We’ve all seen it before—a movie or Soccer TV that streams directly onto your computer (or other device) without waiting for downloads to complete. But how does this work? What technologies are behind online streaming and how do they work together to make sure you can watch your favorite shows without having to wait? Let’s take a look.
Codecs
Codecs are a type of software that compresses digital video down into something more manageable so that it can be easily streamed. Basically, the codec takes the large media file containing audio and video, breaks it up into small pieces, and compresses it into a smaller size so that it can be sent over the internet. Once the data packet reaches its destination, the codec reassembles it back into its original form. Thanks to codecs, streaming services like Netflix or Hulu can deliver high-quality content in real-time without requiring users to download huge files first.
Streaming Protocols
The term “streaming protocol” refers to any series of commands used by streaming services to communicate with each other over the internet. In order for streaming services to work seamlessly and reliably, streaming protocols must be able to efficiently send, receive, and process data packets in real-time. Two of the most popular streaming protocols are HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP). HLS is the preferred protocol for Apple devices while RTMP is preferred by Android devices; however, some devices support both protocols.
CDNs
CDN stands for Content Delivery Network and is essentially a network of servers located around the world that caches content from various sources (such as Netflix or Hulu) so that users can access them faster than if they were delivered from one central server location. CDNs help optimize performance by reducing latency and improving throughput which makes streaming movies and TV shows much smoother with less buffering time required. CDNs also provide additional security since they act as an intermediary between content providers and end users which helps mitigate against malicious attacks on either side.
Conclusion
Streaming technology has revolutionized how we consume entertainment online; no longer do we have to wait hours for downloads to complete before watching our favorite shows or movies! But what technologies are behind this amazing feat? Codecs compress digital video down into smaller sizes so they can be streamed quickly while streaming protocols ensure smooth communication between servers. And finally, CDNs help optimize performance by caching content close to where users want it so they don’t have to wait long for their streams to buffer! All these technologies come together in perfect harmony so that we get seamless entertainment experience every time we turn on our TVs or computers!