Secure Video Player

Video streaming is an evolution of the traditional broadcast workflow, in which content is distributed to the consumer via either the open internet to a connected device (OTT) or dedicated IPTV services. Types of video streaming include SVOD - Subscription Video On Demand, AVOD - Advertising Video On Demand, TVOD - Transactional Video On Demand, and PVOD - Premium Video On Demand.

A lot. Video is the highest data-consuming medium. While bandwidth usage varies between the different streaming platforms, it usually ranges from 300MB per hour for lowest resolution videos, to 7.2GB an hour for UHD or 4K premium quality videos. Most video platforms also have a flexible stream quality feature, called Adaptive Bitrate, enabling them to adapt the video’s quality to the strength of the available connection. 

As with all types of data transmitted over the internet, streamed video or audio files are broken down into smaller data packets, which are encoded and then sent to the user’s device every few seconds where they are decoded by its player. This allows for the content to be played in real-time without having to fully download the whole file in advance, as happened in the early days of the internet.

There are various tools and strategies to allow for secure video streaming, whether it’s live or on-demand. Using a secure video player to deliver your video is key, while other security methods include DRM (Digital Rights Management) & CAS (Conditional Access System) solutions, as well as various anti-piracy techniques aimed at detecting and preventing the unauthorized usage and illegal streaming of videos.

To stream live videos, you need a live streaming solution with a server network for storing your video and for connecting with viewers. It’s important that your streaming solution will be backed by a reliable content delivery network (CDN). Professional streaming solutions such as VO’s Secure Video Player include a ready-made package for hosting, delivering, and securing videos, as well as access to value-added features such as Multiview and watch party, alongside advanced tools for managing QoX and preventing downtime. 

To improve the quality of your streamed videos, you first need to make sure you have the bandwidth to allow for uninterrupted viewing with low latency. Next, make sure your streaming equipment is suited for the task and that your encoding settings are optimized. Other methods to improve quality include enabling variable-bitrate streaming and choosing the optimal resolution for your viewing, though the key element remains using a professional and reliable platform for streaming your videos.