Downloading Vs Streaming Media

Decisions for the Online Marketer

At an ever-increasing rate, the mobile devices we use, and our television sets are being being used to serve rich media in a variety of ways. If you’re a producer of online audio and online video content, then it goes without saying that staying ON TOP of the technology will keep you in the game.

As consumers, we receive media content from (dare I say) everywhere. But less and less of the video we watch is coming from mainstream television (cable and OTA). Delivery methods of online video come in two forms: Streaming Video, and Downloaded Video.

apple tv screen Downloading Vs Streaming Media

If you aren’t yet familiar, here is the distinction between the two:

STREAMING VIDEO:

Video is streamed to your device when it is watched on one device but is saved on another. Whether it’s a computer or network attached storage (NAS) in your home, or whether you’re streaming from an online source, they are both in fact streaming. A variety of mobile APPS are used to deliver content to us depending on the type of video we watch.

For example, news stations like CNN have their own APP to keep you informed … the news stores on the CNN network. Yes, they’re typically video, and yes, they’re streamed. Since they can be watched on both 3G and WIFI, a word of caution regarding data charges if you’re streaming via 3G.

DOWNLOADED VIDEO:

Where you have physically downloaded the video or music file, and to view it on your mobile device it must first be copied onto the device. (Hence the need for large internal storage on your mobile device).

More examples of streaming media:

You’re no doubt familiar with YouTube. To watch YouTube content, the selected video is buffered which means that it starts to send the video to your device, and once several seconds of media is received, it will begin to play. As we watch the video, YouTube continues streaming the data, remaining a few seconds ahead of what we watch, so that there are no interruptions or hiccups in the viewing experience. The same holds true for other mass-market streaming video providers such as Netflix and Hulu. Streaming audio functions in the same manner and includes examples such as Pandora and Rhapsody. Since online streaming happens in real time if you have a subscription based service, you will only be able to access and receive content as long as your account is current.

With downloaded media, it will stored on your device until you delete it, and you’ll be able to play the downloaded media as frequently as you like.

Generally speaking, streaming media requires a fast internet connection so there aren’t pauses and glitches as you watch. In fact if you have a fabulous high speed connection but you’re experiencing playback issues, your wireless router could be the bottleneck in your system. Additional factors that cab affect your playback are also the server connection (where the video or music is streamed FROM) as well as high volumes of traffic that they receive.

As consumers, there is need for both types of media delivery. So as a content creator, it’s important to determine WHICH of these delivery methods is most suitable for your market. Often the answer is BOTH.

When delivering streaming audio, an easy way is to use Instant Audio Player. Upload your MP3 file, login to Instant Audio Player, paste the URL into the field, and it will generate the code for you, to use on your web site or blog. For short MP3s this is a perfect solution, but if your audios run long (for example interviews) then you may want to consider a downloadable solution.

When delivering streaming video, there are a few options. You can upload an FLV file to your web site, and using an FLV player, display the video for your site visitors to watch. Bandwidth will be incurred at YOUR end. Other options include uploading the video (in virtually any format) to a video sharing site, and then use THEIR player to embed the video to your site or blog. The well known YouTube is an obvious example. But additional sites include Vimeo and Blip.TV. Using video sharing sites has its advantages. Not only is the bandwidth for every video viewed at THEIR expense, but you can also benefit from inbound traffic to your site or blog.