Streaming Server Hosting Guide for Live Video Streams and VOD
If you stream videos of any kind, you want the process to be as streamlined and effective as possible. Whether for individual or business purposes, hosting online video content is a demanding process. Therefore, having the right streaming software ensures your performance is up to the task and your viewers get the best experience.
Using professional streaming server software on a dedicated platform keeps your content delivery network running smoothly. And the best live streaming platform will provide you with an array of powerful tools to manage, upload and share your online video. Furthermore, arming yourself with the right platform will help you grow and scale your audience.
In this article, we’re going to talk about what streaming server hosting is and what to look for in a streaming software hosting platform. From there, we’ll compare six of the top media streaming server software services.
What is Streaming Server Hosting?
Streaming server hosting provides video content on the web to users via any internet-connected device.
Streaming server hosting is the technology that broadcasters use to host and deliver their online streams.
Let’s start by defining a couple of terms. A “server” is a computer designed to deliver content over the internet. In fact, every website that you visit is delivered by a server. Which “serves” the website to your computer, phone, or other devices
Streaming, however, refers to playing video or audio online. Hosting refers to renting server usage from a company that specializes in storing and delivering online content.
Together, video streaming server hosting is a software as a service (SaaS) that allows users to upload, host, organize, and deliver live and video on demand (VOD) content over the internet.
Thanks to professional video platforms with built-in servers, this is all possible without having to buy and configure a video hosting server of your own. Instead, everything you need is already in one place.
Any of the options we explain in detail below bring together all the tools needed for hosting video online, whether you want to live stream, offer VOD content, or a mix of both. Using a professional platform, you don’t have to build your own live video streaming dedicated server.
What to Look for in Streaming Server Hosting Services
When it comes to choosing the streaming server hosting service that makes the most sense for your business, you’ll want to make sure the video streaming platform includes access to the features you need to reach your broadcasting goals.
Here are a few of the most valuable features for professional broadcasting:
- Partnerships with powerful live streaming CDNs
- Video streaming API and player API access
- White-label streaming capability
- Adaptive video players
- Good rates on bandwidth
- Easy-to-use content management tools
- Video monetization support
It’s easy to fall for the service with the most features, but what really matters is that your chosen platform has the specific features your need at the price point that works for you.
The 6 Best Streaming Server Hosting Providers
Now that we have a clear definition of VOD server stream hosting and what sort of features to look for, let’s examine some of the best streaming server hosting providers available for broadcasters today.
1. Mslive
Mslive is an end-to-end online video platform founded in 2008 that allows businesses to broadcast and host video content.
Mslive is a streaming server hosting platform that supports VOD hosting and live streaming. This unified streaming solution offers advanced broadcasting tools such as video monetization, robust security options, and native in-China video delivery
Our platform includes various tools for marketing, including analytics tracking, and calls-to-action.
Basic Functionality:
Mslive’s live streaming solutions include support for 24/7 linear streaming, video monetization for live streaming, live video analytics, and more. API management tools and a simple management dashboard provide multiple options for launching multiple channels and embedding live streams on your website.
Key Features:
- Secure, global content delivery, including industry-best video hosting
- 24/7 tech support with all plans, including email and live chat
- Video security features, including password protection and encryption
- Live encoding support for the top video encoding software
- Low latency HTML5 channels for video streaming
- RTMP Encoder for ingesting HLS streaming
- Player API and Video API access for customization
- Multi-bitrate streaming
- Real-time analytics
- Ad-free streaming
Pros:
- Live streaming and VOD packages on all pricing plans
- Unlimited viewers and live channels
- Video marketing tools and branding control
- Embeddable HTML5 video player
- SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD monetization options
- Mobile device support
- Live stream recording
- China Video Hosting
- Plans for every budget
Cons:
- Requires a bit of a learning curve
2. Wowza
Wowza Streaming Cloud is a great choice for live streaming server hosting.
Wowza Streaming Cloud is feature-rich and provides a customizable video streaming server engine for broadcasters of all sorts. It was founded in 2005 by David Stubenvoll and Charlie Good. Wowza is a bootstrap start-up, with live and on-demand live streaming capabilities.
Wowza offers two main products: Wowza Streaming Engine and Wowza Streaming Cloud.
Wowza Streaming Engine is a stand-alone streaming server. This product is widely used in the industry for self-hosted streaming.
The second is the Wowza Streaming Cloud offering. This streaming solution includes a variety of features aimed at providing low-latency video content access to global audiences.
Basic Functionality:
Wowza Streaming Engine is a video server for self-hosted streaming, whereas Wowza Streaming Cloud is a full-service streaming solution.
Key Features:
- Built-in streaming server
- Low latency streaming
- Ingest streams from any encoder
- Create live, linear, or on-demand streaming applications
- Stream live events, video conferencing, audio streaming, 24/7 streaming, and more
- Host-you-own streaming server product
- Mobile-compatible video player
- RESTful API available
Pros:
- Customer support (*note that phone support and fast responses cost extra)
- Extensive Flexible and Modular Architecture
- Management, Monitoring, and Integrations
- Multi-Level Content Security
- Performance Monitoring
- Mobile Screen Support
- Robust security
- Video Streaming
- Video Looping
- China video delivery
Cons:
- No Multistreaming
- No Session Recording
- No Event Scheduling
- No Video Monetization Tools
- No Multiple Camera Feeds
Bonus: Akamai for Self-Hosting
Self-hosting is an approach that some advanced broadcasters take quite a bit of technical know-how. Source: Akamai.com
The self-hosted model is an alternative to hosting your video content with an online video platform. Using self-hosting for online video streaming setups can be technologically complex, so it requires the support of experienced individuals with the appropriate technical know-how.
Akamai is a great option for broadcasters that are looking for a streaming server to support their self-hosted setup. This CDN provider is one of the oldest collections of video streaming servers in the world. It’s also the largest network, with more than 240,000 servers located in more than 130 countries.
Broadcasters can access Akamai through a variety of online video platforms, including Mslive, or they can purchase contracts to access Akamai directly.
Basic Functionality:
Akamai is a video streaming and VOD server that is built to support self-hosted streaming setups. It is used specifically to help deliver video content.
Key Features:
- Case Management
- Certificate Provisioning System
- China video streaming
- User interfaces for content control
- CP Codes and Reporting Groups Tool
- Diagnostic tools
- Firewall Rules Notification
- Identity and Access Management
- Log Delivery
- Property Manager API
- Sandbox Environment
Pros of Self Hosting:
- Gives broadcasters more control over their streams
- Broadcaster owns all rights
- More customizable experience
Cons of Self Hosting:
- More expensive
- Very complex
- Requires support of an experienced professional
- Can be technologically taxing
How to Choose the Best Streaming Server Hosting Service
I know what you’re thinking. Now that we’ve taken a look at a few of the top platforms for streaming server hosting, you can see that many of these software options are similar in terms of features. This can make comparing online video platforms difficult
Although there are dozens of different features to consider, it is important to enter the decision-making process with a list of features that are non-negotiables in terms of your streaming goals.
We believe that Mslive is a great streaming server hosting option for broadcasters with all different needs since we have solutions for enterprise streaming. Here’s why:
1. Versatility: Mslive includes both live streaming and VOD server services, which makes it more versatile than some competing platforms that only include professional video hosting.
2. High-End Features: The platform comes equipped with a wide range of features including unlimited concurrent viewers, mobile streaming, player customization, multiple monetization methods, and more.
3. 24/7 Tech Support: Round-the-clock technical support is a must, especially if you’re live streaming and you run into any issues whatsoever. Mslive is one of the few OVPs that offer 24/7 support.
4. China Delivery: Mslive supports China video playback, which is essential for businesses and agencies doing work on the Chinese mainland. This feature is not standard on most OVPs.
Final Thoughts
Streaming video content is crucial for many modern businesses. Video streaming is increasingly ubuitous across a variety of sectors. This includes education, gobernment, nonprofits and more. And for any business to be successful with video streaming, having the right live streaming server and video streaming software platform is paramount.
Depending on your needs, it can be challenging to identify the perfect online video platform for your own video streaming server. Thankfully, as we’ve reviewed in this article, there are some fantastic, professional-grade video streaming platforms that’ll bolster your chances of success.
Mslive is one such platform. Mslive’s video streaming solution is feature rich. With Mslive, you have complete control for smooth streaming of your video content.
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