Transmission technology explained in simple terms
Various on-demand TV and movie services that have sprung up in recent years have ushered in new terminology for many of us non-techies who are just beginning to explore the vast unknown territories known as the world wide web. One term that is pretty much a household term is transmission. The concept of transmission is not new. Radio and television broadcast. Streaming is, simply put, a media delivery method. We can stream anything that can be digitized, including music, movies, sports, and TV shows.
One statistic that may surprise many people is that 30% of all internet traffic today comes from Netflix streaming alone. And consumption of over-the-top (OTT) media from distributors like Netflix, Hulu Plus and SuperPass is projected to increase by 60% over the next two years.
To clarify, there are two types of video streaming: live and on-demand. The live broadcast is viewed on the Internet simultaneously while a camera captures and digitally encodes the event. Progressive streaming is the type of streaming that is used by OTT streaming providers. On-demand videos are compressed files that are delivered by a streaming server. When an end user wants to stream a movie, for example, they will select the movie and click a play button. The OTT provider will then deliver the requested movie through specialized software called a streaming server. The streaming server will evaluate what is happening on the end user’s media player and make adjustments called buffering to ensure a good viewing experience. Streamed content is not saved on the end user’s hard drive. Once the content is streamed, it cannot be accessed again unless the file is requested from the streaming service provider again.
In addition to streaming, there is another delivery method for these compressed files, which is called downloading. When you buy a movie, song, or TV show, you download the file from a web server (rather than a streaming server) and save the file somewhere you can access it whenever you want, usually on your hard drive. Typically, at least part of the download must complete before you can start watching content without interruption.
Downloads can be rentals or purchases. If it’s a rental, the OTT provider usually allows a specific period of time from the time of the rental to view the content before the file is deleted. It’s important to note that downloaded files may contain viruses and malware, so make sure you trust whatever source you download a file from.
Media players can take many forms when you stream or watch your downloaded purchase. If you view the content on your computer, you’ll probably use the media player that comes with your operating system, or you can download a free or premium media player that your streaming service provider recommends. If you want to watch on your TV, you’ll need to use a game console, Blu-ray player, Internet-enabled TV, or streaming media player that’s connected to your TV and your home wireless network. It is important to make sure that your intended media player is supported by your OTT provider.
Streaming is undoubtedly here to stay as part of our entertainment options. Watch as technology continues to improve and more options are available to consumers.