What Is Live Streaming? (Definition & Examples) |

Live stream streaming (or livestreaming) has grown so widespread that 30% of internet users stream live weekly. You can watch or create live streams with many different devices and applications, and it's easier to get started than ever before.

In this post, we'll introduce you to everything you need to be aware of about live streaming.

• We'll explain what live streaming means (including a technical explanation).        
  
• We'll share some live streaming stats and important milestones.        
  
• We'll talk about advantages and practical examples that live streams can provide.        
  
• And we'll share what you'll need to create your personal live stream.        
  

What is live streaming?

Quick live streaming definition

Live streaming is the practice of presenting to your audience on video in real-time. The past, live streaming was restricted to only media companies with the capability of broadcasting live to their audience. In the last few years, live streaming technology has lit up the internet and increasing numbers of users are creating and enjoying that live experience at home, without the need of the expense of a television studio.

What is live streaming... technical

Coding
Technically, your camera outputs raw digital images. But these are too big for streaming effectively. An encoder (software or hardware) converts the video in real time into codecs (ie. h.264). This reduces the size of the file enough to stream, and also standardizes it so any device can be able to read it.

Compression
The video is divided into what are called I-frames or P-frames. They are also known as B-frames. I-frames work a bit similar to a standard JPEG image-they contain a complete image frame that includes all specifics.

B-frames and P-frames operate in a different way. They are only capturing the portion of the video which changes by tracking motion vectors. This makes it an easier file to compress, and more efficient to replay. In the case of a YouTube video, where a speaker is speaking against a static background, most of the background's pixels won't change.

• P-frames (Predictive frames) can only encode the motion and changes in the speaker's face and body movements through reviewing prior frames.        
  
• B-frames are even more efficient, because they can reference both previous and future frames in order to produce an entire picture.      
  

Internet speed
Of course, live streaming requires a continuous flux of data. We call this bit rate, how much data your device can be able to stream in a second.

• 720 (HD) video needs between 2-4 speeds        
  
• 1080p is required to download 4-6 speed        
  
• 4k requires 15-25 Mbps        
  

In the case of live streaming, your upload speed needs to match the data the stream transmits.

Viewers don't require the same speed. Video players reduce quality if the connection speed is low, or even buffer (downloading two to three seconds earlier) to make the stream smooth. We also use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)--this copies your file in real time to a server that's close to the viewer since it takes information time to travel further distances.

    Latency

The video may not be truly live. There's always at least two seconds of delay. We refer to this as latency.

Live Streaming statistics

• 30% of internet viewers are able to watch live streams every week.      
  
• One of the most commonly live streamed video are breaking news (34 percent) and live sports (29 percent).      
  
• 91.7 percent of internet Internet users around the world view live streaming throughout the month.      
  
• 52% of TikTok customers want to stream live video.      
  
• Smart televisions have become the most popular place to watch live streamed content (35.3% of all streamed content).      
  
• 28 A majority of online videos 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 live streaming record for most viewers was set by Spanish Ibai streamer-with 3.44 million Twitch users on his La Velada del Ano (3).      
  

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

It's impossible to cover all aspects, but here's a quick timeline of the tech developments that make live streaming possible.

1990s - Tech allowed for "packets" that contained media files to be streamed, and then rendered before a complete download.
1993 - The MPEG-1 standard for compression is published, enabling practical video streaming
1995: The company Starlight created the first streaming video system using satellites.
1995- First internet radio: Radio HK.
1995 The year 1995 RealPlayer is launched, making it the first mainstream stream media player. Later, it was added as a choice in Windows 98 installation.
1996: The Real-time Transportation Protocol is invented, creating the framework to send videos and audio across networks.
1998- Starlight unveiled the first web product for conferencing.
1999 - Victoria's secret fashion show is one of the first major live stream event, with the potential of 1.5 million viewers.
2002 2002 Flash Player adds video capabilities that make embeddable video content feasible.
2007 - The launch of Justin.tv (later changed to Twitch) that featured Justin Kan, who was a cameraman all day long. It was later expanded to numerous channels that would allow the public to stream.
2009 - Both Ustream as well as Live stream are launched
2011 2012 YouTube has added live streaming to its services. It had launched in 2005 (fun information: the very first video was named "Me at the Zoo). Facebook introduced live streaming in the year 2015, Periscope in 2015, and Instagram in the year 2016.

Live streaming benefits

Live streaming has energy.

• Super interactive  Viewers are not limited to watching in real time, but they can usually talk, ask questions and give feedback in other ways.      
  
• Completely unfinished Aside from edited video in which content creators might feel obligated to polish, live streaming can't really do this (at the very least not at this point). As a result, live streams are organic, and more engaging.    
  
• It's less time-consuming: There may be prep and setup for live streams, but they are often less work than, say the effort required to create an edited video, which may require writing, editing, or re-shooting, etc.    
  
• Lower production costs : Often it's a less lift to start and then launch.      
  
• The repurposing  The user can modify and cut the live stream to various purposes and formats following the actual event, or by hosting a recording of it.      
  
• The urgency of live streaming is a bit more pressing. If it's a person who publishes their video later an event, being able to watch live is a real treat and increases 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 starting to get started with stream live!

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

To live stream, you need:

1. AV source

The cool thing regarding live streaming in the present is there is no need for fancy technology. The majority of modern phones come with all the necessary features to manage live streaming.

Here are a few possibilities for video choices:

• Video on smartphones: The majority of phones can create at least HD videos, while some newer ones shoot in 4k. Do remember that your phone's back and front camera might be different quality. But either is probably fine for a live stream. It's easier to stream direct from your phone.    
  
• Webcam: Certain computer streamers prefer using either the built-in webcam of their computer as well as an external webcam. It is a good choice the case for live streaming on a desktop or laptop.    
  
• Professional camera: More established streamers often use professional cameras like DSLRs to live stream. They can be connected to your phone or laptop and can send a higher-quality video and letting you choose the lenses which best suit your style and experience.    
  

Sound is essential! These are some suggestions:

• The built-in microphone on your phone or computer (not advised) The phone or computer mics sit too distant from your mouth in the live stream and are often audio recorders that are not of high-quality. Better to select among the alternatives given below.    
  
• The Bluetooth and wired headphones get that microphone right near your mouth, improving the quality of your sound and decreasing background noise. Any headset is usually more effective than the device's built-in mic.    
  
• Lapel microphone: A lapel mic clips to your shirt or collar and picks up the sound closer to your mouth. This makes more quality. They come wired and wireless as well as some of the higher-end mics have features such as noise cancellation.    
  
• Shotgun microphone  A shotgun mic is set away from your face (often it clips onto the top of a camera) and captures directional sound from your voice.      
  
• Condenser mic for your desktop  A lot of streamers today are making use of desktop condenser microphones, such as the Blue Yeti, which plugs directly into your PC and picks up sound right out of the mouth of your user.      
  

Here are a few more stream live tips that will improve your gameplay.

2. Software for streaming (optional)

The use of streaming software isn't necessarily necessary because you can live stream directly to the major platforms. However, streaming software could be an ideal option for those looking to:

• to share the screen of a computer, be it as a slideshow, or even for gaming.        
  
• To use more than one camera (ie. different angles).    
  
• For overlays to graphics, logos cards or chat boxes.        
  
• Mix in audio source (e.g. music).    
  
• For streaming to several platforms at once (e.g. Facebook + YouTube plus LinkedIn). ).    
  

To illustrate this We discussed the streaming platform StreamYard in our blog post about Zoom Alternatives. It does a lot of the above.

3. Live streaming platforms

It's pretty simple. You need a streaming platform, like YouTube and Twitch.

Try it out ! Mighty allows you to run a live stream from your phone or the Mighty application. You can even get your own branded app to stream live from. And it's easy to monetize or charge per stream or even create a membership using streaming included in.

Live streaming has benefits to businesses

If you run a business and want to grow, then you must understand the potential in live streaming. The live stream you choose to use won't look as polished and perfect as the promo video you labored over, but live streaming is something unique. We've mentioned it before it builds a sense of intimacy between your customers and yourself that is genuine and authentic this is a major strength for your brand. In addition, live streaming holds potential to be exciting and unexpected (in a good way ).

Here are some other live streaming benefits for companies:

• Event organizers can host events without the need for the space or space Live streams enable businesses to hold virtual gatherings and discussions without needing to all gather in the same place.    
  
• Make educational possibilities: A live stream can be the perfect way to add the value of education, particularly through education! Businesses can use live streams (especially when they are in the form of a webinar) to help educate their customers and build brand awareness.    
  
• Viewers can view the live stream from any location Anywhere anywhere in the world is able to watch a live stream with the internet and device. It brings them closer, and it makes it much easier for them to get in touch with you.    
  
• Make money from events and tickets Business can design premium digital products like live streams as sources of income, by selling tickets or giving them away.    
  

Don't use your live stream as a way to make money. Give your customers something of value, educate them and inspire them to get them involved. It's the only way to make live streaming work for your business.

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

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Live streaming demonstrations

There are some huge historical live streams. Examples include:

• Michael Jackson's funeral was one of the live streams that were watched by the most people in its moment (2009).      
  
• In 2012 NASA streamed live the Mars Curiosity landing. You can still watch regular NASA live streamings on space.    
  
• In 2014, gamers on Twitch engaged in Pokemon together with commands from the chat. It was later estimated that 1.16 million users played and 55 million were watching.    
  

These are amazing! Live streaming can be a powerful tool to unite people. In fact, we host the live streams of our very own called People Magic Summit, with top creators and community leaders (this year's guests included people such as Marie Forleo, Nathan Barry, and Amanda Goetz). You can rewatch sessions here!

Here are some general examples of what a live stream could look like:

• The Mighty Network host announces a every week on their live stream every Monday.        
  
• A musician goes live on IGTV or TikTok and plays a mini-concert for viewers.        
  
• A gamer is a player who plays Roblox as well as Fortnight and streams to viewers.        
  
• A college offers the online course that is taught over a live stream.      
  
• A thought leader talks to one of the users on LinkedIn live regarding an upcoming book release.        
  

You can now read: 11 of the Best Strategies for Community Engagement