What is live?
Live (or live streaming) is a way to send video and audio over the internet at the exact moment it’s being recorded, so viewers can watch it in real time instead of waiting for a file to download.
Let's break it down
- Capture: A camera or screen records what you want to share.
- Encoding: The raw video is turned into a smaller, internet‑friendly format.
- Distribution: The encoded stream is sent to a server (often called a CDN) that delivers it to many viewers at once.
- Playback: Viewers open a link or app, and their device decodes the stream so they can watch it instantly.
Why does it matter?
Live lets people connect instantly, making events feel immediate and interactive. It’s great for real‑time feedback, building community, and reaching large audiences without the delay of editing and uploading a recorded video.
Where is it used?
- Gaming streams on Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming
- Live news broadcasts and sports events
- Online classes, webinars, and virtual conferences
- Social media stories and live videos on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn
- Corporate product launches and town‑hall meetings
Good things about it
- Real‑time interaction (chat, polls, Q&A)
- No need for post‑production; content goes out instantly
- Can reach a global audience with minimal cost
- Creates a sense of urgency and excitement for viewers
- Easy to repurpose later as recorded content
Not-so-good things
- Requires a stable, high‑speed internet connection for both streamer and viewers
- Quality can suffer if bandwidth is low (pixelation, lag)
- Live mistakes are broadcast instantly and can’t be edited out
- Higher demand on hardware (camera, encoder, computer) compared to pre‑recorded video
- May need additional moderation tools to manage chat and prevent abuse.