A cloud-based video streaming platform is a comprehensive solution for live streaming and on-demand video hosting. It stores the content uploaded by the broadcaster or recorded during live events, and then transcodes it to the cloud for delivery to end-users. Many cloud video streaming solutions also have features to organize and monetize video content on their platform. Thus, enabling broadcasters to grow their audience and revenue.
How Does Cloud Video Streaming Work?
Cloud video platform has a complex process of hosting and delivering live and on-demand video content to the users. Firstly, a cloud server needs to ingest a live stream from a video encoder or receive upload for on-demand files. Many streaming software uses RTMP (real-time messaging protocol) for fetching the content to the platform.
The files received are then organized in a content management system (CMS) and processed for delivery. The videos are packaged in different sizes and formats which may require cloud video encoding. Once done, the cloud server software delivers the video content to users as and when they connect.
The whole process is quite technical and requires large amounts of storage, RAM, fast processors and internet connection. Owning and operating an in-house cloud streaming server is expensive. Therefore, broadcasters typically use cloud video hosting software to keep things simple.
