Professional Support & Advice At PlanetStream we are not just a faceless homogenous mass who will leave you to fend for yourself as soon as a transaction is complete. We are the definitive UK streaming experts, and as such we function as a comprehensive information resource. If you have any questions about anything streaming related at any point in your relationship with us we will always be more than happy to take your call and advise you as to the best solution for you. To find out more about working with PlanetStream and streaming in general browse this information section or give us a call and we will talk you through it.

Streaming Explained

Streaming is the term used when audio or video data is fed in a continuous stream to a PC via the internet rather than being downloaded to the PC's hard drive. This means that the viewer can start playing the video or audio without waiting for the whole file to download and also protects the content for its owner as a copy of the file is not retained on the viewer's hard drive.

The media player software on the viewer's PC decodes the compressed stream as it arrives from the web. Leading players include Flash, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer and QuickTime.

Streaming services are usually broken down into the following categories:

• On demand streaming: a pre-recorded file, hosted on our servers. Typically a corporate presentation, movie clip, music sample, demonstration of a machine or process, etc.

• Live event streaming: an event being filmed or recorded in real time, connected to our servers from the venue and distributed from there to the viewers. Often used for conferences, business announcements, sporting and musical events, weddings, etc.

• Continuous (or 24/7) streaming: this is where a playlist is prepared before hand made up from archived files and live events and streamed effectively as an internet TV or radio channel

If you would like us to explain in more detail how streaming works call us on 01386 791888.

Alternatively try the PlanetStream blog.