Video Ingest in Live Streaming: Understanding the Process

Livestreaming is the new convenient tool that enables businesses to reach millions of people; it is a reflection of modern digital media and allows the broadcasting of promotions, games, webinars, news, and events. Customers also benefit from this convenience since they get real-time access to events taking place without even getting out of bed. It's a win-win for both ends, but what does live streaming involve to make it a smooth experience?

One focal point of livestreaming is video ingest. Video ingest is a multistep process that allows a video to be transferred from the recording device such as a camera or phone to a streaming server, from where more magic happens and it’s distributed to the world. Although it plays a key role, video ingest is just one step in the streaming pipeline to ensure a smooth, end-user experience. It's important to understand what it is and what it does as we learn about the behind-the-scenes of live streaming.

What is Video Ingest in Livestreaming?

In simple terms, video ingest is the process of taking raw footage from a camera and getting it on a server for further processing and distribution. But the goal is not just to pick and drop the content from point A to point B; video ingesting also ensures that every aspect of the content is efficiently digitized and the quality is not compromised. In livestreaming, video ingesting is the first step of the streaming pipeline and allows for video content to be properly processed so it's ready for distribution to viewers.

Breaking It Down: Components of Video Ingesting

Capturing Raw Data
The first step is creating the content to be live-streamed via cameras, microphones, or other input devices. The audio and video signals captured from these devices affect the overall quality of the livestream, so it is beneficial to invest in good quality equipment.

Encoding Footage
The captured or ingested signals are then encoded or compressed to a digital format ideal for livestreaming. The purpose of encoding is to reduce the file size and optimize quality and bandwidth efficiency to achieve fast and reliable transmission. Some popular encoding formats used are:

• H.264: Also known as AVC - Advanced Video Coding - is a popular encoding format that compresses video data but does not significantly impact its quality. It's a good option for streaming, recording, or displaying HD videos.
• VP8: VP8 is a popular, open-source video codec developed by Google. It provides efficient compression and is widely used in web video applications. It’s often chosen for real-time communication and livestreaming due to its compatibility and performance.
• AAC: This stands for Advanced Audio Coding, and as the name suggests, is used for compressing audio data. It is more efficient than its predecessor, MP3, as it offers better sound quality without using more data. This means AAC delivers clearer sound but in less bandwidth, and therefore, is a common go-to encoding format for streaming or recording high-quality audio.

Role of Transmission Protocols

After the data is captured and encoded in the appropriate format, the next step is to dispatch it to a streaming server, which then transmits the data to a viewer’s screen. This is possible with the use of transmission protocols which are responsible for transferring encoded data to a server securely and efficiently. Some commonly used transmission protocols are:

• RTMP: This stands for “real-time messaging protocol” and is an easy-to-use communication technology that transfers encoded data to an online video host. In simpler terms, RTMP makes high-quality, low-latency video delivery possible. Other than being easy to use, RTMP is compatible across various platforms and devices and can bring about an immersive, live video streaming experience with its interactive features, while increasing user engagement as well. RTMP is the go-to option for applications that consider low latency and user interaction as important business aspects. Common examples are Facebook Live and YouTube Live - these platforms use RTMP to allow broadcasters to stream live video content on their platforms.
• WHIP: This stands for "WebRTC-HTTP Ingest Protocol" and is becoming increasingly popular for livestreaming applications that prioritize low latency and high compatibility across web platforms. WHIP is designed for real-time communication, making it ideal for livestreams that need to be quickly accessible and delivered smoothly over the web.

The Final Processing

Now that the content has been captured, encoded, and transmitted to a streaming server, it is one step away from reaching its audience. The server adds the following final touches to the content to ensure it is ready to be watched by viewers via the Internet.

• Transcoding: In this step, the server converts the data to different formats or “bitrates” to reduce their size and enable faster streaming.
• Overlays: The server can add graphics or text over the video, for example, subtitles or logos, if required.

After the server has checked and determined everything is alright, the content is distributed over the internet. This final step is important to ensure that the content viewers see is clear, seamlessly operates across different devices and platforms, and meets all quality standards.

How is Livestreaming Content Delivered?

We went over the steps involved in video ingesting, bringing the content from a camera to a streaming server, and processing it as much as possible to deliver the best quality video and experience to viewers. But how do servers actually distribute the content in real-time to millions of devices and locations?

There’s only one answer: Content Delivery Network.

What is a Content Delivery Network?

A content delivery network or CDN is a setup of servers across various locations worldwide, which store data closer to the viewers’ locations. By doing this, CDN speeds up content delivery time (as the distance data has to travel to reach the audience is reduced) and reduces loading time or buffering. As a result, CDN enhances user experience by delivering data efficiently.

Role of CDN in Livestreaming

In the context of livestreaming, CDN plays an important part in distributing content to viewers as it stores copies of the audio/video content on servers close to the viewers. As data has to travel over short distances now to reach its audience, viewers experience low latency and seamless playback.

Overall, a content delivery network enhances streaming reliability by reducing buffering, managing traffic, and providing faster load times and uninterrupted playback.

All of this means one thing: efficient content delivery, especially for high-demand events such as the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, or the FIFA World Cup!

Why Choose Native Frame for Your Livestreaming Needs?

At Native Frame, we’re revolutionizing the livestreaming landscape by offering a flexible platform that grows with you. Whether you're just starting out or require enterprise-grade infrastructure, our seamless transition from pay-as-you-go to private cloud services ensures that your livestreaming needs are met at every stage of growth. Built on cutting-edge technologies, Native Frame™ provides you with the tools to deliver fast, reliable, and high-quality streams, tailored to your specific requirements. With unmatched flexibility, you can build, scale, and customize your livestreaming experience for ultimate performance.

Conclusion

Livestreaming is a convenient and indispensable part of modern digital media because it makes watching high-quality content and experiencing events from a different continent in real-time possible. The streaming pipeline involves many steps, but everything begins with video ingesting: the process of taking content from a camera, phone, or mic and delivering it to a global audience without compromising on quality or user experience. Native Frame™ enhances this process by offering a fully customizable, flexible, and scalable platform that guarantees an exceptional livestreaming experience every time.