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

The live streaming (or livestreaming) has become so common that 30% of web users stream live each week. It's possible to stream and make live streams using diverse platforms and devices, and it's easier than ever before to get started.

In this post We'll show you everything you should be aware of regarding live streaming.

• This article will discuss the concept for live stream (including a technical explanation).
  
• We'll present live streaming data and historical landmarks.
  
• In this piece we'll talk about the benefits as well as practical ways to live stream.
  
• We'll also explain what you'll need to create your own streaming live.
  

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What exactly is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming refers to the process of showing your viewers live video on the spot. The past was when live streaming was restricted to the media which were able to broadcast live videos to their viewers.

But in the past few years, the live streaming technology has been exploding on the web increasing the amount of users creating and consuming this live experience right at home, without the need of a costly TV studio.

What is live streaming... technical

Coding
    Technically speaking, the camera produces the raw digital image. But these are too big to stream effectively. Therefore encoders (software or hardware) converts the video in real-time into codecs (ie. h.264). The result is that the file size is reduced to a size that allows streaming, and the format is changed such that every device will be capable of reading it.

Compression
    The video may be divided into I-frames or P-frames. They can also be referred to B-frames. I-frames are a lot like a standard JPEG image. They are a full frame of the image with all its details.

P-frames and B frames function somewhat differently. They just capture the parts of the video that change in motion vectors by following. It results in a smaller, simpler to compress, and faster to playback. For example, in an YouTube video that features a person talks with an unchanging background, the majority the background's pixels will not change.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) are used to record the movements and modifications in the body of the speaker's face along with body movements through looking at previous frames.
  
• B-frames are also more efficient, because they are able to refer back to previous and subsequent frames. The result is the whole picture.
  

Internet speed
    Naturally, live streaming is also dependent on a constant stream of information. It is referred to by the term "bit rate. It's the amount of data your device can deliver within a single second.

• HD720 (HD) video requires 4 to 4% of the Mbps
  
• 1080p takes 4 - 6 minutes
  
• 4k requires 15-25 Mbps
  

If you're doing live streaming, your upload speed must match the volume of information your stream is sending.

Video players don't need the same amount of speed. The quality of video players is reduced if the connection speed is low or buffer (downloading about 2-30 seconds in advance) to make the stream smooth. Also, we use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies the files instantly to servers that are closer to your viewers, because the information needs to be transported over greater distances.

Latency

There's no way to guarantee that a video is real-time. It's almost always only a few seconds delayed. We term this delay the latency.

Live Statisticians streaming live

• 30% of Internet users watch live streams every single week.
  
• The most frequently live streamed content is breaking news (34 percent) in addition to live sporting events (29 percent).
  
• 91.7 percent of internet's users globally stream live during the month.
  
• 52 percent of TikTok customers prefer live content.
  
• Smart TVs have become by far the most popular device for streaming live streaming media (35.3 percent of the streamed content).
  
• 28 percent of the video content streaming live on the internet.
  
• The longest live stream ever was over 624 hours long from the Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.
  
• The live streaming record that has the most people watching is held by the Spanish streaming platform Ibai which has 3.44 million Twitch users on its channel La Velada del Ano (3).
  

How live streaming became possible (Timeline)

It's impossible to cover everything in this piece But here's an overview review of some advancements in technology that make live streaming possible.

The 1990s saw the advent of technology that allowed "packets" which contained media files that could stream and render before downloading a complete file.
    1993 1993 - The MPEG-1 compression standards are released to allow for the streaming of video in real-time.
    1995 - Starlight, a company Starlight developed the first video streaming from satellites.
     1995 - First internet radio: Radio HK.
    1995 1995 RealPlayer is launched, and it becomes the first streaming media player. The program was later added as an option for Windows 98 installation.
    1996 - 1996 - The Real-time Transport Protocol is developed and is a basis for sending audio & videos over networks.
    1998 - Starlight launched the world's first Web product for conferencing.
    1999 - The Victoria's Secret fashion show is among the very first significant live stream events, with around 1.5 million people watching.
    2002 2002 Flash Player adds video capabilities making embeddable video possible.
    2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later changed its name to Twitch) that included Justin Kan as a cameraman throughout the day. The site was to expand to include numerous channels that allowed viewers to broadcast.
    2009 The two streams, Ustream and Live stream were launched
    2011 The year 2011 was the year that YouTube has added live streaming on its platform. It was launched in 2005 (fun information: the very first video was called "Me in the Zoo"). Facebook began live streaming in the year 2015, Periscope in 2015, along with Instagram in the year 2016.

Live streaming benefits

Live streaming is a way of delivering vitality.

• Super-interactive Viewers do not have to be restricted to viewing in real time, but they usually can talk, ask questions and provide feedback in different ways.
  
• Absolutely imperfect, in contrast to edited video, in which the creator of content may feel they are obligated to refine but live streaming can't do this (at at the very minimum it's not currently). It's why live streaming is natural and are much more enjoyable.
  
• It's less time-consuming: There could be preparation and set-up however live streaming tends to be less time-consuming than say, trying to create the video that you want to produce. It could involve the scripting process, editing, re-shooting and so on.
  
• Lower production costs The majority of the time it's a less lift for beginning and then launch.
  
• Recycling It's possible that you could cut and modify the live stream for various formats or purposes following the actual event, or by hosting a recording or a video.
  
• There's an urgency: Live streaming may feel more pressing. If the person releases their video after the event, having the option to view it live will make the viewer feel special. It also helps increase the number of people watching it.
  

What do you need to know for live streaming

The video gives a fantastic overview this video, for those who are getting started on your journey to stream live!

Also, it is a brief overview of live streaming that is available for the creators. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

One of the best things about live streaming at present is it doesn't require any expensive equipment. The majority of modern phones have everything you need to run live streams.

Here are a few possible video options:

• Video on smartphones A majority of smartphones have the capability of creating HD video. The latest models shoot in 4k. Be aware that the cameras on the back and front could differ in their quality. But, they are both most likely to work for streaming live. It's easier to stream direct using your mobile.
  
• Webcam: Certain streamers prefer either using an internal computer webcam or using the external camera. This can be a great option for live streaming done using a laptop or desktop.
  
• Professional cameras: The best seasoned streamers typically employ professional cameras, such as DSLRs to live stream. These can be tethered to your phone or laptop and offer higher quality video while allowing you to select the lens that most suit your style and preferences.
  

And you'll need sound! Here are some ideas:

• Mic built into your computer or mobile (not recommended) Computer and phone mics sit too far away from your mouth during broadcasting live and usually are not equipped with high-quality sound recording devices. You should choose one of the options listed below.
  
• Wireless or Bluetooth headphones place the microphone near your mouth, increasing the sound quality and decreasing background disturbance. The device you select to put on is generally more effective than the device's microphone built into the device.
  
• Lapel microphone: The mic is attached on the collar of your shirt and listens for the sound closer to your mouth. This results in higher quality. Wireless and wired models are available with some high-quality microphones include options like noise cancellation.
  
• Shotgun mic  The shotgun mic can be set far from your face (often connected to the top part of your camera) and captures a directional voice from the voice.
  
• Condenser microphone for desktops Many streamers are now making use of desktop condenser microphones like The Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your PC and gets sound straight through the mouth of the user.
  

Here's more live streaming advice for you to improve your streamer skills.

2. Software for streaming (optional)

Streaming software isn't required to be purchased, as you are able to live stream across big platforms. This is beneficial to those who want:

• Sharing images on a computer screen. It can be used as a slideshow, or even as a gaming.
  
• In order to utilize multiple cameras (ie. different angles).
  
• To add overlays, graphics, logos, chat boxes or cards.
  
• Mix in audio from a variety of source (e.g. music).
  
• For streaming to several platforms at the same time (e.g. Facebook + YouTube + LinkedIn ).
  

In this regard, we talked about the StreamYard technology in our article on Zoom Alternatives. It's able of doing a range of such tasks.

3. Live streaming platforms

It's quite simple. It is necessary to have a streaming platform, like YouTube along with Twitch.

Try it! Mighty makes it super easy to live stream using your phone or the Mighty app, or you may even have an app that you can name and stream live streams from. You can easily monetize it through charging per stream or perhaps even establishing a membership by integrating streaming into the.

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Live streaming has benefits for companies.

If you're a proprietor of a business, it's important to know the advantages from live stream. Live streams may not be as polished or perfect as the promo video that you worked on, however live streaming has its own distinctness.

As we said above, it creates a connection between your audience and you which is real and authentic, which is a huge benefit for your company. Furthermore, live streaming gives an opportunity to be unplanned and unexpected (in the best possible way). ).

Here are some benefits of live streaming in business:

• You can organize events without having an area or location Live streaming permits companies to host virtual meetings and debates without needing to reside in a specific city.
  
• Make educational possibilities: Live streaming can be a fantastic way to add value via teaching! Businesses can use live streams (especially when they are in the form of a webinar) to educate their customers and create brand recognition.
  
• The audience can stream live anywhere across the world can view streaming live on the web and a device. This brings your audience closer and makes it easier for your audience to connect with your company.
  
• Earn money from ticket sales and events Event planners may develop premium digital items such as live streaming as sources of income, by selling tickets or handing them out.
  

You should not make the most of your live stream only to make sales. Offer your clients something of value, educate them and inspire your customers to feel valued, and make them feel valued and engaged. It's the only way to make live streaming work for you and your company.

We're amazed by live streaming, which is reason why we've incorporated live stream capabilities to all of our plans.

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Live streaming demonstrations

There are some huge historical live streams. These include:

• Michael Jackson's memorial ceremony was one of the live streams that were watched by the most people during its time (2009).
  
• As of 2012, NASA Live streamed Mars Curiosity landing. It is still possible to watch NASA live streams about space.
  
• In 2014, users on Twitch engaged in Pokemon and were also given commands by chatters. The total number of gamers is estimated at 1.16 million people played while 55 million watched.
  

And these are awesome! Live streaming can be a fantastic way to bring humans together. We even broadcast live stream of our very own, People Magic Summit, with leading creators and community leaders (this years' attendees were famous like Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry and Amanda Goetz). You can rewatch sessions here!

Below are some others of the ways a live stream might look like:

• The Mighty Network host announces a daily challenge via a live stream on Mondays.
  
• Live music is broadcast on IGTV and TikTok and then performs in a small-scale concert for viewers.
  
• Gamer is someone who participates in Roblox along with Fortnight, and streams to viewers.
  
• A college offers a online class that is taught via a live stream.
  
• An influential person talks with one of the users on LinkedIn live, discussing an imminent publication of the book.
  

Take a look: 11 of the Best Communities Engagement Strategy

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