True Streaming
True streaming refers to when the bandwidth of the media signal (the video) to the viewer's connection is maintained, so the video is always seen in real time (right now). Think of a streaming download as a "play-as-you-go" format. It is best suited for use in business presentations and online learning. Streaming is the only way to present live feeds and support broadcasts and multicasts (sending one stream to many viewers). A user's machine plays data as it is received and then discards it. Whether you're providing live broadcasts or video-on-demand (VOD) stored on a server, streaming allows broadcasts to run as long as is needed. A benefit of true streaming is its support for random access of material, so the user can fast forward or rewind to other parts of the video.

One of the primary goals of streaming video is to maintain real-time playback at various connection speeds. This means that the video will play as it is transmitted at be useful for person's with various types of Internet connections. To make this possible, streaming media relies on different protocols and servers for delivery rather than standard Web pages.Real-time Protocol (RTP) and Real-time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) are known as connectionless protocols, in which speed is more highly valued than accuracy. Streaming servers reduce bandwidth overhead by broadcasting data across a network without verifying whether it is actually received.

Streaming software also allows you to adjust the data rate of your broadcast downward to meet your audience's capabilities. You can still reach audiences with lower bandwidth connections with some quality sacrificed.

True streaming requires that the video stream match the bandwidth of the users connection, which means the image quality is generally poor at modem speeds. Network congestion from many users accessing the network at once, network problems, or data lost in the network and ignored will also led to lower video quality.

Examples:

To view some of the following examples, you will need to have QuickTime installed. Click here to download: QuickTime Player

QuickTime Examples

Commercial sites with examples of streamed QuickTime media
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/whatson/

Windows Media Examples

Showcase Demos
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/compare/tryit.asp

Real.com Streaming Media

Resources to get started using Real streaming mediahttp://www.realnetworks.com/promos/q200/learn_more.html?src=000922realhome_1

Resources:

Tutorial on Streaming Video:
http://www.streamingmediaworld.com/gen/tutor/whatis/

Video Streaming: A Guide for Educational Development
http://www.clickandgovideo.ac.uk/

Web Streaming Tips, Technology and Links
http://www.icanstream.com

http://www.dv.com/magazine/index.html