Low-Latency Video Stream developer – Senior Developer
Nobody wants slow, stuttering, lagging video streaming – especially in this day and age. On the contrary: everyone wants a fast, smooth, and perfectly synced video streaming experience. The difference between having constant buffering issues and buttery smooth video streaming comes down to one word: latency.
Online video streaming, whether it be live streaming, OTT video streaming or online education, has become increasingly common. As a result, having ultra-low latency streaming is evermore vital. Research shows the global average time spent watching videos online daily is 84 minutes. This global average accounts for all types of video content across all ages. In some countries and age groups, such as millennials, up to a massive 10-20 hours of video is consumed each day.
With so much video consumption, ultra-low latency video streaming is becoming the new normal. If you live stream or produce video streams of any sort, you need ultra-low video latency to keep your viewers worldwide tuning in. Read on and discover the benefits of ultra-low latency, how to implement it, and the best solutions for achieving it.
What is Ultra Low Latency Video Streaming?
Ultra-low latency reduces the delay between the sender and receiver, ensuring viewers stay engaged with the content.
Before we get into what exactly ultra-low latency video streaming is, we first need to define latency. Latency in video streaming is the delay between when the content is sent and when it’s received. The lower the latency, the less delay there is between the video content sent and received by the viewers’ devices.
Having a subpar latency results in synchronization issues. This can be especially problematic for live streaming viewers, video conferencing events, or live broadcasts. Higher latency often results in a negative viewing experience and can cause people to tune out. For businesses and professionals, this can entail a direct loss of revenue.
While low latency is good, ultra-low latency is even better. A good low latency is generally considered 15 seconds or less. Ultra-low latency video streaming is sub-second latency video streaming. That’s less than a one-second delay. The result is seamless, perfectly synced video playback on the viewer’s end.
Why is Low Latency Streaming Important?
Latency issues can be detrimental to your view counts.
Low-latency streaming is imperative today. With the internet’s ubiquity and live streaming worldwide, people expect video streaming without delay.
Viewers with an unpleasurable viewing experience because of latency issues are more likely to stop engaging. For businesses, this can prove dire. Providing high-performance video streaming through a low-latency streaming service is important. It can mean the difference between retaining and gaining viewers instead of losing them. As a streamer, you should aim to reduce latency and provide a better viewer experience for your viewers and customers.
The Negative Impact of High Latency Video Streaming
Video streaming latency that’s too high has direct negative consequences on the viewers’ experience. This is especially true when real-time video streaming is needed for properly synced and enjoyable video playback.
High-latency video streaming can cause low video quality that stops and starts. This leads to unsatisfactory video-watching experiences for viewers that can even become unwatchable.
What causes high latency?
Several distinct factors cause high latency. These factors in and of themselves can cause major issues. But, one is often interwoven with another, causing even more delay.
Here are some of the most common issues that cause high latency:
- Poor internet connection: A poor internet connection is one of the most common issues for latency that leaves much to be desired. A slow or unstable connection with little bandwidth can cause the buffering and stuttering issues we’ve all experienced. Nowadays, video quality is higher than ever, and many devices simultaneously connect to the internet. Providing a fast and stable internet connection is more important than ever.
- Low-quality hardware: Having low-quality hardware is another common reason for high latency. A video camera, encoder, decoder, or other components that aren’t up to the job can lead to latency issues. Hardware that isn’t powerful enough is particularly problematic in real-time video streaming.
- Distance: The beauty of the internet is that it connects the world. However, the reality of physics means that the farther the distance between the video source and the audience, the higher the latency. Streaming video, especially live streaming video, across countries and continents can cause a delay.
- Weak encoding process: The encoding process compresses the video data so the video signals can be sent more efficiently over the internet. Having a weak encoder process results in slower performance. The final product is increased latency and lower video quality.
- Streaming protocol problems: A streaming protocol is a set of rules responsible for how video is streamed. This video streaming technology is designed to be flexible and efficient without compromising on video quality. However, if the protocol isn’t optimized for dynamic adaptive streaming, it can cause a delay in video streaming and latency.
The Benefits of Achieving Ultra-Low Latency Streaming
Ultra-low latency streaming has a wide range of benefits for your viewers.
Ultra-low latency streaming is becoming the new norm as increasing numbers of viewers worldwide watch video online. An ultra-low latency streaming solution is the pinnacle of great video streaming for viewers. Fast, efficient, and reliable video streaming with sub-second delay possesses many benefits that keep people tuning in.
Some of the benefits of ultra-low latency video streaming include:
- Better synchronization of live events.
- Less buffering.
- Fewer pauses.
- Less rewinding.
- Better, higher resolution video quality.
Ultra-low latency video provides viewers with an exceptional experience. More and more people watch and stream video online, with ultra-low latency becoming the new normal. It’s paramount that professionals produce the demanded seamless viewing experience.
How to Achieve Ultra-Low Latency Streaming
Achieving ultra-low latency streaming is usually a multi-step process.
The easiest step towards achieving ultra-low latency is to deploy a new network with the next generation of programmable hardware and software. However, ultra-low latency streaming can still be achieved on existing networks.
But it’s not just the network that’s important. The hardware and software used are crucial, too. Investing in the right video streaming solution is paramount to a great viewing experience for professionals and businesses.
1. Evaluate your current network
To ensure a low-latency streaming solution, the first part of this multi-step process is to evaluate your current network. Start by following these steps:
1. Identify any existing network problems and their impacts.
2. If any existing problems impact your network, confirm whether or not they’re causing high latency.
3. Evaluate which network switches and interface cards can be replaced so a low-latency environment can be implemented.
4. Identify which network functions can be offloaded to:
Field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-programmable switches
Smart network interface cards (SmartNICs)
2. Take action to reduce latency
The second part is the process is taking action to reduce your latency. Here are the fundamental steps:
1. Improve the network connection: The first place to begin reducing the latency of streaming video is in the network itself. You can improve your latency by increasing the bandwidth or configuring a more stable connection. More bandwidth and a more stable connection can help ensure better video streaming services.
2. Use high-quality hardware: You can also reduce latency by using high-quality hardware. Several examples of high-quality hardware that can reduce latency are a more powerful camera, an ultra-low latency video encoder, and a better decoder for reduced (de)compression of video data.
3. Improve the encoding process: Improving the encoding process means the raw video is better processed into more efficient data for streaming video. This makes the transmission more efficient, knocking off the time it takes to transmit.
4. Use adaptive streaming protocols: You can also reduce latency by using adaptive streaming protocols such as HLS low latency streaming solution, DASH, or WebRTC technology. A low-latency streaming protocol like this can help reduce video buffering.
5. Reduce the distance: You can further improve latency by reducing the distance between the video source and viewers. This can be done through streaming video from a closer server to your viewers or using a CND for uninterrupted viewing.
Final Thoughts
With so much online video being consumed today, ultra-low latency is becoming a necessity. Businesses can’t afford lagging, lackluster video streaming performance. And live streams are increasingly watched online across many mobile devices, making ultra-low latency even more important.
Businesses or professionals need a platform that consistently delivers exceptional video playback through ultra-low latency. They need consistent performance across an increasingly large array of devices to fit viewers’ needs. And they need seamless, real-time live streaming of their broadcasts and live events. Mslive provides all of that and more.
Achieve Ultra-Low Latency Streaming With Mslive
Mslive is a fantastic streaming solution that offers a vast array of robust and advanced features. With Mslive’s feature-rich platform, including industry-leading HLS for fast and efficient streaming and full mobile device support, achieving ultra-low latency and pleasing viewers is easy.
Whether it’s broadcasting live events, running live streams, or video conferencing, Mslive benefits all types of ultra-low latency streaming needs. With Mslive, businesses and professionals can produce the highest quality video with the lowest latency for super smooth content. What’s more, Mslive’s built-in monetization functionality, 24/7 tech support, and tailored pricing models make Mslive the number one solution for all ultra-low latency streaming needs.
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