What is stream? Detailed analysis

The article tells about what a stream is, what you need, about its types, technical implementation and about streaming the downloads in the torrent.

Unlimited Internet in every house

Since the beginning of the digital era (and especially wide access to unlimited and high-speed Internet) people have got almost limitless opportunities for communication. Whether it's a program for sharing instant text messages, video calls or something else. But, besides all this, there is another interesting technology. This is stream. What is stream, for what and who is used, we will understand.

Definition

According to the official definition, stream is a streaming transmission of audio or video data via the Internet. This is a kind of analogue of the television ether, but with several differences. And in our time, several meanings are put into it. Most often, it is the live broadcast of an event or program on video hosting. But first things first. So what is a stream?

In essence, this is the constant transmission of multimedia data. For example, when watching online video, there is also a stream, because the data from the server where the movie is stored go to the computer in real time, and if you interrupt the connection to the Internet, the broadcast will end because the information is stored on the hard disk or Memory card in only a small amount so that the video can be rewound back.

But in order to finally understand what the stream is, it is worth mentioning the second meaning of this word. It is also used as slang for the name of various kinds of live broadcasts with live people. Simply put, live broadcast via the Internet. It is used as a gradual replacement of television in the same TVs with the function of Smart-TV or various creative personalities. We will analyze the most frequent types.

Game

For a similar activity, they even created a separate service. The meaning of it is simple - a person configures the program to demonstrate the screen, launches the game and communicates with the audience in real time. Sometimes, in the corner you can see the face of the streamer. Of course, one can argue with the usefulness of such a semantic load, after all, what's the point of watching someone else play? But the point here is not in the game itself, but in its manner. Streamers, as a rule, know well what the spectators love, and arrange various shows and rallies with shares. And this is also called stream. The Internet is filled with fans of such programs.

Interviews, direct inclusions

Another area where the technology of streaming data is used is news programs, the inclusion of events, sports or cyber-tournaments from the seats. Also, many bloggers arrange thus conversations with guests or spectators.

Streaming as such is gaining momentum, because it does not require complicated equipment, you only need a video camera, unlimited Internet and special software. True, there are not many quality shows.

The Torrent. Stream downloaded files

To all the torrents have long been accustomed, although relatively recently there was a time when download from the Internet could only be slow, with a long wait or sending paid SMS. Fortunately, this is behind, and peer-to-peer technologies make this process almost limitless. And one of the new features of torrent clients and some special programs is the streaming playback of downloadable files.

To do this, you need to update the client to the latest version, or install a special program or plug-in for the browser that will, by pointing to the torrent file, start the video immediately, without waiting for a full download.

So we figured out what stream is and what it's for.