What Is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live stream streaming (or livestreaming) is now so popular that 30 percent of Internet users watch a live stream weekly. You can watch or create live streams with many various platforms and applications and is now simpler than ever to start.

In this article We'll show you everything you need to learn regarding live stream.

•         This article will explain what live streaming is (including a technical explanation).            
  
•         We'll share some live streaming statistics and important milestones.            
  
•         The discussion will focus on the advantages of HTML0 and some examples for live stream.            
  
•         And we'll share how to build your personal live streaming.            
  

        Turn a livestream into profit. Explore the platform that has the most $1 million communities.  

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What is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of broadcasting to an audience on video in real-time. In the past, this was restricted to only media companies that had the technology of broadcasting live to their audiences.

However, in the last few years live streaming has exploded on the web increasing the number of users are making and enjoying the live stream in their own homes, with no need for expensive television studios.

What is live streaming... technical

Coding
Technically, your camera inputs raw digital pictures. They are however too large for streaming effectively. An encoder (software or hardware) compresses the video in real time into codecs (ie. h.264). This reduces the size of the files enough to stream and standardizes the way that devices can understand it.

Compression
The video is split into what's known as I-frames and P-frames as well as B-frames. I-frames function a little similar to a standard JPEG image, they contain an entire frame of the image with all its details.

P-frames and B frames work a bit differently. They just capture the parts of the movie that is changed by tracking motion vectors. This results in an easier file to compress and quicker for replay. For example, in a YouTube video in which a person talks in front of something static, a majority of the background's pixels do not alter.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) are used to record the movements and modifications in the speaker's face and body movements through looking at prior frames.        
  
• B-frames can be even more efficient, because they have the ability to refer to both prior and subsequent frames, resulting in the entire image.      
  

Internet speed
Live streaming also requires a constant flux of information. We call this bit rate, the amount of information your device is able to be able to stream in a second.

• 720 (HD) video will require 4 to 4.5 4 Mbps        
  
• 1080p requires at least 4-6 Internet connections of 4-6 Mbps        
  
• 4k needs 15-25 Mbps        
  

When doing a live stream it is essential that your upload speed to keep up with the amount of data the stream transmits.

Your viewers don't actually need the identical speed. Video players decrease quality when the connection speed is low, or buffer (downloading about 2-30 seconds in advance) in order to make streaming smooth. Additionally, we utilize Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your file in real time to a server that's nearer to your viewers, because it requires information to travel over longer distances.

    Latency

No video is truly live. At the very least, there is a couple seconds of delay-we term this delay latency.

Live Statistics streaming

• 30% of internet people are able to watch live streams every week.      
  
• Most commonly live streamed content are breaking news (34%) as well as live sports (29 percent).      
  
• 91.7% of internet viewers globally watch live streaming services each month.      
  
• 52 percent Of TikTok subscribers prefer to stream live video.      
  
• Smart TVs can be the top place for watching live streamed content (35.3 percent of all streamed content).      
  
• 28 A majority of video content consumed on the internet are streamed live.      
  
• Live streaming that was the longest of all time took over 624 hours by the Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. in China.        
  
• The record for live streaming for most viewers was set by Spanish streamer Ibai with 3.44 millions Twitch viewers for the channel La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

Live streaming was the first step to make it feasible (Timeline)

We won't cover everything however, here's a brief list of some technological advancements that make live streaming possible.

In the 1990s, technology allowed "packets" that contained media files to be streamed, and then rendered before a complete download.
1993 - 1993 - The MPEG-1 compression standard is published, enabling practical video streaming
1995 - The firm Starlight built the first streaming video system using satellites.
1995 - First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 1995 RealPlayer launches, becoming the first major streaming media player. It was later included as an option on Windows 98 installation.
1996 - Real-time Transport Protocol is created, creating an infrastructure for transmitting videos and audio across networks.
1998- Starlight introduced the first Web conference products.
1999 - The Victoria's Secret fashion show is one of the first major live stream events, with an estimated 1.5 million people watching.
2002 - Flash Player adds video capabilities that make embedding video content a possibility.
2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later it was rebranded to Twitch) with Justin Kan with a camera all day long. It would grow into numerous channels that would allow viewers to broadcast.
2009 - Both Ustream as well as Live stream are launched
2011 - YouTube has added live streaming into its offering. It had launched in 2005 (fun detail: the initial video was named "Me at the Zoo). Facebook began live streaming in the year 2015, Periscope in 2015, as well as Instagram in 2016.

Live streaming benefits

Live streaming has energetic.

• Super-interactive  viewers can not only watch in real time however, they are also able to chat, ask questions, and provide feedback in different ways.      
  
• Absolutely imperfect In contrast to edited videos, where a content creator might feel obligated to polish the content, live streams can't accomplish this (at the very least, not at this point). This means that live streams appear natural and much more entertaining.    
  
• Less time-consuming: There might be prep and setup, but live streams are often less work than say, working hard on creating an edited video, which may require writing, reshooting, editing, etc.    
  
• Costs of production are lower  Commonly, it's a lower lift for getting started and launching.      
  
• The repurposing  The user can cut and adapt your live stream for different formats and purposes after the fact, as well as hosting a recording from it.      
  
• It's a sense of urgency. Live streaming is a bit more pressing. If it's a person who posts a recording after the event, watching live makes you feel special and helps increase the number of people who watch it.    
  

What do you require for live streaming

There's an awesome overview in this video, if you're getting started with stream live!

However, here's an outline of live streaming for creators .

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The best part with live streaming is that it doesn't require any expensive devices. Most modern smartphones come with everything you need to run a live stream.

Here are a few potential video options:

• Video on smartphones: The majority of phones are able to create HD video, and some newer ones shoot in 4k. Do remember that your phone's rear and front camera may have different resolutions. Both are probably suitable to stream live. It's the easiest way to stream via your smartphone.    
  
• Webcam: Certain streaming software users choose to utilize either an internal computer webcam or using an external webcam. This would be used for live streaming that is done using a laptop or desktop.    
  
• Professional camera: More established streamers typically use professional cameras like DSLRs to stream live. They are able to be tied to your phone or laptop and provide a superior quality video as well as letting you choose the lenses that most suit your look and experience.    
  

Sound is essential! There are a few options available:

• The built-in microphone on your phone or computer (not recommended) The phone or computer mics sit too distant from your mouth when you are watching streaming live, they are usually audio recorders that are not of high-quality. Better to select one of the options below.    
  
• Headphones: Bluetooth or wired headphones place the microphone close to your mouth, improving sound quality and reducing background disturbance. Any headset is usually more effective than the device's built-in microphone.    
  
• Lapel microphone The lapel mic is attached to your shirt or collar and listens for the sound closer to your mouth, resulting in better high-quality. They come wired and wireless as well as some of the higher-end microphones have features such as noise cancellation.    
  
• Shotgun microphone : A shotgun mic sits away from your face (often clips to the top of a camera) and captures the direction of your vocal.      
  
• Condenser microphone for desktop use : More streamers these days are making use of desktop condenser microphones, such as Blue Yeti. Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your PC and captures audio out of the mouth of your user.      
  

Here are some additional stream live tips for you to up your game.

2. Streaming software (optional)

Streaming software doesn't have to be required because you can live stream directly to popular platforms. However, streaming software could be a good idea for people looking to:

• For sharing the screen of a computer, be it in a slideshow format or as part of gaming.        
  
• To use more than one camera (ie. different angles).    
  
• to add overlays, images, logos and chat boxes or cards.        
  
• To mix in different audio sources (e.g. music).    
  
• To stream to multiple platforms at the same time (e.g. YouTube + Facebook + LinkedIn ).    
  

For an example of this We discussed the streaming platform StreamYard in our blog post about Zoom Alternatives. It is a great platform for these kinds of things.

3. A platform for live streaming

This is pretty self-explanatory. You need a streaming platform that supports streaming, such as YouTube or Twitch.

Try it out ! Mighty makes it super easy to stream live from your phone or the Mighty app, or you can even get an app that you can brand and stream from. It's also easy to make money from it or charge per stream or create a membership with streaming built-in.

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Live streaming benefits for businesses

If you're a proprietor of a company and want to grow, then you must understand the benefits in live streaming. The live stream you choose to use won't be as polished or perfect as that promotional video you put in the effort to create, however live streaming has something more special.

We've already mentioned that it creates an intimacy between you and your viewers that is unscripted and real, which is a huge positive for your business. Plus, live streaming has the potential of being truly exciting and unexpected (in the best way possible). ).

Here are a few of the additional advantages of live streaming for businesses:

• Event organizers can host events without the need for space or place: Live streams allow businesses to hold virtual gatherings and discussions without the need to gather everyone in a single city.    
  
• Create educational opportunities: Live streams could be an opportunity to add value through the teaching process! Companies can make use of live streams (especially with a webinar format) to educate customers and increase brand recognition.    
  
• Audience can watch from anywhere anyone in the world can catch a live stream with an internet connection and a gadget. It brings them closer to them and allows you to reach them.    
  
• Make money from ticket sales and other events Event organizers can develop top digital services such as live streams to generate revenue, selling tickets and giving them away.    
  

Do not just make use of your live stream as a way to make money. Offer your clients value, teach them things, inspire them, make them feel valued, and engage them. This is what makes live streaming work for your business.

We love live streaming, and that's why we've added live streaming capabilities in all our plans.

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Live streaming demonstrations

There are numerous huge, historic live streams. Things like:

• Michael Jackson's memorial service was among of the most watched live streams at the time (2009).      
  
• In 2012 NASA live streamed the Mars Curiosity landing. You can still watch regular NASA live stream on space.    
  
• In 2014 gamers on Twitch engaged in Pokemon along with commands given by the chat. Later, it was discovered that 1.16 million users played and 55 million watched.    
  

These are amazing! Live streaming can be a powerful tool to connect people. We even host an own stream, People Magic Summit, with the top community leaders and creators (this year's attendees included celebrities like Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry and Amanda Goetz). It is possible to rewatch the sessions on our website!

Here are a few more generic examples of what live streams could look like:

• The Mighty Network host announces a weekly challenge on a live stream on Mondays.        
  
• A musician goes live via IGTV as well as TikTok and performs the audience to a small-scale concert.        
  
• A gamer is a player who plays Roblox and Fortnight and streams the game to viewers.        
  
• The college provides the online course  that's taught via live streams.      
  
• A thought leader interviews someone on LinkedIn live about an upcoming book launch.        
  

You can now read: 11 of the Most Effective Social Engagement Methodologies for Community