Most of us have got the whole DVD and Blu-ray thing worked out, but with the evolution of online streaming and downloading it’s time to go to school to learn how these new technologies work. If you’ve got it all sorted, chances are you know which option works best for you. If you have no idea what these concepts are or which way to go, stay tuned because you might just find your world opening up!
Both streaming and downloading refers to “sharing” media over the internet. Commonly this is watching a movie or listening to music online. To be able to stream or download, you will need a network media player. There is an array of devices on the market which suit differing needs. All network media players can stream the files from your home network. Many also have online partners from which they can stream music and videos. Some players have built-in hard drives or can dock a portable hard drive to save files. Learning the difference between streaming and downloading media can help you choose the network media player that is right for you.
Streaming Media
“Streaming” is when you access media online from another location and play it through your own device at home. You don’t have a copy of it saved nor do you need to have the original. The file does not need to be moved or copied to your device. Because streaming takes place in “real time”, the media is accessed directly from another server and played in moments. This is how websites such as Netflix and Hulu allow users to access huge catalogues of movie and audio files without needing enormous storage capacity at the users end.
YouTube and iView are other examples of streaming. When you click on a video, the content streams onto your device, whether it is your computer or media player. This form of media access is ideal for watching and listening to videos and music, however it can also have some downsides. Streaming is highly dependent on your internet connection speed and this may lead to “buffering” issues if you do not have a fast internet connection. A few seconds of data is streamed to your device to help keep the video playing to attempt to make up for connection interruptions. Ensuring you are connected to a fast internet service will contribute to a much smoother viewing/listening experience. Buffering can also occur when you are accessing popular sites which experience heavy traffic and demand. If you’re streaming in a higher quality, you will need a faster connection.
Downloading Media
Downloading is pretty simple as you have the option of saving the media you want to watch onto your media player’s hard drive. Once you have downloaded the file essentially it is yours and you will have unlimited access to it for continued viewing whenever you like.
The downside to downloading is that it usually takes some time to complete the download before you can watch it. This is usually no problem if you’re organised, but frustrating if you want to watch it while downloading. Watching while downloading will also add time to the total download. Keep in mind however that once you have downloaded the file, you can stream it from your own server (PC) to any of your other homes media devices that are networked.
Whichever option suits you, remember that it is always important to access “legal” media to ensure you are complying with Australian copyright laws.