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Adaptive Streaming

Adaptive streaming is a method of delivering videos that automatically modifies the quality of a broadcast in real time according to the viewer’s device capabilities, network conditions, and internet connection speed. This guarantees a buffer-free and interruption-free playback experience

How It Works:

Adaptive streaming divides a video into manageable segments and encodes it into several quality levels, in contrast to conventional video streaming techniques that send a single video file. Protocols such as Microsoft Smooth Streaming, Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH), and HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) are used to deliver these segments.
The player chooses the best quality stream that can be delivered without buffering when the user begins watching a video by determining the available bandwidth. To ensure a continuous viewing experience, the player automatically switches between several quality settings if the network state changes while the video is being played

Key Benefits:

(i)Decreased Buffering: Streams automatically adapt to the current state of the network.
(ii)Device optimization: Provides material that is specific to each user’s device’s capabilities and resolution.
(iii)Better User Experience: Guarantees steady and dependable video playback despite erratic internet rates.

Use Cases:

OTT platforms, live sports broadcasts, corporate video hosting, eLearning platforms, and video-on-demand (VOD) services—where a smooth viewing experience is essential—all make extensive use of adaptive streaming.

Popular Protocols:

Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH) and HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)
seamless streaming

Related Terms :