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If you’re reading this, then probably there could be two instances which made you wonder why video is hard. Either you’re a professional stepping into the world of streaming media or you got recently exposed to the fact that behind those easy and seamless video playbacks on screens there are tons of complexities that go in the background making it hard to stream video online. Any of the either, now you’re curious to know why video streaming is not so easy.
To understand why video streaming is hard, let’s first take a closer look into the video landscape, what video streaming is, from where it started and where we are at:
In this ever-evolving digital age, where captivating visuals stand out and attention spans are shorter than ever, video has become the ultimate medium for communication, entertainment, and information. Whether you're a content creator looking to share your stories or a business owner striving for brand recognition, understanding the video revolution is crucial.
Video has come a long way since its inception. From grainy black-and-white films to high-definition digital masterpieces, the quality and accessibility have drastically improved over time. Today, there’s an abundance of platforms and devices that allow us to consume video content whenever and wherever we want.
Since we are deep-diving into video streaming, it’s also important to understand what video streaming is.
Video streaming refers to the real-time transmission of video content over the internet. It allows users to watch videos instantly without having to download them to their devices. With video streaming, viewers can access and view videos on-demand or in real-time, eliminating the need for physical media or large file downloads.
Here's how it works: video files are broken down into smaller chunks of data, which are then transmitted through the internet at lightning speed. The device on the viewer’s end catches these packets in real-time and seamlessly puts them together, allowing viewers to enjoy non-stop playback of their favourite videos. And the best part? No need to worry about buffering or internet bandwidth. The streaming technology adjusts on the fly to ensure viewers have a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience.
There are two main types of video streaming: on-demand video streaming and live streaming. On-demand streaming allows users to choose and watch videos from a library of pre-recorded content, such as movies, TV shows, or user-generated videos. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube offer on-demand streaming services.
Live streaming, on the other hand, enables real-time broadcasting of events as they happen. It allows users to watch live sports matches, concerts, conferences, gaming sessions, and other live events via streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube Live, or Facebook Live. Live streaming also enables interactive features such as live chat or real-time audience participation.
In the early 1990s, streaming video content was a novelty. Remember those days when most video content was difficult or expensive to access? Dial-up connections and limited internet bandwidth posed significant challenges resulting in short, pixelated, low-resolution videos. Fast forward to the early 2000s with the advancement in digital technology online video platforms such as YouTube were introduced. These platforms revolutionized how we consume video content by providing a space for anyone to share videos with a global audience.
In today’s digital landscape, video streaming has become a multi-billion dollar industry with a plethora of services and technologies. As per reports by Cisco, Video accounts for more than 80% of global internet traffic and people consume more than 16 hours of video content per week. This growth is expected to accelerate in coming years with high-speed internet and technological advancements.
One of the key factors contributing to the dominance of online video streaming is its unparalleled convenience and accessibility. Platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video have become household names, offering a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and user-generated content. The ability to stream videos on-demand, anytime and anywhere, has reshaped the way we consume visual media.
Here’s a recent research by Nielsen which indicates the extent that video streaming has replaced traditional linear broadcast TV.
The future of video is a fascinating and ever-evolving landscape. One exciting development on the horizon is the continued growth of online video platforms. These platforms have already revolutionized how we consume content, allowing us to access a vast array of videos from anywhere in the world. As these platforms continue to evolve, we can expect even more personalized experiences tailored to our individual preferences with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
Additionally, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are poised to transform our viewing experiences. VR allows users to immerse themselves in a simulated environment while AR overlays digital elements onto real-world surroundings. These technologies have immense potential for enhancing storytelling techniques and creating interactive video experiences.
The mechanics of video streaming involve storing video content on cloud servers. When a user initiates playback, the cloud server sends the video in small, manageable data packets. These packets are transmitted over the internet using protocols like User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). For smooth playback, a high-speed internet connection is essential, especially for high-resolution content.
Online video streaming offers numerous advantages, making it an attractive option for businesses and content creators:
Working with video or streaming video on websites or applications is an ultimate challenge where careful planning, implementation, and maintenance are essential. From encoding to hosting to streaming and analytics, developers and product builders navigate a maze of functions to build a robust video streaming service and infrastructure.
Unlike simple images or text, video comes with a whole bunch of components. Picture this: codecs, bitrates, resolutions, formats and much more. It’s a whole package of data that demands extensive skills and resources.
Now, let’s explore what are the challenges that make video streaming a difficult task.
Despite its advantages, video streaming faces several challenges:
Several technologies enhance video streaming quality and user experience:
a. Transcoding: Transcoding allows for the conversion of video files into various formats and codecs. This means, various copies of different qualities are created to accommodate different bandwidth conditions and device capabilities.
b. Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR): ABR technology adjusts video quality based on the viewer's internet connection. The optimum video quality is identified and displayed to the viewer, reducing buffering and ensuring smooth playback.
c. HTTP Live Streaming (HLS): HLS is a video streaming protocol that simplifies online content delivery, making it compatible with HTML5 players and easily streamable from any HTTP server. It can run on most of the servers and is supported by most devices.
d. Content Delivery Network (CDN): CDNs reduce latency by placing servers near users, ideal for streaming content to a global audience. This helps to deliver content more quickly, cheaply and in a secured way by geographically distributing the service spatially to end users.
e. Storage: Choosing between cloud and on-premises storage offers flexibility based on security and compliance needs.
For developing apps and websites with video capabilities, it is required to have the perfect Video on Demand (VOD) Solution. Today, there are many VOD hosting platforms available in the market. Still, choosing the right one that fits the specific requirements and goes well with the future strategies is really essential. An effective VOD solution must have the latest technologies that are future-proof.
Here are some steps that would help to make an informed decision:
a. Defined Objectives: The goals and needs to be achieved with video streaming should be determined. Whether the requirement is to broadcast live events, deliver on-demand content, or create video-on-demand? Factors like scalability, video quality, security, and monetization options should also be considered.
b. Scalability and Performance: The scope for scalability of the provider's platform should be accessed. The solution should handle the current needs and future growth. Further, the network and server infrastructure is an important checklist to ensure high-quality streaming and minimal downtime.
c. Video Quality and Streaming Protocols: The video quality options and streaming protocols offered by the provider should be properly evaluated. There should be support for adaptive streaming (e.g., HLS, DASH) for optimal viewer experience along with availability of features like 4K streaming, low-latency streaming, and multi-bitrate streaming.
d. Content Protection and Security: The solution should offer robust security measures to protect content from piracy and unauthorized access. Features like digital rights management (DRM), secure streaming URLs, and encryption are essential.
e. Budget Consideration: There should be a set budget for the streaming solution. Different providers offer a wide range of pricing models, from pay-as-you-go to subscription-based plans. While evaluating, potential additional costs like content delivery network (CDN) fees and encoding costs should also be considered.
f. Analytics and Reporting: Analytical tools are essential for understanding viewer behaviour and improving the streaming service. Comprehensive analytics like Quality of Experience (QoE) and other reporting features should be ensured.
FastPix is the API for video, empowering developers and product builders worldwide to effortlessly integrate video into their products, applications and services. Easy-to-use API for on-demand video, and live streaming enables seamless integration of high-quality videos into anything that could be imagined, with just a few lines of code. Gain a competitive edge in video workflows with a single source of end-to-end QoE (Quality of Experience) data analytics that is required to deliver high-impact experiences.
To keep it simple: FastPix handles the tech stack so users can craft mind-blowing video experiences to drive success in the digital landscape. Users can focus less on the complexities of video and more on the product experiences and business outcomes.
Click here, to learn more about how FastPix supercharges the online video experience with the power of API.
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