Live Streaming Ecosystems
Dom Robinson · 2014
The live streaming systems in use today are all derived from video conferencing technologies. This chapter provides some background to the term "live streaming". It outlines and explains some of the key network considerations when producing "live streaming" over the Internet. The chapter highlights that despite some optimization techniques being more efficient and capable of bringing the "live" experience of a receiver closer to the moment of production of the content, other less efficient network technologies have proven to be successful because of a variety of wider technical and economic factors. An overview of prevalent live streaming technologies "ecosystems" and "formats" is provided. The chapter also explores why these particular technologies are seeing ever-increasing industry-wide support. It concludes with a focus on Internet Radio which despite disappearing into the background ambience of many desk workers' days is a service that is used by countless millions around the world.