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What is Streaming Media?

Streaming technology enables you to watch or listen to video or audio while the content is transmitting (streaming) from a server to your computer. The digitized information flows across the Internet in small chunks, but seems to arrive in your Web browser in an uninterrupted flow. While the content of the streamed media is "played" by special software (or plug-ins) that works in conjunction with a Web browser, the media file itself never downloads to a listener's computer. This is a major difference between streaming technology and the RSS technology employed by podcasting.

See also, Comparing Streaming and Podcasting Options.

Why Use Streaming Media?

Streaming Media technology enables real time or on demand distribution of audio and video via the Internet. Sophisticated compression schemes enable streaming technology to broadcast large and lengthy media files to numerous people simultaneously or asynchronously. The size of the file itself does not impact the user's computer nor the server hosting the Web page from which the media file is linked. So, for example, an instructor can link to a video or audio file hosted on the Streaming Media server from an ELMS course space and the streaming media file will have no impact on the course space quota whatsoever. In addition, because the actual media file is never downloaded to an individual's computer, the technology helps to protect the intellectual property of the media developer as well as any copyright protected material that might be integrated into the streamed content.

Streaming Media Showcase

This video was created by Dr. George Macready and his graduate student for EDMS464-Quantitative Research Methods. They used Camtasia (by Techsmith) to record the narration for slides created in MS Powerpoint. They exported the file in a streaming media format and uploaded it to the streaming media server. This file was then made available to students via an ELMS course space.

Preparing Content for the Streaming Media Server

There are several steps to preparing and hosting streamed content:

1. Creating streaming media content
2. Request an account on the Streaming Media server
3. Uploading media files to the streaming server with the WebDAV application
4. Publishing the streaming media files

Streaming Media Resources

• Understanding Streaming Media tutorials (courtesy University of Wisconsin)
• How Streaming Video and Audio Work

Contact learningtools@umd.edu for more information.