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FAQ: Streaming Media

1. What is streaming media?
2. How do I get streaming media?
3. What are the most common streaming media players?
4. What's the difference between streaming media players and technologies?
5. Who are the biggest players in streaming media?
6. What is codec?
7. Why do I have to choose a streaming "speed" such as 56 kbps, 128 kbps, 300 kbps and so on before I can play an audio or video clip?
8. What's the difference between a broadcast, a multicast and a cybercast?
9. What is so-called "broadband content"?
10. Is streaming media broadband content?
11. Is there any other kind of broadband content?
12. Can you list some popular broadband content sites?

What is streaming media?

Streaming media refers to audio and video files that are "compressed," or shrunk, for easy transport over the Internet or an Internet service provider's network. Those files are delivered to your computer in a "stream," or in real time.

How do I get streaming media?

You have to have a "player" that decompresses the files when they get to your computer. The player also sends the file's video elements to your computer's screen, and the audio elements to the speakers.

What are the most common streaming media players?

Quite a few do a good job:

• RealNetwork's RealPlayer comes in a free version or an upgraded version, RealPlayer Plus, that costs $29.99
• Microsoft's Windows Media Player is a free download
• Macintosh's QuickTime is a free download; the upgrade to QuickTime Pro costs $29.99
• LiquidAudio
• StreamBox
• eSynch's ChoiceCaster

What's the difference between streaming media players and technologies?

Today, no streaming media standard covers hardware or software. And so RealNetworks, Microsoft, Macintosh and others continue to enhance their own streaming media technologies, adding more features and developing more "content," or programming.

Who are the biggest players in streaming media?

Microsoft has developed the Windows Media Technology and its Advanced Streaming Format (ASF) to produce and play streaming multimedia content. Microsoft uses the standard MPEG-4 compression technology for video. Others, such as RealNetworks' RealSystem software, use their own compression technologies. RealNetworks' and Microsoft's technologies are today's most popular streaming media applications. A lot users prefer RealNetworks, arguing that it offers more features.

What is codec?

Codec stands for "compression/decompression" and refers to the program or algorithm embedded in a media player like QuickTime that compresses and decompresses streaming media files.

Why do I have to choose a streaming "speed" such as 56 kbps, 128 kbps, 300 kbps and so on before I can play an audio or video clip?

Digital content is encoded at different data-delivery rates to accommodate users' Internet-connection speeds, which streaming video is quite sensitive to. The faster the speed, the better the clip will look and sound. If you have a 256-kbps DSL broadband connection, a video clip will play only at that maximum rate, even if you chose to play it at 300 kbps. The key to strong streaming: Select a speed your modem can handle so it doesn't lose data, which can create a lousy picture.

What's the difference between a broadcast, a multicast and a cybercast?

• Broadcast data is sent from one point to many points. If, for example, you wanted to "broadcast" an e-mail message at work, you'd send a copy to everyone, whether they wanted it or not.
• Multicast data is sent from one point to a specific destination or destinations. At work, you'd "multicast" an e-mail by sending it only to employees with an interest in that particular message. It wouldn't go to everyone.
• Cybercast data can be live concert footage or audio programming sent to a lot of people through a Web site like liveconcerts.com. The host site usually provides software so that users can access a particular program, such as the live, models-in-lingerie cybercasts sponsored by Victoria's Secret.

What is so-called "broadband content"?

It's Internet-based programming accessed through a broadband connection. Any large-file content, such as audio or video clips, downloadable software applications or complex graphics are considered "broadband content." That's because a broadband link speeds up their download times and makes them easier to handle. If content has a lot of multimedia components, interactive features or original content such as art images and music, it, too, could be considered broadband content.

Is streaming media broadband content?

Yes, because it serves up streams of moving images that carry audio and video elements. Streaming also can be done over a dial-up Internet connection, such as a 56-kbps modem, but the slower speed can erode the programming's quality.

Is there any other kind of broadband content?

Programming that uses Macromedia's Flash technology is often considered broadband content. It depends on the size of the Flash animation file, which combines sound, music, animation, intense colors and original interfaces to create compelling series of moving images. Flash requires you to download a plug-in to your computer to view its productions, and has become very popular in the last year.

Can you list some popular broadband content sites?

• AtomFilms, one of the first sites to cater to independent filmmakers, features original video content submitted by users for users.
• ifilm, another forum for independent filmmakers, lets users submit, watch and rate short and full-length original films.
• Always Independent Films gives aspiring filmmakers a place to show their short and long work.
• AdCritic features current TV commercials, as well as an archive of the best spots ever produced.
• Sputnik7 offers video on demand, original short films, full-length anime movies, and radio stations programmed by Sputnik7 featured DJs.
• Live365 lets listeners create and broadcast their own personal radio stations around the clock.
• Microsoft's Windows Media Guide, which is the companion to Microsoft's Windows Media Player, offers access to content that can be played over -- you guessed it -- Microsoft's multimedia player.
• RealNetworks' RealGuide offers an easy way to find and play movie trailers, music videos and downloadable music.
• Rampt, which calls itself a "broadband search engine," lists Web sites by category or keyword search.
• bigstar has set up a Broadband Theatre that features full-length features, video interviews, movie trailers and everything in between.
• Shoutcast, which features thousands of broadcasters from all over the world, offers every genre of streaming audio. All you need is a player like winamp.