Streaming media

Streaming media delivers audio or video over a network for playback as data arrives, rather than requiring the complete file to be downloaded first.

Buffering (computing): Temporarily storing incoming data so playback can continue during brief interruptions in delivery. A playback buffer absorbs variation between the network’s delivery rate and the media’s playback rate.
Digital media: Audio, video, images, and other content represented and processed as digital data. Streaming media is one way digital media can be delivered and played.
Video on demand: A service that lets users select and watch video whenever they choose. On-demand services stream stored programs without waiting for a broadcast schedule.
File download: The transfer of a complete file to a device for storage before it is used. Unlike streaming, a conventional download generally requires the file before playback begins.
Subscription video on demand: A video service that provides access to a catalog for a recurring subscription fee. Streaming made large, continually available subscription catalogs practical for home viewing.
Adaptive bitrate streaming: A streaming method that switches among encoded quality levels as network conditions change. It helps maintain playback by lowering quality when available bandwidth falls.
Internet protocol suite: The layered set of communication protocols used to connect devices across the internet. Streaming services rely on these protocols to transport media between servers and devices.
Live streaming: The real-time delivery of audio or video while an event is being captured or broadcast. Live streams must encode and deliver content with little delay after capture.
Progressive download: A file-transfer method that permits playback before the complete media file has arrived. It can resemble streaming, but playback draws on a growing file rather than segmented delivery.
Digital rights management: Technologies that control access to or use of digital content. Streaming platforms use access controls to enforce licensing and subscription restrictions.

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