What exactly is live stream? (Definition & Examples) |

The trend of live stream (or livestreaming) has become so commonplace that 30 percent of web users watch live streams every week. It is possible to watch and create live streams with a variety of various devices and apps It's now much easier more than ever.

In this article, we'll tell you the essential information you must know about live streaming.

• This article will clarify the meaning of live streaming (including an explanation of the technical aspects).
  
• We'll provide real-time streaming statistics as well as important milestones.
  
• In this session, we'll discuss the benefits as well as examples of live streaming.
  
• And we'll go over how to set up your own live stream.
  

What exactly is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming describes the practice of showing your audience live video streaming in real-time. Live streaming in the past was only available to the media that had the technology that could broadcast live to their viewers. But, over the last few years live streaming has been a major aspect of the web as more users are creating and enjoying the live stream at home, without the need of an expensive television studio.

What exactly is live streaming... technically

Encoding
    Technically speaking, the camera produces raw digital images. They are however too big to stream efficiently. Therefore, an encoder (software or hardware) converts the video in live-time, to codescs (ie. h.264). This reduces the size of the stream to be suitable for streaming and makes it so all devices can comprehend it.

Compression
    The video can be split into P-frames, I-frames, as well as B-frames. I-frames perform a bit like a typical JPEG image, they contain an entire image frame that includes all of the information.

B-frames and P-frames operate slightly differently. They capture only portions of the footage that is changed in motion vectors. It results in a smaller, simpler to compress, and faster replay. For the case of a YouTube video, in which a speaker speaks against a backdrop that's static, the majority of backgrounds pixels aren't changed.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) are able to encode only the movement and the changes to the body of the speaker's face and body movement through looking at prior frames.
  
• B-frames have even greater impact, since they can reference the previous frames and future frames to create the complete image.
  

Internet speed
    Live streaming demands a constant flow of information. This is known as bit rate. This is how many bits of data your device able to stream each and every second.

• HD (720) video requires 2-4 Mbps. (HD) video needs between 2-4 of Mbps
  
• 1080p is needed to download 4 to 6 megabits
  
• 4k is a requirement of 15-25 Mbps
  

When you are using live streaming, the upload speed must be in line with the information the stream transmits.

The viewers do not require the same speed. Video players decrease quality when connections are slow or buffer (downloading about 2-30 seconds in advance) in order to make streaming smooth. In addition, we use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies the file at a real-time rate to a server which is nearer to your viewers, as it is required for information to travel further distances.

Latency

No video is truly live. It is always at least few seconds delay. It's referred to as latency.

Live Statistics streaming

• 30 percent of Internet viewers view a live stream every week.
  
• The most commonly live streamed content is breaking news (34 percent) as well as live sports (29 percentage).
  
• 91.7 percent of internet Internet users across the globe stream live streaming every month.
  
• 50 percent of TikTok users would like to stream live videos.
  
• Smart TVs can be the most sought-after location to stream live streamed content (35.3 percent of streams).
  
• 28 A large majority of video content is streamed live on the internet.
  
• One of the most long-running live streams ever in duration lasted for over 624 hours, originating from Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.
  
• The record-setting live stream for most viewers was established by Spanish streamer, Ibai-with 3.44 million users on Twitch through the channel La Velada del Ano (3).
  

Live stream was the very first stage to allow it (Timeline)

This list isn't comprehensive, but here's a quick chronology of technological developments which allow live streaming.

In the early 1990s, technology permitted "packets" that contained media documents to be streamed and processed prior to downloading the entire file.
    1993 - The MPEG-1 compression standard is published, enabling practical video streaming
    1995- The company Starlight invented the first streaming video service using satellites.
     1995- First internet radio: Radio HK.
    1995 1995 RealPlayer debuts, and becomes the first mainstream streaming media player. It was later included in the Windows 98 installation.
    1996 1996: 1996: Real-time Transportation Protocol is created, which creates a framework for the transmission of audio and video across networks.
    19981998 Starlight presented the very Web conferencing's first products.
    1999 - Victoria's Secret Fashion event is among the first major live stream event, featuring approximately 1.5 million people watching.
    2002 - Flash Player adds video capabilities which makes embeddable video possible.
    2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later changed to Twitch), which included Justin Kan, who was a cameraman all day long. The channel was later extended to include a variety of channels, which allowed the public to broadcast.
    2009 - Both Ustream and Live stream were launched
    2011 2011, was the year in which YouTube began adding live streaming into its services. The service was first introduced in 2005 (fun information: the initial video was named "Me at the Zoo"). Facebook launched live streaming in 2015, Periscope in the year 2015 along with Instagram in 2016.

Live streaming benefits

Live Streaming is a method of providing the energy.

• Super interactive  viewers can't only view in real time However, they also are able to communicate, ask questions and give feedback in different ways.
  
• Completely unfinished In contrast to edited videos and content creators who may have to tweak their content but live streams cannot accomplish this (at the very least, not currently). As a result, live streams are more natural and are more enjoyable.
  
• It's not as time-consuming. There could be a need for setup and preparation however, live streaming tends to be less time-consuming as opposed to the process of working hard on creating a produced video that may require scripting, re-shooting, editing and more.
  
• The costs of producing HTML0 are much lower Most of the time the cost is lower for starting and then launching.
  
• Repurposing : You can edit and modify the live stream to suit different goals and formats following the actual event, or even by creating a video or a video.
  
• This is a feeling of urgency. Live streaming makes you feel a bit more urgent. If it's a person who posts a recording at the end of an event, being able to stream live video is an absolute delight and increases the number of people who participate.
  

What you need for live streaming

It's a great overview in this video for those who are beginning to learn about Live streaming!

In other words, here's an overview of live streaming that is available for creators. .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The cool thing regarding live streaming at present is there is no need to invest in expensive equipment. Most modern smartphones include everything required to run a live stream.

Here are a few possible videos:

• Smartphone video: Most phones are able to create HD video. Certain models are capable of shooting in 4K. It is important to know the back camera and front cameras could be of different specifications. Both are probably suitable for a live stream. It's simpler to stream direct via your smartphone.
  
• Webcam: Some streamers opt to use either the built-in webcam of their computer, or else an external webcam. This could be used to stream live using a laptop or desktop.
  
• Professional cameras: Established streamers often use professional cameras like DSLRs for live streaming. They can be connected to your laptop or phone and provide you with a higher quality video as well as permitting you to select the lenses most suitable to your personal style and design.
  

It's also necessary to have the sound! There are many alternatives available:

• The built-in microphone on your computer or phone (not advised) You phone as well as computer microphones are close to your mouth when you're viewing live streams and usually have audio recorders that don't have high-quality audio. Choose from the options listed below.
  
• Wireless or Bluetooth headsets place the microphone in close proximity to your mouth, enhancing the quality of sound and decreasing background noise. Whichever headset you decide to use is typically more effective than the headset's built-in microphone.
  
• Lapel microphones Lapel microphones are fixed to the collar of your shirt and listens for sounds near the mouth. This gives you better good quality. This is also wired as wireless and many of the more expensive mics have features such as noise cancellation.
  
• shotgun mic : A shotgun mic is positioned away from the face (often is placed at the very upper part in the frame) and captures your voice's direction.
  
• Condenser microphone on desktops. The majority of streaming platforms today are using Condenser microphones on desktops like Blue Yeti. Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your computer and receives sound directly out of your mouth.
  

Here's some more stream live advice to boost your streaming performance.

2. Software for streaming (optional)

Streaming software may not be necessary because you can stream live directly from various platforms. But, it can be beneficial for those who want:

• To share the screen of computers, whether it's of a slideshow or for games.
  
• To make use of more than one camera (ie. different angles).
  
• to add overlays, graphics, logos cards, chatboxes or overlays.
  
• To mix in different audio streams (e.g. music).
  
• To stream content on multiple platforms at once (e.g. Facebook + YouTube plus LinkedIn). ).
  

In this regard, we talked about the streaming service StreamYard within our recent blog post about Zoom Alternatives. It is able to do all of these.

3. Live streaming platforms

It's pretty straightforward. You require a platform for streaming like YouTube and Twitch.

Test it ! Mighty makes it super easy to live stream on your smartphone or the Mighty app. You may even have an app that you have created for streaming live streams from. You can easily monetize it or charge per stream or even set up a streaming subscription that has streaming built-in.

Live streaming benefits for business

If you run a business and want to grow, then you must understand the power in live streaming. Live streams may not appear like the polished and flawless version of that promotional video that you worked on, but live streaming has something special. As we've mentioned, it creates a bond between your customers and yourself that is more genuine and real and is an enormous advantage for your business. In addition, live streaming holds potential to be exciting and unexpected (in the best way) ).

Here are the additional advantages that live streaming can bring to businesses:

• Event organizers can host events without the location or space. Live streams allow businesses to organize virtual meetings and events without having to be within the same area.
  
• Provide educational opportunities. Live streams could be an opportunity to provide value in the form of instructing! Businesses can use live streams (especially when they are in the form of a webinar) to inform customers about their products and increase brand recognition.
  
• The audience can stream live from any location in the world can catch the live stream using the internet and device. The live stream brings the viewers to them and lets them get in touch with you.
  
• Earn from ticketing and events businesses can design top-quality digital goods like live streams to generate income, by selling tickets or the ability to grate the tickets.
  

And don't just use your live stream solely to promote sales. Provide your customers with value, teach them things and inspire them to get them involved. That's what makes live streaming beneficial to your company.

We are fans of live streaming, which is why we've included live streaming capabilities in all our plans.

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Live streaming demonstrations

There are some massive historical live streams. This includes:

• Michael Jackson's funeral is among the most watched live streams in its moment (2009).
  
• In 2012 NASA live streamed their Mars Curiosity landing. There are still regularly scheduled NASA live streams live streams of space.
  
• In 2014, the gaming year saw users playing on Twitch engaged in Pokemon in addition to commands that were received via chat. It was later estimated that 1.16 million players played, while 55 million watched.
  

These are amazing! Live streaming has the power to bring people together. We even have the live streams of our very own, People Magic Summit, with top creators and community leaders (this year's attendees included celebrities such as Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry and Amanda Goetz). You can rewatch sessions here!

Here are a few examples of how live streaming might look like:

• The Mighty Network host announces a daily challenge through live streaming every Monday.
  
• Performers live stream via IGTV or TikTok and performs an intimate concert for viewers.
  
• Gamer play Roblox and Fortnight and streams to viewers.
  
• Colleges can offer students an on-line virtual class which is taught using streaming.
  
• An influential thought leader talks with an individual on LinkedIn live on the internet about an imminent book release.
  

You can now read: 11 of the Most Effective Strategies for Community Engagement

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