Technology - Internet - Streaming Media (archived)

Synopsis

Streaming audio and video is used for two-way conferencing and a potentially limitless range of functions including Video on Demand. We examine open and proprietary standards including MP3, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264 Advanced Video Coding, Real Networks, Windows Media and Quicktime. Bandwidth restrictions of last-mile technologies such as HFC and ADSL are discussed as well as the advantages and disadvantages of file vs. server streaming for multimedia serving.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Streaming video and audio
  • 2.1 Video on demand meets the World Wide Web
  • 2.2 Key characteristics of ‘streaming’
• 3. Unidirectional and bidirectional streaming
  • 3.1 Video and audio conferencing
    • 3.1.1 Technical standards
    • 3.1.2 Packet and circuit switched links
    • 3.1.3 Upstream bandwidth limits of cable modems
    • 3.1.4 Features of conferencing software
    • 3.1.5 Ad-hoc two way audio/video communications
    • 3.1.6 Broadband and mobile access
    • 3.1.7 Voice and video mail
  • 3.2 Real-time and stored material
• 4. Video on demand and bandwidth restrictions
  • 4.1 Video compression
  • 4.2 Internet bandwidth limits and costs
• 5. Open-standard streaming systems
  • 5.1 MP3
  • 5.2 MPEG-2
  • 5.3 MPEG-4
  • 5.4 H.264 AVC – Advanced Video Coding
• 6. Proprietary streaming systems
  • 6.1 Real Networks
  • 6.2 Microsoft’s Windows Media
  • 6.3 Apple’s Quicktime
  • 6.4 Comparing proprietary systems
    • 6.4.1 Server programs made more accessible
• 7. File download vs. server streaming
  • 7.1 Tunnelling through firewalls
  • 7.2 Advantages of server streaming
• 8. Commercial aspects of proprietary systems
  • 8.1 Future of streaming video
  • Exhibit 1 – Adoption of digital broadband technologies