Streaming Video: Formats, Compression, and Protocols

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Video Formats

H.264:

A widely used video compression standard for high-definition videos.
Pros: Efficient compression, good quality at lower bitrates.
Use Cases: Streaming platforms, video conferencing.

MP4:

A container format that can store video (H.264), audio, and subtitles.
Pros: Highly compatible across devices.
Use Cases: Online video sharing, downloads.

WEBM:

Open-source format optimized for web streaming.
Uses VP8/VP9 codecs.
Use Cases: HTML5 video, YouTube.

HLS (HTTP Live Streaming):

Protocol by Apple that segments video into small chunks for delivery.
Adaptive bitrate streaming for different network conditions.
Use Cases: OTT platforms, live video streaming.

Smooth Streaming:

A protocol by Microsoft using adaptive bitrate technology.
Works with IIS Media Services.
Use Cases: Windows-based video streaming services.

Video Compression and Delivery

Codecs:

Encode and decode video and audio data.
Examples: H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9, AV1.
Tradeoff: Higher compression reduces file size but requires more processing power.

Containers:

Bundle video, audio, and metadata into a single file.
Examples: MP4, MKV, MOV, FLV.

Streaming Protocols:

RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol): Low latency, commonly used for live streaming.
HLS: Adaptive streaming over HTTP.
MPEG-DASH: Open standard for adaptive bitrate streaming.
WebRTC: Real-time streaming, often used for peer-to-peer video calls.

Storage Protocols
iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface):

A block-level storage protocol over TCP/IP.
Allows servers to connect to storage devices over a network.
Use Cases: Virtual machines, databases, and SANs.

NFS (Network File System):

File-level storage protocol allowing shared file access.
Commonly used in Unix/Linux environments.
Use Cases: Media storage, home directories.

SMB (Server Message Block):

Protocol for sharing files, printers, and resources on a network.
Commonly used in Windows environments.
Use Cases: File sharing, enterprise storage.

Streaming Video: Formats, Compression, and Protocols

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