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Cloud Video Streaming – The Basics

From a technical approach, a cloud video streaming service allows for the storage and streaming of video data in the cloud.

A decent cloud-based video streaming service should be able to host video, deliver the video on demand, be scalable and be able to reach millions of viewers. Essentially, all a broadcaster needs to access their content on the cloud is a computer and a decent internet connection. Regardless of where in the world they are, they can access their files, data, information, and workflows anytime.

Before cloud video streaming was a thing, broadcasters needed complex live streaming gear connected to even more complex on-location servers to enable the streaming of video to their audiences. This setup involved high upfront costs, and complex maintenance logistics and was not a sensible long term long-term solution for many brands.

How it Works

Cloud streaming software relies on a network of cloud servers that are dedicated entirely to hosting video files and efficiently delivering content to viewers.

Broadcasters record video on their live streaming gear, for live content that is, and upload the files to the cloud streaming servers I’ve just mentioned. From there, the content is encoded and transcoded into a variety of formats ready for playback. Encoding and transcoding are important because some devices cannot support all the formats the content comes in.

In more technical terms, transcoding is a way of creating multiple renditions of a single file without taking away any resources from the initial encoding process.

This makes it possible for broadcasters to ensure their content can be shared with nearly all devices being used by their audience.

You’re probably wondering how these cloud servers work and I am here to satisfy said wonderment. Although virtual, these cloud servers come from physical servers held across massive data centers. Physical servers can now be divided and in essence, rented out to businesses. As a business, this gives you the benefit of the concept of economies of scale.

Cloud-based video streaming can also support on-demand content for consumption coupled with live content from cloud production solutions.

Key Features of Cloud Video Streaming

Cloud Transcoding

Remember the transcoding? It’s all done in the cloud. Broadcasters need to upload their video-on-demand content to their video platform of choice where it can now be shared with the audience. Part of this sharing process involves transcoding so the content is ready for delivery to a wide range of end-user end-user devices. That makes cloud transcoding a rather important feature of a cloud video streaming workflow.

Cloud Storage

Cloud video streaming is over the cloud so cloud storage is the backbone of it all, right? All broadcasters with video content will want a cloud video platform that can safely store their files. The cloud video platform should have some security features on top of the very basic cloud storage. Some security features could include password protection and encryption. Security features are simply to ensure broadcasters can protect their content from breaches or worse, piracy.

Video Content Management

After the content is ingested into the cloud video platform, broadcasters need tools for organizing, managing, monetizing and of course monetizing this content. Having to find cloud production solutions for each of these tasks can be virtually impractical and that is why you need an all-in-one solution.

This solution should include advanced video content management capabilities that enable broadcasters to make the most of their video content in the cloud.

A good cloud video platform will make it easier for you to organize your content internally as well as externally for your audience.

Live Recording

On-demand content is usually stored on the cloud but content from a live recording is delivered right there and then. Broadcasters should be able to record their live events for playback later.

Written By

I am Christine Romeo, a writer and business journalist. I love to write about the latest tech innovations and business trends. I have a background in marketing and communications, so I'm especially interested in how technology is changing the way we do business. When I'm not writing, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

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