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

Live streaming (or livestreaming) is now so popular that 30% of internet viewers watch live streams each week. We can both watch and create live streams on many different apps and devices It's now easier than ever to start.

In this post, we'll introduce you to the basics you should learn concerning live streaming.

•         The following article will describe what live streaming means (including an explanation of the technical aspects).            
  
•         We'll share some live streaming statistics and milestones.            
  
•         The discussion will focus on the advantages of HTML0 and some examples that live streams can provide.            
  
•         and we'll show what you'll need to create your individual live stream.            
  

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What is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming refers to the process of showing your viewers via video in real-time. It was in the past was limited to media outlets which had the ability to broadcast live to their audiences.

However, in the last couple of years the live streaming technology has exploded on the web increasing the number of people are creating and consuming the live stream in their own homes, with no need for an expensive TV studio.

What is live streaming... technically

Encoding
Technically speaking, the camera is able to input raw digital images. They are however too large to stream effectively. So an encoder (software or hardware) reduces the video's size in real-time to codecs (ie. h.264). This makes the files small enough to stream, and also standardizes the format so that any device could be able to read it.

Compression
The video is divided into I-frames, P-frames, and B-frames. I-frames are a lot similar to a standard JPEG image-they contain a complete image frame with all the specifics.

P-frames and B-frames work a bit differently. They only capture the part of the video that changes through tracking motion vectors. This results in a smaller file, easier to compress, and faster for replay. As an example, in a YouTube video where someone talks against an unchanging background, the majority of the background pixels don't change.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) can only encode the movements and modifications in the speaker's face and body movements through looking at the previous frames.        
  
• B-frames are also more efficient, because they can reference both previous AND future frames to create an entire picture.      
  

Internet speed
Naturally, live streaming requires a continuous flux of information. It is referred to as the bit rate. It is the amount of information your device is able to be able to stream in a second.

• 720 (HD) video will require between 2-4 Mbps        
  
• 1080p needs at least 4-6 Mbps        
  
• 4k needs 15-25 Mbps        
  

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

The viewers do not require the same speed. Video players decrease quality when the connection speed is low, or buffer (downloading about 2-30 seconds in advance) for making the stream smooth. Also, we use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies the file at a real-time rate to a server that's nearer to your viewers, since it takes information time to travel longer distances.

    Latency

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

Live Streaming statistics

• 30 percent of Internet people watch a live stream every week.      
  
• One of the most frequently live streamed content includes breaking news (34%) as well as live sports (29 percentage).      
  
• 91.7% of all internet Internet users globally watch live streaming services throughout the month.      
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok users would like to stream live video.      
  
• Smart TVs are by far the most popular location to stream live streaming (35.3 percent of the streamed content).      
  
• 28% of all video content streamed on the internet are streamed live.      
  
• The longest live stream 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 Spanish streamer Ibai with 3.44 million Twitch viewers for the channel La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

Live streaming was the first step to make it possible (Timeline)

It's impossible to cover all aspects in this article, but here's an overview timeline of the tech developments which allow live streaming.

1990s - Tech allowed for "packets" that contained media files to be streamed and rendered before a complete download.
1993 - 1993: The MPEG-1 compression standards are published that allows for practical streaming of video
1995 - The company Starlight created the first video streaming system using satellites.
1995 - First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 1995 RealPlayer launches, becoming the first streaming media player. The program was later added as an option for Windows 98 installation.
1996: The Real-time Transportation Protocol is invented, creating the framework to send audio & video over networks.
1998 - Starlight announced the first web conference products.
1999 - The Victoria's Secret fashion show is one of the first live streaming event, with a projected 1.5 million viewers.
2002 2001 Flash Player adds video capabilities that make embedding video content possible.
2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later rebranded as Twitch) that featured Justin Kan wearing a camera throughout the day. It was later expanded to several channels, allowing the public to stream.
2009 - Both Ustream as well as Live stream are launched
2011 2012 YouTube has added live streaming into its offering. It had launched in 2005 (fun information: the very first video was titled "Me at the Zoo"). Facebook introduced live streaming in the year 2015, Periscope in 2015, as well as Instagram in 2016.

The benefits of live streaming

Live streaming has energy.

• Super-interactive : Viewers cannot only view in real time However, they also have the ability to communicate, ask questions as well as give feedback in various ways.      
  
• Completely unfinished In contrast to edited videos, in which the creator of content might feel obligated to polish the content, live streams can't do this (at at least, not currently). Therefore, live streams are organic, and more engaging.    
  
• Less time-consuming: There might some preparation and set-up, but live streams are typically less labor-intensive as opposed to, for instance the effort required to create an edited video, which may require editing, scripting, re-shooting or other editing.    
  
• Costs of production are lower  Most of the time it's a less lift for getting started and launching.      
  
• The repurposing  The user could cut and modify your live stream to suit different formats and purposes after the fact, as well as hosting a recording from it.      
  
• There's an urgency: Live streaming is a bit more pressing. If it's a person who publishes their video later the event, watching live is a real treat and increases uptake.    
  

What are you required to live stream

It's a great overview in this video if you're getting started with live streaming!

But otherwise, here's an outline 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 equipment. Modern smartphones have all the necessary features to manage a live stream.

Here are some 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 have different resolutions. However, both are likely to be adequate for a live stream. It's easier to stream direct using your mobile.    
  
• Webcam: Certain computer streamers prefer using either a built-in computer webcam as well as using an external webcam. This would be for live streaming done via laptops or computers.    
  
• Professional camera: More established streamers usually utilize professional cameras, such as DSLRs for live streaming. These can be tethered to your phone or laptop and provide a superior quality video, as well as permitting you to select the lens that most suit your look and feel.    
  

You'll also need sound! There are a few options available:

• Mic built into your computer or phone (not advised) Phone and computer microphones are far away from your mouth during streaming live, they are usually poor quality sound recorders. Better to select one of the options below.    
  
• The Bluetooth and wired headphones place the microphone close to your mouth, improving sound quality and reducing background sound. Any headset is usually better than your phone's built-in mic.    
  
• Lapel mic: A lapel mic clips onto your collar or shirt and picks up the sounds closer to your mouth, resulting in better high-quality. They come wired and wireless, and some higher quality microphones have features such as noise cancelling.    
  
• Shotgun mic  (also known as a shotgun microphone is a distance from your face (often it clips onto the top of the camera) and records directional sound from your voice.      
  
• Desktop condenser mic : More streamers today are making use of desktop condenser microphones, such as those of the Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your computer and receives sound directly from the mouth of your user.      
  

Here are some more Live streaming tips to improve your streaming game.

2. Streaming software (optional)

The use of streaming software isn't necessarily necessary as you are able to live stream directly on major platforms. It's a good idea for people who want:

• to share an image on a computer screen. It could be part as a slideshow, or even for gaming.        
  
• to use more than one camera (ie. different angles).    
  
• To add overlays, images, logos, chat boxes or cards.        
  
• Mixing in various audio source (e.g. music).    
  
• For streaming to several platforms at once (e.g. YouTube + Facebook plus LinkedIn). ).    
  

For an example of this we discussed the streaming platform StreamYard in our blog post about 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, like YouTube as well as Twitch.

Try it out ! Mighty allows you to run a live stream from your phone or the Mighty app. You can even get your own app with a branded name to stream your live streams from. And it's easy to monetize or charge per stream or set up a subscription with streaming included in.

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Live streaming benefits to businesses

If you're a proprietor of a company and want to grow, then you must understand the power in live streaming. Your live streams won't look as professional or polished as the promo video you put in the effort to create, however live streaming has something more unique.

We've already mentioned that live streaming creates a sense of intimacy between you and your viewers that is unscripted and real that is a major strength for your brand. Additionally, live streaming offers the potential to be really spontaneous and surprising (in the best way possible). ).

Here are some additional benefits of live streaming to a business:

• Host events without needing space or place: Live streams allow businesses to organize virtual meetings and events without the need to gather everyone in a single city.    
  
• Create educational opportunities: A live stream is a great way to add value via education! Businesses can use live streams (especially when they are in the form of a webinar) to inform customers about their products and increase brand recognition.    
  
• Audience can watch from anywhere anyone in the world can catch an online live stream by using a device and internet connection. It brings them closer and makes it easier for them to get in touch with you.    
  
• Earn from ticketing and events Business can design premium digital products like live streams as sources of revenues, by selling tickets and gating them.    
  

Don't use your live stream as a way to make money. Give your customers value, teach them things and inspire them to engage them. That's what will truly make live streaming beneficial to your company.

We are awestruck by live streaming so we've added live streaming capabilities in all our plans.

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Live streaming example

There are numerous huge old live streams. Examples include:

• Michael Jackson's memorial service was among of the most-watched live streams at the time (2009).      
  
• in 2012 NASA live streamed the Mars Curiosity landing. There are still regular NASA live streamings on space.    
  
• The 2014 gaming season saw users on Twitch were playing Pokemon alongside commands received from the chat. It was later estimated that 1.16 million users played and 55 million watched.    
  

They're awesome! Live streaming is a great way to connect people. In fact, we host an own stream called People Magic Summit, with the top community leaders and creators (this year's attendees included celebrities like Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry, and Amanda Goetz). You can rewatch sessions here!

Here are some general examples of what live streaming can look like

• The Mighty Network host announces a every week on their live stream each Monday.        
  
• Live music is performed by a musician on IGTV as well as TikTok and plays a mini-concert for viewers.        
  
• Gamer who plays Roblox or Fortnight and broadcasts to viewers.        
  
• Colleges offer the virtual course  that's taught via live streams.      
  
• A thought leader interviews someone on LinkedIn live regarding an upcoming book release.        
  

Now Read: 11 of the Top Social Engagement Methodologies for Community