What Is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live streaming (or livestreaming) is now so popular that 30% of web users watch a live stream weekly. It is possible to watch and create live streams on many various platforms and applications, and it's easier to get started than ever before.

In this post We'll show you the basics you should learn regarding live stream.

•         We'll explain what live streaming means (including technical details).            
  
•         We'll present live streaming statistics and important milestones.            
  
•         The discussion will focus on the benefits and instances of live streaming.            
  
•         And we'll share how to build your personal live stream.            
  

        Turn a livestream into profit. Try the platform with the most $1 million communities.  

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What is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of presenting to your audience via video in real-time. It was in the past was restricted to only media companies with the capability to stream live video to their viewers.

But in the past couple of years the live streaming technology has revolutionized the internet, and more and more users are making and enjoying that live experience at home, without the need of an expensive TV studio.

What is live streaming... technologically

Coding
Technically, your camera inputs raw digital pictures. However, they are too large to stream efficiently. So an encoder (software or hardware) reduces the video's size in real time into codecs (ie. h.264). This reduces the size of the files enough to stream, and also standardizes the way that devices can understand it.

Compression
The video is split into what's known as I-frames or P-frames. They are also known as B-frames. I-frames function a little like a traditional JPEG image. They contain a full image frame that includes all details.

P-frames and B-frames operate slightly differently. They just capture the parts of the movie that is changed in motion vectors by tracking. It is a smaller file, easier to compress, and more efficient to playback. In a YouTube video where someone talks with a static background, most of the background's pixels do not change.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) only need to encode the movement and variations in the body of the speaker's face as well as body movements by looking at the previous frames.        
  
• B-frames can be even more efficient, because they can reference both previous and subsequent frames, resulting in the entire image.      
  

Internet speed
Live streaming is also dependent on a constant stream of data. We call this bit rate, the amount of data your device will stream every second.

• HD720 (HD) video will require between 2-4 Mbps        
  
• 1080p requires 4 to 6 Internet connections of 4-6 Mbps        
  
• 4k is a requirement of 15-25 Mbps        
  

When doing live streaming it is essential that your upload speed to keep up with the amount of data the stream transmits.

Your viewers don't actually need the identical speed. Video players decrease quality when a connection is slow, or buffer (downloading two to three seconds earlier) for making the stream smooth. Additionally, we utilize Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies the file at a real-time rate to a server which is close to the viewer as it needs information to travel over longer distances.

    Latency

No video is truly live. At the very least, there is two seconds of delay. We term this delay latency.

Live Statisticians streaming live

• 30 percent of Internet people watch live streams every week.      
  
• Most commonly streamed live content includes breaking news (34 percent) as well as live sports (29 percent).      
  
• 91.7% of the internet's users worldwide stream live each month.      
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok customers want to watch live content.      
  
• Smart TVs are by far the most popular spot to stream live streaming (35.3 percent of the streamed video).      
  
• 28% of all online videos watched online live streamed.      
  
• The most long live streaming in history took over 624 hours by the Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.        
  
• The live streaming record for the most viewers ever was set by Spanish streamer, Ibai-with 3.44 million Twitch viewers on the channel La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

How live streaming became feasible (Timeline)

The list isn't exhaustive, but here's a quick chronology of technological developments that allow live streaming.

In the 1990s, technology allowed "packets" that contained media files to stream and be rendered before a complete download.
1993 - The MPEG-1 standard for compression is introduced that allows for practical streaming of video
1995 - The firm Starlight built the first video streaming from satellites.
1995 - First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 The year 1995 RealPlayer debuts, and becomes the first major streaming player. The program was later added as an option on Windows 98 installation.
1996 - The Real-time Transport Protocol is created, creating a framework for sending audio & video over networks.
1998 - Starlight introduced the first Web product for conferencing.
1999 - Victoria's Secret fashion show becomes one of the first major live stream shows, with an estimated 1.5 million people watching.
2002 2001 Flash Player adds video capabilities that make embedding video content a possibility.
2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later rebranded as Twitch), which included Justin Kan wearing 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 to its offerings. It had launched in 2005 (fun fact: the first video was called "Me at the Zoo"). Facebook added live streaming in 2015, Periscope in 2015, and Instagram in 2016.

Live streaming benefits

Live Streaming has an vitality.

• Super interactive : Viewers cannot only view live However, they also have the ability to communicate, ask questions and provide feedback in different ways.      
  
• Completely unfinished: Unlike edited video, in which the creator of content might feel obligated to polish the content, live streams can't accomplish this (at at least, not currently). This means that live streams are organic, and are more enjoyable.    
  
• Less time-consuming: There might be prep and setup, but live streams are generally less time-consuming than say making a produced video-which could need scripting, re-shooting, editing or other editing.    
  
• Lower production costs  Commonly, it's a lower lift to get started and launch.      
  
• The repurposing  The user could cut and modify the live stream to different purposes and formats after the event, and also making a video or a video.      
  
• There's an urgency: Live streaming can feel a little more important. Even if it's someone who posts a recording after an event, being able to watch live is a real treat and increases uptake.    
  

What you need in order to stream live

It's a great overview of this video for those who are beginning to learn about live streaming!

But otherwise, here's an overview of live streaming options for creators. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

One of the best things with live streaming is that you probably don't need any extravagant devices. Most modern smartphones come with all the necessary features to manage live streams.

Here are a few possibilities for video choices:

• Smartphone video: Most smartphones can produce at least HD videos, while some modern phones shoot 4K. Be aware that the phone's front and back camera might be different quality. Both are probably suitable for a live stream. It's the easiest way to stream using your mobile.    
  
• Webcam: Certain streaming software users choose to utilize either the built-in webcam of their computer or using an external webcam. This is for live streaming done on a desktop or laptop.    
  
• Professional cameras: Established streamers usually use professional cameras like DSLRs for live streams. These can be tethered to your phone or laptop and can send a higher-quality video as well as giving you the option of choosing the lens you like best and feel.    
  

Sound is essential! There are a few options available:

• Phone or Computer built-in mic (not suggested) Phone and computer mics sit too far away from your mouth in a live stream, they are usually poor quality sound recorders. Better to select from the choices listed below.    
  
• Headphones: Bluetooth or wired headphones get that microphone right near your mouth, improving the quality of your sound and decreasing background noise. Any headset is usually better than your phone's built-in mic.    
  
• Lapel microphone: A lapel mic clips to your shirt or collar and picks up the audio closer to the mouth, making for better high-quality. It is wired as well as wireless with some high-quality microphones have features such as noise cancelling.    
  
• Shotgun mic  The shotgun mic sits away from your face (often it clips onto the top of the camera) and pics up the direction of your vocal.      
  
• Desktop condenser mic  A lot of streamers today are using desktop condenser microphones like Blue Yeti. Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your computer and picks up sound right out of your mouth.      
  

Here are a few more Live streaming tricks that will improve your game.

2. Software for streaming (optional)

Streaming software isn't always necessary, since you can stream live directly to the major platforms. But streaming software might be an ideal option for those looking to:

• to share the screen of a computer, be it in a slideshow format or as part of gaming.        
  
• to use multiple cameras (ie. different angles).    
  
• For overlays to images, logos, chat boxes or cards.        
  
• To mix in different audio source (e.g. music).    
  
• To stream to multiple platforms at the same time (e.g. YouTube + Facebook + LinkedIn ).    
  

For an example of this we discussed the streaming platform StreamYard in our blog post about Zoom Alternatives. It does a lot of these kinds of things.

3. A live streaming platform

The explanation is fairly straightforward. You need a streaming platform, like YouTube and Twitch.

Or come try ! Mighty allows you to live stream via your mobile or Mighty app, or you may even have an app that you can brand and stream from. You can easily monetize it or charge per stream or create a membership with streaming integrated into.

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Live streaming has benefits for business

If you run a business it is essential to understand the potential that live streamers can bring to your business. Live streams may not appear as perfect or polished as the promo video you put in the effort to create, however live streaming has something more special.

We've already mentioned that it creates an intimacy between you and your audience that feels a lot more unscripted and real, which is a huge benefit for your company. In addition, live streaming holds the potential of being truly spontaneous and surprising (in a good way ).

Here are some of the additional live streaming benefits for companies:

• Event organizers can host events without the need for space or place: Live streaming lets businesses hold virtual gatherings and discussions without having to be within the same location.    
  
• Create educational opportunities: Live streams can be a way to give value, especially via the teaching process! Businesses can use live streams (especially in a webinar format) to educate customers and build brand awareness.    
  
• Viewers can view the live stream from any location anyone around the globe can watch an online live stream by using a device and internet connection. The live stream brings your viewers closer to them and allows you to reach them.    
  
• Make money from ticket sales and other events Event organizers can develop high-end digital goods such as live streams as sources of revenues, by selling tickets and the ability to monetize them.    
  

Do not just make use of your live stream as a way to make money. Give your customers worth, provide them with information that will inspire, motivate them, and get them involved. It's the only way to make live streaming beneficial to your company.

We are awestruck by live streaming so we've added live stream functionality to all of our plans.

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Live streaming demonstrations

There are numerous huge historical live streams. Things like:

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

They're awesome! Live streaming can be a powerful tool to unite people. We even host the live streams of our very own, People Magic Summit, with prominent creators and community leaders (this year's guests included people like Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry as well as Amanda Goetz). It is possible to rewatch the sessions on our website!

Here are a few more generic examples of what live streaming could look like:

• A Mighty Network host announces a every week on their live stream on Mondays.        
  
• Live music is performed by a musician via IGTV as well as TikTok and performs a mini-concert for viewers.        
  
• A gamer plays Roblox and Fortnight and broadcasts to viewers.        
  
• Colleges offer an online virtual course  which is delivered via live streaming.      
  
• A thought leader talks to an individual on LinkedIn live about an upcoming book release.        
  

Check it out: 11 of the Most Effective Community Engagement Strategies