Services
Streaming Media
First let's define "Streaming"
Streaming is a technology that enables a user’s computer to maintain a constant line of communication or "stream" with another computer where data flows between the two computers. It is similar to watching TV. When you are watching TV it is in effect a "stream" of data your TV is receiving from the Broadcasting Station or Cable Company.
What do we mean by Media?
By media, we mean anything that can be streamed. The most common examples are Video, Audio, Text, Graphics.
Why would you want streaming media?
Well the main reason is that it allows you to protect your content from being downloaded and illegally distributed.
Now back to the question, "What is Streaming Media?"
To understand the role of streaming media let’s look at the World Wide Web or the internet. As a user on the internet you connect to the millions of other computers on the internet, which act as Web Servers. The web server takes a user request for information, pushes that information out the door as fast as it can, completes the transaction, disconnects, and goes on to other requests by other users. This process occurs only when the user or "client" clicks on links in the web browser.
However, this process doesn’t work well for moving images and sound. Unlike graphics and text, video, sound and animation have a time element that significantly increases file size. A web browser would need to download the entire clip before it could be viewed, which can be an unbearable wait for even a short clip. So, we need a different solution. In comes Streaming Media. When a user activates a link to streaming media, the World Wide Web is bypassed and the user only deals with the Streaming Media Server (Not part of the World Wide Web) which opens up the continuous connection between the user and server. Just like listening to the radio, once you turn to that station, you open up a continuous stream of data between, you, the "user" and the radio station, or "server." This communication stays active until you decide to change stations or turn off the radio. Same thing with Streaming Media.
