The article talks about what a stream is, what is needed for, about its types, technical implementation and streaming viewing of downloads in torrent.
Unlimited Internet in every home
With the beginning of the digital era (and especially the widespread access to unlimited and high-speed Internet), people got almost unlimited opportunities for communication. Be it instant messenger, video call, or something else. But besides all this, there is another interesting technology. This is a stream. What is a stream, for what and by whom is it used, we will figure it out.
Definition
According to the official definition, a stream is the streaming of audio or video data via the Internet. This is a kind of analogue of television broadcast, but with several differences. And in our time, several meanings are invested in it. Most often, they mean the live broadcast of an event or program on a video hosting site. But first things first. So what is a stream?
At its core, it is the constant transmission of multimedia data. For example, when watching online video, a stream also occurs, since the data from the server where the movie is stored is sent to the computer in real time, and if you disconnect from the Internet, the broadcast will end as the information is stored on the hard drive or a memory card only in a small volume so that the video can be "rewound" back.
But in order to finally understand what a stream is, it is worth mentioning the second meaning of this word. It is also used as slang for the name of various kinds of live broadcasts with live people. Simply put, live on the Internet. It is used as a gradual replacement for television in the same TVs with the Smart-TV function or various creative personalities. We will analyze the most common types of it.
Game
For such an activity, they even created a separate service. Its meaning is simple - a person sets up a program to demonstrate the screen, launches the game and communicates with the audience in real time. Sometimes, in the corner you can see the face of the streamer. Of course, one can argue with the usefulness of such a semantic load, because what's the point of watching someone else play? But the point here is not in the game itself, but in its manner. Streamers, as a rule, know well what the audience loves, and arrange various shows and draws with promotions. And this is also called a stream. The Internet is filled with lovers of such programs.
Interviews, live broadcasts
Another area where the technology of streaming data is used is news programs, inclusions from places of some events, sports or cyber tournaments. Also, many bloggers arrange conversations with guests or viewers in this way.
Streaming as such is gaining momentum, since it does not require sophisticated equipment, you only need a video camera, unlimited Internet and special software. True, there are not so many high-quality shows.
Torrent Stream downloading files
Everyone has long been accustomed to torrents, although relatively recently there was a time when it was possible to download from the Internet only slowly, with a long wait or sending paid SMS. Fortunately, this is behind us, and peer-to-peer network technologies make this process almost limitless. And one of the new features of torrent clients and some special programs is the streaming playback of downloaded files.
To do this, you need to update the client to the latest version or install a special program or plug-in for the browser, which will allow you to start the video immediately, without waiting for a full download, pointing to the torrent file.
So we figured out what a stream is and why it is needed.