Various on-demand movie and television services popping up the very last couple of years have introduced some new terminology to a lot of us who are not technologically savvy, and who are just beginning to explore the vast, uncharted territories known as the worldwide web. One term which is practically a household term is streaming. The concept of streaming isn’t new. Radio and television are streamed. Streaming is, in a nutshell, a delivery method for media. We can stream anything that can be digitalized, including music, movies, sports, and tv shows.

One statistic which will surprise many individuals is the fact that 30% of all internet traffic today is from Netflix streams alone. And over-the-top (OTT) media consumption from distributors like Netflix, Hulu Plus and SuperPass is projected to improve by 60% over the following two years.

To clarify, you’ll find two kinds of video streaming – live and on-demand. Live streaming is viewed on the net simultaneously as a camera captures and digitally encodes the event. Progressive streaming will be the sort of streaming that OTT streaming providers utilize. On-demand videos are compressed files that will be delivered by a streaming server. When an end-user wishes to stream a film, by way of example, they’re going to select the movie and click on a play button. The OTT vendor will then deliver the requested film through specialized software called a streaming server. The streaming server will assess what is happening on the end user’s media player and make adjustments called buffering to make sure a great viewing experience. The streamed content is not saved on the end user’s hard drive. After the content is streamed, it can’t be accessed again unless the file is requested again from the streaming vendor.

Besides streaming, there is the one other delivery method for these compressed files, which is called downloading. When you buy a movie, song or TV program, you download the file from a web server (rather than a streaming server), and you save the file someplace where you can access it whenever you wish – usually on your hard drive. More often than not, at least a portion of the download has to be complete before you can begin viewing the content without interruptions.

Downloads can either be rentals or purchases. If it’s a rental, then the OTT provider generally gives a particular time frame from the time of rental by which to view the content ahead of the file deletes itself. It is important to observe that downloaded files can contain viruses and malware, so ensure that you trust any source from which you download a file.

Media players will take on many forms when you stream or view your downloaded purchase. If you watch the content on your computer, you will probably utilize the media player that came with your operating system, or you may download a cost-see free movie or premium media player that the streaming provider recommends. If you wish to watch on your television, you will have to utilize a gaming console, Blu-ray player, internet-enabled television set, or perhaps a streaming media player which is linked to your television and also your home wireless network. It is critical to ensure that the intended media player is supported by your OTT provider.

Streaming is without a doubt here to stay as part of our entertainment options. Watch as the technology continues to improve and more options will be available to consumers.