talks in front of something static, the majority of the background's pixels do not alter.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) are used to record the movement and variations in the body of the speaker's face as well as body movements through reviewing previous frames.        
  
• B-frames can be even more effective, since they can reference both previous AND future frames to create the entire image.      
  

Internet speed
Live streaming requires a continuous stream of data. We call this bit rate. It is the amount of data your device will stream each second.

• 720 (HD) video will require 4 to 4.5 Mbps        
  
• 1080p requires at least 4-6 Mbps        
  
• 4k is a requirement of 15-25 Mbps        
  

In the case of live streams, your upload speed needs to be in line with the information your stream is sending.

Your viewers don't actually need the identical speed. Video players decrease quality when the connection speed is low, or even buffer (downloading two to three seconds earlier) for making the stream smooth. We also use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your file in real time to a server that's closer to your viewer, because it requires information to travel over longer distances.

    Latency

No video is truly live. At the very least, there is a couple seconds of delay-we refer to this as latency.

Live Statistics streaming

• 30% of internet viewers watch live streams every week.      
  
• One of the most frequently live streamed content is breaking news (34%) as well as live sports (29 percentage).      
  
• 91.7% of all internet users globally stream live every month.      
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok users want to watch live content.      
  
• Smart TVs can be by far the most sought-after place for watching live streamed content (35.3% of all streamed content).      
  
• 28 A majority of video content watched online are live streamed.      
  
• The most long live streaming 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 streamer, Ibai-with 3.44 million Twitch viewers for his La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

The way live streaming made it possible (Timeline)

It's impossible to cover all aspects, but here's a quick list of some technological advancements that make live streaming possible.

In the 1990s, technology allowed "packets" that contained media files to stream and be rendered prior to a full download.
1993 - 1993 - The MPEG-1 standard for compression is published, enabling practical video streaming
1995: The company Starlight created the first streaming of video using satellites.
1995- First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 1995 RealPlayer is launched, making it the first major streaming player. Later, it was added as a choice in Windows 98 installation.
1996 - The Real-time Transport Protocol is invented, creating a framework for sending videos and audio across networks.
19981998 Starlight unveiled the first web product for conferencing.
1999 - Victoria's Secret fashion show, which was a huge success, becomes one the first live streaming event, with around 1.5 million people watching.
2002 2001 Flash Player adds video capabilities that make embeddable video content feasible.
2007 - Launch of Justin.tv (later rebranded as Twitch) with Justin Kan wearing a camera all day long. It would grow into several channels, allowing viewers to stream.
2009 - Both Ustream and Live stream were launched
2011 The year 2011 was the year that YouTube added live streaming to its services. It was launched in 2005 (fun information: the very first video was named "Me at the Zoo). Facebook added live streaming in 2015, Periscope in 2015, and Instagram in 2016.

Benefits of live streaming

Live streaming has vitality.

• Super interactive : Viewers cannot only view live however, they are also able to communicate, ask questions and provide feedback in different ways.      
  
• Absolutely imperfect Aside from edited video where a content creator might consider themselves obligated to refine but live streaming isn't able to do this (at the very least not at this point). Therefore, live streams are organic, and more engaging.    
  
• Less time-consuming: There might some preparation and set-up, but live streams are often less work than say making the video that you want to make. This may involve scripting, re-shooting, editing, etc.    
  
• Costs of production are lower : Often it's a less lift for getting started and launching.      
  
• Repurposing  The user can modify and cut your live stream for various purposes and formats following the fact, as well as hosting a recording or a video.      
  
• The urgency of live streaming is a bit more pressing. Even if it's someone who uploads a video after the event the event, watching live is a real treat and increases participation.    
  

What you need for live streaming

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

In other words, here's an overview of live streaming options for creators. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The best part with live streaming is that it doesn't require any fancy devices. Modern smartphones have all the necessary features to manage live streams.

Here are some potential video options:

• Smartphone video: Most phones are able to create HD videos, while some newer ones shoot in 4k. Do remember that your phone's back and front camera could be of different qualities. However, both are likely to be adequate to live stream. It's the easiest way to stream from your phone.    
  
• Webcam: Certain computer streamers choose to use either the built-in webcam of their computer or an external webcam. It is a good choice the case for live streaming on a desktop or laptop.    
  
• Professional camera: The most seasoned streamers typically utilize professional cameras, such as DSLRs to live stream. These can be tethered to phones or laptops and will send you a better quality video and giving you the option of choosing the lens you like best and style.    
  

Sound is essential! There are a few options available:

• The built-in microphone on your phone or computer (not suggested) Phone and microphones on computers are too far away from your mouth when you are watching the live stream and are often poor quality sound recorders. Better to select from the choices given below.    
  
• Headphones: Bluetooth or wired headphones put the microphone near your mouth, increasing sound quality and reducing background sound. Any headset is usually more effective than the device's microphone built into the device.    
  
• Lapel microphone: A lapel mic clips to your shirt or collar and picks up sounds closer to your mouth, making for better quality. They come wired and wireless, and some higher quality microphones come with features such as noise cancellation.    
  
• Shotgun mic  The shotgun mic sits away from your face (often is attached to the highest of the camera) and captures an omnidirectional voice signal from your voice.      
  
• Condenser microphone for desktop  The majority of streamers today are making use of desktop condenser microphones, such as those of the Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your PC and receives sound directly from your lips.      
  

Here are some additional stream live tricks to boost your gameplay.

2. Streaming software (optional)

Streaming software isn't always necessary, since you can live stream directly on major platforms. It's an ideal option for those seeking:

• to share a computer screen, either of a slideshow or for gaming.        
  
• In order to utilize more than one camera (ie. different angles).    
  
• For overlays to logos, graphics cards, chatboxes.        
  
• Mixing in various audio source (e.g. music).    
  
• In order to stream on multiple platforms at the same time (e.g. YouTube + Facebook plus LinkedIn). ).    
  

For an example of this, we talked about the streaming platform StreamYard in our blog post about Zoom Alternatives. It does a lot of the above.

3. Live streaming platforms

It's pretty simple. It is necessary to have a streaming platform, like YouTube as well as Twitch.

You can try it ! Mighty makes it super easy to run a live stream via your mobile or Mighty app, or you can even get your own app with a branded name to stream live from. And it's easy to monetize, charge for individual streams or create a membership with streaming built-in.

Live streaming is a benefit to businesses

If you own a business and want to grow, then you must understand the potential of live streaming. The live stream you choose to use won't look as polished and perfect like the promotional videos that you worked on, but live streaming offers something distinctive. Like we mentioned above it establishes a connection between your audience and you that feels a lot more authentic and unscripted, which is a huge strength for your brand. Additionally, live streaming offers potential to be exciting and unexpected (in an excellent way). ).

Here are some of the other advantages of live streaming for businesses:

• Event organizers can host events without the need for space or place Live streams enable businesses to organize virtual meetings and events without the need to gather everyone in the same city.    
  
• Make educational possibilities: Live streams can be the perfect way to add worth, specifically through the teaching! Live streams can be used by businesses (especially with a webinar format) to inform customers about their products and build brand awareness.    
  
• Viewers can view the live stream from any location Anywhere anywhere in the world is able to watch a live stream with an internet connection and a gadget. This brings your audience closer to them and allows you to reach them.    
  
• Earn from ticketing and events Business can design high-end digital goods such as live streams as sources of revenues, generating revenue from selling tickets and the ability to grate them.    
  

Do not just make use of your live stream to sell. Provide your customers with something of value, educate them, inspire them, make them feel valued, and engage them. It's the only way to make live streaming beneficial to your company.

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

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Live streaming example

There are some massive old live streams. Things like:

• Michael Jackson's funeral was among of the live streams that were watched by the most people at the moment (2009).      
  
• In 2012 NASA live streamed the Mars Curiosity landing. You can still watch regular NASA live stream on space.    
  
• In 2014, gamers on Twitch were playing Pokemon together with commands from chat. It was later estimated that 1.16 million people played while 55 million viewers watched.    
  

These are amazing! Live streaming can be a powerful tool to connect people. In fact, we even have our own live stream called People Magic Summit, with the top community leaders and creators (this event featured guests like Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry, and Amanda Goetz). Replay sessions can be viewed here!

Here are a few other examples of how a live stream could look like:

• A Mighty Network host announces a weekly challenge on a live stream on Mondays.        
  
• A musician goes live on IGTV as well as TikTok and performs the audience to a small-scale concert.        
  
• A gamer is a player who plays Roblox as well as Fortnight and streams to viewers.        
  
• The college provides an online online course that is delivered via live streaming.      
  
• A thought leader talks to one of the users on LinkedIn live about an upcoming book launch.        
  

You can now read: 11 of the Most Effective Community Engagement Strategies