Glossary

Explore commonly used video streaming terms. All things video!

AAC

AAC stands for Advanced Audio Coding, it was developed by MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group, to replace MP3 as it provide higher sound quality in the same bitrate.

ABR

ABR stands for Adaptive Bitrate Streaming. It refers to content streaming functionality for improving streaming over HTTP networks. The bitrate refers to how fast the data travels across a network; the speed of the data depends on the speed of the internet.

API

Application Programming Interface, or API for short, is a group of subroutines and communication protocols that allow different programmes to commute. Programmers can simplify and ease their code by utilising a variety of API tools.

AV1

AV1 is a codec developed by the Alliance For Open Media, a join efforts of ton of different technology again. AV1 main benefits is that...

Bitrate

The amount of data bits transferred or processed within a limited amount of time is a bitrate, and video bitrate is the amount of video data transferred in a certain time.

CDN

CDN stands for content delivery network, is a network that interconnect the servers, that speeds up loading data-heavy application webpage.

CMS

CMS stands for content management system, is an application that helps in creating, organizing and storing media files for use on the website.

Codec

The terms encoder and decoder, or compressor and decompressor, are combined to form the word codec. A codec, as used in video terminology, is...

Container

Just as the name suggest, container are basically video file, a video file can contain data like, video tracks, audio tracks, metadata. There are different kind of video file formats, MOV, MV4 and so on.

DASH

DASH stands for Dynamic adaptable Streaming over HTTP. It makes it possible to stream excellent media material using a regular HTTP web server.

DRM

DRM stands for Digital rights management it refer to the technique to protect copyrighted materials. DRM are responsible for securing the copyright’s holder rights.

FFMPEG

FMPEG stands for is an open-source project that provides a range of tools for video and audio manipulation, along with various libraries dedicated to...

FRAME

A "frame" refers to a single still image in a sequence of images that, when played back in rapid succession, creates the illusion of motion. Videos are essentially...

H.264

H.264 also popularly known as AVC, Advanced Video Coding, is the most known video compression available at present. It was developed by ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group.

H.265

H.265 is also a compression just like H.264, but its more advanced and newly developed. H.255 is also known as HEVC, High Efficiency Video Coding.

HDR

HDR, or high dynamic range escalates the range of both contrast and colour; for instance, the bright side of the image gets brighter, so the image has more depth. HDR videos are highly in demand as it is one of the biggest 4K features.

HLS

HLS is a popular concept in the world of live streaming, HLS or HTTP live streaming, it is used in both live and on demand videos. HLS was introduced by APPLE in 2009.

HTML5

HTML5 is the latest version of Hypertext Markup Language, this code is used to describe the structure and presentation of web pages. In simpler terms...

Live Streaming

Videos can be broadcasted live, in real-time, with the help of the internet while they are being filmed because of live streaming technology. Remember the live television broadcast that we used to watch for mostly sports and news? Live streaming, can be described as the internet response to that.

Lossless compression

Lossless compression uses an algorithm that rewrites the file in a way that results in smaller storage or transfer size. The algorithm does this by replacing the non-important information.

Lossy compression

Lossy compression is a compression data technique that compressed the data by reducing the size and removing some data of the file.

Low latency

Latency is the time or delay between action and results. With growing technologies, consumer are used to real time results, they except to have immediate response when they perform an action, latency is one of the...

MP4

MP4 serves as a digital container file, functioning as an enveloping structure for video content, distinct from the video itself. Within this container, one can find...

OTT

OTT stands for “over the top.” It refers to the technology that delivers streamed videos over the internet. Before OTT was introduced, a consumer had to use cable and set top boxes for watching content.

OVP

Online video platforms, or OVPs for short, lets you host, manage, and distribute videos to your audience without requiring you to build your own infrastructure or data centres. OVP lets you upload both live and recorded video content to a website.

Per-Title Encoding

̌Per-title encoding analyse the complexity of a video and understands the encoding factors that are needed to be maintain the highest level of visual quality

Quality of Experience

Quality of experience stands or QOE, measure the overall experience of the service, from the user’s ends. QOE measures the objective parameters like...

Quality of service

The term Quality of Service (QoS) describes a collection of protocols and technologies intended to control and enhance the effectiveness, dependability, and...

Resolution

Resolution has different meanings when used in different fields. In the technology and media industry, resolution mostly refers to the number of elements (pixels) that can be displayed horizontally and vertically by a screen.

Subtitles

Subtitles are lines of text at the bottom of the screen that translate the spoken dialogue into another language. The most common example of subtitles is in movies.

Thumbnail

Thumbnail are still image that describe the video, it would be a scene for the videos or custom made image, thumbnails are also known as posters.

Transcoding

Transcoding is the process of taking a encoded or a compressed file of a format, and decompressed it, re-encode it to another format. In terms of video, it can convert...

User engagement data

After uploading a content online, everything depends on how audience have reacted or engage with the content this engagement is known as user engagement data.

VP9

̌VP9 is an open-source video codec introduced by Google. VP9 is the successor to VP8, and it works similarly to HEVC/H.265.

Video Players

The hardware or software that allows the playback of a video is known as a video player. A few years ago, video players were hardware-based, like VCR and CD players. Even though hardware-based players are still...

Video monetization

Video monetization is the way to generate revenue from creating and sharing video content; this is relevant for both online live streaming and video on demand.

Watermark

A watermark is a logo, text or pattern that is intentionally superimposed onto another image. Its purpose is to make it more difficult for the original image to be copied or used without permission.

Webhook

A webhook, essentially an HTTP call-back function, serves as an efficient communication channel between two distinct APIs messenger, facilitating the exchange of...

The best Brightcove alternatives in 2025, compared

Compare the best Brightcove alternatives in 2025 to find a video platform that fits your needs for pricing, features, and performance.

Guide to uploading and streaming 4K videos

Optimize 4K uploads with the right format, compression, and bandwidth for smooth, buffer-free streaming on any device.

How to create an iOS Streaming app: Step-by-step guide

Build an iOS streaming app with the right tech stack, video APIs, and optimizations for seamless playback and a great user experience.

Choosing a right tech stack for OTT app

Find the best tech stack for your OTT app. Learn about video streaming, backend, and frontend technologies to ensure scalability and performance.

How to test live video streaming API performance

Measure latency, bitrate, and buffering to ensure your live streaming API delivers smooth, high-quality performance at scale.

Guide to video cloud load balancing and health checks

Use load balancing and health checks to optimize video streaming, prevent downtime, and deliver a seamless viewing experience.

Migrating video libraries in bulk with batch migration

Use batch migration for fast, secure, and efficient bulk video transfers, minimizing downtime and ensuring seamless library migration.

Using CDN logs to debug video streaming issues: A simple guide

CDN logs help pinpoint streaming issues fast by revealing latency, errors, and playback failures across delivery paths.

How forensic watermarking helps secure your video content?

Forensic watermarking embeds invisible marks in video streams to trace piracy back to the source without affecting playback quality.

Guide for using AI video workflows in video streaming

AI video workflows boost streaming by automating encoding, tagging, and quality checks—making operations faster and more scalable.

Watermarking vs. Fingerprinting: Key differences

Watermarking embeds data for tracking leaks; fingerprinting analyzes content to identify matches—both aid video security but serve different goals.

Top 5 factors to consider when choosing a live streaming API

The right live streaming API balances low latency, high quality, scalability, and ease of integration—crucial for reliable, real-time video.

Common video content management mistakes

Avoid these frequent video content management mistakes—from poor metadata handling to disorganized storage and missed security practices.

How to use OBS studio: A comprehensive guide

OBS Studio lets you stream like a pro with custom scenes, audio mixing, and source control—all in one free, open-source tool.

Why businesses need a unified video API for better streaming

A unified video API streamlines video workflows, boosts scalability, and ensures high-quality streaming, making it essential for businesses.

Features to implement for secure video delivery

Secure video delivery requires encryption, DRM, watermarking, and access controls to prevent piracy and unauthorized access.

How to scale short-form video and keep users engaged

Scaling short-form video requires AI-driven optimization, automation, and smart distribution to maximize engagement and retention.

How to test your OTT platform for a seamless streaming experience

Proper OTT testing ensures smooth streaming by optimizing video quality, performance, and scalability for a seamless viewer experience.

Newsroom video production workflows: How to manage, and distribute content better

Optimize newsroom video workflows to streamline production, enhance content management, and speed up distribution for better audience engagement.

Scalable system architecture for a live streaming app

A scalable live streaming app requires efficient video ingestion, processing, and delivery to ensure seamless, high-quality real-time streaming at scale.

Perceptual quality: How to measure and optimize visual & audio fidelity

Measuring and optimizing perceptual quality ensures clearer visuals and richer audio, enhancing overall user experience with precision.

Scalable system design and architecture for a TikTok-like app

Building a TikTok-like app requires a scalable system to handle real-time video processing, storage, and seamless delivery at massive scale.

Generate summary of your video content with AI

Use AI to generate video summaries instantly, improving content accessibility, viewer engagement, and decision-making for creators and businesses.

7 must have video features to attract & retain users

Discover the essential video app features that attract users, enhance engagement, and drive retention in a competitive streaming landscape.

Video caching explained: How it improves streaming and reduces buffering

Video caching minimizes buffering by storing video content closer to users, ensuring faster load times and a smoother streaming experience.

How a CDN reduces bandwidth costs and optimizes video streaming

A CDN lowers bandwidth costs and boosts streaming performance by caching and distributing video content closer to users for faster, smoother playback.

What is multi CDN for video streaming?

Multi-CDN optimizes video streaming by reducing latency, improving reliability, and ensuring seamless playback across diverse global networks.

Video keyboard shortcuts for better playback control

Improve your video playback experience with essential keyboard shortcuts for faster navigation, precise control, and seamless viewing.

Building a smarter OTT platform: The role of CMS, transcoding & analytics

Discover how CMS, transcoding, and analytics power a smarter OTT platform, optimizing content management, streaming quality, and audience insights.

Measure video performance for news platforms

Track key metrics like QoE, engagement, and retention to optimize video performance and audience impact for your news platform.

System design and architecture for a Netflix-like app

Discover the architecture, scaling strategies, and key components needed to build a high-performance, Netflix-like video streaming platform.

How to create many videos in bulk using a spreadsheet

How to generate multiple videos in bulk using a spreadsheet, automating text, images, and data to streamline content creation efficiently.

MP4 support for offline viewing: How it helps?

MP4’s compatibility and compression make offline viewing easy, ensuring high-quality playback across devices without internet dependency.

What Is IRL streaming?

IRL streaming lets creators share real-life moments live, expanding beyond gaming into travel, events, and daily life with unique engagement.

Understanding VMAF, PSNR, and SSIM: Full-Reference video quality metrics

Compare VMAF, PSNR, and SSIM to understand how they measure video quality and why VMAF is the best for streaming and encoding decisions.

Common video streaming errors & how to fix them

Fix common video streaming errors like buffering, playback failures, and quality issues to ensure a seamless viewing experience.

Video SDK vs. API: What's the difference?

Understand the core differences between Video SDKs and APIs to choose the right tool for your development needs.

Creating a fully customizable video player interface for better brand experiences

Learn how a fully customizable video player can boost brand experiences and user engagement with tailored features and seamless integration.

How to protect video content with signed URLs

Signed URLs prevent unauthorized access, ensuring secure video streaming while maintaining control over content distribution.

AI-Driven content recommendations & video metadata tagging

AI-driven recommendations and metadata tagging improve video discovery, engagement, and user experience through smarter automation.

The Importance of content classification for personalization

AI-driven recommendations and metadata tagging improve video discovery, engagement, and user experience through smarter automation.

Tracking viewer engagement metrics to optimize Ad placements in video

Tracking viewer engagement metrics ensures ad placements are optimized for relevance, boosting performance and maximizing revenue.

VTT files for subtitles and closed captions

VTT files enhance video accessibility by adding accurate subtitles and captions, improving viewer experience and inclusivity.

How to integrate FastPix APIs into your CMS

Integrating FastPix APIs into your CMS enhances content management and workflow automation for smoother operations.

How video streaming quality affects user engagement

Better streaming quality enhances user engagement, satisfaction, and retention, making it vital for video apps to prioritize.

Webhooks explained: Optimizing video streaming workflows

Use webhooks to automate and optimize video streaming workflows for faster, real-time updates and improved efficiency.

How to compress a video effectively?

Compress videos efficiently using the right tools and settings to reduce file size while preserving quality.

Automating video uploads with accelerated uploads and webhook notifications

Accelerate video uploads and use webhooks for real-time updates, simplifying workflows and enhancing productivity.

Understanding the Importance of QoE in video-centric applications

QoE data ensures video apps deliver seamless user experiences, boosting engagement and reducing churn through performance optimization.

HDS Streaming vs. HLS: Which adaptive protocol fits modern streaming?

HDS and HLS differ in compatibility, performance, and scalability. HLS is more suitable for modern, cross-platform streaming needs.

RTMP vs RTMPS: Understanding the key differences

RTMPS offers secure encryption over RTMP, making it the ideal choice for FastPix to ensure safe and reliable video streaming.

Automating video quality adjustments based on network conditions

Adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR) ensures smooth playback by dynamically adjusting video quality to match real-time network conditions.

What is frame interpolation?

Frame interpolation generates smoother video playback by creating transitional frames, improving visual quality and user experience.

How to allow users to upload large videos with pause and resume features

Enable large video uploads with pause and resume to enhance reliability, improve user experience, and handle network interruptions seamlessly.

Webhooks for Real-Time Video Management

Webhooks enable real-time video management by automating updates, sending instant notifications, and streamlining video workflows.

Optimize video player layouts for any screen size and theme

Learn how to optimize video player layouts for any screen size, customize themes, and add dynamic text overlays to enhance user engagement. This guide covers responsive design, custom theming, and interactive features to create a seamless, visually appealing video player experience.

Rate Limiting: Protecting your systems from overload

Learn the essentials of API rate limiting, why it's crucial for performance and security, and explore best practices for managing and avoiding limits in your API integrations.

MPD Files: The key to seamless adaptive streaming

Learn about MPD files in MPEG-DASH, a protocol for adaptive video streaming. Discover how MPD files enable smooth playback, support multi-device compatibility, and optimize streaming experiences

How to automatically add subtitles to videos with API

Automatically add subtitles to your videos using the FastPix API. This guide explores the importance of subtitles, the advantages of using APIs for subtitle generation, and step-by-step instructions to integrate FastPix for accurate, synchronized subtitles. Enhance video accessibility, improve SEO, and reach a global audience with this powerful solution.

NSFW filter for detecting explicit content

NSFW filters use AI to detect explicit content, ensuring safer platforms, improved moderation, and compliance with community standards.

What is cloud playout?

Discover how cloud playout simplifies video broadcasting by combining automation, scalability, and remote access. From storing content in the cloud to delivering seamless live streams, this blog covers the essential features, advantages, and challenges of cloud playout. Explore real-life case studies and see why it’s the future of media workflows.

WebP vs. PNG: Which is the best image format for websites?

Compare WebP and PNG image formats to understand their differences in quality, file size, and compatibility. Learn which format is best for your project needs.

What is VPAAS: Understanding video as a service

Discover the transformative power of Video Platform as a Service (VPaaS), a cloud-based solution enabling seamless video integration for businesses and developers. Explore how VPaaS simplifies video encoding, storage, and delivery while providing powerful APIs and SDKs for live streaming, analytics, and monetization.

Create instant GIFs for video thumbnails with FastPix API

Quickly create eye-catching GIF thumbnails from videos with FastPix. A perfect tool for efficient and engaging video marketing strategies.

What is named entity recognition and how does it work?

Learn about Named Entity Recognition (NER), its role in NLP, and how it helps identify key entities in text for better data insights and analysis.

Guide to container file formats in video

Understand popular video container formats like MP4, MKV, and AVI, their uses, and how to choose the right one for your project.

Video retrieval augmented generation

Learn how VRAG improves video content creation by combining retrieval and generation techniques, enabling efficient search and personalized video experiences.

A complete guide to video pipelines

Explore key concepts of video pipelines, their components, and why they are crucial for developers creating efficient video solutions.

Context-Aware Encoding (CAE) to improve video quality

Explore context-aware encoding, its benefits in video compression, and how it optimizes quality for different viewing contexts.

Five QoE metrics for every streaming platform

Explore five crucial QoE metrics for video streaming success. Enhance user experience, minimize buffering, and increase viewer retention with effective strategies.

What is video rendition?

Discover what video rendition means, its importance in adaptive streaming, and how it impacts user experience on streaming platforms.

What is an encoding ladder in video streaming?

Learn about the encoding ladder in video streaming, its role in optimizing quality, and how it improves viewer experience through adaptive bitrate technology.

Cloud transcoding: Choosing the right solution for your video-centric product

Discover the benefits of cloud transcoding for video processing. Learn how to optimize video quality and performance using scalable cloud solutions for efficient transcoding.

Key video metrics for optimizing viewer engagement and QoE

Learn about essential key metrics like QoE, engagement, and playback in video streaming. Understand how to optimize for better user experience and performance.

Working with 2K and 4K resolution: A full guide

Understand the differences and best practices for working with 2K and 4K resolution in video streaming to optimize quality and performance.

Autoplaying videos in Next.js applications

Easily implement video autoplay in Next.js with simple steps to enhance user experience and engagement on your site.

Create video previews with sprite sheets for streaming

Create video previews with sprite sheets for streaming. Improve load times, reduce bandwidth, and simplify sprite sheet generation for better performance.

Video Encoding vs. Transcoding: Key Differences for Streaming Optimization

Encoding and transcoding are essential for video streaming, each optimizing video quality and compatibility in different ways for better delivery.

How to upload large video files efficiently using chunking

Chunking helps upload large video files faster and more reliably by breaking them into smaller pieces, reducing the risk of errors and interruptions.

OTT vs IPTV: Key Differences and Which is Better for Streaming

OTT offers more flexibility and content variety, while IPTV provides higher quality and reliability. Choose based on your streaming preferences and requirements.

A complete guide to MP4 and MOV

MP4 and MOV each offer unique benefits for video streaming and processing. Understand their differences to choose the right format for your needs.

Timeshift (DVR) in live streams

Timeshift (DVR) enhances live streams by offering viewers the ability to control playback, improving engagement and viewing flexibility.

How to publish a pre-recorded video as a live stream

Publishing a pre-recorded video as a live stream is easy with the right tools. Follow these steps to simulate a live broadcast for your audience.

Buffer count and buffer fill for smooth video streaming

Manage buffer count and fill to reduce pauses and improve video streaming quality for smoother playback. Optimize preload data effectively.

Instant live encoding: Boost streaming performance

Instant live encoding minimizes latency and boosts stream quality, making it essential for smooth, high-quality live broadcasts and events.

What is a media player?

Media players decode and render multimedia content, with various types and features that enhance playback quality and user experience across devices.

The developer's guide to efficient video ingest and metadata management

Video ingest is the process of bringing video content into a system for processing and distribution. It’s crucial for seamless video workflows.

Guide to lazy loading HTML videos for your website

Lazy loading videos improves site speed and user experience by deferring video loading until needed. Perfect for performance optimization.

Optimizing the loudness of audio content

Audio normalization balances sound levels for music, podcasts, and videos. Discover key techniques and tools to enhance your audio quality effectively.

The ultimate guide to video storage solutions for businesses

FastPix simplifies video storage and delivery for VOD, helping businesses efficiently manage content while ensuring scalability, security, and performance.

How to add a video background in HTML

Integrating video backgrounds in HTML enhances user engagement and aesthetics. Follow our guide to optimize and implement them effectively.

Unicast vs. Multicast: Key differences and benefits explained

Unicast is ideal for one-to-one streaming, while multicast suits one-to-many, balancing scalability and bandwidth efficiency.

How to troubleshoot HLS live stream in iOS

Identify and resolve HLS playback issues on iOS by debugging errors, optimizing manifests, and ensuring proper encoding and network configuration.

Optimizing video streaming with lossy compression

Lossy compression reduces video size, optimizing bandwidth, but may impact quality, balancing performance and user experience in streaming.

What is WebRTC? A Beginner’s Guide to Real-Time Communication

WebRTC enables real-time communication in browsers, offering features like peer-to-peer connections, security, and high-quality audio and video streaming.

AV2 vs AV1: A comprehensive comparison of next-gen video codecs

AV2 outperforms AV1 in compression efficiency and real-time performance, making it ideal for high-quality video streaming and next-gen media applications.

What is video encoding? A complete guide for beginners

Video encoding compresses video files for efficient storage and streaming, balancing quality and file size to enhance viewer experience across devices.

MP3 vs. MP4: Key differences and uses explained

MP3 is ideal for audio-only content, while MP4 supports audio and video. Choose based on your project needs for optimal performance and compatibility.

Reducing latency in HLS streaming

Reduce HLS streaming latency for better real-time interaction and viewer experience by optimizing encoding and CDN settings.

SVOD vs TVOD vs AVOD: What’s the difference?

SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD are distinct streaming models with unique pricing and audience strategies tailored for different types of content and user experiences.