What is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

The live streaming (or livestreaming) is now so popular that 30 percent of Internet users watch a live stream weekly. You can watch or make live streams using a variety of different devices and applications and is now simpler than ever before to begin.

In this post We'll show you the basics you should learn regarding live stream.

• We'll explain what live streaming is (including an explanation of the technical aspects).        
  
• We'll share some live streaming statistics and important milestones.        
  
• We'll talk about advantages and practical examples of live streaming.        
  
• We'll also explain what you'll need to create your personal live stream.        
  

What exactly is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of showing your viewers live video streaming in real time. The past, live streaming was limited to media outlets with the capability to broadcast live to their viewers. However, in recent years, the live streaming technology has lit up the internet as more users are consuming and creating this live experience right at home, without the need of a costly TV studio.

What exactly is live streaming... technologically

Encoding
Technically speaking, the camera is able to input the raw digital image. But these are too big to stream effectively. Therefore, an encoder (software or hardware) compresses the video at real-time and converts it to codecs (ie. h.264). This makes the files small enough to stream and standardizes it so any device can read it.

Compression
The video can be split into I-frames, P-frames, and B-frames. I-frames work a bit similar to a standard JPEG image-they contain a complete image frame that includes all particulars.

P-frames and B-frames work slightly differently. They just capture the parts of the video that changes through tracking motion vectors. This makes it a smaller file, easier to compress, and faster for replay. As an example, in an YouTube video, where a speaker is speaking against an unchanging background, the majority of the background's pixels won't alter.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) are used to record the movements and modifications in the body of the speaker's face as well as body movements by reviewing previous frames.        
  
• B-frames can be even more effective, since they are able to reference previous and future frames in order to produce the full image.      
  

Internet speed
Of course, live streaming also requires a constant flux of data. We call this bit rate, the amount of data your device will stream every second.

• 720 (HD) video requires between 2-4 speeds        
  
• 1080p requires 4-6 Mbps        
  
• 4k requires 15-25 Mbps        
  

When doing a live stream, your upload speed needs to be in line with the information that your stream sends.

Viewers don't require the same speed. Video players decrease quality when the connection speed is low, or buffer (downloading 2-30 seconds ahead) for making the stream smooth. We also use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies the file at a real-time rate to a server which is close to the viewer because it requires information to travel longer distances.

    Latency

The video may not be truly live. It's almost always two seconds of delay. We refer to this as latency.

Live Statisticians streaming live

• 30 percent of Internet people watch live streams every week.      
  
• One of the most often live streamed video includes breaking news (34%) and live sports (29 percent).      
  
• 91.7% of internet viewers worldwide watch live streaming services each month.      
  
• 52% of TikTok subscribers prefer to watch live content.      
  
• Smart TVs can be by far the most sought-after location for watching live streaming (35.3 percent of the streamed content).      
  
• 28% of all video content consumed online are live streamed.      
  
• The most long live streaming of all time ran for more than 624 hours provided by Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.        
  
• The live streaming record for the most viewers ever is held by Spanish Ibai streamer-with 3.44 million viewers on Twitch on his La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

How live streaming became possible (Timeline)

It's impossible to cover all aspects, but here's a quick list of some technological advancements which allow live streaming.

The 1990s saw the advent of technology that allowed "packets" from media sources to be streamed and rendered before a complete download.
1993 - The MPEG-1 compression standard is released to allow for the streaming of videos in real-time.
1995: The company Starlight built the first streaming of video using satellites.
1995- First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 The year 1995 RealPlayer debuts, and becomes the first streaming media player. The program was later added as an option in Windows 98 installation.
1996 - Real-time Transport Protocol is developed, creating an infrastructure for transmitting audio & video over networks.
1998- Starlight unveiled the first web conference products.
1999 - Victoria's secret fashion show becomes one of the first major live stream events, with an estimated 1.5 million viewers.
2002 2001 Flash Player adds video capabilities that make embeddable video content possible.
2007 - Launch of Justin.tv (later changed to Twitch) with Justin Kan wearing a camera throughout the day. The site would expand to include multiple channels that allowed the public to broadcast.
2009 - Both Ustream and Live stream launched
2011 The year 2011 was the year that YouTube added live streaming into its offering. It was launched in 2005 (fun information: the very first video was named "Me at the Zoo). Facebook began live streaming in 2015, Periscope in 2015, as well as Instagram in 2016.

Benefits of live streaming

Live streaming has energetic.

• Super-interactive : Viewers can not only watch in real time however, they are also able to talk, ask questions and give feedback in other ways.      
  
• Perfectly imperfect Aside from edited video in which content creators might consider themselves obligated to refine the content, live streams can't do this (at at least, not currently). This means that live streams appear natural and are more enjoyable.    
  
• The time is less consuming: There could some preparation and set-up however, live streaming is often less work than, say making the video that you want to make. This may involve writing, editing, or re-shooting and so on.    
  
• Lower production costs : Often it's less lifting to start and then launch.      
  
• Recycling : You could cut and modify the live stream to different formats and purposes after the fact, as well as creating a recorded version or a video.      
  
• There's an urgency: Live streaming is a bit more urgent. Even if it's someone who publishes their video later the event, watching live makes you feel special and helps increase the number of people who watch it.    
  

What are you required to live stream

It's a great overview of this video for those who are getting started with Live streaming!

However, it's an overview of live streaming options for creators. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

One of the best things regarding live streaming in the present is it doesn't require any fancy equipment. The majority of modern phones come with everything you need to run live streaming.

Here are some possibilities for video choices:

• Video on smartphones: The majority of phones are able to create HD video. Some more recent models shoot in 4K. Make sure to note that your smartphone's camera on the front and back might be different quality. But either is probably fine for a live stream. It's easiest to stream directly using your mobile.    
  
• Webcam: A few computer streamers prefer using either an internal computer webcam as well as using an external webcam. This would be used for live streaming that is done via laptops or computers.    
  
• Professional cameras: Established streamers often utilize professional cameras, such as DSLRs to stream live. These can be tethered to phones or laptops and can send a higher-quality video as well as giving you the option of choosing the lens that most suit your look and style.    
  

Sound is essential! There are a few options available:

• Mic built into your computer or phone (not advised) The phone or computer microphones are distant from your mouth in streaming live, and are often low-quality sound recorders. It's better to choose among the alternatives given below.    
  
• Headphones: Bluetooth or wired headphones put the microphone close to your mouth, increasing the quality of your sound and decreasing background disturbance. The headset you choose to use is typically better than your phone's built-in microphone.    
  
• Lapel microphone The lapel microphone clips onto your collar or shirt and picks up sounds closer to your mouth. This makes more quality. The mics are wireless and wired, and some higher quality mics have features such as noise canceling.    
  
• Shotgun mic : A shotgun microphone is a distance from you (often clips to the top of the camera) and captures an omnidirectional voice signal from the voice.      
  
• Desktop condenser mic : More streamers are now using desktop condenser microphones like those of the Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your computer and captures audio from your mouth.      
  

Here are some more stream live advice for you to up your game.

2. Streaming software (optional)

Streaming software doesn't have to be required as you are able to live stream directly to the major platforms. But streaming software might be beneficial for those looking to:

• To share a computer screen, either as a slideshow, or even for gaming.        
  
• To use multiple cameras (ie. different angles).    
  
• For overlays to logos, graphics cards, chat boxes.        
  
• To mix in different audio sources (e.g. music).    
  
• To stream to multiple platforms simultaneously (e.g. YouTube + Facebook + LinkedIn ).    
  

To illustrate this, we talked about the StreamYard platform in our article on Zoom Alternatives. It does a lot of these things.

3. A platform for live streaming

The explanation is fairly straightforward. You require a platform for streaming such as YouTube or Twitch.

Try it out ! Mighty is a breeze to stream live using your smartphone or Mighty application, or you could even create an app that you can brand and stream your live streams from. It's also easy to make money from it, charge for individual streams or set up a subscription with streaming built-in.

Live streaming is a benefit for business

If you're a proprietor of a company, you need to realize the potential in live streaming. Live streams may not be as polished or perfect like the promotional videos you put into it, however live streaming has something more distinctive. As we said above it establishes a connection between your customers and yourself that is authentic and unscripted this is a major strength for your brand. Additionally, live streaming offers the ability to be truly exciting and unexpected (in an excellent way). ).

Here are some other benefits of live streaming to businesses:

• Event organizers can host events without the need for space or place Live streams enable businesses to hold virtual gatherings and discussions without the need to gather everyone in the same place.    
  
• Make educational possibilities: A live stream can be an opportunity to provide value, especially through instructing! Companies can make use of live streams (especially in a webinar format) to educate customers and build brand awareness.    
  
• Viewers can view the live stream from any location: Anyone anywhere in the world is able to watch an online live stream by using a device and internet connection. It brings them closer, and it makes it much easier for them to get in touch with you.    
  
• Profit from events and ticket sales Business can design top digital services such as live streaming as sources of revenue, selling tickets and giving them away.    
  

Do not just make use of your live stream to sell. Offer your clients worth, provide them with information and inspire them to engage them. This is what makes live streaming beneficial to your company.

We are awestruck by live streaming so we've included live streaming capabilities in all our plans.

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Live streaming examples

There are some huge, historic live streams. These include:

• Michael Jackson's funeral was among of the most-watched live streams in its time (2009).      
  
• In 2012 NASA live streamed Mars Curiosity landing. There are still regular NASA live stream on space.    
  
• In 2014, gamers on Twitch were playing Pokemon alongside commands received from chat. Later, it was discovered that 1.16 million players played, while 55 million viewers watched.    
  

These are amazing! Live streaming has the power to unite people. In fact, we host the live streams of our very own called People Magic Summit, with the top community leaders and creators (this year's guests included people such as Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry, and Amanda Goetz). You can rewatch sessions here!

Here are a few more generic examples of what a live stream can look like

• A Mighty Network host announces a every week on their live stream on Mondays.        
  
• Live music is performed by a musician via IGTV or TikTok and hosts an intimate concert for viewers.        
  
• A gamer is a player who plays Roblox as well as Fortnight and streams to viewers.        
  
• The college provides an online online course that's taught over a live stream.      
  
• A thought leader interviews one of the users on LinkedIn live regarding an upcoming book launch.        
  

Now Read: 11 of the Most Effective Strategies for Community Engagement