The Ultimate Guide to Streaming Terms and Definitions

Adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR, also abbreviated as ABS) is a streaming method in which broadcasters offer multiple video streaming bitrates to choose from in real-time. That…

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a popular encryption method used to protect data by changing it into text. This text is readable only with a…

Audio artifacts, also called "sonic artifacts," are unwanted sounds in an audio recording or playback. These sounds can manifest as distortions, noise, or interruptions that detract…

An audio embedder is a device that combines audio signals with video signals into a single output. It works with digital video standards like SDI (Serial…

Audio video synchronization (also known as syncing) is used to make sure that sound matches what is seen in video. When a person speaks in a…

Bitrate is the number of bits per second a particular video file contains. Video bitrates are usually measured in megabytes per second (MBps), while megabits per…

Cloud transcoding is the process of converting a video file into additional formats entirely in the cloud.

Like a fish needs water to survive, live streaming video (and audio) needs codecs to function. But what exactly is a codec? Let’s start at the…

A decoder changes video streams into a format that a screen or projector can play.

As technology has evolved, the methods of displaying video have had to adapt. In previous generations, a common process of displaying video was known as interlacing.…

Live streaming has become a standard part of church services, enabling congregations to connect from anywhere.

An encoder channel is a dedicated path within a video encoder that processes and transmits a specific video stream.

The H.264 Codec, formally known as Advanced Video Coding (AVC) or MPEG-4 Part 10, is a video compression standard or codec that's used by the majority…

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265, is a video codec or video compression standard that's steadily growing in adoption.

HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a security protocol developed by Intel to prevent unauthorized copying or interception of digital content transmitted over HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort,…

HTTP Livestreaming (HLS) is a media streaming protocol for delivering video content to audiences over the Internet.

Interlaced scanning is a video display technique that splits each frame into alternating lines, displaying them in two passes. Originally developed for analog TV broadcasts, interlaced…

A keyframe interval controls how often a full video frame (keyframe) is generated in a compressed video stream. This setting affects video quality, buffering, and playback…

A lower third is a graphic overlay typically placed in the bottom third of the screen during a live broadcast or recorded video. It usually displays…

Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP, also known as MPEG-DASH, is a media delivery protocol for video streaming over the Internet.

Over-the-Top (OTT) is a streaming approach for delivering videos directly to viewers over the Internet. OTT bypasses traditional media networks like cable, broadcast, and satellite TV…

Packet loss is a situation where data traveling across a network fails to reach its intended destination. Packet loss is often measured as a ratio of…

Point to point, or multisite video transmission, is a distribution method for reliably reaching remote locations.

A power conditioner helps improve the quality of the electrical power supplied to your equipment. It does this by filtering out electrical noise, regulating voltage fluctuations,…

Progressive scan is a method of displaying video where each frame is drawn line by line in sequential order. This creates a smoother and clearer image,…

Quality of Service (QoS) refers to network management techniques that prioritize certain types of internet traffic to improve performance. In a church setting, this means ensuring…

RJ-45 (Registered Jack 45) is a standardized connector used for Ethernet networking, providing a reliable wired connection for data transmission. Commonly found in wired network applications,…

A live stream needs to be stable and high quality, even when network conditions are unpredictable.

Live streaming relies on different technologies to deliver video and audio from an encoder to viewers. One of the longest-standing methods for transmitting live video is…

Serial Digital Interface (SDI) is a broadcast video standard that transmits uncompressed digital video over coaxial cables with BNC connectors. Commonly used in professional video production,…

Live streaming requires a stable power source. A sudden outage or power fluctuation can interrupt a broadcast, disconnect equipment, and even cause data loss. An Uninterruptible…

A video compressor is a software that reduces video file sizes by eliminating some data. An uncompressed file can be hundreds of gigabytes in size, which…

A video cross converter is a device used to convert video signals between different formats, such as HDMI and SDI. These converters are commonly used in…

A video embed code is a snippet of HTML or JavaScript that allows you to add a video hosted on another platform onto a different website.…

Video encoding is the process of converting raw video files into compressed digital formats for live streaming, storage, and playback. Without video encoding, files would be…

Video resolution is a measure of video quality that tells you how many pixels a video frame contains. It indicates the level of clarity and detail…

A video switcher is a device that allows users to switch between multiple video sources in real time. It is commonly used in live production environments…

A web channel is a dedicated streaming destination that allows broadcasters to embed and distribute live or recorded content online.

A web preset defines video and audio settings used for video transcoding when broadcasting content to a web destination. It ensures that video and audio feeds…

Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) is an open-source project for streamlining real-time audio and video communication between two parties over the Internet. This involves specifications and tools…