What is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live streaming (or livestreaming) is now so popular that 30 percent of Internet viewers watch live streams each week. It is possible to watch and create live streams with many various platforms and applications It's now easier than ever before to begin.

In this post this article, we'll explain what you need to learn about live streaming.

•         The following article will describe what live streaming means (including an explanation of the technical aspects).            
  
•         We'll provide real-time streaming data and important milestones.            
  
•         In this article, we'll discuss advantages and practical examples that live streams can provide.            
  
•         and we'll show how to build your own streaming live.            
  

        Turn a livestream into profit. Explore the platform that has the most $1 million communities.  

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What exactly is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of broadcasting to an audience on video in real-time. It was in the past was restricted to only media companies that had the technology to broadcast live to their audience.

But in the past couple of years, live streaming technology has revolutionized the internet increasing the number of users are making and enjoying this live experience right at home, without the need of the expense of a TV studio.

What is live streaming... technically

Coding
Technically, your camera outputs raw digital pictures. They are however too large to stream effectively. So an encoder (software or hardware) converts the video in real-time to codecs (ie. h.264). This makes the files small 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 like a traditional JPEG image. They contain a full image frame with all the details.

P-frames and B frames work slightly differently. They are only capturing the portion of the movie that is changed in motion vectors by tracking. It is an easier file to compress, and more efficient to playback. 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) can only encode the movement and variations in the speaker's face and body movements by looking at the previous frames.        
  
• B-frames can be even better than B-frames, as they are able to reference previous and subsequent frames, resulting in the entire image.      
  

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

• HD720 (HD) video requires 4 to 4.5 per cent of Mbps        
  
• 1080p requires at least 4-6 minutes        
  
• 4k needs 15-25 Mbps        
  

In the case of a live stream the upload speed has to be in line with the information the stream transmits.

Viewers don't require the same speed. Video players decrease quality when connections are slow or buffer (downloading 2-30 seconds ahead) in order to make streaming smooth. Also, we use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your file in real time to a server nearer to your viewers, because it requires information to travel over longer distances.

    Latency

No video is truly live. There's always at least two seconds of delay. We call this latency.

Live Streaming statistics

• 30 percent of Internet viewers are able to watch live streams every week.      
  
• The most often live streamed content is breaking news (34%) and live sports (29 percent).      
  
• 91.7 percent of internet users worldwide view live streaming every month.      
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok subscribers would like to stream live video.      
  
• Smart TVs can be by far the most popular location for watching live streaming (35.3 percent of all streamed content).      
  
• 28 percent of the videos consumed on the internet are streamed live.      
  
• The most long live streaming in history was over 624 hours, from the Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.        
  
• The record for live streaming with the highest number of viewers is held by Spanish streaming channel Ibai, with 3.44 millions Twitch streamers on his La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

How live streaming became possible (Timeline)

We won't cover everything in this article, but here's an overview list of some technological advancements that make live streaming possible.

1990s - Tech allowed for "packets" that contained media files to be streamed and rendered before downloading a complete file.
1993 - The MPEG-1 compression standards are introduced that allows for practical streaming of video
1995 - The firm Starlight created the first video streaming system using satellites.
1995 - First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 - RealPlayer launches, becoming the first mainstream streaming player. It was later included as an option on Windows 98 installation.
1996 - Real-time Transport Protocol is invented, creating a framework for sending videos and audio across networks.
1998 - Starlight unveiled the first web conference products.
1999 - Victoria's Secret fashion show, which was a huge success, becomes one the first major live stream shows, with an estimated 1.5 million people watching.
2002 2002 Flash Player adds video capabilities, making embeddable videos possible.
2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later changed to Twitch) with Justin Kan wearing a camera all day long. It would grow into multiple channels that allowed viewers to stream.
2009 - Both Ustream as well as Live stream are launched
2011 2012 YouTube added live streaming to its services. It had launched in 2005 (fun fact: the first video was named "Me at the Zoo). Facebook introduced live streaming in 2015, Periscope in 2015, as well as Instagram in 2016.

The benefits of live streaming

Live Streaming is a method of delivering energy.

• Super-interactive  viewers are not limited to watching live, but they can usually chat, ask questions, as well as give feedback in various ways.      
  
• Perfectly imperfect Aside from edited videos which content creators may be compelled to improve but live streaming isn't able to achieve this (at the very least, not at this point). This means that live streams feel natural, and much more entertaining.    
  
• It's less time-consuming: There may be prep and setup however, live streaming is often less work as opposed to, for instance making an edited video, which may require editing, scripting, re-shooting or other editing.    
  
• Lower production costs : Often it's less lifting for starting and then launching.      
  
• Repurposing  It is possible to can modify and cut the live stream to different purposes and formats after the event, and also making a video of it.      
  
• There's an urgency: Live streaming can feel a little more urgent. If it's a person who uploads a video after the event an event, being able to watch live feels really special and boosts uptake.    
  

What are you required in order to stream live

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

In other words, this is an overview of live streaming for creators .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The cool thing regarding live streaming in the present is there is no need for extravagant technology. Most modern smartphones come with all the necessary features to manage a live stream.

Here are some possible video options:

• Smartphone video: Most smartphones can produce at least HD videos, while some more recent models shoot in 4k. Do remember that your phone's rear and front camera may differ in quality. Both are probably suitable to stream live. It's easiest to stream directly via your smartphone.    
  
• Webcam: Some streaming software users choose to utilize either an internal computer webcam as well as an external webcam. This would be used for live streaming that is done using a laptop or desktop.    
  
• Professional cameras: The most seasoned streamers typically utilize professional cameras, such as DSLRs to stream live. They are able to be tied to your phone or laptop and will send you a better quality video as well as letting you choose the lenses that most suit your look and style.    
  

Sound is essential! These are some suggestions:

• Phone or Computer built-in mic (not suggested) Phone and computer mics sit too close to your mouth when you are watching streaming live, and are often low-quality sound recorders. It's better to choose one of the options given below.    
  
• Headphones: Bluetooth or wired headphones get that microphone right next to your mouth, enhancing the quality of your sound and decreasing background sound. The headset you choose to use is typically an improvement over your device's microphone built into the device.    
  
• Lapel mic Lapel microphones are clipped onto your collar or shirt and listens for the sound closer to your mouth, resulting in better sound quality. It is wired as well as wireless with some high-quality microphones come with features such as noise cancelling.    
  
• Shotgun mic  The shotgun mic sits away from you (often it clips onto the top of the camera) and pics up directional sound from the voice.      
  
• Condenser microphone for desktop use  A lot of streamers are now making use of desktop condenser microphones, such as the Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your PC and captures audio out of your mouth.      
  

Here are some more Live streaming advice that will improve your gameplay.

2. Streaming software (optional)

The use of streaming software isn't necessarily necessary, since you can live stream directly on major platforms. It's a good idea for people seeking:

• For sharing an image on a computer screen. It could be part of a slideshow or for gaming.        
  
• To use multiple cameras (ie. different angles).    
  
• to add overlays, images, logos, chat boxes or cards.        
  
• To mix in different audio streams (e.g. music).    
  
• For streaming to several platforms at the same time (e.g. Facebook + YouTube + LinkedIn ).    
  

For an example of this, we talked about the StreamYard platform in our article about Zoom Alternatives. It is a great platform for the above.

3. Live streaming platforms

This is pretty self-explanatory. You need a streaming platform such as YouTube as well as Twitch.

Or come try ! Mighty is a breeze to live stream from your phone or the Mighty app. You can even get your own branded app to stream live from. You can easily monetize it or charge per stream or set up a subscription with streaming integrated into.

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Live streaming benefits for businesses

If you run a business and want to grow, then you must understand the potential that live streamers can bring to your business. Live streams may not be as polished or perfect as that promotional video you labored over, but live streaming has something more unique.

Like we mentioned earlier, live streaming creates a sense of intimacy between you and your audience that feels a lot more genuine and authentic that is a major strength for your brand. Plus, live streaming has the potential of being truly unexpected and spontaneous (in an excellent way). ).

Here are a few of the additional benefits of live streaming to businesses:

• Event organizers can host events without the need for the space or location. Live streaming lets businesses hold virtual gatherings and discussions without the need to gather everyone in the same city.    
  
• Provide educational opportunities. Live streams is a great way to give value, especially through teaching! Businesses can use live streams (especially with a webinar format) to inform customers about their products and create brand awareness.    
  
• The audience can stream live from wherever Anywhere around the globe can watch a live stream with a device and internet connection. The live stream brings your viewers closer, and it makes it much easier to connect with them.    
  
• Profit from events and ticket sales: Businesses can create premium digital products like live streams as sources of revenues, by selling tickets and gating them.    
  

Don't use your live stream for selling. Give your customers something of value, educate them, inspire them, get them involved. It's the only way to make live streaming work for your business.

Live streaming is our favorite, and that's why we've added live streaming capabilities in all our plans.

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Live streaming example

There are massive, historic live streams. Examples include:

• Michael Jackson's funeral was among of the most watched live streams in its era (2009).      
  
• In 2012 NASA live streamed Mars Curiosity landing. It is still possible to watch NASA live streams about space.    
  
• The 2014 gaming season saw users on Twitch were playing Pokemon together with commands from the chat. Later, it was discovered that 1.16 million players played, while 55 million watched.    
  

These are amazing! Live streaming can be a powerful tool to bring humans together. In fact, we host our own live stream: People Magic Summit, with prominent creators and community leaders (this event featured guests such as Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry, and Amanda Goetz). Replay sessions can be viewed here!

Here are a few other examples of how a live stream could look like:

• A Mighty Network host announces a every week on their live stream every Monday.        
  
• Live music is performed by a musician on IGTV or TikTok and performs a mini-concert for viewers.        
  
• A gamer is a player who plays Roblox or Fortnight and streams the game to viewers.        
  
• The college provides an online virtual course  that's taught over a live stream.      
  
• A thought leader interviews one of the users on LinkedIn live about an upcoming book release.        
  

Now Read: 11 of the Best Social Engagement Methodologies for Community