It has now been ten years since streaming became popular all over the world. It came some time after the democratization of the Internet. No more waiting for hours to be able to download songs. It turns out to be a real luxury, offering access to different types of multimedia content. With just one click, you have access to your movie or even your show. Knowing the various functions will allow you to optimize their use.
Focus on what streaming is all about
Streaming is an online protocol with a number of advantages. Since the 2000s, it has experienced a veritable heyday on the internet. It continues to evolve. Its main missions are to allow you to:
- View content online,
- Listen to virtual content.
With it, you can start playing content while the rest of the data is in transit. There are several streaming platforms, such as: YouTube, Dailymotion and of course Deezer. Today, it is an essential protocol, used by the youngest and the not so young.
Better understand how streaming works
The content you want to view is broken down into smaller chunks. They are also called data packets. These are sent to the browser whose reader will interpret the data. If it’s a song, the browser will start playing it once it receives enough packets. In case your internet connection is too slow, it is quite possible that the buffering is blocked by the player. When this situation arises, it is advisable to wait a few seconds or even several minutes.
This agreement aims to ensure that the contents of the buffer memory are sufficient for playback to resume. To provide streaming content, the companies that produce it require storing it on cloud platforms. As for famous platforms like Netflix, they have streaming networks. This is the best way to reduce latency times and bandwidth costs. Especially since it makes it much easier for you to watch TV online.
Balancing between streaming and downloading
When you do a download, the file will be saved to the hard drive. So you’ll be able to listen to your music or watch your movie whenever you want. Streaming works differently. It plays multimedia content without having to download it.
- On the one hand, downloading has the advantage of avoiding buffering problems. On the other hand, downloaded files take up space on the hard disk.
- On the other hand, streaming presents difficulties in case of slow internet connection. However, the contents will never take up space on your computer. Add to that that there are more and more streaming options available. Among which: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Spotify, Apple Music…
There are also social streaming platforms such as Twitch. Streaming is therefore much easier than it has ever been before. All you need is a stable and fairly fast internet connection. You need at least 2 Mbps or megabits per second. If it is below this number, the content will often be interrupted. If you prefer to watch in HD or 4K, a much faster connection is required. At least 5 Mbps to be comfortable.
The tangible interests of streaming
Its main advantage is that it avoids fees and piracy. Buying a CD or the digital version of an album of songs can be very expensive in the long run. Downloading content from illegal sites is prohibited! Streaming gives you quick access to movies, series and the latest albums from your favorite artists. All while paying a small monthly fee and without being illegal.
Through it, you have the ability to access live content. That is to say that you can attend championships or political debates without waiting for a replay. You can visualize what you want almost immediately. In case you travel abroad, you will have access to TV shows from your country. Thanks to the VPN, you will be able to change the IP address so that your favorite content is streamed.
Online streaming to play games
Streaming video games are very common. Its principle is based on the same as that of audio and video streaming. Be aware that this category even saves space. It processes requests to your computer or smartphone by offloading a game to the server. All you need for that is a wireless connection. When you play in streaming, commands are sent to a more powerful computer which will execute them.
The results will then be streamed to your device. Thanks to recent progress in internet speeds, the process is now done in real time. We can say that streaming has completely revolutionized the digital world. Nevertheless, it is necessary to turn to reliable streaming sites. This will allow you to avoid exposing yourself to security risks. You have to pay special attention to them in order to avoid those that are uncertain and that could harm you.
