As opposed to "downloading" files for an individual to wait for and then watch streaming media takes files that have been digitalized and puts them on a server. When the file is requested by a user the image has been divided into smaller segments. Each one of these segments, after downloaded, is re-attached to the viewer and it appears that the footage is one large file.
In order to see the video imagery a software (RealPlayer, Microsoft Windows Media Player, Apple Quicktime, etc.) must be downloaded. Most of these players are freeware or demos with restricted usage.
A problem with streaming files is that music artists fear that the their work is not getting a proper payment for usage. Lawsuits from Apple on copyright infringement make other software developers from making similar software and radio stations are facing royalty fees at "the initial rate of 14/100ths of a cent per listener per song could drive many webcasters to the poor house."
Streaming Audio
Online "radio" stations have prospered from the streaming. In a report in December of 2000 that 79% of online radio listeners are more likely to visit a website of a sponsor of that program and 60% more likely to make a purchase. The other advantages of having streaming media are Revenue for pop-up banners, web commercials, viewer participation, and e-commerce opportunities.
Here is what is needed to set up a Steaming Radio Station.
- CD player
- Ripper software (copies audio tracks from a CD onto a computer’s hard drive)
- Assorted recording and editing software
- Microphones
- Audio mixer
- Outboard audio gear (equalizer, compressor, etc.)
- Digital audio card
- Dedicated computer with encoder software
- Streaming media server
Warp Radio has a great site that shows the easy of audio streaming.
Streaming Media FAQ A short answer sections
From My new favorite website Howstuffworks.com. Talks about the mechanics as well as the "Freedom of the internet and the airwaves."
Streaming Video
Some of the video is diminished in quality as compared to a DVD, tape or live television since there is a choice by consumers of how detailed the footage they view is and how fast of an Internet connection they have. One of the best things about this footage is the fact that a person can scroll back, that is, use the toolbar on the viewer to replay footage or jump to another section of footage.
Streaming media can be a live event or a previously recorded segment.
Progressive streaming is the easiest way for beginners to put video on the web without a server. After a video file is uploaded to a machine and compressed others can play the video online, only without the option to jump ahead to other sections.
Real-Time streaming requires a special streaming server. Examples of such server are QuickTime Streaming Server (RTSP), a Real Networks Server or a Windows Media Server. These videos play automatically. Any section of the clip can be viewed at any time and the clip always resides on the main server. The main way this works is the user chooses the speed at which they are connected and then the quality/size of the footage is preferred. This type of impact is best for longer videos and footage that does not need to be downloaded (copyrighted material). \
Details on Progressive Streaming and Real-Time Streaming This section talks on the specifics of streaming.
How To Make Streaming footage
a. Shoot your video footage (use an analog or digital video camera)
b. Capture (input video onto your Mac or PC hard drive using a Firewire connection or video capture card)
c. Edit (use consumer-level software video editing tool)
d. Compress/Encode (use bundled video editing tool or dedicated video compression tool)
e. Distribute (to Web, CD, DVD, etc.)
If you don't want to do it companies such as Playstream will do it, for a fee.
Different coded video can take these forms:
You'll probably use one of the following codecs for video compression:
a. Sorenson Video
b. RealVideo
c. Windows Media Video
d. MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4
e. H261/H263
f. On2