Streaming platforms and formats

There are two kinds of streams we can make and watch on our computers.
1. Progressive or HTTP streaming video
With Progressive or HTTP streams, the file is downloaded on to the user's local computer. You may watch it as it is downloaded. With Quicktime HTTP steaming, this is called Fast Start which downloads the movie at the user's highest data rate the computer can support. However, the point at which the user is watching the movie may overcome the download, resulting in the movie stopping or hesitating. Progressive streaming is well suited to short videos, of a small file size, yet provides a fairly crisp picture. These files can be streamed from an http or ftp server.

Here are some examples of http streaming video.

Belief (Belief is a progressive communication studio pioneering the future culture of media interaction founded by artists and ex-art students. When looking at this site, after entering the site--please link from the Belief EXP button in the lower left corner to "Untitled:001: Darkness" or "Untitled:002: Infinity")
Stop for a Minute : Go to Stop for a Minute Part 1 by clicking on "Stop by Part 1". These interesting short videos are mostly in QT progessive format.

2. Realtime Streaming or RTSP
Realtime streaming does not download the movie. It provides a data stream at a more or less constant data rate which plays in real time and is adjusted in realtime to the user's connection speed. After the data is displayed, it is discarded. It is also interactive for the viewer who can stop, rewind, go to a chapter, etc. in the movie. Some streaming platforms allow the movie to adjust it's data rate on the fly to allow for network traffic, computer connection speed, complexity of movie, etc. Realtime Streaming is well suited to longer videos with higher data rates.

Here is an good example of a RealMedia movie with a RealPlayer stand alone window:
BBC News. Go to the site and click on the video link under News. Notice this is a LIVE stream as indicated in the RealPlayer window. Also notice how bad it looks. This is an example of simply re-purposing media without necessarily reconsidering the site.
KCRW radio plays in Windows, MP3 and Real.

Quicktime provides both Real Time Streaming and Progressive Downloads.
This Quicktime Video Gallery Site showcases MPEG-4 compressed videos in both Realtime Streaming and Progressive Downloads. Notice how the site gives you a choice between the two with information on how large the download is.

Some sites provide a choice for viewers between RealPlayer and Quicktime.
These sites have good examples of a movies being presented in two platforms, with different data rates:
My site (Kristine Diekman) utilizes both Quicktime Progressive Streaming and RealPlayer Realtime Streaming.
Desperate Optimists also uses multiple formats, for instance to stream "Domestic". Notice that "Domestic" also has a Flash version which is quite different from the other videos. We will look more carefully at this video and discuss it. Visit other areas at Domestic Optimists. Note that some of this work is produced by BBC television, a non profit organization like our PBS. iRoom is an interactive performance site.

Visit the Rotterdam Online cinema Festival. The Rotterdam film festival is one of the largest festivals in the world. Visit this website and find a film you think is interesting and successful as a streaming video and one you think is not successful. Make sure to look through the offerings in the pulldown menu in the upper right corner of the site. Playing with Cinema links you to some interactive narratives using Flash movies.
IFFR Cinema Online