What is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

The live streaming (or livestreaming) has grown so widespread that 30% of internet users watch a live stream every week. It is possible to watch and make live streams using a variety of different devices and applications and is now simpler than ever to start.

In this post, we'll introduce you to everything you need to learn about live streaming.

• This article will explain what live streaming means (including an explanation of the technical aspects).        
  
• We'll share some live streaming stats and milestones.        
  
• We'll talk about advantages and practical instances of live streaming.        
  
• We'll also explain what you'll need to create your personal streaming live.        
  

What exactly is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of showing your viewers on video in real-time. It was in the past that this was restricted to only media companies with the capability to broadcast live to their audience. But in the past few years, technology for live streaming has lit up the internet, and more and more users are consuming and creating this live experience right from their homes--no need for a costly TV studio.

What exactly is live streaming... technologically

Coding
Technically, your camera inputs the raw digital image. But these are too big to stream effectively. An encoder (software or hardware) reduces the video's size at real-time and converts it into codecs (ie. h.264). The result is that the file size gets smaller enough to stream and 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 similar to a standard JPEG image, they contain an entire image frame that includes all details.

P-frames and B frames work a bit differently. They only capture the part of the video which changes through tracking motion vectors. It is much smaller, simpler to compress, and more efficient for replay. As an example, in an YouTube video in which a person talks in front of something static, the majority of the background's pixels won't change.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) only need to encode the movement and variations in the speaker's face and body movements by reviewing prior frames.        
  
• B-frames can be even more effective, since they have the ability to refer to both prior AND future frames to create an entire picture.      
  

Internet speed
Of course, live streaming is also dependent on a constant flux of data. This is known as bit rate. It is the amount of information your device is able to stream each second.

• 720 (HD) video needs between 2-4 speeds        
  
• 1080p is required to download at least 4-6 Mbps        
  
• 4k requires 15-25 Mbps        
  

If you are doing a live stream it is essential that your upload speed to match the data your stream is sending.

Viewers don't require the identical speed. Video players decrease quality when a connection is slow, or buffer (downloading about 2-30 seconds in advance) to make the stream smooth. Additionally, we utilize Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your files in real-time to a server that's close to the viewer because it requires information to travel longer distances.

    Latency

There is no way to guarantee that a video will be live. It's almost always a couple seconds of delay-we term this delay latency.

Live Statisticians streaming live

• 30% of internet users watch a live stream weekly.      
  
• One of the most often live streamed media are breaking news (34%) and live sports (29%).      
  
• 91.7% of the internet's Internet users around the world watch live streaming services every month.      
  
• 52% Of TikTok subscribers would like to watch live content.      
  
• Smart TVs can be the most popular place for watching live streaming (35.3% of all streaming content).      
  
• 28 A majority of videos watched online are live streamed.      
  
• The most long live streaming in history took over 624 hours from the Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.        
  
• The live streaming record for most viewers is held by Spanish streamer, Ibai-with 3.44 millions Twitch viewers in his La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

How live streaming became feasible (Timeline)

It's impossible to cover all aspects however, here's a brief list of some technological advancements that allow live streaming.

The 1990s saw the advent of technology that allowed "packets" that contained media files to be streamed and rendered prior to downloading a complete file.
1993 - The MPEG-1 compression standard is released that allows for practical streaming of video
1995 - The company Starlight developed the first streaming video system using satellites.
1995- First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 1995 RealPlayer launches, becoming the first streaming player. The program was later added as a choice in Windows 98 installation.
1996 - Real-time Transport Protocol is created, which creates an infrastructure for transmitting audio & video over networks.
19981998 Starlight announced the first web product for conferencing.
1999 - Victoria's Secret fashion show becomes one of the first major live stream events, with around 1.5 million people watching.
2002 - Flash Player adds video capabilities that make embeddable video content feasible.
2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later rebranded as Twitch) that featured Justin Kan with a camera all day long. It was later expanded to multiple channels that allowed viewers to stream.
2009- Both Ustream and Live stream launched
2011 - YouTube introduced live streaming to its services. It was launched in 2005 (fun fact: the first video was titled "Me at the Zoo). Facebook began live streaming in the year 2015, Periscope in 2015, as well as Instagram in the year 2016.

The benefits of live streaming

Live streaming has vitality.

• Super-interactive : Viewers can not only watch live however, they are also able to communicate, ask questions and give feedback in other ways.      
  
• Completely unfinished: Unlike edited video, in which content creators might be compelled to improve, live streaming can't really do this (at at least, not currently). As a result, live streams are organic, and much more entertaining.    
  
• The time is less consuming: There could be prep and setup, but live streams are typically less labor-intensive than say the effort required to create an edited video, which may require scripting, re-shooting, editing or other editing.    
  
• Costs of production are lower : Often it's less lifting to start and then launch.      
  
• Repurposing : You can modify and cut the live stream to different formats and purposes after the event, and also hosting a recording or a video.      
  
• It's a sense of urgency. Live streaming is a bit more important. Although it's possible that someone posts a recording after the event, watching live makes you feel special and helps increase uptake.    
  

What you need in order to stream live

There's an awesome overview in this video if you're beginning to learn about live streaming!

But otherwise, here's an outline of live streaming available to creators. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The best part about live streaming today is there is no need for fancy devices. The majority of modern phones come with everything needed to operate live streaming.

Here are some possible video options:

• Video on smartphones: The majority of phones are able to create HD video. Some modern phones shoot 4K. Do remember that your phone's back and front camera could be of different qualities. However, both are likely to be adequate to stream live. It's easier to stream direct from your phone.    
  
• Webcam: A few computer streamers prefer using either a built-in computer webcam as well as using an external webcam. This would be for live streaming done using a laptop or desktop.    
  
• Professional camera: More established streamers typically employ professional cameras such as DSLRs to live stream. They can be connected to phones or laptops and provide a superior quality video as well as permitting you to select the lenses which best suit your style and experience.    
  

You'll also need sound! These are some suggestions:

• Phone or Computer built-in mic (not suggested): Your phone and microphones on computers are too distant from your mouth in a live stream, they are usually poor quality sound recorders. It's better to choose from the choices below.    
  
• Wireless or Bluetooth headphones put the microphone near your mouth, increasing the quality of your sound and decreasing background noise. Any headset is usually more effective than the device's built-in microphone.    
  
• Lapel microphone Lapel microphones are clipped onto your collar or shirt and picks up sounds closer to your mouth, making the sound more high-quality. They come wired and wireless, and some higher quality microphones come with features such as noise canceling.    
  
• Shotgun mic : A shotgun mic sits away from your face (often clips to the top of a camera) and pics up the direction of your voice.      
  
• Desktop condenser mic  A lot of streamers are now employing desktop condenser mics such as Blue Yeti. Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your computer and captures audio from your lips.      
  

Here are some more live streaming tricks that will boost your gameplay.

2. Streaming software (optional)

The use of streaming software isn't necessarily necessary, since you can live stream directly on major platforms. But streaming software might be a good idea for people who want:

• For sharing an image on a computer screen. It could be part of a slideshow or for gaming.        
  
• to use more than one camera (ie. different angles).    
  
• For overlays to graphics, logos cards, chatboxes.        
  
• Mix in audio streams (e.g. music).    
  
• For streaming to several platforms at the same time (e.g. YouTube + Facebook and LinkedIn). ).    
  

To illustrate this, we talked about the platform StreamYardin our post about Zoom Alternatives. It does a lot of these kinds of things.

3. Live streaming platforms

This is pretty self-explanatory. It is necessary to have a streaming platform that supports streaming, such as YouTube and Twitch.

Or come try ! Mighty makes it super easy to stream live using your smartphone or Mighty app, or you can even get an app that you can brand and stream from. You can easily monetize it, charge for individual streams or set up a subscription with streaming included in.

Live streaming is a benefit to businesses

If you're a proprietor of a company it is essential to understand the potential in live streaming. The live stream you choose to use won't appear as perfect or polished as the promo video that you worked on, but live streaming is something special. As we said above, it creates an intimacy between you and your viewers which is genuine and authentic and is an enormous strength for your brand. In addition, live streaming holds potential to be unexpected and spontaneous (in a good way ).

Here are some other benefits of live streaming to businesses:

• Host events without needing the space or space Live streams enable businesses to organize virtual meetings and events without the need to gather everyone in the same place.    
  
• Make educational possibilities: A live stream is an opportunity to provide worth, specifically through the teaching! Live streams can be used by businesses (especially with a webinar format) to inform customers about their products and create brand awareness.    
  
• The audience can stream live from wherever anyone in the world can catch an online live stream by using a device and internet connection. The live stream brings your viewers closer and makes it easier to reach them.    
  
• Make money from events and tickets Business can design high-end digital goods such as live streaming as sources of income, by selling tickets or gating them.    
  

And don't just use your live stream as a way to make money. Give your customers something of value, educate them, inspire them, engage them. It's the only way to make live streaming beneficial to your company.

We are awestruck by live streaming so we've added live streaming functionality to all of our plans.

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Live streaming demonstrations

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

• Michael Jackson's funeral was among of the most watched live streams at the time (2009).      
  
• In 2012 NASA live streamed the Mars Curiosity landing. There are still regular NASA live streamings on space.    
  
• In 2014, gamers on Twitch played Pokemon alongside commands received from chat. The number of players was estimated to be 1.16 million players played, while 55 million were watching.    
  

And these are awesome! Live streaming has the power to bring humans together. In fact, we even have the live streams of our very own called People Magic Summit, with top creators and community leaders (this year's guests included people such as Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry as well as Amanda Goetz). It is possible to relive sessions on our website!

Here are some more generic examples of what a live stream might look like:

• A Mighty Network host announces a every week on their live stream every Monday.        
  
• A musician goes live via IGTV or TikTok and plays the audience to a small-scale concert.        
  
• A gamer is a player who plays Roblox or Fortnight and broadcasts to viewers.        
  
• The college provides a virtual course that's taught via a live stream.      
  
• A thought-leader interviews one of the users on LinkedIn live about an upcoming publication of a book.        
  

Now Read: 11 of the Most Effective Social Engagement Strategies