Live streaming – What is it & how it works?

“Whether you are a good orator, a professional musician, or a die-hard fashionista, OnTheFly’s live-streaming platform welcomes all talent aboard.”

Live streaming: the two-worded mighty marvel is not new as everyone would have seen, heard, and experienced the dynamic rhythm of live streaming. 

Because, it’s been here since ages raised and time swept. And just the fact that it got a digital realm forging a stronger connection between streamers and viewers.

But to the rookies out there who are newly stepping into the technical details of live streaming, this blog is for those souls. 

We will take you through the live streaming concept, its technicalities, benefits, how it works, and more in the sections to come.

What is live streaming?

Live streaming is streaming videos live to users either on social media channels or any entertainment platform without being recorded first. 

Examples of live streaming include match streaming, TV broadcasts, video game streams, social media videos, and more.

So, are live streaming and video streaming the same? No, as video streaming usually relates to videos that are pre-recorded by creators, edited, and then uploaded on streaming platforms like Prime or Netflix. 

Another question that many might have is whether these tools are free. Not all, as some of these solutions, charge a considerable amount of fee as subscription from viewers. 

Editor’s Note: Live streaming is swarming the market by crossing a huge poll of US $ 37.35 billion in the year 2021. It is further expected to grow to $252.78 billion, with a CAGR rise of 27% from 2022- 2029.

How does live streaming work?

We saw what is live streaming and I bet you would have understood the difference between live and on-demand content. Now, let’s get into the technical details.

For live streaming to work, it requires streaming protocols like HLS, RTMP, and WebRTC, and follows a 4-step process for videos to reach an audience in real-time.

1. Compression: The video file from the webcam or camera and microphone is compressed before sending over the internet.

2. Encoding: Once the file is compressed, the video data is converted to digital format using an encoding software or hardware that any online streaming platform can stream. The most recommended formats are VP9, AV1, H.264, and 265.

3. Distribution: After completion of the first two steps, videos are ready to be cached or temporarily saved on CDNs, and then distributed to audiences.

4. Decoding: The viewer’s device receives the video stream, decodes, decompresses, and plays the file.

All these happen at the tick of a second. So, if you are planning to live stream on multiple platforms and not directly stream to YouTube, FB, Twitch, or any portal, all you need to focus is on choosing the apt CDN or live streaming software.

⚡️ Read Also: Top 5 Live Streaming Trends to Know for Businesses in 2024 🌟

What are the real benefits of live streaming?

Live streaming is one of the easiest yet powerful ways to gather audiences to your hood. Plus, it offers a horde of benefits to creators and businesses:

1. It is simple to use, and people with ideas can start a live stream.

2. Does not require an initial investment.

3. It boosts audience engagement and retention

4. Elevates the visibility levels and brings in revenue,

5. Not restricted to a specific industry alone.

6. Can turn live streamed content to other types of content like clips, shorts, and more.

What does one require to start live streaming?

To start a live stream is a no-sweat process if you are using FB or YouTube live, because all you need to do is create an account and go live. However, if you are using a streaming platform to broadcast, then you must gear up on the basics.

1. Choose the right live-streaming platform

This step focuses on who your audiences are. If you are streaming gameplay, then the preferred platform would be Twitch or FB gaming. 

But, if you are a professional looking for advanced-streaming features, then OnTheFly can be your best buddy. Because, with this platform, 

• You can simulcast to multiple platforms including FB, YouTube, Twitch, LinkedIn, and more at the same time.
• Set up and stream with ease from your browsers in just 5 minutes
• Share your video URLs to your desired platform to gather audiences
• Notify viewers when it is time for live-streaming
• Invite guests to co-host with you.

And there are more!

2. Software & Equipment

Once you have successfully chosen which live streaming to use, your next step is to select the encoding type.

1. Software encoder: Applications like the OBS studio, which is a free and open-source software can help you with the encoding process.

2. Hardware encoder: This type requires an extra unit or piece of hardware that does the encoding of your live video part. But, the pain point of this method is that it is costly.

3. Cloud-based solution: There are several cloud-based solutions like Restream in the market that do the encoding job online directly from the browser.

3. Other accessories

Well, the above two topics would yield a notable live stream to the audience. However, you can elate the streaming experiences by focusing on other accessories like:

Desktop/Laptop: Live streaming requires additional bandwidth, hence you would need a system that could handle the bulk of content and speed. 

Camera: Use a high-resolution camera for streaming like 

 or which you prefer that would not disrupt the streaming quality.

Microphone: Using a built-in mic is not a bad option, but investing in a separate microphone like a shotgun mic can make your audio jitter-free.

Lighting: This is the prime feature to consider and for improving the brightness of your video streams, just consider placing lamps on either side of your recording station.

So, these were all to be considered. Are you ready to give your users a pixel-rich streaming experience?

How OnThefly can help you with live streaming?

OnTheFly is a custom-built solution for content creators and businesses who are steadfast in showcasing their passion to the world around them. 

And with us, you get the option to multiply your audience count and view rates to limitless numbers. But, how is it possible? Well, thanks to our exquisite features:

• Create, capture, and broadcast streams to multiple social channels at the same time in just 5 minutes.
• Co-host with guests or attendees to make your streams more interesting and fun-filled.
• Boost the engagement rates exponentially by using our vibrant chat themes.
• Captivate your audiences tied to benches with the help of elegant streaming features.
• Play videos like a pro by editing with multi-track editing tools.
• Engage your viewers by conducting live polls and Q&A sessions.
• Safeguard the integrity of video streams with our moderation mechanisms.

And there are more!

Bidding Byes

Live streaming is here to stay in the future. Thus proving it to be the ideal option for gathering viewers to your cloak. And just as how fun-filling a live stream can be, it can as well go haywire, if you do not use the right live streaming software.

So, decide on it first and then make your streams reflect the masterpiece in you. Happy creating, happy broadcasting!!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)