Internet live streaming technology has seen remarkable advancements over the past decade, fundamentally changing how content is consumed and produced. From gaming and entertainment to education and corporate communications, live streaming has become a pivotal part of the digital experience. Here are some key developments in this dynamic field in recent years.
Improved Video Compression
One of the most significant advancements in live streaming technology is the development of more efficient video compression algorithms. The introduction of codecs like H.265 (HEVC) has dramatically reduced the bandwidth required for high quality video streaming. This has allowed platforms to deliver high-definition content with less buffering and latency, enhancing the viewer experience.
Streaming protocols have also evolved. HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) are now widely used. These protocols segment video content into small chunks, allowing the video quality to adapt in real-time based on the viewer’s network conditions. This adaptability ensures smoother playback and better handling of network fluctuations.
Low Latency Streaming
Enormous leaps have been made in reducing video latency. Latency refers to the delay between the live event being recorded and the stream reaching the viewer. Traditional streaming methods often suffer from high latency which can be a real problem for interactive content like live sports and gaming.
Consider a game of live dealer blackjack, where players remotely take part in a physical card deal. The deal is live streamed to players computers while their state of play (hand score) is presented on the game’s UI. The hand score on the UI is updated in real time as cards are read by a scanner. But if there is significant latency in the video stream, the physical cards the player sees on the table, will lag the hand score they are presented with. Disconcerting at best. Downright confusing at worst, and certainly not ideal with real money at stake!
Technologies such as Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) have been instrumental in achieving ultra-low latency streaming. WebRTC enables peer-to-peer communication, significantly cutting down the delay and making real-time interaction possible.
Edge computing has also played a crucial role in improving latency. By processing data closer to the end user, edge computing reduces latency and improves the quality of live streams. This technology is especially important for delivering content in geographically dispersed areas, ensuring that viewers receive a consistent and high-quality stream regardless of their location.
Cloud-based Streaming Solutions
The integration of cloud computing has revolutionised live streaming. Cloud based solutions offer scalable and reliable infrastructures that can handle massive viewership. Services like AWS Elemental MediaLive and Azure Media Services provide end-to-end live streaming workflows, from encoding and packaging to delivery and analytics. These platforms support automatic scaling, allowing broadcasters to accommodate sudden spikes in viewership without compromising stream quality.
Thanks to the above technology improvements the quality of live video streaming has improved drastically over the last decade. With massive end user appetite for live video content, these technologies will continue to be areas of considerable investment and development.