Below, we’ll explore the technical aspects of live streaming which make it accessible and responsive across all manner of digital platforms.
The basics of live streaming
The premise of live streaming is to capture and broadcast live video and audio content. The technology aims to capture the audiovisual elements and encode it for fast and clear transmission across the internet.
It all begins with a camera and a microphone, which helps to capture the visual elements as well as the audio aspects. All of which is then passed through an encoder. This is the beating heart of any live stream. In the iGaming industry, live casino game providers have developed their own branded studios to broadcast live streamed table games and gameshows to players. It does so by using Game Control Units (GCUs) which have inbuilt encoders and scanners to optimize the content into a digital format ready for transmission.
Once any kind of live streamed content has been encoded it is transferred to a content delivery network (CDN). The CDN’s role is distributing the real-time content to viewers, wherever they may be, so long as they have a stable internet or 4G/5G connection. A CDN must ensure it has sufficient server space to minimize buffering and deliver a viewing experience of clarity.
The nuts and bolts of live streaming technology
Let’s discuss some more about how the multiple components align with one another to live stream content from one room to another room on the other side of the world in real time.
Content capture devices, such as cameras, studio setups, or even smartphone cameras are the first building block of live streaming technology. In social media live streams, smartphone cameras suffice, but when it comes to live streaming events like live sport or television shows, the capture devices become somewhat more sophisticated.
The most popular software used to encode captured broadcasts includes OBS Studio and Streamlabs. Both of which are capable of optimizing the file size of the audiovisual data to minimize it strain on a user’s bandwidth.
Then it’s the turn of streaming protocols like Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) and HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) to funnel the live streaming data from the encoder directly to the CDNs. RTMPs are some of the most popular for low-latency streaming, while HLS is popular for delivering live streamed content to smartphones and social media apps, creating the most viral content experiences on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and now TikTok.
We’ve already touched on the role of CDNs post-encoding. The best CDNs will have multiple, connected servers to share content across multiple locations globally and reduce the potential for stream lag or buffering. Once distributed by the CDNs, the content can then be streamed seamless through all kinds of viewing devices, be it smartphones, tablets, desktop screens or even smart televisions.
The role of emerging technologies to further elevate live streaming
Live streaming has the potential to be elevated further still in the years to come by multiple technologies. First and foremost, the expansion of 5G mobile networks will ensure low-latency streaming is the norm for smartphones, which could be a game-changer for social media apps.
Secondly, artificial intelligence (AI) is already working to optimize everything from stream quality to detecting inappropriate content which falls foul of platform guidelines. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) also have a role to play in delivering more immersive live streamed experiences, transporting viewers directly into the thick of the action.
Put simply, live streaming’s technology is by no means fancy, but it’s a potent blend of software, hardware, and internet infrastructure to efficiently collect, optimize, and distribute live streamed content securely for broadcast across any supported platform. Understanding the components involved will hopefully give you greater appreciation for the sophistication that goes into ensuring a flawless live streaming experience.
