The Internet offers users many ways to access video files online. The traditional method involves downloading a video file as a user would download a normal document or image file. The user must wait for the download to finish, then open and watch the video. However, video streaming allows users to watch a video while downloading from the internet.
Video streaming technology is useful for real-time and on-demand requests. A common use of video streaming is to broadcast news over the Internet. Some of the larger news networks even offer live news video streaming on their websites. Another common use of video streaming is to watch movie clips. Many movie studios offer trailers or trailers for their upcoming movies through video footage. Also in the entertainment business, record labels use this technology to broadcast music videos to the public.
With the sudden emergence of portable webcams, one of the growing uses of video streaming is for video conferencing. Computer chat programs often come with video conferencing features that allow users to see the person they are chatting with. This feature not only allows Internet users to hear the voices of their friends or family, but also allows them to see each other in real time. Similarly, entrepreneurs use this feature to conduct business meetings, conferences, or even corporate trainings over the Internet.
Video streaming is also used in the field of education. Live or prerecorded readings are available on many college and educational websites. This allows students to watch and listen to lectures over and over again.
There are many other uses for streaming videos. Some websites offer real-time views of major roads. This service is particularly useful for motorists who want to avoid vehicular traffic.
For all the advantages of streaming videos, there are also limitations and disadvantages. For videos to be quickly delivered to a user’s desktop for viewing, two things must be considered: the size of the video and the internet bandwidth available to the user. Compressing videos can usually sacrifice quality, and low bandwidth typically results in choppy video playback. Another drawback of the availability of streaming videos is the increase in network or Internet traffic.