What Is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live stream streaming (or livestreaming) has become so common that 30% of web users watch a live stream every week. It is possible to watch and make live streams using a variety of various devices and apps and is now simpler than ever to start.

In this post We'll show you what you need to know concerning live streaming.

•         The following article will describe the concept of live streaming (including a technical explanation).            
  
•         We'll present live streaming statistics and landmarks.            
  
•         In this article, we'll discuss advantages and practical examples for live stream.            
  
•         We'll also explain what you'll need to create your own streaming live.            
  

        Turn a livestream into profit. Check out the platform which has one of the largest communities with a total value of $1 million.  

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What is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of presenting to your audience on video in real-time. In the past, this was only available to the media which had the ability to stream live video to their audiences.

But in the past few years, live streaming technology has exploded on the web increasing the number of people are creating and consuming this live experience right from their homes--no need for an expensive TV studio.

What is live streaming... technically

Coding
Technically, your camera outputs raw digital images. But these are too big to stream efficiently. Therefore, an encoder (software or hardware) converts the video in real time into codecs (ie. h.264). The result is that the file size gets smaller enough for streaming and makes the format so that any device could be able to read it.

Compression
The video can be split into I-frames or P-frames. They are also known as B-frames. I-frames are a lot as a typical JPEG image-they contain a complete frame of the image with all its details.

P-frames and B frames work slightly differently. They just capture the parts of the video which changes in motion vectors by tracking. This results in much smaller, simpler to compress, and faster to playback. For example, in an YouTube video in which a person talks with an unchanging background, the majority of the background's pixels won't alter.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) only need to encode the motion and changes in the body of the speaker's face as well as body movements by looking at prior frames.        
  
• B-frames are also more efficient, because they are able to reference previous and subsequent frames, resulting in the entire image.      
  

Internet speed
Of course, live streaming is also dependent on a constant stream of data. It is referred to as the bit rate. It is the amount of data your device can be able to stream in a second.

• HD720 (HD) video needs 2-4 per cent of Mbps        
  
• 1080p needs 4 to 6 minutes        
  
• 4k is a requirement of 15-25 Mbps        
  

If you are doing live streams, your upload speed needs to keep up with the amount of data that your stream sends.

Viewers don't require the same speed. The quality of video players is reduced if the connection speed is low, or buffer (downloading 2-30 seconds ahead) to make the stream smooth. Also, we use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your files in real-time to a server nearer to your viewers, because it requires information to travel over longer distances.

    Latency

There is no way to guarantee that a video will be live. It's almost always a few seconds delay. We term this delay latency.

Live Statisticians streaming live

• 30% of internet users view a live stream every week.      
  
• Most frequently live streamed content is breaking news (34 percent) as well as live sports (29%).      
  
• 91.7% of the internet's users worldwide stream live throughout the month.      
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok users prefer to watch live content.      
  
• Smart TVs are by far the most popular spot to stream live streamed content (35.3 percent of the streaming content).      
  
• 28 percent of the video content streamed online live streamed.      
  
• The longest live stream ever took over 624 hours from the Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.        
  
• The live streaming record with the highest number of viewers is held by the Spanish streaming channel Ibai, with 3.44 millions Twitch viewers on the channel 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 stream and be rendered before downloading a complete file.
1993 - The MPEG-1 compression standards are released to allow for the streaming of videos in real-time.
1995 - Starlight, a company Starlight developed the first video streaming from satellites.
1995 - First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 - RealPlayer debuts, and becomes the first stream media player. It was later included as an option in Windows 98 installation.
1996 - The Real-time Transport Protocol is developed, establishing a framework for sending audio & video over networks.
1998 - Starlight unveiled the first web product for conferencing.
1999 - The Victoria's Secret fashion show is one of the first major live stream events, with an estimated 1.5 million spectators.
2002 2002 Flash Player adds video capabilities which makes embeddable video content possible.
2007 - Launch of Justin.tv (later rebranded as Twitch), which included Justin Kan, who was a cameraman throughout the day. The site would expand to include numerous channels that would allow viewers to broadcast.
2009 - Both Ustream and Live stream were launched
2011 The year 2011 was the year that YouTube has added live streaming to its services. It had launched in 2005 (fun fact: the first video was titled "Me at the Zoo"). Facebook introduced live streaming in 2015, Periscope in 2015, as well as Instagram in the year 2016.

Live streaming benefits

Live Streaming is a method of delivering vitality.

• Super-interactive  Viewers are not limited to watching in real time, but they can usually chat, ask questions, and provide feedback in different ways.      
  
• Perfectly imperfect In contrast to edited videos, in which the creator of content might consider themselves obligated to refine 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 generally less time-consuming than say, working hard on creating the video that you want to make. This may involve scripting, re-shooting, editing and so on.    
  
• Lower production costs  Most of the time it's a less lift for starting and then launching.      
  
• Recycling  It is possible to could cut and modify the live stream to different purposes and formats after the actual event, or by hosting a recording or a video.      
  
• There's an urgency: Live streaming can feel a little more pressing. If it's a person who publishes their video later an event, being able to watch live makes you feel special and helps increase the number of people who watch it.    
  

What are you required for live streaming

There's an awesome overview in this video, if you're starting to get started with stream live!

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

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The cool thing regarding live streaming in the present is it doesn't require any expensive equipment. The majority of modern phones come with everything needed to operate live streams.

Here are some possibilities for video choices:

• Video on smartphones: The majority of phones are able to create HD video. Some newer ones shoot in 4k. Make sure to note that the cameras on the front and back may differ in quality. However, both are likely to be adequate for live streaming. It's easier to stream direct using your mobile.    
  
• Webcam: Certain computer streamers prefer using either an internal computer webcam or using an external webcam. It is a good choice for live streaming done on a desktop or laptop.    
  
• Professional cameras: The most seasoned streamers typically employ professional cameras such as DSLRs to stream live. These can be tethered to a laptop or phone and provide a superior quality video and permitting you to select the lens that most suit your look and experience.    
  

And you'll need sound! These are some suggestions:

• Mic built into your computer or phone (not suggested) Phone and computer mics sit too far away from your mouth during streaming live, and often have low-quality sound recorders. Better to select among the alternatives given below.    
  
• Wireless or Bluetooth headphones place the microphone close to your mouth, enhancing the quality of your sound and decreasing background disturbance. The headset you choose to use is typically more effective than the device's microphone built into the device.    
  
• Lapel microphone The lapel mic is attached to the collar of your shirt and picks up the audio closer to the mouth. This results in higher quality. They come wired and wireless, and some higher quality microphones come with features such as noise cancellation.    
  
• Shotgun mic : A shotgun mic is set away from your face (often is attached to the highest of the camera) and pics up an directional voice from the voice.      
  
• Desktop condenser mic  A lot of streamers are now making use of desktop condenser microphones, such as the Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your PC and receives sound directly from the mouth of your user.      
  

Here are some more live streaming advice for you to improve your streaming game.

2. Software for streaming (optional)

Streaming software doesn't have to be required, since you can live stream directly on large platforms. It's beneficial for those seeking:

• To share an image on a computer screen. It could be part as a slideshow, or even for gaming.        
  
• In order to utilize more than one camera (ie. different angles).    
  
• to add overlays, graphics, logos, chat boxes or cards.        
  
• To mix in different audio source (e.g. music).    
  
• To stream to multiple platforms at the same time (e.g. Facebook + YouTube + LinkedIn ).    
  

As an example, we talked about the StreamYard platform in our article on Zoom Alternatives. It can do a variety of these kinds of things.

3. A platform for live streaming

It's pretty simple. It is necessary to have a streaming platform, like YouTube as well as Twitch.

You can try it ! Mighty makes it super easy to stream live using your smartphone or Mighty application, or you may even have an app that you can brand and stream your live streams from. You can easily monetize it by charging for streams or even create a membership using streaming built-in.

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Live streaming has benefits for business

If you're a proprietor of a company it is essential to understand the benefits of live streaming. Live streams may not be as polished or perfect as that promotional video you labored over, but live streaming is something distinctive.

As we said above, it builds a bond between your audience and you which is genuine and authentic, which is a huge benefit for your company. Additionally, live streaming offers the ability to be truly unexpected and spontaneous (in the best way possible). ).

Here are a few of the additional advantages of live streaming for a business:

• Organise events with no needing a space or place: Live streams allow businesses to hold virtual gatherings and discussions without having to be in a single city.    
  
• Create educational opportunities: Live streaming is a great way to add value via teaching! Companies can make use of live streams (especially when they are in the form of a webinar) to help educate their customers and create brand awareness.    
  
• The audience can stream live from wherever Anywhere around the globe can watch a live stream with the internet and device. This brings your audience closer and makes it easier for them to get in touch with you.    
  
• Earn from ticketing and events Event organizers can develop high-end digital goods such as live streaming as sources of income, by selling tickets or giving them away.    
  

Do not just make use of your live stream to sell. Give your customers something of value, educate them and inspire them to make them feel valued, and engage them. That's what will truly make live streaming work for your business.

We are awestruck by live streaming which is why we've added live stream functionality to our various plans.

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Live streaming demonstrations

There are some huge historical live streams. Things like:

• Michael Jackson's memorial service was among of the most watched live streams in its era (2009).      
  
• In 2012 NASA live streamed Mars Curiosity landing. You can still watch regular NASA live streams about space.    
  
• In 2014, gamers on Twitch played Pokemon along with commands given by the chat. The number of players was estimated to be 1.16 million people played while 55 million people watched.    
  

And these are awesome! Live streaming is a great way to bring humans together. In fact, we host the live streams of our very own, People Magic Summit, with the top community leaders and creators (this year's attendees included celebrities like Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry and Amanda Goetz). You can rewatch sessions here!

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

• The Mighty Network host announces a weekly challenge on a live stream each Monday.        
  
• A musician goes live via IGTV as well as TikTok and plays a mini-concert for viewers.        
  
• A gamer is a player who plays Roblox as well as Fortnight and streams to viewers.        
  
• A college offers a online course  taught over a live stream.      
  
• A thought leader talks to someone on LinkedIn live regarding an upcoming publication of a book.        
  

Check it out: 11 of the Best Communities Engagement Strategy