Suppose you are new to a video streaming landscape. You are hardly familiar with the way it works and the common elements that make the IPTV/OTT field operate. In this article, we are going to talk about the tricky terms related to the video streaming world.
Table of Contents
OTT/IPTV Middleware
OTT/IPTV Middleware is the heart of a video streaming business. It helps a content creator arrange the whole process: from creating a platform on which to upload videos to managing monetization models, subscriptions, and user interface.
It is equipped with functionality to customize the service and extract analytics of users’ behavior and preferences. So, a video streaming service provider can manage the platform and receive data showing what should be enhanced.
OTT/IPTV applications
These IPTV or OTT apps are software that allows users to view videos on any device they want. You can have a website with all your video content that a user can access by opening a browser and entering your website address. But then, your service is accessible only through a website and devices maintaining it.
If you have applications, viewers can watch your videos on any device: laptops, smartphones, tablets, and Smart TVs. They increase the user experience and boost the performance of your service.
Content Delivery Network (CDN)
Content Delivery Network is a network of servers boosting content delivery across different countries and continents. With CDN software, video streaming service providers can expand their business and gain new viewers. It happens because the service becomes available in more regions, and latencies become lower. So, users get a smooth experience and can enjoy the videos more.
The largest Content Delivery Network is Akamai. The company has more than 365,000 servers located in over 135 countries.
White-label solution
A white-label solution is a pre-developed OTT/IPTV platform that needs to be customized. It is like the frame of service is already made, and content creators should use their colors, fonts, and other elements to customize the platform and make it recognizable to viewers.
Video-On-Demand
Video-On-Demand (VOD) is a type of platform where videos are pre-recorded and stored on servers waiting for a user’s request to play. Unlike traditional TV, VOD platforms don’t have a schedule. These services don’t require cable or satellite. They work through the internet. Due to that, users can access them at any time and on any device.
Live streaming
Live streaming is broadcasting a video in real-time. It is not pre-recorded and stored on a server until a user requests it for viewing. It uses a multicast method of communication. A streamer sends data to many people simultaneously. And the viewers communicate with a speaker via a chat, while a speaker can answer their questions and receive feedback in real-time.
Server-side ad insertion
Many streaming services receive revenue by showing advertisements to viewers. Server-side ad insertion (SSAI) proved to be better for advertisers than the client-side ad insertion (CSAI) approach.
The way SSAI works allows an ad video to be delivered as a single stream by stitching together the ad and the played video. Unlike SSAI, CSAI puts the ad after a user runs a video. It creates a latency that can cause errors. Due to that, an ad video is played too soon or too late.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of information a viewer receives every second. Sometimes, it can be confused with the speed of the internet. But it is the amount of information measured in megabits a user gets for a certain period. For example, a viewer receives three megabits every second.
Buffering
When a user’s network cannot transfer data they request in real-time, the video stops to download some data before playing. The reason for buffering is usually a lack of internet bandwidth. The loading data cannot keep up with playback, and it pauses.
Latency
Latency is the amount of time the video takes to transfer from one point of the network to another. It is usually the time of video transmitting from a server to an end user’s device.
Latencies happen due to the distance between servers and devices and delays caused because of the infrastructure equipment. Developers work on minimizing latencies, but they cannot be eliminated completely.
Encoding
Encoding is converting a video into a format that can be transferred via the internet.
The video file is usually divided into small chunks that are easier to deliver. This process reduces the bandwidth, which makes it easier to transmit a file. What is more, the viewing experience stays of good quality.
Final Thoughts
The terms we described are important to understanding the video streaming process. Of course, they are not all to describe it, but they are enough to get a general understanding. We hope we managed to create a picture for you.