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

Live streaming (or livestreaming) is a phenomenon that has grown so popular that more than 30% of web users stream live every single week. It's possible to stream live streams and make them using various devices and apps, and it's much easier as never before.

In this article, we'll give you the fundamentals you need to learn about live streaming.

• The article will provide the idea of live streaming (including an explanation of the technical aspects).
  
• This presentation will present live streaming information and key landmarks.
  
• The discussion will focus on the benefits as well as practical examples of Live streaming.
  
• We'll also show you how you can build your own stream live.
  

Turn a livestream into profit. Explore the platform, which has one of the largest communities that has a value of $1 million.

     Get your Free Trial

((toc))

What exactly is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of showing your viewers live streaming video in live time. The past, live streaming was restricted to media companies that were able for live streaming to their viewers.

In the last few years, technology for live streaming has transformed the web, increasing the number of internet users experiencing live experiences at home without the need for costly television studios.

What is live streaming... technically

Coding
    Technically speaking, the camera produces raw digital images. But these are too big for them to stream quickly. Therefore encoders (software or hardware) minimizes the size in real-time to codescs (ie. h.264). As a result, the file size decreases enough to stream, and it creates a standard for the format, so it is accessible to any device that needs it.

Compression
    The video can be split into I-frames or P frames. They are also known as B-frames. I-frames are a lot like the standard JPEG image. They contain every frame of the image, with all the details.

P-frames and B frames work a bit differently. They are only capturing the portion of the footage that is changed through tracking motion vectors. This results in much smaller files, easier to compress, and speedier to playback. As an example, in a YouTube video in which the person is speaking in front of a static background, most of the background's pixels will not change.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) are used to record the movement and variations in the face of the speaker and body movement by looking at previous frames.
  
• B-frames have a lot more advantages than B-frames, as they may refer to both prior and later frames, resulting as a whole photo.
  

Internet speed
    Of course, live streaming needs a constant stream of data. It is referred to as the bit rate. This is the quantity of data your device can transmit every second.

• 720 (HD) video will require between 4 and 4.5 4 Mbps
  
• 1080p is the minimum required for downloading in 4-6 minutes
  
• 4k needs 15-25 Mbps
  

When it comes to live streaming, it's crucial for your upload speed to match the data the stream transmits.

They don't require the same speed. Videos lose quality if connections are slow, or buffer (downloading approximately 2-30 seconds in advance) so that they can make streaming smooth. We also use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your file in real time to a server located close to the viewer as they require information to be transferred over farther distances.

Latency

It is impossible to ensure that a live video is real-time. It's almost always only a couple of seconds. This is known as latency.

Live Statistics streaming

• 30% of Internet viewers are able to stream live weekly.
  
• The most frequent live streams are breaking news (34 percent) and live sports (29 percentage).
  
• 91.7 percentage of internet viewers all over the globe watch live streaming each month.
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok users want to stream live video.
  
• Smart TVs could be the best option for streaming live (35.3 percent of the live streaming).
  
• 28 percent online videos streamed live on the internet.
  
• The longest live stream in all duration lasted for over 624 hours and was hosted via Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.
  
• The live streaming record for the most viewers was set by Spanish streaming channel Ibai and Ibai, which boasts 3.44 million Twitch users on the channel La Velada del Ano (3).
  

The method of live streaming that allowed it was possible (Timeline)

We won't cover everything however we'll provide a quick overview of technological developments which allow live streaming.

In the 1990s, we saw the development of technology that allowed "packets" of media to stream and be rendered before downloading a complete archive.
    1993-93: 1993 - 1993: MPEG-1 standards for compressing is released that permits the practical streaming of video
    1995 - The company Starlight created the first system for streaming video using satellites.
     1995 - First internet radio: Radio HK.
    1995 1995 RealPlayer debuts, and becomes the first streaming media player. Later, it was added as an option to Windows 98 installation.
    1996 - The Real Time Transport Protocol is developed and is the basis for sending audio and videos over networks.
    1998- Starlight released the very first Web Conferencing products.
    1999: The Victoria's Secret fashion show becomes one of the first major live streaming programs, with an estimated 1.5 million people watching.
    2002 2002 Flash Player adds video capabilities, making embeddable video content possible.
    2007 - launching of Justin.tv (later it was rebranded as Twitch) with Justin Kan's camera on during the day. Later, it was expanded to several channels which permitted people to broadcast.
    2009 - Both Ustream as well as Live stream have been launched
    2011 and 2012 YouTube has introduced live streaming in the service. It first launched live streaming in 2005 (fun detail: the initial video was titled "Me at the Zoo). Facebook added live streaming in the year 2015, Periscope in 2015 and Instagram in 2016.

Live streaming has many benefits.

Live Streaming has an vitality.

• super-interactive viewers can not only observe in real-time, however, they can also use their ability to talk, post questions, and give feedback in various methods.
  
• Completely unfinished Aside from edited videos, where the creator of content might be compelled to improve but live streaming can't accomplish this (at at the very minimum but not yet). Therefore, live streams are organic, and more engaging.
  
• It's quicker: While there may some preparation and set-up however, live streaming typically requires less effort than creating edits to a video that could need writing, reshooting or editing, etc.
  
• Lower production costs Typically, there is easier to start and then launch.
  
• Recycling It's possible that you alter and trim your live stream for different goals and formats, after the event has ended and also by creating an online video of it.
  
• The urgency of live streaming is a bit more important. If it's a person who posts a recording at the end of an event, watching live can make you feel special and increases the amount of traffic.
  

You will need the following items to stream live?

There's an awesome overview in this video, if you're just starting to understand live streaming!

Also, it is a brief description of live streaming options for producers. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

One of the great benefits of live streaming in the moment is that it doesn't require any fancy devices. Smartphones today have everything needed to operate live streaming.

Here are some possible video options:

• Smartphones with video Most phones have the capability of creating HD video. The latest models can shoot in 4k. Make sure to note that your phone's front and back camera may differ in resolution. However, both are likely to be adequate to live stream. It's easiest to stream directly using your mobile.
  
• Webcam: Many streamers on computers prefer to use the built-in webcam of their laptop or using an external webcam. This is an excellent option for the case for live streaming on a desktop or laptop.
  
• Professional camera: More established streamers generally use professional cameras like DSLRs to live stream. They can connect to your mobile or laptop and will send you better quality videos and letting you choose the lens that best fits the style you prefer.
  

Also, you'll require sound! These are some suggestions:

• The microphone built into your computer or telephone (not recommended) Computer and phone microphones can be placed near your mouth while you're viewing a live stream and are often low-quality audio recorders. It is better to choose one of the choices below.
  
• Wireless or Bluetooth headphones place the microphone close to your mouth, increasing the clarity of your voice and decreasing background disturbance. Each headset is better than your phone's built-in microphone.
  
• Lapel microphone The lapel microphone is connected to the collar on your shirt. It listens for the sound that is closer to your mouth. It results in a higher-quality, high-end. The microphones are wired and wireless as well as some of the higher-end microphones come with features such as noise canceling.
  
• Shotgun microphone The shotgun microphone is situated a few feet away from you (often it is attached to the upper part on the lens) and captures the direction that the voice is speaking from.
  
• Condenser microphone to be used on desktop usage  Many streamers these days are employing microphones for desktop use, such as Blue Yeti. Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into the computer and gets sound straight out into the mouth of the user.
  

Here's a few additional Tips for Live Streaming to boost your level.

2. Software to stream (optional)

Streaming software doesn't have to be used every time since you can stream live directly from large platforms. It's beneficial for individuals who want to:

• To share a picture on a computer screen. It can be a in a slideshow, or used for gaming.
  
• the ability to utilize multiple cameras (ie. different angles).
  
• to add overlays to add logos, graphics for overlays, images, chat boxes.
  
• To mix in different audio streams (e.g. music).
  
• To stream to multiple different platforms simultaneously (e.g. YouTube + Facebook plus LinkedIn). ).
  

To illustrate this, we looked at the StreamYard platform in our post about Zoom Alternatives. It can do a great job of these.

3. Live streaming platform

It's really easy. It's a matter of obtaining a platform for streaming, such as YouTube as well as Twitch.

You can try it ! Mighty makes it super easy to run a live stream on your smartphone or Mighty's app. You might even build an app which you could brand and live stream from. It's also easy to make money with streaming fees or create a membership with streaming built into.

     Start your free trial

Live streaming can be beneficial to businesses

If you are a manager of a company, you need to realize the potential of live streaming. Live streams may not be as polished or ideal as that promo video you created, but live streaming offers something unique.

We have already mentioned that live streaming creates a sense of trust between your customers and you which is unscripted and real that can be a significant strength of your company's image. Additionally, live streaming offers the chance to be truly unpredictable and unexpected (in the best way possible). ).

These are just a few additional benefits that live streaming can bring to businesses:

• Event organizers can host events in lieu of an area or space: Live streams let businesses host online events and discussions without the need to gather everyone within the same location.
  
• Provide educational opportunities. Live streaming can be an excellent way to add value by instructing! Live streams can be used by businesses (especially with the form of webinars) to educate customers on their services and to increase branding awareness.
  
• Live viewers can watch the stream from any place across the world can view the live stream using an internet connection and gadget. Live streaming brings viewers closer to your viewers and lets you connect with them.
  
• Profit from tickets and other sales businesses can develop premium digital products like live streams, which can generate money, by selling tickets or even gating these.
  

And don't just use your live stream as a way to promote. Offer your clients worth, provide them with information to inspire them, stimulate them, or make them feel valued, and engage them. Live streaming is the only method to make live streaming beneficial to your business.

We are fans of live streaming, which is why we've introduced live streaming options in all our plans.

     Start your Free Trial

Live streaming demonstrations

There are many huge, old live streams. This includes:

• Michael Jackson's funeral has been one of the most watched live streams during the period (2009).
  
• In 2012, it was the final time NASA streaming live streamed Mars Curiosity landing. You can still watch regular NASA live streams from space.
  
• In 2014, the gaming year saw users on Twitch engaged in Pokemon along with commands sent from the chat. It was later estimated that 1.16 million users played and 55 million watched.
  

The possibilities are endless! Live streaming is a great opportunity to meet people. We even have our own streaming channel called People Magic Summit, with the top community creators and leaders (this event featured guests such as Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry and Amanda Goetz). Replay sessions can be viewed here!

Here are some general examples of how a live stream could appear as:

• A Mighty Network host announces a each week via their live stream every Monday.
  
• Live music is broadcast via IGTV and TikTok and plays the audience for a concert of a smaller scale.
  
• A gamer plays Roblox as well as Fortnight and broadcasts to viewers.
  
• Colleges provide the option of an on-line course delivered via live streaming.
  
• An influential thought leader speaks to a person on LinkedIn live online regarding a forthcoming book launch.
  

Find it here: 11 of the Most effective Social Engagement Strategies for the Community

This post was first seen on here