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Media that is sent live over the internet to a large number of people at the same time is streaming media. With this type of media receiving option the matter is sent continuously and does not require any downloads like in the case of e-books or songs and movies which have been uploaded onto the internet for future viewing. Television internet is the best example of streaming media as live telecasts are broadcast to multiple users at the same time.
Streaming media derives its name more from the method rather than the type of media received. In the case of media other than television, the matter is simply recorded live through an active camera that is hooked onto an encoder for digitalization and a video publisher that delivers content to end users through a content delivery network. In consequence the media is further secured through Digital Rights Management systems on the Internet.
While different methods had been tried in the past to effectively broadcast media live on the internet, it wasn’t until the late 1900s and early 2000 that actual success was realized in this field. User friendly personal computers potentially efficient internet bandwidth and commercialization of the internet were some of the reasons why this method saw success. Additionally technologies such as ITU-T G.hn and Wireless HD made it possible to view streaming media without adding new hardware to the basic home computer. Today streaming media is available even on mobile phones.
Unlike downloaded media that has been first saved to the hard disk, streaming media is available only at one time as telecast is live and comes directly from the source. The only additional item needed to view streaming media is an equivalent and certified software. Most often a streaming video capture card comes with the necessary software, however add a well supported codec if you do not already have it.
A codec is necessary to view any streaming videos or webcasts on a computer or other end user media. It basically makes videos better by removing parts of video images to replace them with instructions on how to send videos successfully. Similarly a good media player most often comes with operating software such as Windows Media that is necessary to handle a multitude of video formats. Flash videos are also a popular choice although they require a plugin.
Recently streaming videos have risen above themselves and become common household names. It’s become easier than it was before for home computer users to use and webcast streaming videos after initial guidance. Streaming videos are essential to most careers and industrial establishments. Today not only doctors use them for telemedicine but so do lawyers, designers, business houses, tech savvy chefs and students for e-learning, this list is endless just like the subject that has infinite uses.
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