What Is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live stream streaming (or livestreaming) is now so popular that 30 percent of Internet users watch a live stream every week. We can both watch and make live streams using a variety of different apps and devices and is now simpler than ever before to begin.

In this post We'll show you everything you need to be aware of concerning live streaming.

•         We'll explain what live streaming is (including an explanation of the technical aspects).            
  
•         We'll provide live streaming statistics and milestones.            
  
•         The discussion will focus on the advantages of HTML0 and some instances that live streams can provide.            
  
•         and we'll show the things you'll need in order to make your individual live stream.            
  

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What exactly is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of broadcasting to an audience via video in real-time. The past, live streaming was restricted to only media companies that had the technology to broadcast live to their viewers.

But in the past few years live streaming has lit up the internet increasing the number of people are creating and consuming the live stream from their homes--no need for expensive television studios.

What exactly is live streaming... technical

Encoding
Technically, your camera inputs raw digital pictures. But these are too big for streaming effectively. Therefore, an encoder (software or hardware) compresses the video in real-time into codecs (ie. h.264). The result is that the file size gets smaller enough to stream, and also standardizes the format so that any device could understand it.

Compression
The video is divided into what are called I-frames, P-frames, and B-frames. I-frames are a lot as a typical JPEG image-they contain a complete frame of the image with all its details.

P-frames and B-frames work in a different way. They are only capturing the portion of the video which changes by tracking motion vectors. It is much smaller, simpler to compress, and more efficient for playback. For example, in a YouTube video, where a speaker is speaking against a static background, most of the background pixels don't change.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) can only encode the motion and changes in the face of the speaker and movement of the body by analyzing previous frames.        
  
• B-frames are even more effective, since they can reference both previous and subsequent frames, resulting in the entire image.      
  

Internet speed
Live streaming is also dependent on a constant flow of information. We call this bit rate, the amount of data your device will stream each second.

• 720 (HD) video needs 2-4 per cent of Mbps        
  
• 1080p requires 4 to 6 Mbps        
  
• 4k is a requirement of 15-25 Mbps        
  

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

Viewers don't require the identical speed. Video players reduce quality if a connection is slow, or buffer (downloading two to three seconds earlier) for making the stream smooth. We also use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your files in real-time to a server nearer to your viewers, as it needs information to travel further distances.

    Latency

There is no way to guarantee that a video will be live. At the very least, there is two seconds of delay. We refer to this as latency.

Live Streaming statistics

• 30% of internet viewers watch a live stream every week.      
  
• Most often live streamed media is breaking news (34 percent) and live sports (29 percent).      
  
• 91.7 percent of the internet's users worldwide watch live streaming services throughout the month.      
  
• 52% Of TikTok users prefer to view live streaming.      
  
• Smart TVs can be the most popular place for watching live streaming (35.3 percent of the streamed content).      
  
• 28 percent of the online videos consumed online live streamed.      
  
• The longest live stream in history took over 624 hours from the Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.        
  
• The record for live streaming for most viewers is held by Spanish streamer, Ibai-with 3.44 million Twitch users in 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" of media to be streamed and rendered before downloading a complete file.
1993 - 1993: The MPEG-1 standard for compression is released that allows for practical streaming of video
1995 - The firm Starlight created the first streaming video system using satellites.
1995 - First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 - RealPlayer launches, becoming the first mainstream stream media player. Later, it was added as an option in Windows 98 installation.
1996 - Real-time Transport Protocol is created, creating a framework for sending audio & video over networks.
1998 - Starlight announced the first web product for conferencing.
1999 - Victoria's Secret fashion show becomes one of the first major live stream shows, with an estimated 1.5 million people watching.
2002 2001 Flash Player adds video capabilities that make embedding videos possible.
2007 - Launch of Justin.tv (later it was rebranded to Twitch) with Justin Kan, who was a cameraman 24/7. The site would expand to include numerous channels that would allow viewers to broadcast.
2009- Both Ustream and Live stream launched
2011 The year 2011 was the year that YouTube added live streaming to its services. It was launched in 2005 (fun information: the very first video was titled "Me at the Zoo). Facebook added live streaming in 2015, Periscope in 2015, and Instagram in the year 2016.

Live streaming benefits

Live Streaming has an energy.

• Super interactive  viewers are not limited to watching in real-time, but they can usually talk, ask questions as well as give feedback in various ways.      
  
• Perfectly imperfect In contrast to edited videos, in which the creator of content might be compelled to improve, live streaming can't really accomplish this (at the very least, not at this point). This means that live streams appear natural and much more entertaining.    
  
• It's less time-consuming: There may need to be setup and preparation, but live streams are often less work than say the effort required to create an edited video, which may require scripting, re-shooting, editing and so on.    
  
• Costs of production are lower : Often it's a lower lift for getting started and launching.      
  
• Recycling  The user can cut and adapt your live stream for different formats and purposes after the event, and also creating a recorded version from it.      
  
• It's a sense of urgency. Live streaming is a bit more important. Although it's possible that someone uploads a video after the event, catching a live event feels really special and boosts uptake.    
  

What do you require in order to stream live

The best overview is in this video if you're starting to get started with live streaming!

In other words, this is an overview of live streaming available to creators. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The cool thing regarding live streaming in the present is there is no need for fancy equipment. Modern smartphones have all the necessary features to manage live streams.

Here are some possible video options:

• Smartphone video: All phones can create at least HD video, and some newer ones shoot in 4k. Make sure to note that the front and back camera might differ in quality. Both are probably suitable to stream live. It's the easiest way to stream from your phone.    
  
• Webcam: Some computer streamers prefer using either a built-in computer webcam or an external webcam. This is the case for live streaming using a laptop or desktop.    
  
• Professional cameras: The most seasoned streamers usually employ professional cameras such as DSLRs for live streams. They can be connected to your phone or laptop and can send a higher-quality video as well as permitting you to select the lens which best suit your style and style.    
  

And you'll need sound! These are some suggestions:

• Phone or Computer built-in mic (not suggested) Phone and microphones on computers are too far away from your mouth when you are watching streaming live, and often have poor quality sound recorders. Better to select one of the options below.    
  
• Headphones: Bluetooth or wired headphones put the microphone close to your mouth, enhancing audio quality while minimizing background disturbance. The headset you choose to use is typically an improvement over your device's built-in microphone.    
  
• Lapel mic The lapel mic is attached onto your collar or shirt and listens for the sounds closer to your mouth, resulting in better high-quality. They come wired and wireless as well as some of the higher-end microphones come with features such as noise cancelling.    
  
• Shotgun mic  The shotgun mic is set away from your face (often it clips onto the top of a camera) and captures an directional voice from your vocal.      
  
• Condenser microphone for desktop use : More streamers are now making use of desktop condenser microphones, such as Blue Yeti. Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your PC and receives sound directly from the mouth of your user.      
  

Here are some additional Live streaming tricks for you to boost your streaming game.

2. Software to stream (optional)

Streaming software isn't always necessary because you can live stream directly to large platforms. However, streaming software could be a good idea for people looking to:

• to share an image on a computer screen. It could be part in a slideshow format or as part of gaming.        
  
• In order to utilize more than one camera (ie. different angles).    
  
• For overlays to images, logos and chat boxes, or cards.        
  
• To mix in different audio sources (e.g. music).    
  
• In order to stream on multiple platforms simultaneously (e.g. Facebook + YouTube plus LinkedIn). ).    
  

To illustrate this We discussed the StreamYard platform in our article on Zoom Alternatives. It is a great platform for the above.

3. A live streaming platform

The explanation is fairly straightforward. You require a platform for streaming, like YouTube as well as Twitch.

Try it out ! Mighty is a breeze to stream live from your phone or the Mighty application, or you can even get your own branded app to stream live from. You can easily monetize it, charge for individual streams or set up a subscription with streaming included in.

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Live streaming has benefits for business

If you own a business and want to grow, then you must understand the potential of live streaming. Live streams may not look as professional or polished as the promo video you labored over, but live streaming has something more unique.

Like we mentioned earlier, it builds a bond between your audience and you that feels a lot more unscripted and real and is an enormous benefit for your company. In addition, live streaming holds the potential of being truly spontaneous and surprising (in the best way possible). ).

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

• Host events without needing any space or location: Live streams allow businesses to hold virtual gatherings and discussions without having to be in the same city.    
  
• Provide educational opportunities. Live streams can be a way to provide value via education! Businesses can use live streams (especially in a webinar format) to educate customers and increase brand recognition.    
  
• The audience can stream live from wherever: Anyone around the globe can watch a live stream with a device and internet connection. It brings them closer and makes it easier to reach them.    
  
• Profit from events and ticket sales Business can design top digital services such as live streams to generate income, by selling tickets or gating them.    
  

And don't just use your live stream to sell. Provide your customers with worth, provide them with information that will inspire, motivate them, and make them feel valued, and engage them. This is what makes live streaming effective for your business.

We love live streaming which is why we've added live streaming capabilities in all our plans.

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Live streaming demonstrations

There are numerous huge historical live streams. Things like:

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

These are amazing! Live streaming has the power to bring humans together. In fact, we even have an own stream called People Magic Summit, with top creators and community leaders (this event featured guests such as Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry, and Amanda Goetz). Replay sessions can be viewed here!

Here are some other examples of how a live stream could look like:

• A Mighty Network host announces a every week on their live stream each Monday.        
  
• A performer goes live on IGTV or TikTok and performs the audience to a small-scale concert.        
  
• A gamer plays Roblox and Fortnight and streams to viewers.        
  
• Colleges offer an online virtual course  taught via live streams.      
  
• A thought-leader interviews one of the users on LinkedIn live regarding an upcoming book release.        
  

Check it out: 11 of the Top Communities Engagement Strategy