Streaming Video

We are excited about streaming video. In case you haven't heard, streaming video is a real-time Internet video distribution solution. In other words, it allows you to send or receive video over the Internet. Streaming video is available "on demand," that is, whenever users request it. Many see it as the Holy Grail for video distribution. It provides instant gratification for viewers. As they surf along the Internet, they stumble onto a web page with streaming video, click on an icon and the video begins playing. Sounds incredible doesn't it?

Well there are some drawbacks. Naturally, users must first download and install the free software. Streaming video over the 33.6Kbps or 56Kbps phone modem most home computers use to connect to the Internet doesn't look like the video that most of us are accustomed to seeing. It appears in a small window, often smaller than one-fourth the size of the computer screen. The video is far below VHS quality with a grainy image, jumpy motion and poor sound quality. If you use VHS's quality as the basic measuring stick, then streaming video over a phone modem isn't really video at all. It's more like a demonstration of future technology.

As your Internet connection gets faster, the quality gets better. Many people now are able to view streaming video with a 56Kbps modem. Some have a faster Internet connection called ISDN, which runs at 128Kbps and makes streaming video look a little better. A few people have T1 lines, which runs at 1.5Mbps (1.5 million bits per second) and can stream VHS-quality video, but this type of service can cost over $1500 per month.

These bandwidth limitations should become less of a problem as Internet connections get faster via new connectivity options. Analog phone lines have inherently slow speed, but new technologies like xDSL are fast and affordable. Many communities actually have Internet access over the same coaxial cable that is used to receive cable TV. Another high-bandwidth option is Internet connectivity via satellite. But, since very few people connect to the Internet via these high-bandwidth solutions, streaming video is not very useful to…