The Technology Behind the Success of Your Favorite Video Streaming Services

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Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video are some of the most popular streaming services. To watch them all in one place, visit howtowatch.com.au to discover how to access these streaming services in Australia.

Technological advancements have enabled these services to exist. However, a combination of factors has led to the success of video-on-demand platforms.

Data storage facilities, fast internet, and improved compression tricks improve quality. As the tech behind these services continues to advance and evolve, so do their offerings.

What is Video Streaming?

Video streaming is a digital media delivery technology for audio-visual media content. This service is also used on the Internet and via mobile networks. It is not limited to TV shows, movies, and other forms of entertainment.

Due to this, users don’t even need to download anything. They just have to stream whatever they want as many times they want.

How Does Video Streaming Work?

There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to bring watchers online high-quality videos. First, it’s important to know the journey a video takes. The journey, from the moment it’s captured on a camera to the time it hits viewers’ screens.

Streaming video online involves the following: First, The camera records raw video. Then, the encoder receives video from a capture card or another hookup. Secondly, the encoder handles converting RAW video to a digital file.

The video is then loaded into the online video platform. And, a content delivery network sends the video from the online video platform to the player. Lastly, the media player presents the stream on the viewer’s internet-enabled device.

Technologies Used for Video Streaming

With streaming technologies, we have many options that are always evolving. Thanks to technology, we don’t have to wait for videos to load or buffer anymore. Here’s a look at the most popular technologies and how they differ from each other.

Streaming Protocols

These protocols provide standardized ways to deliver media to users over the Internet. They take pieces of data and compress them to send over many internet connections.

Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular video streaming protocols necessary:

One of the most important protocols is HTTPS Live Streaming (HLS). It transfers media from the content delivery network to the user-facing player.

Another important protocol used by broadcasters today is Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP).

Streaming with SRT protocol – it touts itself as a streaming server giving you the ultimate streaming enjoyment in terms of high-quality and low-latency video streaming, regardless of the network.

It sends video from the encoder straight to the CDN or an online video platform. For example, Hulu delivers videos through the encrypted (rtmp server) Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP).

MPEG-DASH is an open-source streaming protocol. It enables viewers to receive a broadcast at high quality for their internet speed. Netflix implements the DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) protocol for streaming.

Convert to Digital Files

Before videos stream, they convert into a digital format. Video conversions to digital files can remove the same stills and unnecessary stills. They are then compressed for transmission. Thus, known as codecs.

HTML5 Video Player

HTML5 video players are safe and easy to customize, besides being ultra-compatible. Apple was the first to invent this.

Video streams using the HTML5 video player have become the industry standard. Besides, the HTML5 player works on any device that can access the internet. Therefore, it includes devices like mobiles, Ipads, smart TVs, etc.

Related: Here is a list of some tips for streaming online with your Android device that innov8ive has put together.

CDNs

A Content Delivery Network is a system that provides web apps to users with high quality. Hence, the goal of a CDN is to serve content to end-users with high availability and high performance.

The more users, the larger the file, the further the user—it doesn’t matter. CDNs make sure all users get the files they request. Besides, users will have a perfect viewing experience no matter where they are or what ISP they use.

Netflix, for example, has its own distributed CDN called Open Connect. It is one of the first streaming providers to make its CDN network.

Upcoming Innovations

The future of video content is cloud-centric due to 4K and 8K resolutions. Also, 4D & 5D technology, synchronization, and VR launch influence greatly. Because of this, viewers want a higher quality experience.

As a result, there is an increase in cloud video streaming that provides users with high quality. It’s hard to keep up with so many advancements every year. But, these are the advancements that make streaming our best part of the day.

Wrapping Up!

We have discussed the technology behind the success of your favorite streaming services. It’s easy to get caught up in all the hype surrounding these companies.

But knowing the technological factors behind its success is an eye-opening experience.

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