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Streaming Media FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions Document for ITCS Streaming Media Services.

1.0 What is Streaming Media?

Streaming media is a technology that enables you to include audio, video and other multimedia elements that visitors to your website will be able to listen to or view immediately without having to download the file to their own computer. It comes to you in a stream of digital bits... hence the term "streaming."

2.0 How does it work?

Audio, video and other media files are specially formatted and placed on a streaming server. A web page can then contain a link with a URL that points to that media. When users click a media link on a web page, the contents of the media file begins to flow across the internet in a gradual and continuous stream from the server to the user's browser.

Files play either in a media specific player that opens in a new window or a viewer that is embedded into the web page.

3.0 What is needed?

People who want to add streaming media to their web sites will need to:
  • Have access to a streaming server
  • Have knowledge of what type of media they want to use
  • Have knowledge of what specific format they want that media in
  • Have special production software for creating media files that create the media in the format they have chosen

People who want to hear/view media files will need to:

  • Have a plug-in or player installed as part of their web browser like:

 

  • Have speakers or headphones connected to the computer

4.0 Is Streaming Media Difficult to Produce?

It depends on what media you want to stream and how much needs to be produced. If you already have high quality audio and video recordings of what you want streamed, converting them to a digital streaming format and placing them on a streaming server is not very difficult. However, if you have to produce your material from scratch then it will be more complicated and take longer. You may choose to produce the media yourself or hire a production service, such as Michigan Productions, to produce it for you. Whichever option you choose, the production of the media is the most important piece of a good streaming presentation.

5.0 What Does The Quality Look Like?

The quality of streamed audio and video depends on what type of internet connection your users have. If your users access your on-line materials on our LAN or other high speed connection then the quality will be very good. Audio recordings will be nearly as good as FM radio. Streaming video is a little more challenging. In most cases you will not be able to get full-screen video at 30 frames per second like you see on your television screen at home. If you choose video, you should be aware that you will loose quality if it is streamed over a modem (telephone) line as opposed to a network or direct high speed internet connection.

Sample Archived Streams

6.0 Streaming Media vs Downloaded Media

Audio and video files can be very large. You could spend many minutes or even hours waiting for them to be downloaded to your computer if they weren't streamed. Streaming media technology allows you to see or hear the content in just a few seconds, instead of having to wait for it. Your only wait is a few seconds for a "buffer" to be built up that helps avoid interruptions caused by Internet traffic problems.

7.0 What Is Buffering?

Buffers are needed when data comes in faster than it can be processed. With video streaming, buffering occurs when a streaming media player saves portions of a streaming media file to local storage for playback. Streaming media players usually buffer a small percentage of a media presentation before play begins. Buffering can also occur during the streaming media presentation, when the presentation's required bandwidth is greater than the available bandwidth needed to view the file in real time.

8.0 Do I Have Everything I need?

Most recent computers will have everything needed. If you have speakers/earphones for your computer and you've heard them play sound, chances are you're okay. The faster your online connection (cable, DSL) and computer speed (in megahertz), the higher the quality of the streaming audio or video will be.