Introduction to Media Streaming Technologies

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This tutorial introduces you to basic concepts of media streaming solutions (both audio and video) and does not target any specific media streaming platform. How ever references of Real Media Server and Windows Media Server will be used for better understanding

Ever since You Tube came into picture there has been an explosion in media streaming as a hot domain. Media streaming is now considered as an integral part of Web 2.0 ever since UGC(User Generated Content) based sites like You Tube and Hulu became popular.

Media solutions have always been used by TV broadcasters since ages and most of these solutions were analog broadcasting solutions like NTSC and PAL. But with the explosion of internet, digital media streaming has become a new buzz word.

This media streaming is done in two basic modes

• Video On Demand: Popularly known as VOD, The user can choose the content he wants to view. The advantage here is the user can FF/RW(Fast Forward/Rewind) the content.
• Broadcasting: The user can view only preset content broadcast. The user cannot FF/RW

Broadcasting can be done in two ways

• Preset Broadcast: Existing media files can be packaged as a play list and broadcasted
• Live broadcast: The media can be caught live using video/web cams and broadcasted

Though the video sites are most popular media streaming applications, Digital streaming can be done on any IP based networks like LAN, WAN, Home networks etc. Little more advanced streaming includes streaming to LCD screens at public places, malls, parks etc.

Media streaming architecture

Basic components needed for streaming video are

• Media Encoder: Software which encodes media to streaming protocols like H264.
• Media Server: Server which streams the media over protocols like RTSP(The Real Time Streaming Protocol), MMS(Microsoft Media Server), HTTP etc
• Media Playback Client: Media players like Windows Media Player, Real Player etc
• Media Capture Devices: Devices like vedio cam, webcam etc.
  

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