Streaming vs. Downloading: What's the difference? Part 2 of 2

Another important difference between streaming and downloading is that in the end downloading the same clip will use more bandwidth5 than the same clip that is streamed. How is this possible if the videos are the same size? Well the answer is that not everyone will watch your whole video. When downloading the client will download the whole video but may only watch part of it. With streaming video you only supply them with as much bandwidth as they need to view the video, or segment of that video. In the end this can result in an incredible amount of bandwidth savings.

A final consideration between downloading and streaming video is digital rights management Once someone has downloaded your video content onto their system they than have a local copy of your property. Even if your content is right protected it is still possible for a hacker to break your protection and than redistribute your content, without your permission. However when streaming it is much more difficult to record the video.

Contact DW Video for all your video and media needs!

A Streaming Media Primer
A Guide for the Absolute Beginner
by Jonathan L Miller
11.01.2004
www.vx30.com
used with permission