Streaming

Streaming media refers to multimedia delivered through a network for playback using a media player. Media is transferred in a stream of packets from a server to a client and is rendered in real-time; this contrasts with file downloading, a process in which the end-user obtains an entire media file before consuming the content. Streaming is more commonly used for video on demand, streaming television, and music streaming services over the Internet.

While streaming is most commonly associated with multimedia from a remote server over the Internet, it also includes offline multimedia between devices on a local area network. For example, using DLNA and a home server, or in a personal area network between two devices using Bluetooth (which uses radio waves rather than IP).

Online streaming was initially popularized by RealNetworks and Microsoft in the 1990s and has since grown to become the globally most popular method for consuming music and videos, with numerous competing subscription services being offered since the 2010s. Audio streaming to wireless speakers, often using Bluetooth, is another use that has become prevalent during that decade. Live streaming is the real-time delivery of content during production, much as live television broadcasts content via television channels.

Distinguishing delivery methods from the media applies specifically to, as most of the traditional media delivery systems are either inherently streaming (e.g., radio, television) or inherently non-streaming (e.g., books, videotapes, audio CDs). The term streaming media can apply to media other than video and audio, such as live closed captioning, ticker tape, and real-time text, which are all considered streaming text.

A media stream can be streamed either live or on demand. Live streams are generally provided by a method called true streaming. True streaming sends the information straight to the computer or device without saving it to a local file. On-demand streaming is provided by a method called progressive download. Progressive download saves the received information to a local file and then plays it from that location. On-demand streams are often saved to files for extended period of time, while live streams are only available at one time only (e.g., during a football game).

DLNA*

WiFi Streaming*

Radio over Internet*

Wireless Concert

Wireless Festival is an annual rap and hip-hop music festival that takes place in London, England which is owned and managed by Live Nation...

Live Stream Your Own Concerts without Internet Hassles

(From https://speedify.com/blog/how-to/how-to-live-stream-concerts-music/)

The live streaming industry is growing rapidly, having been accelerated by the recent pandemic. According to Amp.live, 67% of live video viewers are more likely to buy a ticket to a concert or event after watching a live video of that event or a similar one. Also, music concerts and festivals are the second most popular type of live content being consumed, at 43%. Plus - over a quarter of music fans in the US and UK said they'd be interested in seeing more music events broadcasted going forward (source).

Planning a virtual music event? Maybe playing live in front of an online audience? Then, you must be wondering how to live stream concerts on YouTube, Facebook Live, Twitch or any other platform. Live streaming virtual music concerts requires some basic elements:

  • streaming software - like OBS, Wirecast, Restream, Castr, Streamyard, etc.
  • Alternatively, you can use the native streaming app of the live music streaming platform you're going to use.
  • a professional sound card / mixer and microphone, if you plan to sing or speak.
  • video camera - can be dedicated but you can also use your mobile device's camera.
  • a solid Internet connection so your viewers and listeners can experience the best quality audio-video without any stutters or lag.

This article shares how to live stream concerts online without any Internet connectivity problems.

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Internet Radio Device

An Internet radio device, also called network music player is a hardware device that is capable of receiving and playing streamed media from either Internet radio stations or a home network.

The network music player is connected to a home router. For convenience a wireless router is often used. The router is connected to the internet and thus enables access to Internet streaming resources. Alternatively, the home network can access the user's collection of music on a computer or on a network-attached storage (NAS) device dedicated to store a user's music files.

Audio Streaming

Audio streaming is one way of transmitting audio files on a continuous feed to a network music player. A common way today is to stream the audio from the computer to a network music player over the more convenient wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi in a networked environment. The computer, which is typically used for storing the music file, acts as a music server by means of server software, often compliant to DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standard. And the network music player is a typical receiver which starts playing an audio file as soon as some of the data has been received so that one does not have to wait for the entire audio file to finish downloading.

The MP3 music file is streamed to the network music player in digital format, commonly in the original MP3 format. Therefore, the audio details of the MP3 music are sent wirelessly in the home to the network music player as it is stored on the computer and without loss.

The MP3 music files are then converted back into audio signal by the network music player and played. As the MP3 music files are organized by the music server on the computer, the information is also sent to the network music player where the user can see all of the music track information. Many companies working actively in bringing Internet radio into devices are organized in the Internet Media Device Alliance IMDA. In addition to the home networking standards of DLNA, IMDA compatibility standards dedicated to all aspects of Internet radio distribution.