Live video streaming has become one of the most popular features of modern websites. It has many applications and has dramatically changed how Internet users access and process digital content. That is why more online media and providers are exploring this useful and entertaining functionality and are integrating it into their platforms.
Livestreaming is the process through which video and/or audio are transmitted in real-time. This modern feature has become very popular with content creators and users alike. The reason is that it provides information immediately, unlike other types of streamed applications, such as video-on-demand and YouTube videos.
Because it is so easy to use and interactive, live video streaming has become a top popular feature for many online websites and media. For instance, today’s hottest social media all provide live video streaming services. Some popular examples include Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Online news outlets and their users are also among those who most benefit from live video streaming. Nowadays, all world-recognized media have live-streaming features. For the UK, the BBC is the brightest example of utilizing live video streaming to deliver timely and relevant information online. Thanks to live streaming, BBC website users can watch groundbreaking news as the events unfold.
The entertainment world has not lagged in adopting live video streaming, either. Many users across Great Britain and throughout the world visit Internet sites to find amusing content in real-time.
Talking about entertainment, live casino sites have been among the first to adopt video streaming in real-time. The use of live streaming by the online casino industry is particularly interesting, so let us dive into more detail about it below.
UK live casino sites are among the favourites of Britain’s online bettors. But why do online casino players enjoy live video streaming so much? The answer to this question has several aspects to it.
To begin with, live casino sites come to replace physical casinos. Thanks to these platforms, you no longer need to visit land-based gambling venues to play a game of poker or roulette. Instead, you can simply sit on your sofa and press the touchscreen of your device.
That said, players are still looking for a genuine, realistic land-based casino experience.
For that purpose, the big gaming providers have equipped amazing studios in different parts of the world and use live-streaming technology to take you to the best casino rooms not only in the UK but also in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Macau, and other popular gambling destinations. What is more, they have real-person croupiers who will most often give you royal treatment.
As we already explained, live video streaming allows you to transmit your audio and video via the Internet in real-time, so that your viewers get immediate content. Simply put, live streaming works much like television does.
The content transmission process happens step by step. The first step is for the software to compress your generated content into data packages. In the case of video, a camera is used to capture the image. Then, your video is sent to an encoder. The encoder can either be a piece of hardware located within your computer or a software component.
The encoder’s job is to convert the RAW files from your camera into smaller files, which can then be easily transmitted over the Internet. Afterwards, said encoder takes the downsized files and inserts them into a digital video platform. For that purpose, it uses RTMP.
Lastly, the online video platform that now has your content uses a content delivery network, or the so-called CDN, to allow users to see your video. This last step takes place through an HTML5 video player using HLS.
While this process might seem confusing at first, we are here to assure you that there is nothing complicated about it. All you need to do is ensure you have the proper video or webcam and the necessary software.
One of the biggest issues associated with live video streaming is meeting the significant bandwidth requirements for high-quality, continuous service. Streaming high-definition (HD) and 4K material requires quite a bit of internet bandwidth.
A further challenge is latency, or the time it takes for a live event to display on the viewer’s screen. Reducing latency is vital for real-time interactions, particularly live auctions, gaming, and sporting events.
Of course, there’s also the matter of security. Protecting copyrighted content and user data is essential. Encryption and Digital Rights Management (DRM) are critical to preventing illegal access and circulation of live feeds. But adopting these security measures without sacrificing user experience is also a bit tricky.
Finally, we would like to say that live video streaming has become an absolute must for websites that want to deliver quality real-time content to their users. Whether it is social media, news outlets, every respectable Internet platform should use live streaming to inform and entertain viewers. Today’s fast-paced dynamics require online websites to go all-in in delivering first-class content. With live video streaming technology being so readily available and easy to use, there is no excuse why any Internet site would shun away from delivering real-time video.