Streaming Video is where the video 'buffers' and starts playing before the full video is downloaded. You are able to move back or forwards to a certain point and watch it from there. Streaming media has additional advantages such as being able to broadcast live events, sometimes referred to as a webcast or netcast. In order to deliver true streaming video you will need a specialized streaming video host or purchase a license for 'Flash Media Server' and have it running on your server.
Most videos that you look at on the internet day in and day out are progressive videos. Most viewers are not aware that they are watching progressive videos as they are just usually referred to as 'streaming' as most people do not know any different. YouTube and other video sharing sites supply progressive Flash videos.
Progressive video is slightly different than true streaming and is where the actual video downloads on the viewer's computer, often into a temporary directory. The viewer can then watch the video when it downloads enough and there is something to watch. If the viewer's internet connection speed is fast enough and is downloading the video at a faster rate than the video will play the viewer can watch the entire video without stopping before the entire video is downloaded. If the viewer's connection speed is not fast enough then there will be a pause until more of the video downloads and it starts playing again. A progress bar shows how much has been downloaded. See the following video for an example.
From the above you may not be entirely clear on the difference between the two types but there is a big difference for the webmaster. The great advantage with using progressive video files, at least as far as the webmaster is concerned, is that they can be hosted anywhere and do not need a specialized hosting service and there are no additional license fees involved.
You may be a regular user of YouTube or similar video sharing site and have you videos hosted with them. There again you may not wish to have them hosted there at all as the videos do not look professional with the YouTube logo attached. You will probably prefer to host them yourself but there could be problems. If a lot of people start watching your videos at the same time you will run into a problem. It will slow your server down and can cause others to have viewing problems.
One solution is to host them here at Amazon Simple Storage Service or Amazon S3. This is a service where you basically rent space on Amazon's network of computers. With such massive bandwidth you will never have a problem with people viewing your videos. The big advantage with this service is that you only pay for what you use, there are no monthly fees. The fees are extremely reasonable starting at 18cents per gigabyte transferred. Briefly 10000 people viewing your 30MB video will cost you $5.4. Prices drop if you do a lot of data transfer. This sounds a great service although as yet I have not used it myself but it is well spoken about on the internet.
Hosting For Video Streaming
1) Progressive Download
This method provides a combination of methods to present your video stream. It downloads the video file, but can begin to play the video before it is fully downloaded. This method cannot be considered a true stream in that a true stream does not require a download to your hard drive ? even if that download is to a temporary internet file. The end user is generally satisfied with the viewing speed.
2) Download
This method is the least expensive method, but requires the end user to completely download a video file to their hard drive. Once it is downloaded they can view it and may have less difficulty in viewing the material repeatedly. However, many consumers lack the patience needed to wait for a download, especially if the video presentation is lengthy.
3) Streaming
In this scenario the end user may be able to watch your video almost as soon as they click the ?download? button. Depending on the speed of the computer in use the consumer may see very few interruptions in presentation. This is the most expensive form of video streaming simply because there is ?no waiting?. Consumers are generally most satisfied with this option.
As consumers become pulled in numerous directions simply because of the hectic pace of life the thought of having to wait for a download may move them away from a video presentation ? no matter how good the end result might be.
Many netrepreneurs may gravitate towards providing a Progressive Download because the cost is reduced while the viewing speed is enhanced.
You will need to add marketing funds to cover the cost of any stream. Some estimates are roughly fifty cents a stream download. Essentially this means you need to provide material worth downloading and has the potential to assist you in reaching your marketing objectives.
There are sites where you can upload a video or audio presentation and it is downloadable at no cost to visitors. There are often provisions that likely include directing your visitor off site, placing ads on the site page where the video download can be viewed and last but not least a provision to have the video removed if there is no activity within a certain number of days. This option may be worth investigating, but you have to carefully examine whether is matches your marketing goals or weakens them.
Both Bruce Walls & Scott Lindsay are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Bruce Walls has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Site Promotion and Affiliate Programs. Bruce Walls writes about using video on your website to increase traffic. You can read this article and more at . Bruce Walls's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Scott Lindsay has sinced written about articles on various topics from Payday Loans, Computers and The Internet and Mens Health. Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites at: http://www.highpowersites.com. Start your own ebook business with Boo. Scott Lindsay's top article generates over 1830000 views. to your Favourites.
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