Live streaming is a technology that transmits data in real-time over the internet without needing to record and store it first.
Think about the difference between watching a movie and a TV broadcast. The former is recorded and then transmitted to an audience, while the latter occurs in real-time. That’s how live streaming works in a nutshell - the audience sees the video as it is created, with minimal delay.
The first live streams over the web date back to the late 1990s, primarily on RealPlayer, one of the oldest media players from the early internet era. However, due to the technological limitations at the time, such as low video quality, it took another decade before live streaming events began gaining traction.
YouTube launched its first live streaming session in 2008, followed by Twitch in 2011. Since then, live streaming has continuously gained popularity. Today, many live streaming platforms are available, such as YouTube Live, Twitch, Facebook Live, and, of course, Riverside.
At a very basic level, a live streaming session starts when data is captured by a video or audio input device, such as a camera and a microphone. This raw digital data is then compressed, encoded, and segmented before it’s sent to a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for distribution.
The CDN will cache each segment of this data and then send them to all users who are watching the stream. Data is segmented to avoid sending it all out at once, preventing bottlenecks and saving bandwidth.
Once the user receives this data, it needs to be decompressed, decoded, and converted back into video and audio information by a dedicated app, such as a video player (usually within the browser).
All this must happen within milliseconds to minimize video and audio latency as much as possible. The goal is for viewers to see and hear what the live streamer is recording with the shortest delay possible, ideally in real-time.
Still feeling a bit confused? Let’s dig a bit deeper into the terms we just covered in a way that will help clarify what live streaming is and how it works.
Before data can be sent to a CDN for distribution, its size must be compressed. The more data that’s sent, the longer the delay with the client will be. To minimize this, any redundant information, such as static backgrounds or other non-changing parts of the image, is removed by the compression algorithm, known as codec.
Once data is compressed, it must be encoded to a new format before it can be sent to the CDN for delivery. Encoders, which can be hardware or software, act as “middlemen” that convert compressed data into a proper format for streaming.
Once this data reaches its destination, it will be decoded and decompressed by the user’s video player. Encoders use different video codecs for compressing and decompressing audio and video data. The most common of these are:
Transcoding means converting an encoded video from one codec to another. This operation can be done to improve compatibility with different devices or apps, enhance the quality of the content, or increase its bit rate.
Users can be thousands of miles away from the location where the creator is streaming their content. A CDN is a network of servers that transport cached data through various exchange points. The purpose of a CDN is to deliver this data to a server positioned as close as possible to the end user, minimizing delay and loading times.
Sending an entire video all at once over the internet wouldn’t be practical or feasible, as it would defeat the purpose of streaming in real time.
Instead, streaming content is split into smaller segments of a few seconds each. These segments can be temporarily stored by the CDN (cached) to ensure the content is received more rapidly by the user. This optimizes bandwidth usage and reduces buffering.
Once the encoded data is received by the viewer, it must be decoded and decompressed to be converted back into video and audio format. This operation is performed by a dedicated application known as a media player.
Typically, a media player is embedded in your browser as an extension and is almost always an HTML5 video player. HTML5 replaced Adobe Flash Player in 2020, after its lack of security and compatibility with mobile devices made it obsolete. (HTML5 simply refers to the markup language used to create webpages).
Earlier, we discussed how video must be compressed, encoded, and then decoded and decompressed by the viewer. A video streaming protocol is a set of rules that dictates how this process occurs.
These protocols define the methods for breaking videos into small pieces, reassembling them when they reach the end user, and handling errors. Some of the most common video streaming protocols used today include:
One of the best things about live streaming is that you don’t need much equipment to reach your audience. At the most basic level, you only need a good streaming webcam (your iPhone’s one will likely suffice), a stable internet connection, and a microphone.
However, if you want to look a bit more professional during your live stream sessions, here are a few extra things to set up:
Your laptop or computer’s laptop isn’t usually the best choice for high-quality streams. We’d suggest trying a webcam with at least 1080p resolution.
You can check out our full guide on streaming webcams to find one. Good options include the Razer Kiyo Pro or Logitech c920s Pro HD.
It’s also possible to use a DSLR as a webcam, or even convert your phone as a streaming camera.
You may also need a tripod if your webcam doesn’t attach to your camera.
Note: If you’re using a Logitech with Riverside, please check our guidelines.
Your audio quality is key, and that means it’s worth investing in a microphone.
Cardiod microphones are best for recording vocals. These mics capture noise from the front, reducing background noise in your audio.
A typical desk microphone like the Blue Yeti Nano will do, but if you’ve got the budget you could also try the Shure SM7B.
Check out our guide on the best streaming microphones to find the perfect fit.
High-end microphone with a dedicated arm to hold it in place
Encoder software tends to be easier and more budget-friendly. But, hardware encoders offer more reliable higher quality streaming. This is because their sole task is to encode your stream, whereas software uses your computer’s resources to do this.
Some options you can try include the Teradek Vidiu X or the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro.
We’ve got a full guide on software and hardware live streaming encoders to help you out.
Beyond these basics, make sure you have a fast internet connection of 1GB or more.
You may want to consider getting:
You can break streaming software into a few categories:
You’ll find software to host and share your streams directly. For example, think of YouTube or Twitch.
Other streaming software acts as an encoder. This software pushes your single stream to various sites for sharing.
Some, like Riverside, also do both.
If you want a reliable solution for streaming with a quick and easy setup, check this out:
With Riverside live streaming, you can expect:
Check out our full guide on streaming software.
We’ve got a full guide on how to live stream. If you’re live streaming with a hardware encoder, you’ll need to plug everything in and sort your settings according to the encoder’s instructions.
If you’re streaming with software, then you can check out the steps below. We’ve used Riverside as an example, but most software will likely have similar guidelines to this:
Step 1: Enter an existing studio, or create a new one. (You can learn how here).
On the Lobby page, enter your details and click “Join Studio.”
Step 2: Once you’ve created a new studio, you can send an invite link to your guests and audience by clicking on “Guest” and choosing the appropriate type of user you want to invite (audience, guest, or producer).
Step 3: You can now click on “Copy link” or copy and share the link displayed in the middle of the screen. You can also click on “Invite by email” and then follow the same procedure.
Step 4: At the top of the Studio, click “Live Stream off” and then choose the icon of the social you want to stream on under “Stream to social.”
Step 5: Log into your social media account. Give Riverside’s authorization for the social media platform.
All your connected accounts will now show up under “Stream to social.” Make sure that the platforms you want to live stream to are toggled on.
Live streaming is appreciated for the authenticity and immediacy it creates.
People who choose to tune in during live sessions are highly committed to the creator, making it an excellent way to establish a solid connection with your audience.
Here are a few applications for live streaming:
Undoubtedly, live streaming owes much of its popularity to its use in the entertainment and media industry. When Twitch launched in 2011, it attracted more than 3 million monthly users within its first year.
From video gamers playing live on Twitch to YouTubers hosting live sessions, live streaming has become a premium choice for content creators to connect with their subscribers, engage their communities, and interact with them directly.
Live streaming is particularly appreciated by businesses for marketing purposes since it’s an effective way to capture data from their user base. It makes customers feel heard and helps organizations gain a deeper understanding of their demographics, needs, and preferences.
From Q&A sessions to understand customer needs, to streaming sessions that “humanize” a brand, live streaming is a perfect tool for both small and large businesses.
Webinars are the most common form of live streaming used to teach students and provide educational content (lectures, training, conferences, etc.) to specific audiences.
Live streaming has revolutionized remote learning in schools and universities, and has made education much more accessible with one-on-one e-learning courses.
Digital broadcasting of live events, debates, and social initiatives has helped many nonprofit organizations raise awareness about critical issues.
Live streaming is also the technology behind many other services with a deep social impact. For example, it has enabled telemedicine and mental health services to reach even the most remote or underserved communities.
