What is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live streaming (or livestreaming) has grown so widespread that 30% of internet 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 it's easier than ever to start.

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

• The following article will describe the concept of live streaming (including an explanation of the technical aspects).        
  
• We'll provide live streaming stats and landmarks.        
  
• In this article, we'll discuss advantages and practical instances that live streams can provide.        
  
• And we'll share what you'll need in order to build your personal live stream.        
  

What is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming refers to the process of presenting to your audience via video in real-time. The past, live streaming was restricted to only media companies that had the technology to broadcast live to their viewers. In the last few years, live streaming technology has lit up the internet, and more and more users are creating and enjoying the live stream at home, without the need of a costly television studio.

What is live streaming... technical

Coding
Technically, your camera inputs the raw digital image. But these are too big to stream effectively. So an encoder (software or hardware) converts the video in real-time into codecs (ie. h.264). This makes the files small enough for streaming and makes it so any device can understand it.

Compression
The video can be split into I-frames and P-frames as well as B-frames. I-frames are a lot like a traditional JPEG image-they contain a complete image frame with all the particulars.

P-frames and B frames work a bit differently. They only capture the part of the movie that is changed in motion vectors by capturing them. This makes it an easier file to compress, and faster to playback. In the case of a YouTube video in which a person talks against a static background, most of the background's pixels won't alter.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) only need to encode the movements and modifications in the body of the speaker's face as well as body movements through looking at previous frames.        
  
• B-frames are even more effective, since they are able to reference previous and future frames in order to produce an entire picture.      
  

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

• HD720 (HD) video requires between 2-4 Mbps        
  
• 1080p needs 4-6 megabits        
  
• 4k is a requirement of 15-25 Mbps        
  

In the case of live streaming, your upload speed needs to be in line with the information the stream transmits.

Viewers don't require the same speed. The quality of video players is reduced if connections are slow or even buffer (downloading about 2-30 seconds in advance) to make the stream smooth. We also use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies the file at a real-time rate to a server closer to your viewer, as it needs information to travel over longer distances.

    Latency

The video may not be truly live. At the very least, there is a few seconds delay. We term this delay latency.

Live Statistics streaming

• 30% of internet people watch a live stream every week.      
  
• The most frequently live streamed video are breaking news (34 percent) and live sports (29 percent).      
  
• 91.7 percent of the internet's users globally stream live every month.      
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok subscribers would like to watch live content.      
  
• Smart TVs can be the most popular spot to watch live streamed content (35.3 percent of all streamed video).      
  
• 28 A majority of videos streamed on the internet are streamed live.      
  
• Live streaming that was the longest of all time was over 624 hours, provided by Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.        
  
• The live streaming record for the most viewers ever is held by the Spanish Ibai streamer-with 3.44 million viewers on Twitch on the channel La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

The way live streaming made it feasible (Timeline)

The list isn't exhaustive in this article, but here's an overview timeline of the tech developments which allow live streaming.

The 1990s saw the advent of technology that allowed "packets" from media sources to be streamed, and then rendered prior to a full download.
1993 - 1993 - The MPEG-1 compression standard is released, enabling practical video streaming
1995- The company Starlight built the first streaming of video using satellites.
1995- First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 The year 1995 RealPlayer launches, becoming the first mainstream streaming media player. Later, it was added as an option for Windows 98 installation.
1996 - The Real-time Transport Protocol is developed, creating the framework to send videos and audio across networks.
1998- Starlight announced the first web conferencing products.
1999 - Victoria's secret fashion show, which was a huge success, becomes one the first live streaming shows, attracting the potential of 1.5 million people watching.
2002 2001 Flash Player adds video capabilities which makes embeddable video possible.
2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later changed to Twitch), which included Justin Kan wearing a camera throughout the day. It was later expanded to numerous channels that would allow the public to stream.
2009 - Both Ustream and Live stream launched
2011 2012 YouTube introduced live streaming to its offerings. The service was first introduced in 2005 (fun detail: the initial video was titled "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 in real-time however, they are also able to communicate, ask questions as well as give feedback in various ways.      
  
• Absolutely imperfect: Unlike edited video, where a content creator might consider themselves obligated to refine, live streaming can't really do this (at at least, not currently). As a result, live streams feel natural, and much more entertaining.    
  
• It's less time-consuming: There may some preparation and set-up, but live streams are generally less time-consuming than, say the effort required to create a produced video-which could need scripting, re-shooting, editing and so on.    
  
• Lower production costs : Often it's less lifting to start and then launch.      
  
• The repurposing  The user could cut and modify your live stream for various purposes and formats following the event, and also hosting a recording from it.      
  
• It's a sense of urgency. Live streaming feels a little more important. Even if it's someone who posts a recording after the event, watching live makes you feel special and helps increase uptake.    
  

What do you require for live streaming

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

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

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The best part with live streaming is that you probably don't need any fancy devices. Modern smartphones have everything you need to run a live stream.

Here are a few potential video options:

• Smartphone video: Most phones are able to create HD videos, while some modern phones shoot 4K. Make sure to note that your smartphone's camera on the front and back may be of different specs. However, both are likely to be adequate for a live stream. It's easiest to stream directly from your phone.    
  
• Webcam: Certain streaming software users choose to utilize either the built-in webcam of their computer as well as using an external webcam. This is used for live streaming that is done using a laptop or desktop.    
  
• Professional camera: More established streamers typically employ professional cameras such as DSLRs to stream live. These cameras can be linked to your phone or laptop and provide a superior quality video as well as permitting you to select the lenses that most suit your look and experience.    
  

You'll also need sound! There are a few options available:

• Mic built into your computer or phone (not recommended): Your phone and computer microphones are far away from your mouth during a live stream, and often have audio recorders that are not of high-quality. You should pick among the alternatives listed below.    
  
• Headphones: Bluetooth or wired headphones put the microphone close to your mouth, enhancing audio quality while reducing background disturbance. Any headset is usually more effective than the device's built-in mic.    
  
• Lapel mic Lapel microphones are clipped to your shirt or collar and picks up sound closer towards your mouth, allowing the sound more high-quality. They come wired and wireless as well as some of the higher-end mics include features like noise canceling.    
  
• Shotgun microphone  The shotgun microphone is a distance from your face (often clips to the top of the camera) and captures the direction of your voice.      
  
• Condenser mic for your desktop  A lot of streamers these days are using desktop condenser microphones like the Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your computer and receives sound directly out of your lips.      
  

Here are some more stream live advice for you to 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. But streaming software might be beneficial for those looking to:

• to share a computer screen, either in a slideshow format or as part of gaming.        
  
• In order to utilize multiple cameras (ie. different angles).    
  
• to add overlays, graphics, logos, cards, or chat boxes.        
  
• To mix in different audio streams (e.g. music).    
  
• To stream to multiple platforms at the same time (e.g. Facebook + YouTube and LinkedIn). ).    
  

For an example of this We discussed the streaming platform StreamYard in our blog post about Zoom Alternatives. It does a lot of these things.

3. A platform for live streaming

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

Or come try ! Mighty allows you to live stream from your phone or the Mighty app, or you can even get your own branded app to stream from. It's also easy to make money from it or charge per stream or set up a subscription with streaming built-in.

Live streaming is a benefit for businesses

If you're a proprietor of a company, you need to realize the potential that live streamers can bring to your business. The live stream you choose to use won't be as polished or perfect as the promo video that you worked on, but live streaming is something special. Like we mentioned above it builds a sense of intimacy between your customers and yourself that is unscripted and real this is a major strength for your brand. Additionally, live streaming offers potential to be spontaneous and surprising (in a good way ).

Here are the additional live streaming benefits for businesses:

• Organise events with no needing the space or space Live streams allow businesses to organize virtual meetings and events without having to be within the same location.    
  
• Make educational possibilities: Live streams can be the perfect way to add the value of education, particularly through teaching! Live streams can be used by businesses (especially with a webinar format) to inform customers about their products and increase brand recognition.    
  
• The audience can stream live from wherever Anywhere anywhere in the world is able to watch the live stream using an internet connection and a gadget. It brings them closer, and it makes it much easier for them to get in touch with you.    
  
• Profit from events and ticket sales: Businesses can create top digital services such as live streams as sources of income, by selling tickets or giving them away.    
  

Don't use your live stream for selling. Provide your customers with value, teach them things that will inspire, motivate them, and engage them. This is what makes live streaming beneficial to your business.

Live streaming is our favorite, and that's why we've added live streaming capability to our various plans.

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Live streaming example

There are some massive old live streams. Things like:

• Michael Jackson's funeral is among of the live streams that were watched by the most people of its moment (2009).      
  
• In 2012 NASA live streamed Mars Curiosity landing. It is still possible to watch NASA live stream on space.    
  
• In 2014, gamers on Twitch played Pokemon together with commands from chat. The number of players was estimated to be 1.16 million people played while 55 million watched.    
  

These are amazing! Live streaming can be a powerful tool to unite people. We even host the live streams of our very own: People Magic Summit, with prominent creators and community leaders (this year's attendees included celebrities like Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry as well as Amanda Goetz). You can rewatch sessions here!

Here are a few more generic examples of what live streaming can look like

• The Mighty Network host announces a every week on their live stream every Monday.        
  
• A performer goes live on IGTV as well as TikTok and plays an intimate concert for viewers.        
  
• A gamer is a player who plays Roblox or Fortnight and streams the game to viewers.        
  
• A college offers a online course which is taught over a live stream.      
  
• A thought leader talks to one of the users on LinkedIn live on the internet about a forthcoming publication of a book.        
  

Now Read: 11 of the Best Social Engagement Strategies