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Streaming Media Overview

Normally, when you view a file on the internet, the file is transmitted in many tiny and randomly ordered bits called packets. Once all the packets are received, your computer puts them together like pieces of a puzzle and displays the complete file.

Streaming works differently. Since audio and video are generally viewed in a particular order (from beginning to end), it makes sense to deliver the video in that order so that we can start watching before the entire clip has finished downloading. This is especially useful considering the long download times associated with video files.

Streaming also allows you to skip around in a file. In other words, if you only want to watch the last 30 minutes of a 2 hour video, you don't have to download the first hour and a half to do so.

Not all video files can be streamed. For example, a Quicktime file needs to created with a streaming compatible codec (more info on codecs can be found in the Encoding section) and the file has to be "hinted" in order to be streamed. Also, each streaming format must be delivered using a compatible system. So in order to stream a Windows Media file, you would need to to use a Windows Media server to deliver it. The JMU Specs page has more information about what is available for use here at JMU.

This Wikipedia article has a more detailed overview of streaming media technologies. If you have specific questions about streaming media, please feel free to contact Grover Saunders at 540.568.3572 or saundebn@jmu.edu or the Center for Instructional Technology at 540.568.7061 or cit@jmu.edu.