Home Video Hints: Home Video Distribution (page 2)
Stream On
One of the more exciting and ultimately challenging methods of video distribution is the Internet. Placing your video on a Web site gives you a way to make your work available to hundreds of millions of potential viewers. Because you don't have to make multiple copies, Internet streaming offers one of the most cost-effective ways to reach large audiences.There are two main types of Internet video: download-and-play and streaming. You've likely downloaded thousands of files to your computer and video is no different. Streaming video, on the other hand, requires the use of expensive servers and allows the viewer to watch the video without downloading the entire file first and has the advantage of near-instant playback (if your Internet connection is fast enough). Sophisticated servers can also deliver video to large numbers of viewers simultaneously. Progressive downloads works without a special server and lets your viewers begin watching the video before it has finished downloading. With progressive downloads, if the connection isn't fast enough, you can simply wait until the video is finished downloading and play it back full-quality at your leisure.
There are, of course, some important drawbacks involved in streaming your video on the Internet:
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