Video Streaming Protocols: A Comprehensive Guide

Do you think video streaming has changed your life? Today, 80% of customers prefer video over reading. It shows video streaming is becoming widespread everywhere. Thus, selecting the correct video streaming protocols is essential. But do you know what video streaming protocols are? And how do they vary from other common formats? How do you select the proper video streaming protocol? Which are the video streaming protocols? So keep reading this blog.

What is a video streaming protocol?

Video streaming protocols codify software programs. It includes rules for delivering video files over the Internet. A video streaming protocol sends viewers the original video file from the pieces. Video delivery uses streaming protocols and HTTP-based protocols. Real-Time Messaging Protocol transports video using reliable streaming servers.

But HTTP-based protocols rely on regular web servers. Emerging HTTP aims to provide the best by supporting low-latency streaming at scale.

How to select a video streaming protocol

Select the video streaming protocols that are specific to your business requirements. You may want to make sure that you reach the widest audience possible. Remember that the security and privacy of the streams are very essential.

Here, let’s talk about how you can select video streaming protocols.

Compatibility

Suppose you are looking to reach the largest audience with your streaming content. Then compatibility is one of the factors. Look for one that is compatible with most devices and platforms. HLS is the best option and can be the best solution.

Latency

HLS delivers the broadest reach for streaming. It produces high latency during streaming. RTMP provides low-latency streams. Furthermore, it is not compatible with HTML5 video players. SRT qualified for low latency streams, while WebRTC gives real-time latency. But, use the best solution that solves your problem. If you cannot compromise on either reach or latency, then HLS is the best. It provides ultra-low latency streaming.

Privacy & security

If you want to ensure that your streams are safe and sound for the end user. Use a better video streaming protocol that provides security features. Most protocols use the HLS standard to provide secure streaming. But SRT is the protocol that provides best-in-class security and privacy features.

Adaptive bitrate

Adaptive bitrate permits the delivery of the highest quality video experience. The end user’s network capability, device, and software are the best. HLS and MPEG-DASH are protocols that support adaptive bitrate. And this is a priority for our streaming requirements.

Cost

The last thing to consider is the cost of the video streaming protocols. But this is one of the most significant factors to consider. Yet, the costs associated with it and if it fits within your budget plans. In general, protocols that use HTTP web servers and MPEG-DASH, are cost-effective. Yet, compared to traditional protocols, it does away with the technical problem.

The Advancement of video streaming protocols

Today, more and more people have taken streaming as a real way of consuming content. The number of video streaming platforms has thus multiplied. In the 1990s, streaming was for broadcasts of sports events. Later, the technology with Flash and RTMP-based streaming in the 2000s started. And then finally came YouTube, Netflix, and more protocols in recent years. Today, the video streaming market is rich with many platforms. It includes businesses, audio, movies, and games. Along with these evolutions, the choices for video streaming protocols have also increased.

6 used video streaming protocols

Let us start to understand these more in-depth.

Real-Time messaging protocol (RTMP)

Do you know that the Real-Time Messaging Protocol is a popular video streaming platform? Yet, today’s open standards and adaptive bitrate streaming have reduced the time. And also in 2005, Adobe started its journey.

Let’s check on their key points about RTMP

H.264, VP8, VP6, Screen Video v1, and Screen Video v2 supported

Audio codec supported: AAC-LC, HE-AAC+ v1, HE-AAC+ v2, AAC, MP3, Speex

Playback compatibility: Limited

Only RTMP-compatible players support this protocol. Flash supported this,

RTMP advantages are

No need for buffering

Low latency

RTMP has the following disadvantages

Standard stream delays are between 5 and 30 seconds.

The incapacity to offer a great user experience and scalable

Security issues resulting from firewalls blocking RTMP connections

Interruptions due to low bandwidth

The different variants of RTMP are as follows

RTMPS: Encrypted over SSL

RTMFP: It travels over UDP

RTMPT: Tunneled through HTTP

RTMPE: Encrypted RTMP

RTMPTE: Tunneled and encrypted

HTTP live streaming (HLS)

HTTP Live Streaming is a popular video streaming protocol. Started in 2009. Earlier, HLS supported only devices from Apple. It now helps a wide range of platforms. At the time of writing, HLS streaming is the best.

The following facts about HLS are

Video codec supported: H.265, H.264;

Audio codec supported: HE-AAC+ v2, xHE-AAC, Apple Lossless, AAC-LC, HE-AAC+ v1, FLAC;

Playback compatibility: backed by a wide range of browsers and operating systems.

The advantages of HLS

A wide range of operating systems supports HLS.

Firewall content used with HLS.

HLS works well with Adaptive Bitrate Streaming.

Apple keeps adding key features to HLS

HLS has prioritized the rate of the streaming experience.

The disadvantages of HLS

The latency of HLS is a notable disadvantage. Thus, tune it to decrease latency.

The different variant formats of HLS are:

Low-latency HLS

PHLS

Dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP

The Moving Pictures Expert Group developed Dynamic Adaptive Streaming in 2010-2011. It published MPEG-DASH in 2012. MPEG-DASH is an open-source industry standard. It delivers a stiff finish to HLS.

The quick facts about MPEG-DASH

MPEG-DASH is codec-agnostic.

This video streaming protocol is audio codec-agnostic.

A wide range of platforms supports MPEG-DASH.

The advantages are

It is an open-source video streaming protocol.

Most of the platforms support it.

It’s an independent vendor.

It’s an accepted standard for ABS.

MPEG-DASH matches HLS performance and the quality of streaming.

The disadvantages are

Apple doesn’t support MPEG-DASH. This is the disadvantage of MPEG-DASH.

HTTP dynamic streaming

HTTP Dynamic Streaming is the foundation of RTMP. HDS is compatible with the adaptive bitrate protocol. Adobe doesn’t support Flash.

The following are

Video codec supported: H.264, VP6

Audio codec supported: AAC, MP3

Playback compatibility doesn’t support Flash anymore

Microsoft Smooth Streaming (MSS)

MSS, Microsoft developed MSS video streaming protocols in 2008. The company uses Silverlight player applications. MSS supported ABS on Microsoft devices. Its strong content protection features prevent piracy. MSS can’t compete with others.

Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)

Real-Time Streaming Protocol is a traditional streaming protocol. Developers don’t use it for video playback. As Android and iOS devices don’t have RTSP-compatible video players. IP cameras support RTSP. So, CCTVs used for surveillance.

Establish yourself by video streaming on Graphy

Are you willing to host your online course on video streaming platforms? Do you think video steaming protocols can help you to establish yourself as an authority? Then go ahead and host your online course today. But before going further, building your website and mobile apps is essential. Yet, if you choose Graphy as your partner then your problem gets solved. Today Graphy is one of the best online course hosting platforms.

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Remember that using the right tools is a must to build and launch your online teaching business. So, Graphy is the best place to sell your digital products. Launch your course today and take your first step towards building your brand.

Video streaming protocols a comprehensive guide in 2023 [Updated]