Well, the issue is probably not something you did but something you didn’t do – and that is to adjust your Twitch bitrate to match your setup and internet connection. The bitrate, or the amount of data transmitted and processed in a given time, determines your stream’s video and audio quality and stability. It is also known as the upload speed.

You can’t have a crystal-clear Twitch stream without adjusting the proper bitrate for your equipment and bandwidth. Like any other live streaming platform, Twitch has a recommended bitrate that varies depending on users’ specs.

Finding the perfect balance isn’t always easy, and you may need to adjust the settings if you’re streaming on different platforms. Dacast, for example, has a handy bitrate calculator to help you when using its services. Let’s find out the recommended bitrate for streaming Twitch content and how to have seamless broadcasts each time.

Table Of Contents

• What Is Twitch And Its Importance To Streaming
• What is Bitrate in Streaming?
• Video Bitrate vs. Bandwidth: Understanding the Difference
• The Official Twitch Bitrate Recommendations
• Choosing the Right Bitrate for Twitch
• Best Practices for Setting the Twitch Bitrate
• Common Bitrate Problems And How to Fix Them
• Understanding Bitrate: A Necessity For Any Streamer

What Is Twitch’s Importance To Streaming

Twitch is a platform dedicated to providing live streams to a global audience. Since its launch in 2011, it has mainly focused on gaming, but nowadays, audiences can watch all sorts of streamers, from musicians to home cooks.

It’s probably one of the most well-known streaming platforms and draws in 240 million active users each month. Twitch is the home of over 7 million streamers who use it to broadcast their live content around the world. They choose Twitch because of its:

• Interactive Community: Streamers can communicate with their audience through a live chat feature, creating a dynamic viewing experience.
• Monetization Opportunities: Streamers can build a sustainable career thanks to Twitch’s ads, donations, subscriptions, and affiliate or partner programs.
  
• Massive Reach: With millions of active viewers, Twitch offers unparalleled reach to global audiences.

Now, all of these are fantastic perks, but streamers can’t really take advantage of them if their broadcasts aren’t technically sound. Most of the time, that doesn’t involve expensive equipment but having a proper bitrate, so your stream doesn’t experience drops in video quality and buffering. Don’t let poor-quality streams drive viewers away. Instead, learn how much bitrate for Twitch you need.

What is Bitrate in Streaming?

Let’s start by explaining bitrate in terms of streaming and broadcast quality. Bitrate is how much data per second is transmitted during a live broadcast. It determines how clear the stream is and whether or not viewers experience lag. We typically measure it in kilobits per second (Kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps).

The higher you set the bitrate, the better video quality you’ll get, as more data is used to encode the video. For example, a high bitrate can help achieve 1080p or 4K resolution without pixelation or blurriness. However, not everyone in the audience can watch in such high resolution, so cranking it up each time isn’t necessary.

When streaming gameplay, fps is also something you must consider. Higher frame rates mean more frames to encode per second. Each frame requires data to represent it, so higher frame rates demand more data to maintain video quality. This, in turn, demands a higher bitrate. For a 1080p video at 30 fps, you might use a bitrate of 5 Mbps. But if you increase the frame rate to 60 fps, you need a higher bitrate, like 8 to 10 Mbps.

To allow streamers to adjust more easily to the bandwidth constraints and resolution settings and find the ideal streaming bitrate, most platforms offer two types of bitrate: CBR (Constant Bitrate) and VBR (Variable Bitrate). Let’s learn more about the similarities and differences between CBR and VBR.

CBR vs. VBR: Which Is Better For Streaming On Twitch

Now that we know what bitrate is, let’s examine why there are two types. Each serves a specific purpose, and what differentiates them is how they allocate data for each frame in the stream. 

Which one you use depends on your internet connection, the nature of your content, and the platform’s recommendations. Your two bitrate options are:

• Constant Bitrate: CBR maintains consistent data throughout the entire stream. The bitrate stays the same regardless of how complex or simple the content is, making it easy to predict and manage network usage.
• Variable Bitrate (VBR): VBR adjusts the amount of data sent depending on the complexity of the content. When streaming simple content like a talking head or a static scene, VBR reduces the bitrate, but when the action picks up, such as in a fast-paced game, VBR increases the bitrate to maintain quality.

Because Twitch wants to accommodate viewers with different internet speeds and device capabilities, it recommends using CBR during streaming. On the other hand, a platform like Dacast allows for adaptive bitrate streaming and multi-bitrate streaming so that viewers always get a smooth experience, regardless of their internet speeds. This approach is more sophisticated than simply using VBR.

Video Bitrate vs. Bandwidth: Understanding the Difference

When viewers and streamers face video quality issues during live broadcasts, they usually blame their internet connection or bandwidth. The blame most often lies in the bitrate, but not everyone realizes that the two are entirely different yet still dependent on each other.

If, as we already mentioned, bitrate is how much data a stream sends per second, what is bandwidth? Bandwidth is the most data that you can transmit over an internet connection during a given period. The typical measure is megabits per second (Mbps). Your bandwidth determines the capacity for uploading data to Twitch’s servers.

So, in short, bandwidth is your connection’s capacity, while bitrate is the data rate of your stream. Let’s say you have a bandwidth of 10 Mbps, but you set your bitrate to 8 Mbps. You can experience stream interruptions due to the overload of data. Setting a high bitrate isn’t enough. If you don’t have the bandwidth to support it, your stream can suffer from lag, buffering, and dropped frames.

The Official Twitch Bitrate Recommendations

If you’re a first-time streamer, how will you know how to adjust your bitrate settings properly? Most streaming platforms provide users with setting recommendations. Dacast even has bitrate recommendations for mobile streaming.

Twitch also recommends different bitrate settings, depending on the resolution and frame rate you want for your stream. They are:

Note that the 6000 Kbps limit, while quite sufficient for smooth streaming, is only for non-partnered streamers. Trying to exceed this limit will make any stream unstable and laggy – it might even fail to load properly for viewers.

On the other hand, Twitch’s partnered streamers have greater bitrate allowances. Still, their choice depends on the quality of the internet connection and their streaming hardware. What bitrate streamers choose depends on two factors: their internet upload speed and the capabilities of Twitch’s ingest servers.

The stream will have buffering or dropped frames if the upload speed is too low for the bitrate you want. The general recommendation is to have an upload speed of at least 1.5 times the selected bitrate. If you’re streaming at 6000 Kbps, a minimum upload speed of 9000 Kbps is ideal for smooth performance.

The bitrate recommendations are because they are what the Twitch ingest servers, or the servers that deal with incoming video streams from broadcasters to the platform, can handle. If you don’t choose a bitrate within the platform’s capacity, it can’t process and distribute the content efficiently.

Choosing the Right Bitrate for Twitch

So, how much bitrate for Twitch streaming do you need? That depends on several factors, like your internet speeds, Twitch partner status, what type of content you’re streaming, etc. A few technicalities to keep in when choosing a bitrate are:

• Internet Speed Considerations: It’s a good idea to follow the 50-75% rule. That means your bitrate should be no more than 75% of your total upload speed. If your upload speed is 10 Mbps, set a bitrate between 5000 and 7500 Kbps. This keeps the stream stable even when you’re doing other online activities, like chatting or browsing.
• Twitch Affiliation and Partner Status: Twitch affiliates usually have access to better- and higher-quality encoding options and transcoders. This provides smoother streaming for their audience, even with higher bitrates. For example, Dacast tells you the proper encoder settings for multi-bitrate streaming support.
  
• Viewer Internet Speeds: Just because you have the option to set a higher bitrate doesn’t mean your audience can handle it. Not all viewers have fast internet. High bitrates can lead to lag and buffering for viewers with slow Internet. Aim for a bitrate around 4500 Kbps for optimal accessibility.
  
• Adaptive Bitrate Streaming: Twitch does not provide adaptive bitrate or multi-bitrate for non-partnered streamers. If your viewers have different internet speeds, they may experience a dip in video and audio quality. Always aim for a bitrate high enough to provide clear video without overwhelming your viewers’ connections.

Best Practices for Setting the Twitch Bitrate

Low-resolution streams and live broadcasts that keep buffering are quick ways to lose viewership on Twitch. So, how can broadcasters strike the perfect balance? In addition to using the recommended bitrate for streaming Twitch content, here are a few more tips to improve your streams:

• Use a Speed Test: Before streaming, test your internet upload speed on sites like Speedtest.net before streaming. Providers tell you the ideal upload and download rates, but the reality is usually different. Knowing your actual bandwidth will make setting the best bitrate for streaming easier.
  
• Optimize Encoding Settings: According to Twitch, the best encoding method is CBR, which produces more stable streams. They also recommend using x264 or NVENC encoding. x264 is a CPU-based encoder that offers excellent visual quality. NVENC uses your GPU and can offload processing from your CPU.
  
• Adjust Bitrate to PC Capabilities: A high bitrate strains the CPU or GPU, causing performance issues and potential stream drops. Monitor the load on your system during the stream and adjust your settings to keep it stable. If you want better bitrates, you may need to upgrade your hardware.
• Test Streams Before Going Live: Always do a test stream before going live. Twitch has a useful tool, the Twitch Inspector, that analyzes the stream’s performance. It can help you catch potential issues like buffering or dropped frames before they cause problems for the audience.

How To Test Your Streaming Bitrate on Twitch

The most important part of determining the perfect Twitch bitrate is testing your streams before going live. Thanks to their inspector tool, doing this on Twitch is easy. The testing process usually goes like this:

1. Prepare The Streaming Setup: Open your streaming software. We usually recommend OBS, which is free and easy to use. Set up your stream scene and check if your camera, microphone, and game capture are connected.
   
2. Set a Bitrate: Choose which bitrate you want to use based on Twitch’s recommendations and your bandwidth. You can start higher and work your way down if necessary.
   
3. Start The Test Stream: Click the Start Stream button in your software. You can also log into Twitch, access the inspector, and click on “Run A Stream Test.” A pop-up will appear to give you further instructions on how to go live.
   
4. Monitor The Stream’s Health: Check the bitrate graph in Twitch Inspector. Look for signs of dropped frames or network issues. If the bitrate fluctuates too much, there may be problems with your connection or settings.
   
5. Adjust Bitrate and Encoding Settings: Now is the time to adjust your streaming software settings if you notice any issues. Test different bitrates until you find a balance between high video quality and stable stream performance.
   
6. Repeat the Test: You can run the test stream as many times as it takes for you to find your ideal bitrate and other settings.
   
7. Go Live: Once satisfied with your bitrate settings and stream stability, you can stream live to your Twitch audience.

Common Bitrate Problems And How to Fix Them

When you start testing your streams, chances are you won’t find the ideal settings and bitrate combination on the first try. What you will find are the most common bitrate issues live streamers face. Here is what they are and how to troubleshoot them.

Understanding Bitrate: A Necessity For Any Streamer

You can’t expect to have a successful career as a Twitch streamer and build an audience if the streams you provide are low-quality. The secret to high-quality, smooth live broadcasting isn’t fancy equipment; it’s something as simple as setting the correct bitrate.

Luckily, you can test your streaming setup before going live and adjust your settings based on your bandwidth and the recommended bitrate for streaming Twitch videos. If Twitch isn’t providing what you need to produce high-resolution, stable live broadcasts, you can explore Dacast’s streaming solutions.

We offer payment packages that suit various users, but you can always start with our 14-day free trial. You don’t even have to enter your credit card information.

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The post Recommended Bitrate for Streaming on Twitch: A Complete Guide for 2025 appeared first on Dacast.

With the help of a professional live streaming platform, you can host your first live stream event with little to no technical know-how. One of the advantages of live streaming is that it is easy to get into without lots of technical knowledge.

In this post, we’ll discuss what exactly streaming is and the benefits of live streaming events on mobile with a professional streaming service as opposed to a free platform, like YouTube or Dailymotion. Some advantages that we will cover include high-quality streaming, video analytics, video monetization, privacy and security, and more. There are numerous advantages of using a professional live streaming service for your business.

Table of Contents:

• What is Live Streaming?
• Why Use a Professional Live Streaming Service?
• Top 15 Benefits of Live Streaming with a Professional Service
• How to Live Stream with Zoom
• FAQs
• Conclusion

What is Live Streaming?

Live streaming is a broadcasting practice that brings audio and video of real-time happenings to mobile viewers over the internet. Live streaming is becoming more and more popular in the professional world as it helps businesses and organizations to connect with their audience on a deeper level despite the barrier of physical location. Increased access to events is why live streaming continues to gain in popularity.

Streaming live events online can be effective and impactful in a wide variety of contexts because it allows professionals to share in-person events, service promotions, live announcements, online classes, church services, and wildlife broadcasting. There are numerous reasons why live streaming could be right for your business.

Companies can also use live broadcasts to enhance and maximize direct communication with customers and community partners. Live streaming an event allows you to reach and interact with more people across the world. One of the top advantages of live streaming is that you can connect with a wider, worldwide audience.

In order to host live events, many broadcasters use live streaming software solutions and their toolbox of valuable streaming resources. A live streaming service for businesses allows you to present a professional front when sharing live video content.

And even though social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook enable you to do so, they’re primarily used for connecting with friends and family. Similarly, the YouTube app is a great platform for live video streaming through mobiles, but it doesn’t offer monetization options that you’d typically need if you’re hosting events for which you’d require viewers to pay. 

Why Use a Professional Live Streaming Service?

There are many benefits to using video live streaming services to broadcast your event as opposed to creating a server on your own.

Setting up your own live stream requires technical skills and experience that the average business professional doesn’t have. You can purchase your own server with Wowza Media Systems, for example, but this option can get too complicated and expensive. 

If you aren’t yet very familiar with streaming technology, it’s generally easiest and more affordable to use a professional live streaming service. Using this type of platform makes it easier for you to broadcast your live event with just a few clicks of your mouse. Working with a professional video streaming streaming service allows you to control your presentation. 

Top 15 Benefits of Live Streaming with a Professional Service

Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons why broadcasters use professional video services and the advantages live streaming has on hosting virtual streaming events.

1. High-Quality Streams

When you stream with a free platform or your own servers, it’s difficult to achieve high-quality streaming. One of the benefits of live streaming with a professional service is that the robust infrastructure and good content delivery network (CDN) make it easier to achieve high-quality video. 

A CDN works as a global delivery system that distributes your content using the CDN’s own server. If you stream on your own, there is a high possibility that you will clog your servers.

When you’re streaming live videos, a few seconds’ worth of data is sent to the CDN server by the source, and this is stored there. The viewers are then sent that data pack quickly. In the meantime, other packs reach the CDN. This enables you to deliver high-quality live streams to your audience all around the globe with minimal lag. 

Using a CDN helps to decrease server load, lower the bandwidth, and reduce the overall delivery costs associated with live streaming. It also lowers network latency and helps you deliver smooth video content without display distortions, choppy audio, or out-of-sync audio.

When you broadcast live to other viewers, you want to ensure that your stream works perfectly and functions consistently without any technical glitches. This is why it’s wise to select a service with a reliable video streaming CDN.

Dacast, for example, partners with top-tier CDNs available on the market today to bring our users’ content to their viewers both far and wide. Working with a quality CDN is especially essential if you are trying to reach a worldwide audience.

The best mobile live streaming apps also offer adaptive bitrate streaming that enables viewers to watch streams on mobiles without buffering delay.

2. Greater Audience Potential

Another major benefit of live streaming is that it gives you the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience. Physical events are usually limited to the space available at a given venue. With live streaming, however, you can invite as many people as you like to “attend” your event. Sometimes people are interested in attending a particular event, but they can’t attend in person due to work commitments or increasing expenses.

Live streaming your event can make your content accessible to these people whom you wouldn’t reach otherwise. You can reach anyone in the world remotely through live streaming, as you are no longer limited by geographical or size constraints.

Your only limitation with live streaming is linked to the server capacity of the streaming service you choose. Be sure to choose a professional live streaming service that can match your viewership levels.

And if you’re only doing it for leisure or to connect with friends and family, you could even use social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. 

3. Wide Variety of Content Use

Live broadcasting isn’t solely restricted to live video and audio streaming services. You have the flexibility to use a variety of forms of video content and multimedia, including pictures, text, and live chat. 

Many platforms provide a lot of flexibility to access different presentation methodologies. 

Furthermore, you can repurpose your live streams into on-demand content. This allows you to maximize viewership. One of the primary benefits of live streaming is that you can reuse your content however you want to benefit your business.

For example, you can reuse the live stream video content by creating snippets for your social media accounts. You can also create blog posts, podcasts, and other content that can be used to further market your brand. 

4. Ease and Convenience

A common myth about live streaming is that it’s too difficult and technical for the average person to pull off. On the contrary, live streaming can be very simple. All you need are relevant video and audio equipment, an internet connection, an encoder, and a trusty streaming platform. 

Many professional streaming services provide in-depth documentation and tutorials to help broadcasters use their platforms. One of the benefits of live streaming is that professional streaming services make it easy for businesses to get into live streaming and connect with a broader audience. 

5. Analytics Tracking

It’s important to be able to track the success of your live-streamed event in terms of viewership and viewers’ behavior. Most professional streaming services are equipped with tracking tools and analytics dashboards to help you evaluate the outcome of your live event. 

With many video live streaming services, you can see relevant metrics like viewer numbers, engagement, and behaviors. You can find important data on the total number of video plays by location or time. This data will help you to identify more clearly who your audience really is. 

At that point, you can assess which aspects of your broadcast you may need to change for future events. This, in turn, will help you refine your overall content and strategy. One of the benefits of live streaming is that it provides you with real-time feedback on how your viewers are interacting with your content, which allows you to customize your content experience.

6. Customer Support

It can be tricky to troubleshoot technical problems, especially if you have minimal live streaming experience. Luckily, using a live streaming service typically means you have access to a knowledgeable 24/7 customer support team when troubles arise.

Alternatively, if you stream on your own, your only support will be Google or the information you already know about live streaming. A reliable live streaming service will provide you with ongoing customer support and will guide you through any difficulties you encounter. When streaming content live, you need a live support team by your side.

This is particularly crucial if you’re streaming a large-scale event such as a concert or your company’s annual general meeting. Disruptions during such events could prove to be costly and can harm your brand reputation. That’s where a reliable streaming service with effective support can come to your rescue.

7. Mobile Streaming

Most of your potential viewers likely use Mobiles and other smart devices. Since consumers today view almost half of all video content online through a mobile device, the odds are that the majority of your viewers will tune in via mobile streaming.

It’s important to keep up with these live streaming statistics and trends and to ensure that consumers can easily access your live stream via smartphone. 

Most platforms will allow you to stream your content to mobile devices and tablets through the dynamic HTML5 player, as opposed to the older Flash technology. 

The HTML5 video player is universal in the sense that it allows viewers to access your live stream anytime, anywhere. One of the benefits of live streaming with a professional streaming service is that it gives you easy access to this type of video player. Offering mobile live streaming is advantageous for you, as you will get to connect with a wider audience.

8. Distraction-Free Streaming

One of the most prominent downfalls of free streaming services like the YouTube mobile app is that the video player is loaded with distractions that can take away from the viewers’ experience. Unrelated advertisements and third-party logos tend to clutter the screen and take the focus away from your live event.

Another major benefit of live streaming with a professional service is that most of them offer ad-free streaming so you never have to burden your viewers with ads that simply aren’t related to your content.

Some platforms, like Dacast, are white-label services, which means that your live stream player comes equipped with control buttons that allow you to customize your content to your liking. That way, your viewers are focused on your content, not on other similar businesses and services.

9. Video Monetization

At this point, you may be wondering: how can I make money from live events? Luckily, many professional streaming services are equipped with a variety of tools for video monetization. This is one of the many benefits of live streaming.

If you want to monetize your videos, there are three distinct monetization models you can use; Ad-Based Video on Demand (AVOD), Subscription Video on demand (SVOD), and Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD). 

With AVOD, you’ll provide content to your viewers for free and use ad-revenue to offset the live streaming costs. 

Another method is to charge viewers to watch your live stream just like they’d pay for a movie or concert ticket. This is called the TVOD monetization model, where viewers can pay via a pay-per-view model. The third monetization model is SVOD, which involves getting access to video content only with a monthly subscription.

A video paywall is necessary for SVOD and TVOD monetization. It restricts free access to digital content by requiring a viewer to purchase the video or pay for a subscription to gain access to the content.

It’s up to you to choose the payment plan that works for you and your video live streaming goals.

Many live streaming platforms also give you the option to monetize with sponsored ads. The benefit of free platforms here is that you’re in control of which ads are displayed.

One of the biggest advantages of live streaming is that it gives your business more ways to make money.

For instance, if you’re organizing a one-off event, you could consider using TVOD method of monetization by demanding a one-time fee, much like what the audience would have to pay if they were attending the event physically too. 

10. Reliable Global Delivery

Most professional streaming solutions partner with powerful content delivery networks (CDNs). A CDN is a collection of servers placed strategically across different geographic regions. Partnering with powerful CDNs does more than avoid lagging and quality issues. It helps you to ensure reliable content delivery to viewers both near and far.

A CDN partnership is the best way to secure global content delivery.

Some streaming services also have partnerships with the Chinese government that make it possible to stream across the Great Firewall. This clearance is difficult to get since it often requires signing papers and filing documents in China. That’s why it is advantageous to use a video hosting platform that has already put in that work.

With the right professional video streaming service, you can literally send your content around the globe. That is an advantage you just can’t experience with in-person events.

11. Customizable Video Player

As we mentioned earlier, many professional streaming platforms support distraction-free video streaming. They allow you to stream without third-party ads or logos. However, using a paid streaming solution takes it a step further by providing a customizable HTML5 video player.

Not only can you customize the branding, but you can select functional elements of the video player. It is up to you to decide what buttons and controls your player has, in addition to whether or not the player is responsive. You can set the size to fit wherever it is embedded and more.

The ability to customize your video player allows you to integrate it seamlessly into the app or web page where it will live. These small things add a very professional touch. Having a custom video player is a big benefit of working with a professional video hosting provider.

12. Cost-Effectiveness

Another advantage of live streaming with a professional service is that it is generally more cost-effective than self-hosting and investing in all of the related technology. This is especially applicable when it comes to content delivery and bandwidth.

Access to a powerful CDN is expensive when you purchase it outside of a professional streaming service. CDN prices are often determined by how much bandwidth you use, so the cost can creep up on you.

Since streaming services for business are typically equipped with easy-to-use features, you don’t need to hire a developer to configure things for you. Some professional streaming services are more expensive than others, but it is almost always cheaper to go with one of these pre-developed software options. You can save yourself both time and money, both of which are valuable resources, by working with a professional streaming service.

13. Integrations with External Tools

Another benefit of live streaming with professional service is the level of integration you can get. Although many professional streaming solutions have a wide range of features, there is a common recognition that there can always be more useful tools.

The best streaming services are equipped with video API access, which allows you to customize your video hosting experience by integrating external apps and programs. This could include encoders, mixers, CRMs, and more.

One of Dacast’s most valuable integrations is Zoom. Broadcasters can integrate with Zoom live streaming to use the web conferencing platform’s peer-to-peer functionality while still taking advantage of the live streaming service’s professional hosting features.

14. Privacy and Security

Privacy and security are now more important than ever as piracy is at an all-time high. More than 80% of global online piracy can be attributed to illegal streaming services, with pirated video material totaling over 230 billion views a year.

Free streaming platforms, like DailyMotion and YouTube, have no real privacy or security tools, so it is almost impossible to limit access to your content. Paid tools, however, are generally equipped with both privacy and security features. This keeps your content and video CMS safe from hackers and it allows you to control who has access to your video players.

Some features for privacy and security include:

• Password protection
• Tokenized security
• IP/Geographic restrictions
• Domain/Referrer restrictions

These tools make it possible to protect your video content from people with poor intentions. Your content is valuable, which is why you are going to want to protect it with the tools offered by a professional video service. 

15. Streamlined Broadcasting Experience

With all of the benefits we mentioned above, it is safe to say that live streaming with a professional service helps streamline the broadcasting experience. With all of your streaming tools on one, easy-to-use platform, it is quite simple to get started.

Most platforms include all of the tools you need to host, manage, monetize, and deliver your content, so you’re not jumping from program to program to bring it all together. It ensures that the entire live streaming experience for your viewers is great too.

How to Live Stream with Zoom

As we mentioned, the ability to stream with the support of integrations can really elevate the broadcasting experience. Some live streams, like webinars, conferences, and private events, call for participation from the audience, but many professional streaming services don’t have web conferencing capabilities.

Zoom is among the most popular peer-to-peer conferencing tools, but on its own, it is not capable of the advanced streaming professional online video platforms are. As we mentioned, some of these online video platforms, including Dacast, can be integrated with Zoom to give broadcasters access to the best of both tools.

Let’s run through the four steps for live streaming an event with the Zoom live streaming integration on Dacast.

Please note that this tutorial requires you to have a  Zoom Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise account to access the “Custom Live Streaming Service” Zoom feature.

Step 1: Create Your Dacast Live Stream

Log in to your Dacast account, and go to the “Live Stream” section on the left-side vertical menu. Click “Create Live Stream” on the right side of your screen. Enter a stream name, then select the type of stream.

Click “Create”:

Your live stream should now appear in your live streams list. You can manage the stream by clicking the “Edit” icon on the right side.

Your live stream should now appear in your live streams list. You can manage the stream by clicking the “Edit” icon on the right side.

Step 2: Enable “Live on Custom Live Streaming Service” 

Log in to your Zoom Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise account. On the vertical menu to the left navigate to Admin. Click “Account Management” then “Account Settings.” 

In the section “In Meeting (Advanced)” under the meeting tab, turn on the option “Allow Live Streaming Meetings,” and check the sub-option “Custom Live Streaming Service”:

Update the instructions so that the meeting organizer can configure the required settings when scheduling the meeting. You can find these instructions in your Dacast account.  Edit the live channel you want to use to stream the Zoom meeting.

Under the “General” tab, click “Encoder Setup,” and use the copy icon to copy and paste the required values into your Zoom account:

Make sure to use the following format: 

Stream URL: rtmp://{Username}:{Password}@{Server (without rtmp://)}

Stream key: {Stream Key}

Live streaming page URL: you can use your website URL or the Share Link in the General tab of the live stream.

This is what it should look like:

Step 3: Set Up Your Zoom Custom Live Streaming Meeting 

On your Zoom account, click “Meetings” then “Schedule a New Meeting.” Enter the required information, and click “Save” to display advanced options:

At the bottom of the page, click the “Live Streaming” tab. Then, click the “Configure Live Stream Settings” link:

Apply the information in the green box in accordance with the format we provided in Step 2:

Click “Save” to save your live streaming settings. Now, the host will be able to live stream this meeting without having to add these settings after the beginning of the event.

Step 4: Start Streaming 

On your Dacast account, make sure that the live stream used for the meeting is set to “Online”:

Open the Zoom application or web portal, and start your meeting. At the bottom of the Zoom window, click the “•••” icon and select “Live on Custom Live Streaming Service.” 

If the Streaming URL, Streaming key, and Streaming page URL have not been entered at this point, Zoom will open a window where you can paste these values from the Encoder Setup section of your Dacast live stream. 

Once you have your Zoom and Dacast accounts connected and all of your settings configured, you are now ready to live stream your Zoom meeting straight to your website via Dacast.

FAQ

1. What is live streaming and how does it work?

Live streaming is the method of sharing videos with your viewers in real-time on mobile, TV, and laptop, such that they can watch the event being broadcasted with just a few seconds of delay. The video isn’t shot and stored—it’s directly sent. It works by transmitting the video content in pieces over the internet to a CDN, from where it’s delivered to the viewers on mobiles and other devices. 

2. How do you livestream?

To livestream on mobile, all you need is an internet-connected device that can shoot videos and transmit them in real-time. Here are the steps involved:

• Start your audio and video devices (mobile)
• Configure your encoder (skippable for mobiles)
• Connect to your live streaming platform 
• Start shooting and streaming

3. Can you stream on a mobile device?

Yes, it’s very much possible to stream on a mobile device as long as you’ve got the right mobile app for it. You could do it through social media mobile apps like Instagram and Facebook. You can also live stream through the YouTube mobile app. 

4. What equipment do you need for live streaming?

Here’s a list of the various equipment you should be using for live streaming:

• Camera (can be mobile)
• Microphone
• Encoder
• Lighting setup
• Stabilizing setup

5. What is mobile video streaming?

Mobile video streaming is a method through which you live stream content from a mobile and share it with your viewers in real-time. This could happen either through a social media platform app on mobile like Instagram and Facebook or through a streaming service. 

Conclusion

Live streaming services are designed to help you broadcast like a professional and create videos that stand out to your mobile viewers. Connecting with your audience is at the top list of the importance of live streaming for businesses.

These platforms are built for creating content that shows your audience that you are a forward-thinking and technologically savvy company skilled at implementing innovative and up-to-date solutions. 

Overall, live streaming services allow you to access a broader viewer base and customize the viewing experience to meet the needs of diverse consumers.

Not sure how to choose the best live streaming service? We recommend reading comparisons of the top streaming platforms and taking advantage of free trials.

Start with Dacast and our 14-day risk-free trial. All you have to do to get started is sign up today. No credit card is required.

GET STARTED FOR FREE

We love to hear from our readers, so sound off in the comment section if you have any questions or comments. For regular tips on live streaming, feel free to join our LinkedIn group.

The post 15 Benefits of Live Streaming with a Professional Service for Business [2025 Update] appeared first on Dacast.

Suffice it to say that savvy businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations of all kind have taken the reins on this trend, and many are reaping the rewards. Both businesses and aspiring individuals are keen to learn how best to set up and stream live audio so they can get their message out.

In this article, we’ll cover how to live stream audio and how to choose the right live video solution for streaming audio. We’ll discuss why a professional live video streaming solution is ideal for hosting and streaming audio files. Furthermore, we’ll compare the top 10 live audio streaming platforms available today.

Table of Contents

• ​​The Rise of Podcasting and Online Radio
• How to Stream Live Audio Like a Professional
• Advanced AI Technologies in Audio Broadcasting
• Licensing and Ethical Considerations in AI-Generated Content
• Audio Over IP (AoIP) Technologies
• Top 10 Live Audio Streaming Platforms
• Comparative Analyses of Competitor Platforms
• Is a Live Video Streaming Solution Ideal for Audio Broadcasting?
• Industry Developments
• Emerging Trends in Audio Streaming
• FAQs
• Conclusion

The Rise of Podcasting and Online Radio

Audio-only streaming is on the rise.

Given that so many people listen to podcasts regularly, it’s no surprise that we’re witnessing a renaissance in live audio broadcasting.

All kinds of businesses, organizations, individuals, and even the music industry have now begun to broadcast live audio. Here are a few examples of genres and industries that are taking advantage of this renaissance:

• Full-fledged radio stations with diverse programming
• News and media outlets
• Traditional music-based radio shows
• Talk shows
• Comedy
• Educational podcasts or radio channels
• Business and entrepreneurial podcasts and recordings
• Sports broadcasts
• Religious broadcasts
• Entertainment and audio drama

The appeal to audio-only streaming is that it consumes significantly less bandwidth than video streaming. It is also quite convenient for listeners to tune into an audio-only stream. Listeners can play audio while they drive, work out, or do other daily activities without posing too much distraction.

The growing popularity of real-time audio streaming gives most businesses and organizations the incentive to hop on the trend and reach their audience in a new way.

Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music Unlimited and other music streaming services are benefiting from the popularity. By providing professional live music streaming services across the globe to meet their high demand, these companies and others are reaping the financial rewards.

How to Stream Live Audio Like a Professional

Streaming live audio is easier than ever with the right online streaming platform.

Jumping on the trend and learning how to broadcast a podcast live (or how to host your own radio show online) is simple. Learning how to broadcast a podcast is generally easier than learning how to stream audio and video because you don’t have to worry so much about a quality picture and other visual aspects.

With that said, let’s take a look at how to live-stream audio only.

1. Make a Plan

Every good audio stream starts with a solid video streaming strategy. You don’t have to have every moment scripted, but having an outline of the segments you want to cover will come in handy.

Aside from planning individual episodes, you’ll need a master plan of sorts. Create a document that outlines the purpose of your audio show, who you’re trying to reach, and what you’re trying to achieve. Plot out how you will bring those goals to life.

Make specific notes of which features you’ll need to be successful. For example, if you plan on generating revenue from your stream, video monetization tools are a must.

2. Choose a Live Audio Streaming Platform

Once you know what features you’re looking for, it is time to choose a live audio streaming platform. While some social media platforms offer basic live audio capabilities, professional video hosting platforms provide a wealth of features that can elevate your stream’s quality and reach. The value of hosting your stream on a professional platform like this is that you have access to scalable tools.

Here’s what to consider when choosing a live audio streaming service:

• Scalability: Consider a platform that offers a robust infrastructure that can handle a growing audience without compromising stream quality. 
• Features:  Look for features that can enhance your stream’s production value, like high-quality audio, call-in functionality, live chat, recording and archiving tools.
• Ease of Use: Look for a platform with clear instructions and intuitive controls that make it easy to set up, manage, and broadcast your stream.

3. Embed Your Audio Player into Your Website

Another key element is embedding your live stream in the correct location. Most online radio stations embed a player right at the top of their website. You can also embed it on the websites of partners/advertisers, individual shows, DJ/host blogs, and so on.

The process of embedding a live feed using Dacast is easy. To do so, log in to your account. In your list of live channels, click on the radio channel you want to embed. Remember that you can have multiple simultaneous channels, so choose the right one.

On the next page, click the “Publish Settings” tab. The lower-left section of this publish settings page will provide several different embed codes for you to choose between. There are two main options: iframe and JS (Javascript). We recommend using the JS embed code, especially if you want to use the full-screen option.

For quick sharing among your network, you also have a “share code” which is a simple URL where your followers can directly access your podcast.

4. Get Your Podcast Listed

You can list your podcast on a few different platforms to extend your reach.

If you’re hosting a podcast using Dacast or another live video streaming solution, it’s easy to get listed on iTunes, Stitcher, and other podcasting services.

Before submitting your podcast to these platforms, ensure it meets their technical specifications. Some key specifications to consider include:

• RSS Feed: Your podcast needs a valid RSS feed available via the RSS 2.0 specification.
• Artwork: Make sure your podcast has high-quality cover art that meets the platform’s requirements. The typical specifications involve a square image between 1400 x 1400 pixels and 3000 x 3000 pixels, in 72dpi resolution, JPEG or PNG format, and using the RGB colorspace. 
• Episode Metadata: Each episode in your feed should have proper metadata, including title, description, publication date, and any relevant keywords.
• More best practices here

Each platform might have additional requirements or recommendations. Take some time to explore their specific guidelines for podcast submissions.

Then, you can go ahead and submit your podcast via iTunes podcast connect. The process is similar for listing on Stitcher and YouTube Music.

5. Create Your Setup

Now, it is time to get your microphone set up with your streaming software. All you need is a quality microphone that can be connected to a computer. Most broadcasters use USB mics or XLR mics connected via some sort of soundboard. Once this is set up, you can pull that audio feed into a live broadcasting software application.

Once this is done, you can connect your software to your online video platform. This involves entering the streaming information of your video content (provided by your live-streaming solution) and enter your encoder settings

Many podcasters and radio show hosts create a sound-proof area with good acoustics to record their live audio streams. Luckily, capturing audio-only streaming is much simpler than video since you don’t have to worry about lighting or the general aesthetic.

You can create your audio live-streaming setup in a relatively small space since you don’t have to consider the appearance of the background.

6. Test Your Setup

One essential step to live audio streaming is testing your streaming setup to identify any snags in the system. This is really important because when you’re streaming live, there is no room to correct mistakes in real time.

During a live stream, there’s no rewind button, and technical glitches can be disruptive and frustrating for everyone involved.

This is why it’s important to take the time to test your setup beforehand so you can identify and iron out any potential problems, ensuring a professional and polished stream.

We recommend running a couple of tests to make sure you’re good to go. Some things you can check to fortify your live stream setup include: 

• Internet Connection: Run an internet speed test to gauge your upload speed.
• Audio Quality: Test your microphone by recording a sample and listening back for any background noise, static, or distortion in your audio for live streaming.
• Video Feed: If your live audio streaming includes a visual component, check if your webcam or capture card is functioning properly and delivering a clear image. You can test different lighting setups to eliminate shadows or overly bright areas.

7. Start Streaming

Once you’ve confirmed that your streaming equipment and setup are working properly, it is time to start your live voice streaming. Learning how to make a podcast live on most live audio streaming platforms is super simple. It’s often just a matter of clicking “Start Stream.”

Remember to remain confident while having a little fun with your live audio stream. Even though not a single person in the audience can see you, they will get a sense of your attitude and mood through the sound of your voice.

Advanced AI Technologies in Audio Broadcasting

AI-Powered Audio Enhancement

Advanced AI tools are transforming how audio sounds in a live audio broadcast. Nvidia’s “Studio Voice,” for example, uses AI to clean up microphone audio, reducing background noise and enhancing vocal clarity. This makes a big difference for audio streaming platforms and professional audio streaming setups, ensuring clear, high-quality sound without needing expensive equipment.

AI-Driven Content Personalization

AI is also improving how listeners experience content. Audio streaming software can now analyze user preferences and listening habits to recommend personalized audio content. Whether it’s for internet radio streaming or live audio streaming services, this personalization keeps audiences engaged by delivering what they want to hear when they want to hear it.

AI in Live Broadcasting

During a live audio broadcast, AI can optimize sound levels in real time, balancing voices, music, and effects seamlessly. It also helps synchronize audio with visual elements, improving production quality. These AI-powered audio streaming solutions make live broadcasting smoother and more immersive for listeners.

Licensing and Ethical Considerations in AI-Generated Content

Licensing Challenges

AI-generated music can raise serious licensing concerns, especially when AI models are trained on unlicensed datasets. If an AI system creates music based on copyrighted material without proper authorization, it can lead to legal disputes. Broadcasters using AI-generated audio must ensure they have the rights to distribute and monetize the content. Establishing clear licensing frameworks for AI-produced music is essential to protect artists and maintain fair compensation. When using AI in broadcast live audio, verifying the source of the content helps avoid legal risks.

Ethical Considerations

AI in audio streaming technology introduces ethical questions about originality and transparency. While AI can generate music quickly, it may overshadow human creativity. Ethical audio streaming for broadcasters should balance AI-generated and human-made content, ensuring that AI tools support rather than replace musicians. Transparency is also key—listeners should know when AI is involved in high-quality audio streaming to maintain trust in the industry.

Audio Over IP (AoIP) Technologies

Audio over IP (AoIP) is a technology that delivers high-quality digital audio over standard IP networks. Instead of relying on traditional analog or digital connections, AoIP allows broadcasters to send and receive audio using the same infrastructure as data and video. This improves flexibility, reduces costs, and simplifies live audio streaming setups. With lower latency and better sound quality, AoIP is a key part of modern broadcasting. It enables remote production, easy scalability, and seamless integration with other live audio streaming equipment.

Implementation Strategies

To integrate AoIP into your setup, start with compatible hardware, such as networked audio interfaces and software-based mixing consoles. Use managed networks to ensure stable transmission and follow audio streaming best practices, like prioritizing network traffic for audio. A well-planned live audio streaming setup prevents dropouts and maintains professional sound quality.

Ethical Considerations

AI is becoming more common in audio streaming. While AI tools help automate tasks, they raise concerns about the balance between machine-generated content and human creativity. Ethical audio streaming guides emphasize transparency when using AI in broadcasting. Clearly labeling AI-generated content helps maintain trust with audiences while ensuring high-quality streaming live audio content.

Top 10 Live Audio Streaming Platforms

Now that you know how to broadcast a podcast live, let’s talk about specific platforms to choose from. As mentioned, the best way to live stream a podcast is to choose a reliable audio stream software to host your audio-only content.

Fortunately, many video streaming companies offer robust live audio streaming because many of the features required for a quality video stream are similar to what’s required for audio live streaming meaning you get core audio broadcast features plus more. For example, two of many features that are very advanced among video platforms that support live audio broadcasts are analytics and security.

With that said, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best audio live-streaming platforms. Most of the platforms on our list offer extensive documentation on how to live stream audio only using their platform.

Let’s take a close look at the features and pricing of each of the live audio streaming solutions on our list.

1. Dacast

Dacast is the preferred live audio streaming platform among many professional broadcasters.

Dacast is a unified streaming platform for broadcasters that offers VOD and live streaming services. It has a wide spread of powerful, full OTT content and technology features that are well-suited for professional broadcasters. This platform is password-protected and easy to use to distribute video content to viewers around the world securely.

Key Features:

• Monetization tools (SVOD,  AVOD), and  pay-per-view (TVOD)
• White label and branding control
• Adaptive bitrate streaming to allow multiple streams with varying bitrates
• RTMP Encoder for ingesting  HLS streaming
• Low latency HTML5 channels for video streaming
• Live encoding support for the top video encoders
• Zoom live streaming integration
• Expo galleries video portal
• Unlimited viewers and live channels
• Video security tools for secure streaming
• Global content delivery with strategic CDN partnerships
• Multi-bitrate streaming
• Player API and  Video API access
• 24/7 tech support

New!

• M3U8 file creation capability to enable adaptive streaming delivery of OTT video content across various devices
• Multistreaming capabilities for simulcasting to multiple platforms at once
• Fully integrated RTMP streaming platform features
• AES encryption for secure video streaming
• Multi-user access on Scale and Custom plans
• Zoom live streaming integration for meetings and live events in real-time
• Expo 4.0 galleries video portal for immersive video experiences

Pros:

• VOD and live stream video hosting
• Real-time analytics
• Ad-free streaming
• Wide range of privacy and security tools
• Mobile device support
• Live stream recording
• China Video Hosting
• Plans for every budget

Cons:

• A large range of features require a bit of an initial learning curve

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: None (but 240p is the recommended minimum)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p or 4K (depends on the user’s hardware and internet)
• Video aspect ratio: No restrictions (but 16:9 is the default)
• Max file size: None
• Max video length: None
• Total file storage: 10-1000GB (depends on plan)
• Compatible video formats: MP4 (preferred), MOV, M4V, M2V, AVI, MPG, FLV, WMV, MKV, WEBM, OGV, MXF, ASF, VOB, MTS

Pricing:

• Starter: $39/month billed annually (includes 2.4 TB bandwidth and 500 GB storage)
• Event: $63/month billed annually (includes 6 TB bandwidth and 250 GB storage)
• Scale: $165/month billed annually (includes 24 TB bandwidth and 2 TB storage)
• Custom: contact sales for custom pricing plans

2. Cincopa

Cincopa is a dedicated multimedia hosting platform.

Cincopa is a multimedia hosting platform that large organizations use to store their content. In addition to media hosting, Cincopa offers all of the tools that broadcasters need to host high-quality  live streams.

Cincopa offers plans for different budgets. The range of pricing offerings, paired with the flexible functionality of this platform makes it a great tool for many different kinds of broadcasters.

Basic Functionality:

Cincopa’s primary purpose is hosting different types of media files, including video, audio, and images. However, this platform also supports live streaming. 

Key Features:

Cincopa provides all of the features that broadcasters need for a professional streaming experience, including video monetization, stream recording, OTT streaming, powerful content delivery, and more.

Another perk of this streaming solution is that it supports integrations for a customizable streaming experience.

Detailed Features:

• Multimedia hosting
• Live streaming support 
• Powerful video player
• Video monetization
• Integrations for customization
• OTT streaming
• Reliable CDN partnerships
• Secure streaming

Pros:

• High-quality streaming
• Professional streaming experience
• Wide range of useful tools
• Customizable streaming
• Reliable customer support 

Cons:

• Live streaming is a secondary offering
• Some complaints of media storage limits

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 144p
• Maximum dimension: 4K
• Aspect ratio: 4:3, 16:9
• Max file size: 1, 2, 20GB (depending on the plan)
• Max video length: not available
• Total file storage: 5 videos, 40 videos, unlimited videos (depending on the plan)
• Compatible video formats: AVI, MOV, WMV, MP4, M4A, F4A,  F4B, F4V, F4P, M2TS, MTS, VOB, MKV, RMVB, M1V, QT, DIV, DIVX, DV, 3GP, 3GPP, 3G2, MPG, MPEG, MPE, FLV

Pricing:

Cincopa offers four pricing plans for multimedia hosting:

• Plus: $25/month; 50 videos, 75 audio/podcast files, 1 TB monthly traffic
• Corporate: $99/month; 250 videos, 300 audio/podcast files, 2 TB monthly traffic
• Enterprise: $350/month; unlimited videos, audio/podcast files, and monthly traffic
• Custom Enterprise: Custom pricing; dedicated account manager, SSO

Contact Cincopa’s sales team for detailed information on the Custom Enterprise plan where you can optimize your media strategy as per your business growth.

Cincopa is an image and podcast hosting platform that supports live streaming. If you need all three of those video live-streaming services in one place, they may be the right platform for your business.

3. Kaltura

Kaltura is best suited for streamers who need customization capabilities.

Kaltura is open-source software that offers a unique OTT streaming technology platform that focuses on educational institutions. It is perfect for hosting large content libraries and delivering it with a branded video player. What makes Kaltura’s OTT service unique is that it is customizable thanks to various integrations. Kaltura also provides cloud-based hosting and streaming services as a base for these customizations. With its open-source foundation, Kaltura is highly customizable and extensible. Companies can build their own integrations and add-ons to meet specific needs.

That said, while Kaltura is a top online broadcasting platform, it falls behind in terms of user friendliness. It’s slightly complicated to use and has a long learning curve, making it inaccessible to beginners. 

Key Features:

• Multi-bitrate and adaptive video streaming
• Monetization options (SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD) via integrations
• Powerful security features
• Total video and player API access

Pros:

• Completely customizable
• Very few limits on features thanks to integrations
• Well-suited for advanced broadcasters

Cons:

• The “pay-as-you-go” structure often makes it more expensive to use
• Complicated platform
• Not cut out for beginner broadcasters
• Slow-to-respond tech support

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 180p (320 x 180)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: 2GB
• Max video length: Not available
• Total file storage: 10GB to Unlimited (depends on the plan)
• Compatible video formats: MOV, MP4

Pricing:

Prices are based on the solutions you’re looking for. These billed monthly plans include: 

Webinars:

• Limited trial: $1 for two webinars
• Business: $199/month (or $150/month when billed annually)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Virtual classroom:

• Free trial: 14 days; up to 25 participants per session
• Basic: $19/month (or $17/month when billed annually); up to 8 participants per session and 8 hrs of cloud recording
• Pro: $55/month (or $50/month when billed annually); up to 25 participants per session and 15 hrs of cloud recording
• Business: $125/month (or $115/month when billed annually); up to 100 participants per session and up to 25 hrs of cloud recording
• Business Plus: Custom pricing for up to 300 participants per session, unlimited sessions and custom storage needs

Media Services:

• Annual discounts: Discounted pricing packages available for any scale and use-case, enterprise SLA, and developer support
• Limited trial account: $1 for $100 worth of credits for 30 days for testing and experimentation, with no commitments
• Pay as you go – You pay only for what you use at these credit levels:
• Base plan: $20 one-time annual fee + monthly usage fees

Other services include virtual events, video portal town halls, video messaging, meetings, and more.

4. Muvi

Muvi is an OTT-focused live audio streaming solution.

Muvi helps broadcasters set up OTT streaming platforms for both video and audio content. It is equipped with tools for brand control, customization, monetization, and more.

Muvi offers 500+ podcast features, which is great for users who have the time and expertise to learn and understand the platform. However, it can get a bit overwhelming for new audio broadcasters.

Key Features:

• Live and on-demand hosting
• Custom branding
• HTML5 video player
• DRM and security features
• White-label audio player with branding customization
• Real-time podcast analytics
• Monetization tools
• DVR-enabled livestream for listeners to pause and rewind live audio.

Pros:

• End-to-end podcast hosting
• Reliable content delivery through powerful CDN
• Transcoding support for high-quality streaming
• Live stream podcasts
• Online store for you to sell brand merchandise

Cons:

• The platform is not user friendly
• Difficulty with integrations
• CMS user interface is complex
• Does not support China delivery

Pricing:

Muvi has four different pricing plans:

• Standard: $399/month (+ $299/month per app + infra fees), allows 2,000 concurrent listeners, 1 TB of bandwidth, 1 TB of storage, 200 GB of encoding, and API access.
• Professional: $1,499 per month (+ $499/month per app + infra fees), increases limits to 10,000 concurrent users, 2 TB of bandwidth, 2 TB of storage, 500 GB of encoding, and adds premium support.
• Enterprise: $3,900 per month (+ $499/month per app + infra fees), allows 50,000 concurrent listeners, 5 TB of bandwidth, 5 TB of storage, 1 TB of encoding, and adds a dedicated server, Enterprise support, and the ability to use your own CDN.
• Ultimate: A custom solution that includes everything in the Enterprise plan with limits extended to unlimited users, 10 TB of bandwidth, 10 TB of storage, 2 TB of encoding, plus a dedicated hosting server with auto scaling as well as monthly security and performance reports. 

5. Vimeo (Formerly Livestream)

Livestream is a premier streaming solution for live audio.

Since its founding in 2004, Vimeo has grown to be one of the most well-known video platforms on the internet.

Originally, Vimeo made its mark by offering an ad-free experience for video sharing, which made it an instant hit with creators and audiences. Now, it offers live streaming and enterprise video hosting space, with a range of services targeting businesses of all sizes.

The platform emphasises quality over quantity, which is appealing to many professional creators and businesses. Vimeo offers a cleaner user experience and a vast array of customization options.

Basic Functionality:

Vimeo is a cloud-based video streaming platform with comprehensive video hosting and live-streaming functionality. Vimeo has a simplified live streaming interface with features like text and graphic overlays and social share options. It also has plenty of tools that help with greater audience interaction.

Key Features:

• Cloud-based video hosting
• Small-scale streaming solution
• Text and graphic overlay
• Collaboration and interaction tools
• Social share options
• Flexible storage options

Pros:

Vimeo is simple to use, even if you are not a techie. They offer low-budget options so that small organizations can use the platform as easily as larger organizations. At the same time, the interface is very professional.

• User-friendly interface with simple navigation
• Great in-class security and privacy settings
• Good video playback quality
• You can embed your live stream video using this cloud streaming platform on your website.

Cons:

• Some issues with connection to an internal server
• No China video delivery
• Limited live streaming and video hosting capabilities
• Requires you to be tech-savvy to take full advantage of its features and have everything running smoothly
• The live event management system is pricier than other services and lacks robust features you’ll find on other platforms
• Buffering times are longer than other cloud video services
• You can’t convert the text in English to other languages.

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Recommended dimension: 720p (1280 x 720)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: 3GB
• Max video length: Information not available
• Total file storage: Information not available
• Compatible video formats: MP4 (recommended)

Pricing:

Vimeo offers basic video hosting plans that are suitable for content creators and startups. These include:

Pricing if billed monthly, is as follows:

• Free: $0/month; 1 GB storage, creation and editing, screen recording
• Starter: $20/month; 100 GB storage, auto closed captioning, custom URLs and video player, privacy tools
• Standard: $41/month; 1 TB storage, engagement and social analytics, AI script generator, teleprompter, brand kit
• Advanced: $108/month; 5 TB storage, stream to multiple destinations, host live broadcasts and webinars, AI-generated chapters and text summaries
• Enterprise: Custom pricing; more storage and bandwidth, advanced AI capabilities, quality events, dedicated support

Vimeo is great if you want to maximize the usage of your content by turning your live streams into VOD content. 

VIMEO OTT

Vimeo’s OTT solution is priced separately from the regular Vimeo packages. There are two plans: Starter and Enterprise.

• Starter Pricing: $1/subscriber per month
• Enterprise Pricing: Please contact Vimeo for custom pricing information

6. Brightcove

Brightcove is another trusted solution in the OTT video platform. Its cloud video hosting suite is equipped with everything broadcasters need to succeed over the top and in online video hosting. Brightcove is primarily geared towards business video hosting use, but you can build custom packages to include all of the tools broadcasters need to create a streaming media platform.

Key Features:

• Access to top-tier CDNs for global content delivery
• Multi-bitrate and adaptive bitrate streaming
• Video API access
• Basic tech support
• Advanced security features
• Monetization tools

Pros:

• Custom video player landing pages
• CRM integration available
• Wide range of professional broadcasting features

Cons:

• High pricing
• No China video delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: Determined by user
• Maximum dimension: Determined by user
• Aspect ratio: No restrictions (since Brightcove uses a responsive player)
• Max file size: No limits on files size
• Max video length: No published limits
• Total file storage: Varies by plan
• Compatible video formats: MP4, MOV, FLV, AVI, WMV, MKV, 3GPP

Pricing:

Brightcove builds custom pricing plans to suit enterprise streaming needs. Please contact their sales department to find out the pricing structure for their live streaming features. 

Here is what we currently know about their pricing structure:

• Basic Plan: Starts at $99 per user per month, which includes core video hosting and management functionalities. This plan is well-suited for businesses with basic video needs, such as small content libraries or internal communications​.
• Enterprise-Level Plans: These plans are highly customizable and include advanced features such as live streaming, in-depth analytics, security options, and robust integrations. Pricing is tailored depending on the specific needs of the business, including audience size, storage requirements, and additional services like video monetization and support​.
• Customization Costs: Enterprises may face additional expenses for features like platform customization, data migration, employee training, and ongoing maintenance. These costs can range from a few thousand dollars to significantly more, depending on the complexity of the requirements​.
• Free Trial: Brightcove offers a free trial for prospective users to test its features before committing to a subscription, which is a helpful option for evaluating its capabilities in real-world scenarios.

7. Vidyard

Vidyard is a top  OTT platform for businesses that provides users with many unique tools and features. This video streaming platform is geared towards marketing and sales since its features are designed to turn viewers into customers. The Vidyard platform includes tools to improve audience reach and viewer engagement so broadcasters can use it to generate qualified leads.

But the biggest drawback of Vidyard is that you can’t reach China audiences for your online streams. Instead, broadcasters would have to opt for other Chinese streaming platforms that have servers in China.

Key Features:

• Marketing tools (SEO, lead generation, email capture)
• Tools that promote viewer engagement
• Advanced video content management
• Gold-standard security

Pros:

• Tools for an advanced broadcasting experience
• Powerful video analytics
• Reliable technical support

Cons:

• Inconsistent positive user reviews
• No support for China video delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 360p (480 x 360)
• Maximum dimension: 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: 5GB to 16GB (depending on the plan)
• Max video length: 1 hour (live stream)
• Total file storage: Not available
• Compatible video formats: WEBM, MP4, MKV, MOV

Pricing:

Vidyard prices its platform based on the use case and includes the following packages:

Packages for Individuals and Teams:

• Free: $0/month; limited video recording, up to 30 minutes video recording length
• Plus: $59/month, billed annually; Unlimited video recording, hosting, and recording lengths
• Business: Custom pricing, with add-ons available

Check out Vidyard’s pricing plans for more information.

8. JW Player

JW Player has been important and relevant since online streaming went mainstream.

JW Player is most well-known for its popular video player. The code for this video player was used as part of the first YouTube video player code. However, they recently launched a live-streaming service as well.  JW Player includes a full suite of powerful tools, including an HTML5 video player that supports the latest technologies such as the MPEG-DASH protocol, multi-bitrate streaming, simulcast to Facebook Live, DRM, and more.

Additionally, JW Player provides complete customization on its plans and gives a 30-day free trial so you can get a feel of it before choosing it as your top online broadcasting platform.

Key Features:

• Global content delivery
• Video API access with all plans
• Ad-based monetization
• Multi-bitrate and adaptive streaming
• Some technical support is available

Pros:

• High-quality video player
• Clean user-interface

Cons:

• Limited monetization options (Only supports AVOD)
• Limited tech support
• No China delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 360p (640 x 360)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3, 2.39:1
• Max file size: 25GB
• Max video length: Not available
• Total file storage: 25GB to 500GB (depending on the plan)
• Compatible video formats: MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, 3GP, FLV

Pricing:

JW Player essentially offers 4 pricing tiers:

• Stream: This plan offers video delivery, asset management, instant and broadcast live
• Play: This plan offers cloud hosting, HTML5 Player, OTT apps, and mobile SDKs
• Engage: Take advantage of real-time analytics, recommendations, article matching, and custom reports
• Monetize: Use tools like ad insertion, player bidding, outstream ads, and studio DRM

9. Panopto

Panopto is designed for internal streaming.

Panopto started in 2007 and is now a highly specialized cloud video streaming solution with over 5 million users worldwide. It’s mostly geared toward businesses and universities in the online learning space.

It easily combines live streaming, video management, and on-demand access capabilities. What helps it stand out is its deep integration with many LMSs. Panopto’s ability to provide a mobile-ready solution makes it particularly appealing for learners and employees who need access to content while on the go

Basic Functionality:

Panoptos is best for internal use and is meant to integrate with most learning management systems. The platform has plenty of data protection measures, such as access control, user permissions, and region-specific cloud infrastructure.

Key Features:

• Video cloud solutions
• Live streaming and recording
• Video content management
• Mobile-ready solution
• Lecture-capture and video-search software
• Video analytics
• Access control & security features
• White-label streaming
• Integration with LMS systems
• APIs for further integrations
• Seamless integration with learning management systems
• Switch between slides and webcam
• Good features organize your live streams into specific lectures/ files after the stream ends
• Session recording and creating videos for watching on-demand

Pros:

• Panopto offers custom branding, allowing you to create a video player that reflects your brand
• They have regional cloud infrastructure, allowing for strong storage support
• They offer China video hosting
• You can update user permissions during or after the live broadcast without damaging the video link or other issues
• Videos automatically upload to the folder they need to be in if you’ve selected the source before. You don’t have to manually input the settings or choose the playlist for each live video. It saves the teacher’s time and makes things easy for students.
• The mobile app is a handy tool for all age groups

Cons:

• No version control
• No SEO management
• Steep learning curve
• Responding to questions from your audience can be complex if you’re live-streaming and presenting at the same time
• Editing tools are subpar compared to other cloud streaming services

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 240p (426 x 240)
• Maximum dimension: 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max video length: Information not available
• Total file storage: Information not available
• Compatible video formats: AVI, MP4, MPG, WMV, MOV, QT, ASF, 3GP, WMA, MP3, M4V, and more.

Pricing:

Please contact Panopto for their custom pricing plans as these are not included in the company website. You can also schedule a demo before committing. 

After establishing a contract, you have access to unlimited streaming and storage. However, this aspect may represent a potential downside for some streamers as Panopto does not handle any external-facing video content.

10. Wowza

Wowza offers a couple of different streaming solutions.

We’re including Wowza because it’s a fully capable OTT platform geared toward professional broadcasting. Wowza allows broadcasters to build highly customized streaming workflows using third-party integrations, APIs, and other advanced OTT features.

It offers 4K streaming, live stream recording, and video on demand. Still, its major downfall is that it does not support video monetization, which makes it less popular with professional streamers and broadcasters. It also lacks multi-camera feeds and audience analytics. Use it to market your products through live-streaming product launches, interactive sessions between customers and your team, and more. 

Key Features:

• Cloud transcoding
• Support for live streaming and VOD
• White-label video player
• All-device streaming with an HTML5 video player
• API access available
• Reliable customer support

Pros:

• Brand customization tools
• Auto-archiving
• Powerful video CMS
• Ultra HD streaming (4K)
• Wide range of security options

Cons:

• No simulcasting tools
• No support for video monetization
• No reliable video analytics tools

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 240p (320 x 240)
• Maximum dimension: 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: Not available
• Max video length: Not available
• Total file storage: 250 GB (depends on the plan)
• Compatible video formats: MP4, FLV, MP3, SMIL, AMLST, ID3, NGRP

Pricing:

Wowza offers two main tiers: Streaming Cloud and Streaming Engine.

The Wowza Streaming Cloud offers four distinct pricing plans and services. Live Event Pricing, monthly plans include:

• Pay As You Go: $0 per month only pay for usage at a rate of $2.50 per streaming hour and $0.10 per viewer hour
• One Month of Streaming: $149 one-time purchase; includes 15 hours of live streaming and 500 viewing hours
• Plans built for your needs: Best for large audiences and large volume videos, but you should contact Wowza for custom pricing

All the Live Event plans reflect rates when paid monthly and include full brand control, multi-bitrate streaming, and UHD and HD streaming.

The Wowza Streaming Engine has its own professional-grade streaming plans billed annually and includes:

• Basic Monthly: $195/month with the first instance included (Additional instances $195)
• One Month Streaming: $295/month with the first instance included (Additional instances $295)

Enterprise Plans built for your needs: Best for large audiences and large volumes, but you should contact Wowza for custom pricing.

Comparative Analyses of Competitor Platforms

Feature Comparison

Different live audio streaming platforms offer unique benefits, but the best choice depends on your needs. Some platforms prioritize low latency, ensuring real-time interaction with listeners, while others focus on scalability to handle large audiences. Integration capabilities also vary—some services easily connect with third-party tools for analytics, monetization, or social media sharing. AI-powered features, such as automatic transcription or voice enhancement, are becoming more common, helping broadcasters improve content quality and accessibility.

Case Studies

Broadcasters have found success using different platforms based on their priorities. A news organization needing real-time engagement opted for a low-latency service, improving audience participation during live discussions. Meanwhile, an online radio station chose a platform with strong scalability, allowing it to expand its listener base without technical issues. Another broadcaster benefited from AI-driven transcription, making their content more accessible to a wider audience. These real-world examples highlight how the right platform can enhance live audio streaming, depending on the specific goals and challenges of the broadcaster.

Is a Live Video Streaming Solution Ideal for Audio Broadcasting?

Many online video platforms are suitable for broadcasting live audio.

When you’re looking for a podcast or radio station hosting service, it’s easy to think that an audio-specific solution is best. However, there are multiple reasons that may not be true.

A live video streaming solution is usually capable of audio-only streaming, and many organizations find that broadcasting live audio via a streaming solution is actually more suited to their needs.

Let’s look at a few reasons why this may be the case.

1. Live Broadcasting

Most podcast hosting services are made for hosting and delivering pre-recorded content that isn’t time-sensitive. This means that they aren’t well suited for live broadcasts that are scheduled or meant to be running 24/7.

In contrast, a live video streaming platform provides the functionality and power for live streaming, whether it is a scheduled event or a broadcast meant to run continuously around the clock. That includes distribution via a powerful live-streaming Content Delivery Network (CDN) for scaling to reach large, globally distributed audiences without buffering or lag problems.

Not every solution has this functionality, however, so make sure to do your research.

2. Audio File Storage and Hosting

Storage space is another of the largest differences. More storage allows you to store more podcasts and reuse them forever. One popular podcast hosting service costs $75 per month for 1.5 GB of monthly storage.

In comparison, Dacast offers 500 GB of storage for just $39 per month with an annual Starter plan. If you need more storage, you can upgrade to 2 TB for $165 per month.

Storage is important if you plan to publish a lot of podcasts or host many live audio streams. It’s also an important factor to consider if you want your podcast to go viral.

To give more context, 15 hours of audio amounts to about 1 GB of storage.

3. Monetization

Another major feature is monetization support. A live video streaming solution like Dacast provides an easy-to-use video paywall that is integrated into a white-label streaming player, offering pay-per-stream and subscriptions.

Streaming audio makes up an increasing proportion of music industry revenue. This is a substantial revenue stream that you can tap into via monetization tools. Some platforms even allow you to have your own store to sell merchandise.

Video hosting plans may also include some perks that podcast hosting and even the best music streaming services don’t include. These features range from analytics, API access, security and access control features, all the way to M3u8 playlist support, and more.

Industry Developments

In 2025, the live audio streaming industry continues to evolve with new technology and business shifts shaping the way professionals broadcast. One major development is the rise of AI-driven audio enhancement tools, making it easier to improve sound quality in real time. Cloud-based streaming solutions are also expanding, offering broadcasters more flexibility and scalability.

On the business side, mergers and acquisitions are reshaping the market. Large streaming platforms are acquiring smaller companies specializing in interactive audio features, like audience engagement tools and spatial sound technology. These changes reflect a growing demand for high-quality, immersive listening experiences.

For broadcasters, these advancements mean more options and better tools to create professional audio streams. As the industry grows, staying updated on these trends will be key to delivering engaging and high-quality content.

Emerging Trends in Audio Streaming

Virtual AI Co-Hosts

AI-powered virtual co-hosts are changing real-time audio streaming by making live broadcasts more engaging. These AI hosts can respond to listeners, provide commentary, and even adapt their tone based on audience reactions. They offer content creators a way to keep conversations flowing, even when broadcasting solo. For those looking for audio streaming tips, integrating an AI co-host can make a stream feel more interactive and professional.

Interactive Listener Experiences

New audio streaming tools are making listener engagement more interactive. AI-generated voices and synthetic radio hosts can now hold conversations with audiences, creating a two-way experience. This innovation allows for personalized responses and real-time participation, making broadcasts feel more immersive. If you’re following a live audio streaming tutorial, consider adding interactive elements to make your content more dynamic.

FAQs

1. What is meant by live audio streaming?

Live audio streaming is the real-time broadcast of audio content over the internet. It has gained popularity due to the rise of podcasts and music streaming services. It involves capturing your audio for live streaming and transmitting it continuously to a streaming platform. This platform then distributes the audio stream to listeners in real-time using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for smooth playback. Listeners typically access the stream through a web browser or a dedicated live audio broadcast app.

2. What is the best live audio streaming platform?

There are several excellent live audio streaming platforms available, each with its own features and pricing. Some of the best options include:

• Dacast 
• Brightcove
• Panopto
• Muvi
• Wowza
• Vimeo
• Kaltura
• Cincopa
• Vidyard
• JW Player

These platforms offer robust features for hosting and delivering high-quality audio streams, with options for live broadcasting, on-demand audio, and podcast hosting.

Determining the best live audio streaming platform depends on your specific needs and preferences. , Cincopa, and Wowza. Consider factors like features, pricing, ease of use, and scalability when choosing the platform that suits you best. Dacast offers robust tools at affordable pricing.

3. How do I set up an audio streaming service?

To begin live audio streaming, you need to make a plan, choose a live audio streaming platform, and embed your audio player into your website.

You should then get your podcast listed on platforms like iTunes, create your audio setup, test your setup, and finally, start streaming.

4. How do I host an audio stream?

You’ll need an encoder like Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) to capture your audio feed, streaming software like Dacast, and a hosting account. Connect your encoder to the software, configure your settings, and you can broadcast your audio live.

5. How do I get professional audio streaming quality?

Achieving professional audio quality for live streams involves several steps:

• Invest in a high-quality (XLR or USB) microphone and audio equipment.
• Ensure a quiet and acoustically treated recording environment to reduce background noise.
• Use the best audio streaming software for better control and customization.
• Opt for a reliable live audio streaming platform that supports high-quality audio.
• Set appropriate bitrates (at least 128kbps) and codecs for your audio streams.
• Fine-tune your audio in editing before streaming and make adjustments as needed to maintain quality.

Conclusion

As of 2025, more than one-third of Americans listen to podcasts regularly. Millions more listen to online podcasts, paid and free music streaming services, and radio. With the growth of audio-only streaming only increasing, every business, organization or individual who wants to grow their brand should use it. Thankfully, as we’ve covered, getting started needs only a professional streaming platform and the right support.

If this sounds like you, try Dacast. Dacast is a professional live streaming platform used by successful professional businesses and organizations all over the world. With our 14-day risk-free trial, you can try all the features and talk to our support about how best to set up your audio streaming platform for success.

START NOW

Do have questions or comments about our service for broadcasting live audio before giving Dacast a try? Let us know in the comment section below, and we’ll do our best to respond as soon as we can. For regular tips on live streaming and exclusive offers, we also invite you to join our LinkedIn group.

Thanks for reading, and good luck choosing the right streaming service for your radio broadcasts.

The post Live Audio Streaming: How to Broadcast Audio with a Professional Platform [2025 Update] appeared first on Dacast.

The downside to the explosive growth of live streaming is that cybersecurity threats are also rising. Security firms are reporting an increase in a variety of different cybersecurity threats in 2025, such as: 

• Piracy
• Hacking
• Digital attacks

The good news is that there are serval video security solutions you can implement to protect your content against cybersecurity threats, including AES video encryption.

In this post, we will examine AES video encryption in detail. We will discuss what video streaming encryption is, who should use it, and how it works. We’ll also mention a few additional video security methods and see how they compare against AES video encryption. Let’s see how AES can protect your content against rising cybersecurity threats.

Table of Contents

• What is AES Video Encryption?
• Who Needs AES Video Encryption?
• Benefits of Encrypting Video Streams
• Potential Vulnerabilities and Limitations of AES Encryption
• Technical Overview of AES Video Encryption: Development and Strength
• Does AES Impact Video Latency
• AES-256 vs. AES-128
• How to Encrypt a Video with AES
• Additional Streaming Cybersecurity Measures
• FAQ
• Conclusion

What is AES Video Encryption?

AES stands for “Advanced Encryption Standard.” TechTarget says AES encryption is “a symmetric block cipher chosen by the U.S. government to protect classified information and is implemented in software and hardware throughout the world to encrypt sensitive data.”

During live video streaming, broadcasters can use AES video encryption for secure streaming. When the video is encrypted, a special key scrambles the video content. 

Viewers can’t access the video unless they have the correct digital access key, and if they try to intercept it, they’ll see a scrambled mess of useless data. Authorized viewers can access AES-encrypted video via their web browser and a secure HTTPS connection.

The encryption process may be invisible, but it provides a significant layer of protection against interception and piracy. Video streaming encryption works behind the scenes to ensure that video content is accessed in the right location by the right people who have access to it.

Who Needs AES Video Encryption?

If you need to protect your valuable video content from being viewed or stolen by unauthorized people, AES video encryption is for you. For example, if you have private internal content or if you sell video courses online, your videos must remain exclusive and be accessible only to your subscribers or your internal team.

AES often works with other security measures to keep your videos as secure as possible. That way, you can keep private internal content private and retain the monetization value of your video content.

Although anyone can use AES streaming encryption, here are a few types of businesses and industries that benefit from this security measure:

• Government organizations
• Enterprise businesses and SMBs
• OTT and entertainment companies
• Education and eLearning
• Live event streaming

Anyone who wants to keep their OTT streaming content from being copied should consider this security measure. Online video piracy is costing the global media industry about $75 billion a year in lost revenue. That’s why Netflix uses AES encryption to protect its content catalog, making it nearly impossible for hackers to intercept or tamper with their streams. Learning platforms like Coursera also use AES video encryption to protect premium courses and give access only to paying users.

Benefits of Encrypting Video Streams

Numerous benefits come with encrypting your video streams. Being aware of these benefits makes it easy to choose to use AES video encryption on your content.

Benefit #1: Stop “Man-in-the-Middle” (MITM) Hacks

AES video encryption prevents “Man-in-the-Middle” (MITM) style hacking attacks. In this attack, someone intercepts network traffic to steal sensitive data.

You may have heard that using public, unsecured WiFi networks can be dangerous, and MITM attacks are why. For example, if you log in to your bank at the local Starbucks, you might have exposed your financial details to a hacker.

In general, these types of attacks are relatively simple. Tools such as packet sniffers are widely available, and anyone with little technical knowledge can download and get one running easily. More concerning, however, are the professional hackers. These individuals look to gather sensitive information to resell on the dark web.

Akamai, a top-tier content delivery network that partners with many streaming platforms, reports that credential theft for online video subscriptions is an issue that compromises millions of accounts every year.

AES video encryption allows you to completely prevent these types of attacks. Anyone snooping on your streams will be halted by AES encryption. This protects you against piracy, data theft, intellectual property appropriation, and more.

Benefit #2: Hardware and Software Implementation

AES video encryption takes place at both the hardware and software levels. 

Implementing at both the hardware and software level creates an extremely secure and robust security protocol that is hard for hackers to get through. It is slightly more complicated to implement with software, but it is more than possible.

Benefit #3: Longer Key Sizes

AES encryption uses longer encryption key sizes than other types of technology you can use to protect your content. The average key size is 128, 192, or 256 bits. Using higher and various key lengths helps make the AES algorithm more secure and robust.

Benefit #4: Commonly Used

AES encryption isn’t just for video files. It is used for a wide variety of different use cases, including: 

• Financial transactions
• Wireless communications
• Encrypted data storage
• E-business transactions

Benefit #5: Greater Control Over Who Access Your Content

One of the biggest benefits of encrypting your video content is having more control over who views your content. This can allow you to ensure that only those users you want access to your content have access. 

This is important if you are trying to monetize your content. You need to keep the content secure if you want to succeed in making money from your content. Your content needs to be exclusive to get people to pay subscription fees, for example.

Potential Vulnerabilities and Limitations of AES Encryption

While it’s true that AES encryption offers all of the above mentioned benefits and protection for video and streaming content, it’s not fully immune to certain vulnerabilities. Most notable are:

• Replay Attacks: Unauthorized users try to intercept and decrypt the data and gain access. To stop these attacks, most streaming platforms implement tokenized security, making each watching session unique, so it’s more difficult for attackers to reuse the data.
  
• Key extraction: Attackers try to get the encryption key directly from a viewing device to access the content. You can mitigate this risk by regularly rotating the keys in use and storing them in hardware security modules (HSMs).

Another risk you must consider is physical vulnerabilities, like screen recording. It completely bypasses the AES encryption and grabs the video content straight from the user’s screen. Usually, the solution is as simple as incorporating watermarks in your videos. A more sophisticated solution is screen capture blocking, which stops users from screen recording the part of the screen that contains sensitive information.

Technical Overview of AES Video Encryption: Development and Strength

AES was originally released in 2002 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It’s meant to be as secure as possible, free, and relatively easy for programmers to implement. Since then, AES video encryption has proven to be a strong and reliable security method.

It’s still widely used in banking, government, military, and business because it aligns with strict compliance standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2. These regulations require strong encryption while transferring and storing highly sensitive personal information and data.

AES is free, open-source, and built-in to the hardware and software of many devices. It uses the Rijndael algorithm and symmetrical block ciphers to encrypt the content. It’s a complex repeating process of mathematical substitution that turns content into jumbled data, which is completely worthless unless you apply the proper key. This brings up the need for proper key management.

AES Key Management

Key management is the practice of securely handling the AES encryption keys during their lifecycle in a way that maintains data security and integrity. Best practices involve regular key rotations every 30 to 90 days to minimize the risk of the key being compromised.

A good security practice is setting a key expiration date or, more precisely, giving the key a specific lifespan. This limits the potential damage of key exposure because the key becomes invalid after a while and will need replacing.

Another top tip is key storage. You must always store the AES encryption keys in hardware security modules (HSMs) or key management systems (KMSs). These secure environments add extra security and prevent unauthorized access.

Does AES Impact Video Latency

As effective as AES is in protecting your video content, using larger key sizes like AES-256 can make the encryption and decryption process a bit slower. This lag is mostly noticeable when watching videos on older devices or if your network has limited bandwidth.

You can easily fix this issue by using Content Delivery Networks or CDNs. They spread the encrypted content across multiple servers located near viewers, which in turn speeds up the data transfer and reduces latency.

CDNs also pair up seamlessly with HTTPS protocols to maintain the integrity of the AES encryption during streaming. To give viewers the best user experience while still maintaining a high level of security with AES video encryption, do the following:

1. Use AES-128 for standard content to minimize processing impact.
2. Implement CDNs for faster encryption and decryption.
3. Use adaptive bitrate streaming for seamless playback.
4. Ensure compatibility with modern browsers and devices.
5. Regularly rotate encryption keys to maintain security without affecting performance.
6. Test for latency and adjust settings for different user conditions.

AES-256 vs. AES-128

In general, AES-128 video encryption should be secure enough for most use cases. If you’re sending particularly sensitive information, you can use AES-256. The only drawback is that encoding and playing back this video will require a little more CPU resources from your viewers.

However, in 2015, the NSA stopped recommending the use of 128-bit keys for AES encryption and started recommending 256. Today, most professionals recommend 256-bit keys as a matter of course. Most modern hardware should have no trouble at all decoding video encrypted with a 256-bit key.

Which key size you use mostly depends on how sensitive your video content is. AES-128 is pretty secure and offers good performance on most devices for securing standard video content or non-sensitive data. However, if you want to protect premium or monetized video content, it’s best to use AES-256. It provides stronger security but can slightly impact video performance on older devices.

AES vs. Other Encryption Methods

While there are plenty of other encryption methods available like DES, RSA, and 3DES, AES is still the preferred one for video streaming. Compared to the others, it offers better security and is more efficient.

For example, the DES keys are 64-bit, 128-bit, and 192-bit, so the encryption and decryption processes are a lot slower than AES encryption. RSA is often used for secure key exchange in video streaming workflows, but it’s slower, and unlike AES, it’s unsuitable for large-scale data encryption.

But these encryption methods aren’t mutually exclusive, and you can use them side by side. For example, RSA and AES are often used together for key exchange in secure communication protocols like SSL/TLS.

How to Encrypt Video with AES

Implementing AES video encryption sounds rather technical, but if you’re using the right secure video streaming platform, it’s as simple as a single click of a button on your video dashboard. The process is completely invisible to both you and your viewers and looks a little like this:

1. Encryption starts in the background on ingest servers, where an AES algorithm scrambles the raw video data.
2. The encrypted video is then sent to a CDN.
3. It remains on the CDN nodes, where it stays encrypted until it reaches the user’s device.
4. Then, the correct AES key decrypts the video and turns the scrambled data back into watchable content.
5. All of this happens in real time to minimize latency.

As we said, knowing how to encrypt a video isn’t something you need to worry about, as most major OTT platforms already provide you with some level of encryption measures. Here is a little comparison of what sort of encryption you can expect from the leading streaming platforms.

AES Encryption on Dacast

Dacast has recently reintroduced AES streaming for our users in the new iteration of the platform. Now, we use special servers to encrypt the data before it is even sent to the video player, in addition to encrypting the video player itself.

To enable AES encryption for new or existing VOD files on your Dacast account, just follow these steps:

1. Sign in to your Dacast dashboard
2. Choose the video that you would like to add AES encryption for
3. Click the “Security” tab on the top menu bar
4. Scroll to the “Advanced Encryption Standard” (AES) section and toggle to the right to turn it on
5. Click the purple “Save” button

Feel free to review the other security options on the page while enabling AES to configure your security settings properly for maximum video content protection.

Additional Streaming Cybersecurity Measures

In addition to online video encryption using AES, you can take other measures to make your content more secure. Several more advanced security protocols perfectly complement AES and add extra layers of protection to the video content. The most popular ones include:

• Password protection: Add a “first line of defense” against unauthorized viewers by requiring a password to access your content;
• Geo-restrictions: Restrict access based on viewers’ physical location;
• Domain/referrer-restrictions: Restrict access based on the website that your player is embedded in (i.e. limit access to players embedded in your website only);
• Tokenization: Limit access to viewers that have the specified digital credentials by generating time-sensitive tokens that prevent unauthorized sharing of links or session hijacking;
• Watermarking: Embed a visible or invisible mark into the video that prevents pirating, helps track any leaks, and stops unauthorized sharing.
• Blockchain Verification: This technology can help you track the ownership of any video content and give access only to authorized users.
• Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): This step requires viewers to provide additional verification, such as a second password, before accessing protected video content.

If you’re using a video paywall to monetize your content, it is important to make it absolutely secure so that your viewers’ financial information is never compromised.

FAQ

1. What is AES video?

An AES video is a video stream protected using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a powerful encryption method that secures content by scrambling the data. This process ensures only viewers with the correct decryption key can access the content, protecting it from unauthorized access and interception. AES encryption is widely used in industries like entertainment, education, and government to safeguard sensitive or high-value video content. Without the proper key, intercepted AES-encrypted video appears as unusable, scrambled data. This makes AES video encryption a critical tool for preventing piracy and ensuring content privacy.

2. Is AES encryption compatible with all browsers and devices?

AES encryption is widely compatible across modern browsers and devices, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. However, the streaming platform used to deliver AES-encrypted content must support secure playback methods, like HTTPS connections. Older devices or outdated browsers may experience compatibility issues, so viewers should use the latest browser versions for the best experience.

3. Does AES encryption increase streaming latency?

AES encryption has a minimal effect on streaming latency for most users, especially when optimized through a content delivery network (CDN). The encryption and decryption processes are efficient and designed to run smoothly on most devices, though larger key sizes like AES-256 may slightly increase processing time. By using a streaming platform optimized for AES encryption, latency impact is typically negligible, ensuring a seamless viewing experience.

4. What is the difference between AES encryption for video and AES encryption for other data?

AES encryption for video streaming specifically secures the video content as it moves from servers to viewers, often paired with secure delivery methods like HTTPS. In contrast, AES encryption for other data, such as files or emails, focuses on protecting information stored on devices or in transit between users. Video AES encryption requires specialized delivery protocols to maintain real-time playback and low latency, whereas general AES encryption often prioritizes static data security.

5. How secure is AES-128 compared to AES-256 for live streaming?

Both AES-128 and AES-256 are highly secure and suitable for live streaming, but AES-256 provides stronger encryption with its larger key size, making it more resistant to brute-force attacks. While AES-128 is typically sufficient for most streaming needs, AES-256 is recommended for sensitive or high-value content due to its enhanced security. Some streaming platforms allow users to choose between the two, balancing performance and security based on specific needs.

6. Can AES encryption protect my video from all forms of piracy?

AES encryption effectively protects against many forms of piracy, such as unauthorized access and interception during streaming. However, it cannot prevent screen recording, where an authorized user records video playback from their device. To mitigate this, AES encryption is often paired with additional security features, such as dynamic watermarking or DRM, which help deter and track unauthorized copies.

7. Do I need to manage encryption keys for AES video encryption myself?

Most streaming platforms handle encryption key management for AES, so users do not need to manage or distribute keys manually. Key management is automated and secure, typically involving rotating keys at set intervals to enhance security. If users prefer more control, some advanced platforms may offer customizable options for key management and rotation settings.

Conclusion

Now that you’re familiar with AES video encryption and how it works, we hope that you consider using it as part of your video hosting security strategy.

Encrypted streaming is truly one of the best methods broadcasters and businesses can use today to protect their video content.

At Dacast, we offer AES video encryption in addition to secure video upload, password-protected video hosting, and other innovative security features with our streaming solution.

To learn more about our video platform’s security features, please check out our privacy and security page or contact our dedicated 24/7 customer support team.

We invite you to try these and our other private video hosting tools risk-free for 14 days. Sign up today to start your trial. No credit card is required.

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The post AES Video Encryption – The Ultimate Guide to Streaming Video Security [2025 Update] appeared first on Dacast.

Over the past decade, advancements in streaming protocols, AI-driven enhancements, and content delivery networks (CDNs) have significantly improved the quality, accessibility, and security of video streaming. The growing adoption of 5G, edge computing, and immersive experiences like virtual reality (VR) has further accelerated the evolution of streaming, making ultra-low latency, high-resolution video more accessible than ever.

In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamental components of video streaming technology, the latest innovations shaping the industry in 2025, and how businesses can leverage these advancements to optimize engagement, monetization, and security. Whether you’re a content creator, media company, or enterprise looking to integrate video streaming into your operations, this guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to navigating the future of digital video distribution.

Table of Contents

• What is Video Streaming Technology?
• How Does Streaming Video Technology Work?
• Video Streaming Basics
• Video Streaming Technology Stack
• Different Types of Video Streaming Technology
• Streaming Protocols
• Codecs
• Video Players
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
• Notable Video Streaming Equipment and Tools
• Emerging Video Streaming Technology for 2025
• Conclusion

What is Video Streaming Technology?

Video streaming technology enables real-time delivery of video and audio content over the internet without requiring full file downloads. It works by breaking down video files into small data packets that are sent sequentially to viewer devices, allowing immediate playback. This eliminates the need for users to wait for complete downloads before watching content.

Businesses leverage streaming technology for various applications, including webinars, virtual events, e-commerce, corporate communications, and entertainment platforms. Popular video streaming services like Netflix and YouTube use this technology to provide on-demand content, while live streaming capabilities enable real-time broadcasts of events. By utilizing advanced streaming technology, businesses can offer seamless, high-quality viewing experiences to global audiences.

How Does Streaming Video Technology Work?

Online video streaming is a science that is still being optimized. However, the technology that is currently available is very powerful and makes it possible to stream video live.

Viewers from around the world can attend a single event without leaving the comfort of their homes. This has revolutionized the way that we learn and carry out business. It has even changed the way that we consume media and engage in activities for leisure. This is possible due to video streaming technology.

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to bring viewers high-quality video content as it plays out in real-time. Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of these technologies, it is important to understand the path that a video takes from the time it is recorded on a camera until it reaches viewers’ screens.

The online video streaming setup typically looks like this:

1. The camera captures RAW video
2. Video is sent to the encoder via capture card or another hookup
3. The encoder converts RAW video to a digital file
4. Video is ingested into the online video platform
5. The video is distributed from the online video platform to the video player via a content delivery network
6. The video player displays the stream on the viewer’s internet-enabled device

This setup may vary, depending on the specific tools you’re using. Those are the basics of how online video streaming works. 

Video Streaming Basics

Video streaming has changed the game in how content is consumed and distributed. It presents immense opportunities for broadcasters and businesses alike. At its core, video streaming technology involves delivering video and audio content over the internet in real-time. This allows viewers to watch video without the need to download files seamlessly.

Key to this is the video streaming infrastructure. This includes servers, CDNs, and streaming protocols. The infrastructure ensures the content is efficiently distributed and streamed to users across various devices. Then, encoding compresses the video into manageable sizes, while media servers store and deliver content. Embedded in websites and apps, players decode and play the streamed media.

Streaming media technology supports different types of streaming content such as live broadcasts, on-demand videos, and interactive streams. Furthermore, broadcast video technology integrates traditional TV and online platforms. This integration broadens reach and engagement. With continuous advancements in audio and video streaming technology, high-quality, low-latency streaming is more accessible than ever.

The latest streaming technology trends focus on enhanced viewer experience. This includes 4K resolution, adaptive bitrate streaming, and immersive VR/AR content. Understanding the basics of video streaming technology equips businesses and broadcasters with the tools they need to leverage these innovations. As a result, they ensure their content remains competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of online video streaming technologies.

Video Streaming Technology Stack

The video streaming technology stack is essential for delivering high-quality online video technology. This stack consists of several major components including encoding, streaming servers, content delivery networks (CDNs), and playback devices.

What is streaming technology and how does video streaming work? To understand what streaming technology entails begins with encoding. Encoding compresses the video into manageable sizes without sacrificing quality. Next, streaming server technology hosts and delivers the video to users. Then, CDNs distribute this content across global networks, reducing latency and buffering times.

How video streaming works on the web involves these components working together seamlessly. Let’s say a user requests a video. The encoded video file gets sent from the streaming server through the CDN to the user’s device. It’s here that a media player decodes and plays it for the user. Streaming technology examples that facilitate this include popular platforms such as Netflix and YouTube. 

By grasping the video streaming basics, businesses can use the video streaming technology stack effectively to provide the best viewing experiences possible and remain competitive.

Different Types of Video Streaming Technology

From reviewing the video streaming setup we mentioned above, you can see that there are a lot of moving parts. Several different types of video streaming technology come together to create a seamless streaming experience.

The four major types of streaming technology include streaming protocols, codecs, video players, and content delivery networks. Each of these key components works together to transmit video from point A to point B.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these video streaming technologies and the roles that they play in online video streaming.

Streaming Protocols

Streaming protocols are standardized methods of delivering media across the internet. They take small chunks of data to make them light enough to carry over a variety of internet connections.

Protocols are important for broadcasting because they carry the content from one point to the next in the video streaming process.

There are several video streaming protocols that are important for live streaming. Let’s take a look at a few that are most commonly used today.

1. HLS

The HTTPS Live Streaming (HLS) protocol is one of the most important protocols in video streaming technology today. This protocol was founded by Apple to work with the HTML5 video player. It is used to deliver the media from the content delivery network to the user-facing player.

HLS can also be used for ingesting media from the encoder to the online video platform, but since HLS encoders are not that popular yet, HLS delivery is typically paired with RTMP ingest.

2. RTMP

Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) is another very important protocol that broadcasters use today. This was created to deliver content to Adobe’s Flash player, but since this video player has died out, it has assumed another role in streaming.

Today, this protocol is used for RTMP ingest. That means that it transports videos from the encoder to the online video platform or directly to the content delivery network.

RTMP provides the benefit of low-latency streaming and access to affordable RTMP encoders. 

3. RTSP

Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is a lesser-known protocol that is actually quite important. It is often confused with RTMP, but the two are not one and the same. 

RTSP is used to carry commands from the user to the video player. For example, it tells the video player when the user is clicking Play, Pause, Fast-Forward, and other in-player commands.

RTSP is also valuable because it allows viewers to access video content before it is completely downloaded. This enhances the viewer experience because it doesn’t keep them waiting to play their desired content.

4. MPEG-DASH

MPEG-DASH is an open-source streaming standard that is structured similarly to HLS. What sets this standard apart is that it was the first to support adaptive bitrate streaming. This allows viewers to automatically access a stream in the quality that is best suited for their internet speed. That way, people with slower internet don’t experience excessive lagging and buffering.

MPEG-DASH is typically lumped in with streaming protocols, but it actually operates with the help of TCP, which is another protocol.

This standard is slowly gaining the support of related technology, so its compatibility is growing.

Streaming protocols are an essential piece of video streaming technology that allows for the smooth transportation of data over the internet. 

Codecs

When you record a video on a camera, the RAW video files are made up of thousands of still frames that produce the fluid motion that we know as video. However, these files are very bulky which makes them un-streamable. In order for them to be made streamable, they need to be converted into a digital file.

In order to convert videos into a digital file, stills that are duplicates and deemed unnecessary are thrown out or compressed for transportation. A codec, which is a portmanteau for “coder-decoder,” is the technology that makes that happen. There are 2 types of codecs: audio codecs and video codecs.

Basically, a codec packs up the video files that it receives, transports them from one stop in the streaming process to the next. They keep their contents compact to make it easy for them to travel over the internet.

The tools that use codecs are called “encoders.” There are both hardware and software encoders, and we will talk more about these tools a little later on. 

Encoders are a vital piece of video streaming technology that takes your RAW video files, and turns them into digital files that can be shared online. 

Video Players

A video player is a user-facing technology that lets viewers see a video stream. In the past, Adobe’s Flash player was the standard, but since it was not compatible with mobile streaming, it has since become obsolete.

The HTML5 video player has since become the industry standard. This video player was founded by Apple to support mobile video streaming. The HTML5 video player is supported on pretty much any internet-enabled device thinkable, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. HTML5 is also compatible with most browsers and operating systems.

In addition to ultra-compatibility, HTML5 video players are very secure and easily customizable. Since it has so many benefits for broadcasters, HTML5 is the standard for most live streaming platforms.

A video player is a user-facing piece of video streaming technology that allows the end-user  to watch your content. 

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

A content delivery network (CDN) is a series of servers that are strategically placed over a geographic region to deliver high-quality content to locations that are remote from the stream’s source.

How it works is the streaming CDN sends the content to a network of servers. Users select their desired content via video players connected to the online video platform. From there, the CDN will redirect the request from the originating site’s server to a server in the CDN that is closest to the user and deliver the cached content. 

By having servers placed closer to both the origination point and the destination, content can be delivered much faster.

Many broadcasters access CDNs via partnerships formed via their selected online video platform. Dacast, for example, partners with Akamai, Limelight, and other top-tier CDNs to provide fast, high-quality streaming to viewers around the world.

Take a look at our comparison of video CDNs for video streaming to learn more about the top options on the market.

A content delivery network is an essential piece of video streaming technology that ensures you are able to get your content to your viewers smoothly around the world. 

Notable Video Streaming Equipment and Tools

There are several tools, including a variety of hardware and software, that brings all of this technology to life to make broadcasting easy for professionals without much technical know-how.

Let’s take a look at a few important tools for online video streaming.

Online Video Hosting Platform

One of the most important video streaming tools is an online video platform (OVP). This tool brings all of the other technology together and streamlines the broadcasting experience. A well-equipped OVP makes it possible for even brand new broadcasters to get into the online video streaming game.

A video hosting platform does more than just host your videos, it provides you with a range of services and tools, such as:

• HTML5 video player
• Automatic transcoding
• Adaptive bitrate streaming
• Global video delivery
• Monetization and advertising
• Security and access control

Audio and Video Capture Equipment

Streaming equipment to capture your stream is non-negotiable. You need a reliable camera and audio capturing tools to record your stream.

There are quite a few different cameras you can choose from for online video streaming, ranging from a simple webcam to a professional streaming camcorder. We recommend checking out our list of suggested live streaming cameras to see some of the top options on the market.

As for audio and mobile capture equipment, sometimes the microphone that is built into the camera will do, but an external microphone is a quick fix that will take your audio quality to the next level. A simple handheld or lapel clip microphone is a small investment that can give your stream a more professional touch.

Having the right equipment makes it easier to produce high-quality live streams. 

Encoding Hardware or Software

Encoding is another important part of the online streaming process. As we discussed before, encoding is what converts RAW videos to digital videos, which is important for streaming over the internet.

Broadcasters can choose from hardware and software encoders. In general, hardware encoders are much more expensive, but they are dedicated devices, which makes them a bit more powerful. Software encoders are much more affordable, and some are even free. Encoding software is almost as powerful as hardware encoders, and they can be updated like any other software.

Emerging Video Streaming Technology for 2025

Video streaming technology is still evolving at a rapid rate. New developments continue to push the boundaries of what is possible and improve different aspects of online streaming. For example, some emerging technology is simply improving quality and experience while another new technology is exploring uncharted territories.

Here are a few examples of innovative streaming technology that you should keep an eye out for as they continue to develop and grow in popularity. 

1. WebRTC

WebRTC is an emerging streaming project that was founded by Google to support real-time latency and peer-to-peer streaming.

WebRTC is currently used in a number of video conferencing apps, but online video platforms are slowly adapting to support this protocol to tap into its ultra-low latency capabilities. Although WebRTC is still a work in progress the future of the project will depend on how related live streaming tools adapt to support it.

2. SRT

SRT is a developing streaming protocol that is known for low latency and reliable security. With those two characteristics and others, SRT is capable of streaming at a level that matches the combined forces of RTMP and HLS.

Another major benefit of SRT is that it is responsive. That means that it adjusts its carrying capacity based on the speed of the internet to avoid buffering, lagging, and failure.

At this time, very few online video platforms support SRT, but this protocol will likely continue to grow in popularity as more video streaming tools become accommodating.

3. Immersive Video Streaming

Immersive video streaming is another hot streaming technology that lies before us. This is a style of experiential streaming that helps viewers feel like they are in the video. There are a few types of immersive streaming including virtual reality and 360 video streaming. 

360 video streaming uses a filming style that captures video from what would be the viewers’ point of view. This is relatively easy content to create, and it can be accessed on a regular video player. Simple cinematic elements can help to improve the user experience.

Virtual reality (VR) is a bit more advanced, and it requires a special headset for viewers to consume and experience. It also takes some more advanced work on the development side. In VR, viewers can move freely around the augmented reality.

Immersive streaming can be a great tool in both professional and casual settings. Immersive streaming has been used to enhance different areas of business, and it is also used for entertainment purposes. 

This technology is still developing, so it will be interesting to see where it goes.

4. Ultra-High Definition Streaming

In recent years, high-definition 4K streaming was seen as an incredible feat. However, 5K and 6K streaming are on the horizon as cameras become more advanced and streaming infrastructure becomes more powerful.

Although cameras are capable of 5K and 6K streaming, the rest of the streaming technology is still catching up.

Conclusion

Online video streaming is very important to businesses and organizations that are looking to engage with their current audiences and extend their reach to new viewers.

Although some of the live streaming software technology we’ve mentioned in this post might sound complex or confusing, most broadcasters can get away with just knowing the basics. When you use a professional streaming solution, like Dacast, a lot of the “behind the scenes” technology is automatically configured. However, having a general idea of how it all works will help you make educated decisions throughout the process.

Looking for a powerful online video platform to help you start streaming? Dacast may be the option for you. Our platform is equipped with all of the tools that broadcasters need to host, manage, and deliver high-quality video content. Dacast offers white-label streaming, global content delivery, video monetization, top-notch security, and more.

You can try Dacast risk-free for 14 days by signing up for a free trial. Test all of our features and host a stream to see how our platform can work for you. Sign up today to get started. No contract, sign-up fees, or credit card required.

You can try Dacast and all its features free for 14 days, today.

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The post The Definitive Guide to Video Streaming Technology in 2025 appeared first on Dacast.

Live streaming technology is the internet’s response to live television broadcasts, with the most popular being news shows and sports.

However, this technology is much more accessible than live television broadcasts and is something your business can do. Today, we will explain what it is and how it works so you can put it to use for your business.

Live content holds viewers’ attention as much as 20 times longer than on-demand video streaming, allowing you to build a solid connection with your viewers. There are so many use cases for broadcasting across industries that it just makes sense to start creating live content for your business.

Here at Dacast, we are a content delivery and video hosting solution, putting us in a perfect position to help answer your question, “What is live streaming technology, and how do video live broadcasting platforms work?”

In this post, we will discuss what it is and how live content delivery works. Before diving into the various ins and outs of live streaming platform technology, we will briefly discuss use cases.

To wrap things up, we will cover a few important live streaming equipment and software broadcasters use to bring their streams to life. You will walk away with an understanding of how video streaming works and exactly what online content delivery is.

Table of Contents

• What is Live Streaming?
• How Does Live Streaming Technology Work?
• Uses for Live Streaming
• The Technical Setup for Live Streaming
• What is an HTML5 Video Player?
• What is Video Encoding?
• What is Video Transcoding?
• What is a Content Delivery Network (CDN)?
• Important Live Streaming Protocols
• Live Streaming Equipment & Software
• FAQ
• Conclusion

What is Live Streaming?

The live streaming definition states that it’s a process of transmitting video and audio content to viewers in real-time. It includes TV broadcasts, match streaming, social media videos, video game streaming, and more. Therefore, real-time broadcasting technology plays a crucial role in telecasting these events at that very moment, enabling real-time communication.

What is live streaming technology? It is technology that allows people to view video broadcasts in real time right as they are happening. Unlike live TV, this is an internet broadcast that you can enjoy on internet-connected devices.

Live event streaming requires the use of proper equipment, including the following: 

• Video encoders
• Video transcoders
• Content Delivery Network (CDN)
• HTML5 Video Player

How Does Live Streaming Technology Work?

Online content delivery uses streaming protocols that dictate how the whole process happens. Basically, the streaming session starts with a video or audio input device capturing data. This is then compressed, encoded, segmented, and sent to a CDN for distribution. 

The goal of live event streaming is to complete the process without any video streaming latency. It is the delay between recording something and your viewers seeing the content on their screen. The goal is for viewers to experience what you are registering as close as possible in real-time. Here is how the whole process works:

1. To capture the content, use a camera, microphone, or any other audio or video recording device.
2. The content is then sent to be compressed and encoded into a digital format that will be suitable for streaming.
3. If needed, a transcoder is used to transcode the content into multiple bitrates and resolutions before it’s sent to a content delivery network (CDN) for distribution. 
4. The CDN caches each data segment to prevent bottlenecks, saves streaming bandwidth, and then sends it to all users watching the stream. 
5. When the user receives the stream, they access it through a media player on their device, which is almost always an HTML5 video player.
6. It decompresses, decodes, and converts the data back into video and audio information.

Uses for Live Streaming

Numerous industries can use and feel the benefits of live streaming. At its core, streaming content is meant to help people be present at events, expos, and experiences they cannot attend in person. 

Businesses and other organizations use live streaming as an audience engagement tool across social media platforms. Live video broadcasting allows larger crowds to participate in live events regardless of the location.

The possibilities of using streaming live video are endless. You can get creative and incorporate it in any way that makes sense for your brand. Some of the most popular live-streaming use cases include:

• Virtual events
• Online education (lectures, training, etc.)
• Sports coverage
• Concert streaming
• Video sales (product demos, sales pitches, etc.)
• Video game streams
• Marketing
• Church service streaming
• Local government streaming

The Technical Setup for Live Streaming

In the past, sending a video file over the internet in real time seemed impossible. However, live broadcasting technology has made leaps and bounds over the past decade. Today, broadcasters can capture a video and have it appear on their viewers’ screens in seconds.

Streaming uses a series of protocols, projects, and live streaming equipment to transmit high-quality live videos back to viewers. This process is highly technical and requires understanding HTML5 video players, encoding, transcoding, CDNs, and the various protocols. 

We prepared a technical live-broadcasting setup guide to help you understand why they are important in the process.

What is an HTML5 Video Player?

Back in the day, the most popular video player was Adobe’s Flash video player. However, Adobe’s Flash player wasn’t compatible with mobile devices, and its security wasn’t reliable, making it obsolete in the early 2020s. 

Now, the most popular video player is the HTML5 video player. You have probably viewed content on an HTML5 video player hundreds of times without realizing it. It is the most popular video player because it works with almost all internet-enabled devices and browsers. 

Two other reasons why HTML5 players are so popular are because it is secure and customizable. What does that mean exactly?

Security:

HTML5 video player can be embedded directly onto a website. It doesn’t require any plugins, which are a primary method hackers use to take control of your website and content. 

Customization:

There are lots of ways you can customize HTML5 video players, such as:

• Autoplay: Decide whether or not the video will autoplay when it is loaded. 
• Loop: Decide if a video will loop again when it ends.
• Muted: Decide if a video will play with the audio by default.
• Width and height: Determine the size of the player.
• Controls: Determine what video controls the user will have access to, such as pause, rewind, etc. 
• Style: Determine the appearance of the video player (custom colors, branding, etc.).

This video player works with HLS delivery, which we will talk about a little bit further on. HTML5 video player makes video content delivery accessible on a wide range of devices.

What is Video Encoding?

The RAW video files that cameras capture are very large and impossible to stream over the internet. Video encoders act as the “middleman” that solves this problem by converting these massive files into streamable digital files.

RAW video files include a collection of thousands of still frames that fluidly move when pushed quickly in succession. Naturally, many of the still frames are duplicates. Encoders use codecs, a portmanteau for “coder-decoder,” to compress video files by removing unnecessary still frames. 

Video encoding makes your RAW video files small enough to send and stream over the internet. In broadcasting, your encoded files are sent to a CDN. From here, they’re then sent to the viewers’ devices, where they’re decoded and converted back to video files for viewing. 

Compressing and decompressing the audio and video data is done through video codecs such as AVC, MP3, HEVC, H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1, and AAC.

What is Video Transcoding?

Transcoding, often confused with encoding, is a technological process that makes multi-bitrate and adaptive bitrate streaming possible. Just to clarify, a bitrate refers to the quality of a video. 

Video transcoding produces multiple renditions, or versions, of one video file in various qualities to enable multi-bitrate streaming. Many broadcasters prefer this streaming type because it allows users to access a rendition that works best for their internet connection.

Adaptive bitrate video players automatically choose the appropriate rendition based on a viewer’s internet speed. This helps avoid lagging and buffering if a viewer has a poor internet connection.

Basically, this allows the viewer to watch a live stream video in the best resolution possible for their internet connection and device, helping to ensure a great user experience.

What is a Content Delivery Network (CDN)?

A content delivery network (CDN) is a network of servers strategically placed around a geographic region. Their purpose is to deliver content to viewers who are physically distant from the streaming location, minimizing delay and load times. A high-quality live-streaming CDN can revolutionize and streamline the entire process.

CDNs connect with each other through Internet Exchange Points, which are physical locations strategically placed to reduce the video’s transmission time. This allows the stream to be delivered as close to real-time as possible.

Understandably, you should ensure a CDN provider has multiple endpoints around the globe that are close to your viewers when launching your live streams. This is especially important if you want to live stream to China, as it requires Chinese servers.

Important Live Streaming Protocols

There are a variety of streaming protocols that work behind the scenes to carry videos through the live streaming process.

These protocols are highly technical, and most broadcasters that use a dedicated streaming solution don’t typically have to worry about these since they are working behind the scenes. However, it is a good idea to at least be familiar with what is happening on the back-end.

Let’s look at a few of the most popular video streaming protocols.

HLS

HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), is a protocol Apple created to deliver media to an HTML5 video player and makes mobile streaming possible. Known for its security and compatibility, it’s primarily used for delivery but can also help with ingestion.

However, since RTMP encoders are more easily accessible and can be converted to HLS, it is not common to use HLS for ingestion.

RTMP

RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) has been a part of broadcasting since the Flash player was the standard video player. It is a transport protocol previously used for live stream delivery, but now its main task is RTMP ingestion from the encoder.

RTMP is often paired with HLS delivery to optimize the streaming setup. This combination yields low latency and reliable security.

RTSP

RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) is a protocol structured similarly to RTMP and is used to send user commands to the video player. RTSP servers sit between the live stream and the viewer, issuing “play,” “pause,” and “record” commands.

SRT

SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) is used to ensure secure streaming over public networks. This open-source streaming protocol is easy to implement and can contribute to low latency and fast streaming.

SRT may not be as popular as HLS and RTMP because it is relatively new, and the most popular broadcasting tools are not yet compatible.

WebRTC

First developed and launched by Google in 2011, WebRTC is an open-source and standardized audio and video live-streaming protocol that supports direct peer-to-peer communication.

Supported by all major browsers, it facilitates global real-time communication without end-users needing to download specific apps or plug-ins. The idea behind this protocol was to power web conferencing platforms such as Zoom and video chats.

Live Streaming Equipment & Software

The live broadcasting setup requires various live streaming equipment and software to bring the live stream to life. Each tool is available for broadcasters hosting professional live streams at any level in terms of functionality and cost.

To find out more about how live broadcasting works, these are the tools that make it possible.

Content Delivery Platform Solution

A live streaming solution is one of the most essential tools for live streaming at the professional level. It can also help you turn pre-recorded videos into live streams.

A well-equipped live streaming solution includes:

• A white-label HTML5 video player
• Easy video embed options
• Video monetization 
• 24/7 support
• Powerful video analytics
• Top-tier security
• Reliable content delivery.

Dacast offers a powerful streaming solution that includes all the desired features we’ve mentioned and more. To see how Dacast stacks up to some of the best options on the market, please take a look at our live streaming solution comparison.

Camera

Cameras are essential tools for live streams, but choosing the right one from the extensive available offer may be challenging. You could go with anything from a simple webcam to a 4K streaming camera and all the way up to a television-grade camcorder. You could also choose to use a smartphone with a high-quality camera, eliminating the need for any other devices.

Choosing a camera depends on the purpose of your live stream. For example, a webcam stream should suffice if you are live-streaming a college lecture to a couple of dozen students. Once you move into more professional scenarios, like a national sporting event or large virtual event, it may be worth investing in more advanced live-streaming equipment.

Microphones

Most cameras have built-in microphones, but still, many live streamers opt for an external mic. It provides a simple way to improve the audio quality of a stream.

A simple lapel or handheld mic are two popular options, both relatively inexpensive. If you’re on a shoestring budget, you could also use the built-in microphone in your smartphone. However, live streams are from an area where there’s not a lot of ambient noise since it could hamper the audio quality.

Broadcasting Software Solution

These tools offer a wide range of functionality, including source switching, simulcasting, adding graphic overlays, editing streams in real time, and even encoding.

OBS Studio is an example of an open-source and free video streaming software that many broadcasters start with. However, many benefit from upgrading to paid tools. Read our broadcasting software comparison to check out the features and use cases of some of the top tools on the market.

Encoder

Encoders are essential to streaming live video because they help to convert videos into smaller, streamable files. Broadcasters have the option to choose between a hardware and software encoder.

Hardware encoders are dedicated tools for live stream encoding. They are more reliable, but they are also much more expensive. On the other hand, software encoders are also quite reliable and considerably less expensive. 

Currently, most streaming solutions use RTMP ingest, so RTMP encoders are a safe bet.

FAQ

1. What is live streaming and how does it work?

Live streaming technology allows sharing video and audio streams with your viewers in real-time over the internet, much like how live TV works. However, live streams are only transmitted through internet-enabled devices.

2. What is the difference between live TV and live streaming?

Both broadcasting and live TV enable viewers to watch content in real-time, but there’s a basic difference between the two. Live TV works through cable or satellite broadcasting transmission, while live streaming solely works through the internet and requires internet-enabled devices.

3. What are the disadvantages of live streaming?

Some of the prime disadvantages of live streaming include:

• Susceptible to internet connection issues
• Viewer’s internet connection determines video quality
• You can’t redo something that happens in the stream as it’s real time
• Technical problems can hamper user experience

4. How do I stream live video?

To start live video streaming, all you need to do is follow these steps:

• Purchase equipment for video and audio
• Choose from the best live streaming platforms to help you live stream
• Conduct a test live stream to check audio and video quality 
• Start streaming

5. What is the difference between live streaming and video streaming?

Live streaming is all about real-time communication with the viewers, so once the stream is over, the viewers won’t be able to see it. On the other hand, video streaming is when a viewer watches videos that are continuously transmitted from the server to the client. It eliminates the need to download the video to watch it. These videos don’t necessarily have to be live ones.

Conclusion

Using live-streaming technology is a precious tool for businesses, schools, and professional organizations. It allows brands to connect with their audiences in real time to create highly engaging content. It also makes virtual event streaming possible. 

If you are looking for an end-to-end streaming platform with live, on-demand, and video monetization capabilities, Dacast is the solution for you. Dacast offers a more traditional streaming setup with HLS/RTMP and plug-and-play WebRTC solutions. Try our platform risk-free for 14 days with no binding contracts or credit cards required. Get started by creating an account today.

If you want to leverage live broadcasting for your business and have additional questions about live broadcasting, we invite you to contact our customer support team. We can point you in the right direction to get started on your live-streaming journey.

In the meantime, feel free to browse our Knowledge base for more live-streaming articles. A quick search for “live streaming” will produce dozens of results and broadcasting tips for you to choose from.

The post What is Live Streaming and How Does Live Video Streaming Work? appeared first on Dacast.

Data breaches, unauthorized video sharing, and hacks can be a substantial cost for many companies. That’s why protecting video content and securely delivering streams to users should be a broadcasting best practice.

First, we’ll cover what video encryption is and why it matters. Then we’ll dive into the HLS streaming protocol and how AES-128 encryption works. Finally, we’ll look at the key features necessary for a secure cloud video platform.

Table of Contents:

• What is Video Encryption?
• Why Does Protecting Video Content Matter?
• The HLS Protocol
• HLS Encryption Explained
• 4 Key Features of Secure Video Clouds
• Dacast Video Platform
• Conclusion

What is Video Encryption?

Encryption is a method for masking data so that only authorized users can decrypt and access a file. It’s a part of cryptography, which is a field of study devoted to the secure communication of information or data.

Over the years, many encryption algorithms have been developed with varying levels of security. Most algorithms, however, scramble the data into ciphertext and require the receiving party to use a key to reassemble the data into plaintext.

Can You Encrypt Video?

While it’s straightforward to understand the encryption of text documents, how exactly does video stream encryption work?

Video encryption allows broadcasters to scramble video content using a secure algorithm and transmit the data to viewers. Authorized viewers can then decode the video and watch it. That is how encrypted streaming works. That is the basics of how encrypted video streaming works.

Many broadcasters encrypt both on-demand and live streaming videos to prevent unauthorized third parties from accessing the content as it is transmitted. This prevents someone from interrupting a live stream in progress or taking the live stream and showing it on an unauthorized platform. 

As broadcasters can make money from both on-demand and live streaming content, encrypted streaming is the best way to protect one’s revenue stream.

Why Does Protecting Video Content Matter?

Broadcasters usually have one or more reasons for protecting videos, from keeping sensitive information safe to implementing digital rights management or ensuring proper content monetization

• Sensitive Information: Many organizations use video streams for internal meetings and events that shouldn’t be available to the public. The company could risk violating industry regulations or leaking information to competitors if these videos aren’t protected.
• Digital Rights Management: Video stream encryption is a critical aspect of digital rights management (DRM), which broadcasters require for various reasons. For example, geographical regions—such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC)—may have specific regulations or censorship limiting who can view certain types of content. 
• Monetization: Brands may have video streams at various price points that need access controls as well, such as charging more for high-definition videos or ad-free content. The ability to safely accept payment from viewers and ensure video content isn’t pirated are both crucial for monetization.

Encrypted streaming helps protect sensitive information, monetization potential, and digital rights management for broadcasters. It allows you to retain control over your content.

The HLS Streaming Protocol

Video streaming requires sending enormous amounts of data to viewers. RAW video files are too large, so broadcasters must encode videos into a compressed format using a codec like H.264 advanced video coding to reduce the file size.

A video stream also requires choosing a container format, which encompasses the necessary video, audio, and metadata. Most broadcasters choose the MP4 format because it’s compatible with a many devices.

Finally, broadcasters must choose a self-hosted video delivery method or private hosting. Two of the most common are the HLS streaming protocol and RTMP. These are standardized methods for transmitting video and audio data over the Internet as a continuous stream rather than a single file download. That is why HLS encryption is the most common method of encrypting streaming videos. 

What is HLS Streaming?

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) is a protocol that splits video streams into chunks that are transferred and reassembled within the user’s video player. In most cases, the video player is an HTML5 or Video.js player that offers playback natively in the user’s web browser.

Pure HTML5 playback without a streaming protocol requires downloading the entire video file during initiation. That’s why it’s crucial to break down videos into smaller files so that playback can start faster and there’s less wasted data. 

In contrast to RTMP, the HLS protocol leverages HTTP to transfer video content in chunks to viewers. That means broadcasters can use a standard server or video content delivery network (CDN) to store and deliver video content. With HLS streaming, broadcasters can scale their streams to reach a much larger audience without compromising on quality.

Most broadcasters use HLS streaming because it’s the protocol supported by HTML5 players. These video players—built into web browsers—have become the default playback method rather than Flash. HLS streams are supported by nearly every device, from tablets to laptops and smart TVs.

What is Adaptive Bitrate Streaming?

Moreover, HLS is an adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR) protocol. That means broadcasters offer multiple variants of a particular stream at different bitrates or levels of quality.

These separate streams are split into 2 to 10-second segments and indexed in a manifest file. Then an adaptive video player can use the manifest file to choose the optimum video segment based on network conditions and the user’s device.

ABR streaming is crucial for broadcasters who want to offer their viewers the best viewing experience possible.

HLS Encryption Explained

While there are many encryption algorithms, the most common method for HLS is AES-128. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) block cipher encrypts data in 128-bit blocks. Here are the basics of how AES-128 works.

How Does AES 128 Encryption Work?

The first block is encrypted using an initialization vector (IV)—or 16-byte random value—and the next block uses this to start the encryption process. Each subsequent block uses ciphertext from the preceding block for encryption in a method known as cipher block chaining (CBC).

As AES is a symmetric key algorithm, there needs to be a secret key that’s used for both encryption and decryption. That means the broadcaster encrypts the video using the key and the viewer’s browser decrypts it using the same key.

AES has widespread adoption because it’s straightforward to implement and safe enough for general use. The U.S. Government even uses the algorithm for encrypting sensitive data, which is how most digital rights management (DRM) systems protect media. HLS AES 128 encryption is easy to implement and, therefore, commonly used.

HLS Encryption Methods

While the HLS supports AES-128 encryption, there are two different ways to implement the standard in practice.

Broadcasters can use one key to encrypt the entire video stream, but that also means the whole stream is unprotected if an unauthorized third party intercepts the secret key.

Alternatively, each stream segment can be encrypted with a different key. That way, only a few seconds of video can be accessed without a specific key. Broadcasters might choose this method if the video content their sharing is highly sensitive.

4 Key Features of Secure Video Clouds

Many companies use a secure video platform to host their video content and share it with their intended audience. Here are four security features to look for in a private video hosting platform.

1. AES Encryption

Regarding AES video encryption, there is often a debate over which key length to use for AES: 128-bit or 256-bit. A more significant key is generally harder to compromise with a brute force attack, but a simple calculation shows that even a 128-bit key would take far too long to crack.

That’s why the ability to protect the secret key from unwanted third parties is far more critical than the key size. The videos should be safe from brute force attacks as long as the cloud platform uses at least AES-128 encryptions.

Larger key sizes also require more computing power, but most modern devices can handle decrypting AES-256 without performance issues. Be sure to consider your target audience and the quality of devices they’ll use for streaming before choosing an encryption algorithm for your content.

2. Manifest File

The HLS manifest file—or M3U8 playlist—is necessary for video players to select and retrieve the right video segments for ABR streaming. In addition, the M3U8 manifest file contains the secret encryption key for each video segment. 

If an overall AES key is used, it will appear in the manifest file as a link after the EXT-X-KEY tag. This file should be served over HTTPS and require authentication to minimize the risk of this key being exposed to eavesdroppers.

Many streaming platforms rotate these AES keys at regular intervals, so there’s a lower chance of getting compromised during streams. The more frequently keys are rotated or refreshed, the more secure the video content will be.

3. HTTPS Delivery

HTTPS is a way of transferring data using HTTP (Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol) that’s secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). SSL was later renamed to transport layer security (TLS), but the end goal is the same: to prevent hackers from intercepting data in transit.

With HTTPS, a server is secured using an SSL certificate that’s issued by a certificate authority (CA). When users connect to a server with a valid certificate, data transferred between the two parties will automatically be encrypted.

When using AES encryption with HLS streaming, it’s crucial to exchange the secret keys over HTTPS. That way, broadcasters can prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, where hackers intercept sensitive data—such as AES keys—while exchanged between two parties.

4. Password Protection

While many broadcasters focus on encryption, password-protected video streaming is just as important. The most common way to protect video content is by using passwords to restrict who has access to a particular piece of content. Password protection is a simple and powerful way to limit video viewership to internal employees, specific clients, or other smaller audiences. 

That said, it’s a good idea to generate a secure password, change it out periodically, and follow other best practices for password protection. Otherwise, the password can get leaked online, and unwanted viewers could gain access to the content.

Dacast’s Secure Video Platform

Dacast is a secure video streaming solution that supports HLS encryption for video on demand (VOD) content. That means broadcasters can deliver video content to their audience with AES-128 encryption taking place behind the scenes.

Moreover, Dacast relies on HTTPS to deliver video streams to viewers to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and keep their financial information safe. This is critical for broadcasters that want to monetize their videos using the platform’s secure paywall capabilities.

Beyond HLS encryption and HTTPS, Dacast encourages broadcasters to utilize password protection for hosting their video content. Within the Dacast platform, adding passwords to live streams, VOD content, or entire playlists is straightforward.

Along with securing and protecting the video streams themselves, Dacast allows broadcasters to set geographic and referrer restrictions. Geographic restrictions can help prevent piracy by blacklisting certain countries where malicious actors often operate. 

Similarly, referrer restrictions allow broadcasters to block well-known piracy sites or competitors from resharing video content. An HTTP referrer is metadata that identifies a website that has linked to a particular video.

Finally, Dacast offers a secure video upload feature for adding video content to the secure video hosting platform. That way, users can easily upload files in bulk or migrate an entire collection of video content, keeping videos safe during the upload process. 

Here are more details on the many features of the Dacast platform and our commitment to video security.

Key Features

• Monetization tools (SVOD,  AVOD), and  pay-per-view (TVOD)
• White label and branding control
• Adaptive bitrate streaming to allow multiple streams with varying bitrates
• RTMP Encoder for ingesting  HLS streaming
• Low latency HTML5 channels for video streaming
• Live encoding support for the top video encoders
• Zoom live streaming integration
• Expo galleries video portal
• Unlimited viewers and live channels
• Video security tools for secure streaming
• Global content delivery with strategic CDN partnerships
• Multi-bitrate streaming
• Player API and  Video API access
• 24/7 tech support

New!

• M3U8 file creation capability to enable adaptive streaming delivery of OTT video content across various devices
• Multistreaming capabilities for simulcasting to multiple platforms at once
• Fully integrated RTMP streaming platform features
• AES encryption for secure video streaming
• Multi-user access on Scale and Custom plans
• Zoom live streaming integration for meetings and live events in real-time
• Expo 4.0 galleries video portal for immersive video experiences

Pros:

• VOD and live stream video hosting
• Real-time analytics
• Ad-free streaming
• Wide range of privacy and security tools
• Mobile device support
• Live stream recording
• China Video Hosting
• Plans for every budget

Cons:

• A large range of features require a bit of an initial learning curve

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: None (but 240p is the recommended minimum)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p or 4K (depends on the user’s hardware and internet)
• Video aspect ratio: No restrictions (but 16:9 is the default)
• Max file size: None
• Max video length: None
• Total file storage: 10-1000GB (depends on plan)
• Compatible video formats: MP4 (preferred), MOV, M4V, M2V, AVI, MPG, FLV, WMV, MKV, WEBM, OGV, MXF, ASF, VOB, MTS

Pricing:

Dacast has multiple live streaming pricing plans. Here is a quick summary of all plans:

• Starter: $39/month billed annually (includes 2.4 TB bandwidth and 500 GB storage)
• Event: $63/month billed annually (includes 6 TB bandwidth and 250 GB storage)
• Scale: $165/month billed annually (includes 24 TB bandwidth and 2 TB storage)

Custom: contact sales for custom pricing plans

Best Use Cases:

Dacast’s live streaming platform is great for:

• Live event streaming
• VOD on-demand hosting
• Streaming video for education
• Cloud-based enterprise video solutions
• Online video platform for marketing
• Video software for sales teams

Conclusion

Video content is invaluable for most brands, but if data gets into the wrong hands, it can be devastating. That’s why every broadcaster should prioritize offering secure stream services and storing video content safely using a reliable video streaming solution. Both HLS video encryption and M3U* encrypted players are two secure methods for keeping content safe.

Dacast is a unified streaming solution that makes the annual list of the most important, most innovative, and most interesting companies for 2021 Streaming Media Magazine’s Top 50 List.

With the company’s commitment to offering a robust and secure streaming video platform for its users, this powerful platform helps companies worldwide scale and monetize their online video content.

At Dacast, we’re confident that the solution is ideal for broadcasters that need a secure online video platform (OVP) for their live streaming and VOD needs. That’s why we offer a risk-free trial for 14-day. Try Dacast out and see if it fits your needs for secure video delivery.

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The post HLS Encryption: How to Encrypt Video Streams in AES-128 [2025 Update] appeared first on Dacast.

For businesses, that decision is even more crucial – video content plays a crucial role in brand awareness. In fact, viewers retain 95% of a message when they receive it in a video but only 10% when reading it in text.

Let’s face it: a dull, clunky editor kills the creativity of your content. But who has time to test and compare every option? That’s why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you, comparing the top contenders head-to-head.

We’ve dug deep, analyzing features, performance, and pricing to find the pros and cons of each software. Keep reading to make an informed decision. 

What is Video Editing Software?

A video editor, also known as a non-linear editor (NLE), is software for video editing. It allows businesses to transform raw footage into polished, professional videos that resonate with their target audience. Users can augment and enhance videos in a non-linear flow, meaning edits can be made out of sequence without affecting the original footage.

According to Wistia’s 2024 report, 94% of marketers believe that video content has helped increase user understanding of their product or service, which is why video editing software is more important now than ever.

Businesses may use video editing programs to enhance their brand image with the help of high-quality videos that build credibility. Well-edited videos also drive traffic, boost conversions, and increase sales.

With good video editing software, businesses can:

• Edit and trim footage
• Add transitions, music, and effects
• Insert text and graphics
• Adjust color and lighting

What Are the Key Features to Look for in Video Editing Software?

The best editing programs offer a rich toolset for creating professional videos. Here are a few features to keep an eye out for that will bring your vision to life:

• Timeline Editing: Arranging and editing clips, layer elements, and creating a seamless flow.
• Transitions and Effects: Smooth scene changes, visual flair, and professional polish.
• Audio Editing: Sound control, music and effects, and enhanced audio quality.
• Titles and Graphics: Adding text, titles, motion graphics, and animated elements.
• Color Correction and Grading: Color adjustment, creating moods, and enhanced visuals.
• Export and Format Options: Optimized output for various platforms and devices.
• Multi-Cam Editing: Compatibility with footage from multiple camera angles.
• Plugins and Extensions: Extended capabilities with third-party tools.
• User Interface and Ease of Use: Intuitive controls and customizable workspaces.

What Are the Benefits of Video Editing Software?

Whether you’re opting for free and easy video editors or investing in paid video editing programs for complex productions, you can enjoy benefits like:

• Enhanced Creativity: The right video editing software will help bring your unique vision to life. Thanks to the endless range of tools and effects, you can create truly one-of-a-kind videos that capture your target audience’s eye.
• Professional Quality: Even if you don’t have a team of seasoned editors, you can still produce professional-quality videos. Many popular video editing software options offer advanced features like color correction, audio mixing, and special effects to make your videos look and sound their best.
• Time Efficiency: Online video editors often include drag-and-drop functionality and templates, making it easy to create professional-looking videos in minutes.
• Accessibility and Sharing: You can also share your videos without the hassle of limited accessibility. Whether it’s social media, your website, or a client presentation, the right video editing software will export your creations in multiple formats for different channels.
• Cost-Effective: Many platforms offer free versions or affordable subscription plans, making professional video editing accessible to businesses of all sizes. Popular video streaming software even includes native video design software free of charge, so you can make small changes without breaking the bank.

What Are the Pros and Cons?

While the pros of investing in video editing software definitely outweigh the cons, it’s still crucial to know the downsides before you make a move.

Pros

• Improves your production value without a professional editing team
• Some of the best software for video editing is affordable or free
• Streamlines your workflows with AI video editing tools
• Makes your videos stand out against the competition

Cons

• Complex AI video editing software may have a learning curve
• Some of the top video editors have expensive subscriptions 
• Overwhelming options – hard to find the best editing software

What is Video Editing?

Video editing is the process of changing and rearranging video footage to create a refined final product. It involves trimming clips, adding transitions, incorporating music and sound effects, color correction, and more. As 91% of businesses turn to video as the top marketing tool, video editing skills become more crucial than ever.

What is the Typical Workflow for Video Editing?

There is no standardized video editing workflow – it all depends on what you want the final product to look like. Here’s a breakdown of the steps that most video editors typically follow. 

1. Ingest and Organize: Import raw footage, create a project structure, and organize the clips.
2. Rough Cut: Assemble the selected clips in a rough sequence based on the required story and pacing.
3. Fine Cut: Refine the edit with precise adjustments to timing, transitions, and effects.
4. Sound Design: Add and edit music, dialogue, sound effects, and ambiance.
5. Color Correction/Grading: Adjust colors for consistency and create a visual style.
6. Graphics: Add any required text, titles, and visual elements.
7. Review: Gather feedback from the client and make revisions as needed.
8. Final Output: Export the final video in the required format and resolution.

Video Editing Stats

• The global video editing software market size was $549.8 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $1274.9 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.7%. (Source: Business Research Insights)
• Online videos will soon make up 82% of all internet traffic by 2022, 15 times more than in 2017. (Source: Cisco)
• The demand for video editors in the United States is expected to grow by 7% from 2020 to 2029. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Over 60% of video content is viewed on mobile devices. (Source: Marketing Dive)
• Video editors make up around 38% of the population, with an average age of 37. (Source: Zippia)
• The tech sector is the highest-paying industry for video editors. (Source: Zippia)

What Are the Most Popular Video Editing Software?

Adobe Premiere Pro is easily the most popular video editing software, holding a market share of 47.4% among YouTube users. The app has an average monthly download count of 242.9K and over 2 million paid subscribers who pay $20.99 monthly for access to the program. 

Adobe Premiere Pro supports more than 50 video and audio formats. It also serves as an AI video editing app and is used by over 50% of filmmakers and editors.

What is the Fastest Growing Video Editing Platform?

DaVinci Resolve is one of the fastest-growing and best software for video editing. It’s also the best free video editor, with over 2 million users using the app’s free version alone as of January 2019. This is more than just a simple editing app for your YouTube videos – it’s also been used to produce and perfect several Oscar-nominated films!

What is the Best AI Video Editing Software?

Adobe Premiere Pro is easily the best AI video editor, which offers powerful AI features through Adobe Sensei. Its AI engine can automate repetitive or tedious tasks like scene detection, audio ducking, and content-aware fill so you can focus on what really matters. 

If you’re looking for an AI video editor free option, Synthesia is another great software that offers a free trial. It allows you to create videos from plain text using realistic AI avatars and voiceovers in multiple languages. Of course, it’s not as in-depth as Premiere Pro, but Synthesia is still the best AI video editing software for quick, easy video creation as a beginner.

The Role of AI in Video Editing

The increasing use of artificial intelligence for video editing is changing the way we create and consume content. AI-powered tools have completely transformed the editing process, making it faster, easier, and more accessible than ever before. 

According to Market.us, the global AI-powered video editing software market will grow at a rate of 6.3% from 2023 to 2032, reaching over $1 billion by 2032.

AI for video editing opens the door for endless benefits: streamlined workflows, more creative freedom, and much more. For instance, an A.I. video editor can automatically analyze footage, identify the key moments, and suggest the perfect cuts and transitions for a highlight reel. 

This not only saves time but also helps businesses create professional-quality results without an experienced editing team. In fact, 43% of video editors reported that AI tools significantly improved their editing efficiency.

Additionally, an AI tool for video editing can also take the hassle out of repetitive tasks like color correction, audio leveling, and object removal. This frees up editors to focus on the more creative aspects of their work, such as storytelling and visual style. In fact, AI-powered tools can reduce the time spent on tedious editing tasks by up to 34%.

The 10 Best Video Editing Software for Business in 2025

We’ve broken down the top video editing platforms in the industry – their core features, video editing capabilities, and pricing plans. As a bonus, take a look at this online video platform comparison to find the best program for streaming the videos you have edited.

1. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro has over 242.9K monthly users, with over 2 million paid subscribers. 

Video Editing Features

Premiere Pro’s video editing workflow is robust and non-linear. Its timeline allows you to seamlessly arrange clips and effects with razor-sharp tools for splitting and trimming. Transitions and audio mixing effects between clips are also easy to apply. But Premiere Pro’s editing features don’t stop there:

• Multicam editing to sync  footage from different angles
• Color correction and grading with precision controls
• Text, titles, graphics, and overlays.
• Audio effects and mixing
• Green screen keying (chroma key) to move subjects to different backgrounds

Premiere Pro offers a ton of plugins and extensions, so you can work with your pre-established tech stack comfortably.

Pricing and Plans

• Annual Prepaid Plan: $263.88/year
• DaVinci Resolve

2. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is one of the fastest-growing tools for professional video editing, with over 2 million users using the app’s free version alone.

Video Editing Features

DaVinci Resolve transcends basic video editing – its advanced features are for Hollywood-level editing. The interface is intuitive and powerful, with features like multi-camera editing for seamless transitions, intelligent reframing to repurpose footage for different aspect ratios, and a robust trimming toolset to perfect cuts.

Other features include:

• Fusion Effects: Visual effects and motion graphics – integrated directly within your edit.
• Color Grading: World-renowned color tools for granular control over the look of your footage.
• Fairlight Audio: Professional audio post-production capabilities, such as mixing, mastering, and sound design.
• Media Management: Project organization and collaboration with a built-in media management system.

Pricing and Plans

• Software: $295
• DaVinci Resolve Editor Keyboard: $595
• DaVinci Resolve Micro Color Panel: $509
• Fairlight Desktop Audio Editor: $4,485

3. CyberLink PowerDirector 365

CyberLink PowerDirector 365 is the paid, subscription-based version of the PowerDirector video editing software, which has over 100 million users worldwide. 

Video Editing Features

PowerDirector 365 is a powerhouse of video editing capabilities. You can trim, split, and rearrange clips, while its color correction and grading tools allow for precise adjustments.  

Its best editing features include:

• AI-powered tools: Auto-enhance footage, create stylistic effects, or generate subtitles effortlessly.
• Audio enhancements: Fine-tune sound, remove noise, and add immersive audio effects.
• Format support: 4K and 360° video.

Beyond the basics, PowerDirector 365 also has advanced features like motion tracking, multicam editing, and 360° video stabilization. 

Pricing and Plans

• Perpetual License: $139.99
• For Content Creators: $54.99/year
• For Directors: $99.99/year

4. Apple Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is Apple’s native paid editing software, which has been used for Oscar-winning films like Parasite.

Video Editing Features

Final Cut Pro is known for the Magnetic Timeline, which streamlines the editing process and allows for seamless clip arrangement without collision worries. The app’s intuitive UX makes it easy to get the most out of every feature.

Key features include:

• Multicam editing to sync and edit footage from multiple cameras.
• Compounding clips into a single entity for easier organization.
• Color grading tools to achieve stunning visuals with precise color control.
• Audio editing tools
• 360° video editing to immerse viewers 
• A vast library of effects and transitions
• Integration with Motion and Compressor

Pricing and Plans

• One-time payment: $299.99

5. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora has over 100 million global users across 150 countries.

Video Editing Features

Filmora is primarily an editing software, so its video editing features are some of the most advanced. The software allows you to trim, split, and merge clips. It also offers premium editing options like keyframing, motion tracking, and color correction. 

Moreover, Filmora has a vast library of effects, transitions, titles, and music. Recently, it has transitioned into an AI editing tool with features like vocal remover, text-to-video, smart cutouts, and much more.

Pricing and Plans

• Free: $0
• Annual: $49.99/year 
• Perpetual: $79.99 (one-time purchase)
• Bundle (Filmora + Filmstock): $109.87/year

6. Apple iMovie

Apple iMovie is one of the most popular editing software, primarily used by small and medium-sized businesses.

Video Editing Features

iMovie is the perfect editing platform for beginners or small businesses hoping to make minor changes to their raw footage. Trimming and splitting clips is a breeze, while its color correction tools help you achieve the perfect aesthetic.

Some standout features include:

• Cinematic Mode editing: Adjust the focus and depth of field in your iPhone 13 or later footage for a professional touch.
• Themed templates: Offers multiple styles and layouts to give your videos a polished look with minimal effort.
• Ken Burns effect: Adds a touch of drama with slow zooms and pans across your photos.
• Video and audio effects: Built-in tools to enhance your visuals with filters and adjust your soundscape.

Pricing and Plans

• Apple iMovie is free to use.

7. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate

Corel VideoStudio Ultimate is included in Microsoft Windows as it’s native video editing software.

Video Editing Features

Corel VideoStudio Ultimate’s multi-timeline editing is a real game-changer for organizing complex projects, allowing you to keep everything tidy as you piece together your final video. The software also offers a ton of transitions and effects.

Key features of the VideoStudio Ultimate include:

• Lens correction tools to get rid of fisheye distortion and other lens imperfections 
• Color grading controls to fine-tune the mood and atmosphere of your footage with precise color adjustments
• Audio ducking to automatically lower background music during dialogue
• Motion tracking to attach text, graphics, or effects to moving objects 

Pricing and Plans

• Full: $64.99 (one-time payment)
• Upgrade: $49.99 (one-time payment)

8. Movavi Video Editor

Movavi Video Editor holds a market share of 10.20% in the Video Editors category, ranking as the third best video editing tool in the market.

Video Editing Features

Movavi Video Editor is chock-full of tools for both beginners and seasoned pros. There’s an audio editor with tools to adjust levels, apply effects, and even eliminate background noise. And if you’re struggling with shaky footage, the stabilization feature will smooth things out.

Here’s a rundown of some key features:

• AI-powered tools: Remove backgrounds, track motion, and even clean up noisy audio with a few clicks.
• Keyframing: Animate effects, titles, and more with precise control.
• Picture-in-picture: Layer multiple videos on top of one another for a dynamic look.
• Chroma key: Replace green screens with backgrounds of your choice.
• Slow-motion and fast-motion: Speed up or slow down footage for dramatic effect.

Pricing and Plans

• Free: $0
• Video Editor: $19.95
• Video Editor Plus: $69.95
• Video Suite Plus: $94.95

9. Kaltura

Kaltura is trusted by over 60% of Fortune 100 companies, with over 4,000 clients in the US alone.

Video Editing Features

This browser-based editor enables basic video editing tasks like trimming, clipping, and adding captions – ideal for simple projects. You can also create personalized viewing experiences with branching paths, quizzes, and interactive elements.

For more complex editing needs, Kaltura integrates with third-party editing tools like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro. The app’s AI tool can automate tasks like transcription, translation, and highlight reel creation. 

Pricing and Plans

• Contact Kaltura to get a quote

10. Clipchamp

Clipchamp has over 14 million registered users worldwide, growing rapidly every year.

Video Editing Features

Clipchamp’s editing tools give you everything you need to perfect your video content with features like:

• Trim & Crop: Get rid of unwanted bits or adjust your frame to focus on the action.
• Resize: Shape your video to fit any platform, from TikTok to YouTube.
• Green Screen: Change the background of any video.
• Audio Wizardry: Fine-tune your soundtrack, separate audio from video, or swap out a track.
• Text Overlay & Captions: Add context, punchlines, or translations to keep your viewers engaged.
• Transitions: Smooth out those scene changes with fades, wipes, or other effects.
• Speed Control: Speed up the action or slow down for dramatic effect.

Pricing and Plans

• Free: $0
• Premium: $11.99/month

How Video Editing Transforms Your Streaming Content

Successful streaming content is only possible with efficient video editing. It’s the difference between raw, amateur footage and a polished, professional stream that keeps viewers engaged.

By investing in the top video editing software, you’ll have all the tools to refine raw footage and add eye-catching AI video effects for a viewer experience that rivals traditional TV. That’s right – with over 163 million watchers in the US alone, video streaming solutions are projected to dominate the video content market pretty soon.

Live streams also benefit from AI video editing tools. The right AI video editor will take away the extra work by automatically enhancing visuals, cutting out awkward pauses, and even adding subtitles in real time. This way, your live streaming platform content looks professional from the moment you go live.

Beyond the live event, editing helps repurpose content for your online video platform (OVP) or OTT platform. You can create highlight reels, behind-the-scenes snippets, or even turn your live stream into a video-on-demand (VOD) series. 

Plus, 80% of audiences would rather watch live video content from a brand than read a blog, so investing in video editing is crucial for maximizing your live streaming success. The question is, what happens after the editing process? This is where a professional video streaming platform like Dacast comes in.

Why Choose Dacast Video Streaming Software?

Dacast is a live streaming solution and VOD platform with OTT technology features. Its services specifically cater to professional broadcasters in online sports, enterprise, and internal communications, media and entertainment, religious organizations, event production and agencies, government municipalities, and nonprofits.

Once you’ve edited your videos to perfection, it’s time to share them with the world using Dacast’s live streaming and video-on-demand hosting capabilities.

Video Hosting and Streaming 

Dacast’s online video platform allows you to broadcast your videos to several viewers with Zoom and Google Meet integrations. Since it offers HTML5 video delivery, you can stream to any device, anywhere. You can even share the links to broadcast on your social media accounts and reach a larger following. 

The platform offers diverse streaming features like multi-bitrate streaming for live video and VOD, cloud video transcoding with true adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR), and live encoding support for the top video encoders. 

Content Management System

Dacast also doubles as a video content management system (CMS). That means you’ll get full control of your video library, all in one convenient location. The videos will also be stored in an EXPO video gallery protected by a password and AES video encryption. It’s essentially a website alternative for your video content.

Analytics and Reporting

With Dacast’s advanced video analytics features, you can track various metrics in real time. The dashboard displays data like who is watching your videos, the amount of data used, your earnings, and so on. 

Video Marketing

Aside from Dacast’s detailed analytics tools, video marketers can also record live streams for playback later. Plus, you can embed CTAs into your videos and even embed the video on your own website. Since Dacast is a white-label player, you can broadcast without off-brand distractions.

Pricing and Plans

Dacast’s flexible pricing plans are suitable for all kinds of budgets, starting with the affordable Starter plan at just $39/month.

For businesses on the hunt for a more robust solution, the Scale plan at $165/month unlocks advanced features like API access, priority phone support, video monetization, and paywalls – ideal for sophisticated live video streams.  

Lastly, the Event plan at $63/month is the perfect balance of functionality and cost-effectiveness for businesses that want to use their videos to build brand awareness through live streaming.

FAQ:

1. What is the best video editing software for beginners?

The best video editing software for beginners depends on ease of use, affordability, and available features. Apple iMovie is a great free option for Mac users, offering a simple drag-and-drop interface with essential editing tools. Wondershare Filmora is another beginner-friendly choice with intuitive controls, built-in effects, and AI-powered tools for quick edits. For Windows users, Movavi Video Editor provides an accessible interface with robust features to get started.

2. What is the difference between free and paid video editing software?

Free video editing software often provides basic tools like trimming, transitions, and text overlays, but may lack advanced features such as multi-track editing, color grading, and AI-driven automation. Paid video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro offer professional-grade features, high-performance rendering, and extensive plugin support, making them ideal for more complex projects. Some free software, like DaVinci Resolve, offers professional tools with limitations that can be unlocked through a paid version.

3. Can I use video editing software on mobile devices?

Yes, many video editing software options have mobile-friendly versions. Adobe Premiere Rush, LumaFusion, and iMovie (for iOS) allow users to edit on the go with features like multi-track editing, transitions, and built-in effects. CapCut and VN Video Editor are also popular free mobile video editors with intuitive controls and good export options for social media content.

4. What is AI video editing software, and how does it work?

AI video editing software uses artificial intelligence to automate tasks such as scene detection, background removal, color correction, and even generating subtitles. Tools like Adobe Sensei (in Adobe Premiere Pro) and Synthesia enable AI-powered editing that speeds up workflows and enhances video quality with minimal manual input. AI can also assist in motion tracking, automatic captioning, and smart trimming to optimize video content efficiently.

5. Which video editing software is best for YouTube creators?

For YouTube creators, the best video editing software depends on the complexity of the content. Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are industry favorites for professional YouTubers due to their high-quality editing tools and seamless integration with other creative software. DaVinci Resolve offers an excellent free option with powerful editing, color grading, and audio features. For a quick and easy approach, Wondershare Filmora and CapCut provide built-in templates and effects ideal for social media and YouTube videos.

6. What are the system requirements for video editing software?

System requirements vary by software, but most professional video editors require:

• Processor: Intel Core i5/i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 5/7/9 for smooth editing
• RAM: At least 8GB (16GB+ recommended for 4K editing)
• Storage: SSD (Solid State Drive) for faster video processing
• Graphics Card: Dedicated GPU like NVIDIA GeForce RTX/AMD Radeon for rendering and effects
• Operating System: Windows 10/11 or macOS (latest version)

For cloud-based video editing software like Clipchamp, system requirements are minimal since most processing happens online.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that the internet is turning to video content faster than ever, which is why it’s crucial for businesses to invest in robust video editing software. It can be the difference between raw, unengaging footage and a video that hooks your target viewer from the get-go!

Now that you’ve read our complete comparison, you can find the video editing platform that meets your needs and budget. Once you’ve fine-tuned your videos until they’re ready for the public, it’s time to market them on a robust streaming platform like Dacast.

On that note, why not start today with the Dacast 14-day free trial? Sign up today to begin streaming live in a matter of minutes. No credit card is required.

Get Started For Free

Do you have questions or feedback about live streaming platforms or video broadcasting in general? Send a message to our 24/7 technical support team, and we will get back to you. For regular tips and exclusive offers, you can join our LinkedIn group.

The post Comparing the 10 Best Video Editing Software for 2025 appeared first on Dacast.

Now that the pandemic has passed, the era left behind a new way of working and interacting that thrives on live streaming software for seamless communication. This is because of the convenience and flexibility it provides.

With live streaming software, event organizers are not restricted by geographical limitations, logistical challenges, or travel expenses. Instead, they can plan and execute their conferences on time — and often for less cost — with the potential to reach an even larger audience.

Let’s take a look at what live streaming and VOD software can do for virtual conferences, as well as some key features to look for in the technology used to execute live streaming conferences.

Please note that conference live streaming features and virtual event technology are always changing. We have updated this post to reflect the most up to date trends as well as the top conference streaming platforms as of 2025.

Table of Contents

1. What is live Streaming? 
2. What is VOD?
3. Live Streaming vs. VOD
4. Benefits of Streaming Virtual Events
5. Why You Should Live Stream Your Conferences
6. Features to Look for in a Conference Streaming Platform
7. Top Conference Streaming Platforms for 2025
8. FAQs
9. Conclusion

What is Live Streaming?

Live streaming is the internet equivalent of watching live television; a conference or event is sent over the internet and watched by people across the globe as it is happening.

One solution to turn those missed opportunities into extra revenue is to stream the live events to others. This creates added value for presenters and capitalizes on people unable to attend.

Streaming a live event online not only allows people who would have attended in-person events to participate from afar, but it also opens up the opportunity for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate in an in-person event to attend. This broadens your conference’s audience, increasing your reach and boosting profits.

In addition, you can also stream a Zoom meeting and make it available as Video on Demand after the event, as well.

What is VOD?

Video on Demand, or VOD, allows viewers to access pre-recorded video and play it back at their leisure. This is possible because video content is compressed into digital files and stored on a centralized server for easy access. With VOD, viewers have the flexibility to choose what they want to watch from a wide range of online video libraries.

If you stream virtual conferences that are recorded and published for VOD access, for example, your conference attendance can easily be magnified by allowing access to people who couldn’t physically attend in-person events or whose schedules didn’t allow for attendance on the live stream.

Live Streaming vs. VOD

Caption: Give users access to your content by live streaming and recording for later use on demand.

Many users view live streaming and VOD as very different entities serving different purposes. However, they’re more akin to two sides of the same coin; two different methods for getting your content out to the audience who will most benefit from seeing it.

Both methods involve streaming content over the internet, but one is streamed as it’s created, while the other is recorded and can be streamed for later viewing. 

Content that has been broadcast live can, with the right equipment and streaming platform, be streamed VOD. 

Some platforms, especially the free live streaming platforms such as Facebook Live, only allow for live streamed content. While using a free platform has its advantages for some businesses, those that wish to be able to capture their virtual conference content for use on-demand need a platform that allows for both live streaming and VOD capture.

Benefits of Streaming Virtual Events

Here at Dacast, we’ve witnessed first-hand the impact of using a live streaming platform to maximize the reach of a wide variety of professional virtual events. Some of the applications and benefits of live streaming conferences and virtual streaming events include the ability to:

• Stream key parts of sold-out venues to extra viewers
• Provide a more comprehensive and value-rich service to companies and presenters
• Offer access to past virtual events and presentations for on-demand viewing to supplement live broadcasting
• Increase event relevance and reach through broadening and globalizing audience
• Broadcast pre-show material to help heighten attendee engagement and community interest
• Create sample videos to generate interest, boost attendance lead to premium content spending; and
• Highlight sponsors’ products in videos or interview exhibitors’ executives.

Now let’s take a look at some of the factors you’ll want to consider before deciding how to best live stream your event.

Why You Should Live Stream Your Conferences

Live streaming your conferences and meetings may take a thorough event planning process, some extra equipment, and know-how, but it comes with a variety of advantages for your business. Here are our top reasons to live stream a business conference.

Get People Excited

Part of getting good attendance at your virtual conference is to get people excited to be part of the event. 

By creating a live stream of your event, you give yourself a built-in promotional opportunity. You can advertise the live stream of your conference to your mailing list and social media followers, regardless of where they are located, allowing more people to attend.

Showcase Your Tech Knowledge

Live streaming conferences and meetings takes a certain measure of technological knowledge.

Knowing how to operate the equipment to capture the stream, the virtual conference software to stream the content and the ability to promote the virtual conference digitally are all crucial skills that set your conference apart from others. 

Leveraging the technology that’s necessary for live streaming conferences and meetings demonstrates that you and your team possess the capability to adapt to changing technology, showing your ability to evolve as your industry changes.

When you host in-person events, your profits are limited to what you can make on the tickets you charge for people who are physically present. And, that profit is only calculated after you subtract all the other costs of hosting, including facility and equipment rental, food for attendees, and travel costs for your presenters.

But with the right virtual conference monetization strategies, viewers can attend from all over the world, broadening your reach. Having lower overhead costs also helps you attract and host more paying attendees, as you can keep ticket prices lower.

Feature More Big Names

Making the time to present at a virtual conference is a big ask for many people, especially people who are more prominent in your field or who are famous in their own right.

If you’re able to live stream a conference or meeting, allowing speakers to participate across the globe, you may be able to attract more high-profile, even expensive, speakers than you otherwise could. This can, in turn, improve your conference’s visibility and attendance, and boost profits.

Features to Look for in a Conference Streaming Platform

There are many streaming solutions for adding an online connection for your meetings, online events, or conferences. As you explore your options, your checklist should include areas such as compatibility and performance. The ability to target both desktops and mobile devices is key in today’s market.

The performance and overall reliability of your streaming service and internet connection are also crucial. These factors apply to any live venue. Trade shows, which can see dramatic increases in viewership via live streaming, especially want to consider these technical aspects.

In order to capably stream virtual trade shows, online events or conferences, you need a platform that helps you record your footage, promote it, distribute it and, if you choose, record it for later use. 

To get the most out of your live streaming conference content, there are six important features to look for in your chosen platform:

1. Video Encoding and Transcoding
2. Live Stream Recording
3. Video Security and Privacy
4. HTML5 Video Player
5. Live Streaming CDNs
6. Unlimited Concurrent Viewers
7. Live Event Video Monetization
8. Video CMS

Using these tools and features allows you to present a professional live broadcast video to your viewers, making all the time, money, and effort you spent preparing for your virtual conference worthwhile.

1. Video Encoding & Transcoding

You can host the best conference live stream ever, but if your virtual attendees can’t view your content, all your work will be fruitless.

When your content is streamed online, it’s crucial to utilize encoding software that can show the images from your camera in a format playable by viewers at home. This process, called transcoding, is done automatically by a professional live conference streaming solution. Transcoding takes the RAW files directly from your camera and turns them into something that can be viewed in a browser or mobile app.

And when you record that live broadcast content for VOD playback later, you need to be able to provide your viewers with video in the format that plays best for the browser they’re using and their internet speed. 

To do this, automatic video encoding takes the files you upload and presents them to each viewer individually. This helps viewers receive a smooth, enjoyable playback experience without having to worry about adjusting their settings manually.

Here are some of the best encoding software you can use for video encoding and transcoding. 

• Dacast (built-in live encoding and transcoding)
• vMix
• VLC
• OBS Studio
• AVS Video Converter
• HandBrake
• Wirecast

2. Live Stream Recording

Presenting a conference via live stream takes a great deal of work and time investment. Multiply your impact by recording your live streaming content for later release on demand.

The right platform allows you to simultaneously record and live stream your online events, allowing you to release the video to a wider audience and maximize your profits. Without a tool that integrates live streaming and recording, you have to set up multiple programs in order to live stream and record, complicating the whole operation.

3. Video Security & Privacy

You spent a lot of time and money putting together a great conference, and you want to ensure that you’re only giving access to the people who have paid to attend.

Advanced security and privacy features allow you to protect your content from thieves and restrict access to those who don’t deserve it. Tools such as domain control, encrypted streaming, password protection and watermarking allow you to protect your property from unauthorized eyes.

4. HTML5 Video Player

More and more, people are watching video content — including entire live streaming conferences and meetings — on mobile devices.

And because mobile technology changes so rapidly, it can be difficult for individual developers to keep up with all the new specs and requirements to play content seamlessly. By using an HTML5 video player, however, your content can play on any device or browser automatically without requiring your users to download new technology in order to participate in your conference.

The right live conference streaming platform already has HTML5 video player capability built right in, so you don’t even have to give it a second thought on whether or not your content can be played by all viewers.

5. Live Streaming CDNs

Beyond considering compatibility, you also want to take reliability into account. First, you want to look for a service that offers a video CDN (Content Delivery Network) connection. A CDN is a fast, often worldwide network of servers. A CDN exists to deliver content via the internet. This includes all types of content: text, images, video, and more.

CDNs enable global delivery of content, which is a big advantage. They are most often used to distribute large files, for example, video content. You should expect a good-quality CDN to access a server in close proximity to your viewers. This helps to avoid large delays from servers that could otherwise be far away from the viewer, thus disrupting their streaming experience.

Using a live streaming CDN also allows broadcasters to reach broader audiences. Without a server network, you run the risk of congestion. Congestion occurs when too many people try to watch content at the same time via the same server. This is a common issue when broadcasting from a small network of servers, and especially if you are using a single server to broadcast. For this reason, you want to be able to guarantee your viewers a powerful and global CDN.

6. Unlimited Concurrent Viewers

A conference platform that is used for broadcasting virtual events should have the ability to support unlimited viewership for its live streams. The Dacast platform has no viewer limit for videos on any pricing plans or accounts. We have facilitated broadcasts with hundreds of thousands of concurrent viewers.

Dacast uses a global Content Delivery Network (CDN) that allows users to stream to vast audiences without the concern of hitting a “limit” that would overwork a smaller server network. The platform also supports full 1080p HD broadcasting,  mobile device support, secure video delivery, content scheduling, player customization, and more.

7. Live Event Video Monetization

Being able to monetize your live conferences is essential to the health of your business. And it’s important that you be able to monetize your content in a way that works best for you and your viewers rather than trying to make a platform’s chosen monetization method work for you.

With many live stream platforms, especially free ones, you are pigeon-holed into either not being able to make money directly off your live streams (such as with Facebook Live) or only making money in the way the platform allows (such as with Twitch).

A professional live streaming platform, on the other hand, provides options for content monetization so you can select what works best for your business model. This feature particularly comes in handy for event planners.

Do you want your users to pay monthly or annually for access to your content? Subscription-based monetization (SVOD) will work for you.

If your virtual conference revenue will work best by selling individual ticketed access, then Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD), or pay-per-view streaming is the model you want to utilize.

And if your conference will be supported by revenue from advertisements you play during the live stream, then a platform that allows for Advertising Video on Demand (AVOD) is a necessity.

Whatever monetization method you choose, it’s important that you have options to suit your needs so your virtual conference proves a success and helps you reach your goals.

8. Video CMS

Part of being able to easily share your video content with new viewers is being able to easily store and find your content.

While it may be easy to live stream the conference you’re working on right this moment, you likely have a whole wealth of prior recordings that you can use to draw revenue and gain new viewers. A platform that allows you to easily upload, transcode, organize, monetize, analyze and share your past video content means you can make money off that new live streaming conference and meeting online as well as last year’s instructional video.

The right video CMS not only makes it easier for you to find and share your content, but it also makes it easier for your viewers to find the content that may interest them.

If, for example, a viewer attends your conference live stream, your video CMS can suggest related videos from your library for them to view later. This boosts attendee engagement — and potentially giving you their business — for longer.

Top Conference Streaming Platforms for 2025

Now that we have outlined the top features to look for in platforms you can use for live streaming conferences and meetings, we wanted to compare 5 of the top services to stream virtual events. We’ll go into the key features, pros, and cons, as well as the live streaming costs associated with virtual events in 2025.

Let’s get started!

1. Dacast

Platform Overview:

With offices in Beijing, London, Manila, and San Francisco, Dacast is considered a competitive offering in a crowded marketplace. Dacast is a full-featured, self-service solution for live streaming and VOD hosting. 

Dacast is a unified streaming solution that makes the annual list of the most important, innovative, and interesting live stream companies on the 2021 Streaming Media Magazine’s Top 50 List. This powerful video hosting platform helps companies worldwide scale and monetize their online video content.

Basic Functionality:

Dacast provides comprehensive live streaming and secure video hosting services. Users can embed videos on their websites while maintaining 100% control of their content. Among other features, Dacast offers an  integrated paywall, password protection, referrer restriction, and an analytics dashboard.

Key Features:

• Monetization tools (SVOD,  AVOD), and  pay-per-view (TVOD)
• White label and branding control
• Adaptive bitrate streaming to allow multiple streams with varying bitrates
• RTMP Encoder for ingesting  HLS streaming
• Low latency HTML5 channels for video streaming
• Live encoding support for the top video encoders
• Zoom live streaming integration
• Expo galleries video portal
• Unlimited viewers and live channels
• Video security tools for secure streaming
• Global content delivery with strategic CDN partnerships
• Multi-bitrate streaming
• Player API and  Video API access
• 24/7 tech support

New!

• M3U8 file creation capability to enable adaptive streaming delivery of OTT video content across various devices
• Multistreaming capabilities for simulcasting to multiple platforms at once
• Fully integrated RTMP streaming platform features
• AES encryption for secure video streaming
• Multi-user access on Scale and Custom plans
• Zoom live streaming integration for meetings and live events in real-time
• Expo 2.0 galleries video portal for immersive video experiences

Pros:

• VOD and live stream video hosting
• Real-time analytics
• Ad-free streaming
• Wide range of privacy and security tools
• Mobile device support
• Live stream recording
• China Video Hosting
• Plans for every budget

Cons:

• A large range of features require a bit of an initial learning curve

Pricing:

Dacast has multiple live streaming pricing plans. Here is a quick summary of all plans:

• Starter: $39/month billed annually (includes 2.4 TB bandwidth and 500 GB storage)
• Event: $63/month billed annually (includes 6 TB bandwidth and 250 GB storage)
• Scale: $165/month billed annually (includes 24 TB bandwidth and 2 TB storage)
• Custom: if your enterprise business has high-volume streaming needs, you can contact Dacast for a custom plan tailored to your needs.

2. IBM Cloud Video

Platform Overview:

Next up in our online video platform comparison is IBM Video Streaming (formally UStream). Founded in 2007 to connect military service members with family, IBM purchased UStream in 2016.

Around the same time, IBM acquired ClearLeap, a video management system, Cleversafe, a video storage service, and Aspera, a large-file transfer tool. All of these different companies were used to create IBM Cloud Video (now IBM Video Streaming), allowing IBM to become a platform for live streaming and VOD.

Basic Functionality:

IBM Video Streaming is a live streaming company first and foremost. However, it also hosts VOD (Video On Demand) files recorded from previous live streams.

Basic streaming accounts are free, with advertising supporting IBM Video Streaming. Paid accounts remove advertising and grant access to advanced features. Enterprise accounts allow for full custom branding and offer analytics, multiple live channels, content syndication, and more. The more you pay, the more custom live stream services you have access to on IBM  Video Streaming.

Key Features:

• Powerful video analytics
• Tools for boosting user engagement (including polling)
• Auto-archiving
• Powerful content delivery
• Tools for video monetization

Pros:

• Tools suited for business use
• Customer support
• Hong Kong video hosting

Cons:

• Extra fees for streaming at high resolution
• Limited tools for accessibility (minimal closed captioning support)

Pricing:

IBM pricing plans range from $137 to $1380 per month and include the following:

• Start Trial – Video Streaming: Give it a free test drive for 30 days
• Silver: Affordable Essentials, 100 viewer hours, 5 channels, 1 TB video storage, starting at $145/month
• Gold: Standard business features, 2,000 viewer hours, 10 channels, 2 TB video storage, starting at $729/month
• Platinum: Premium Volume scale, 5,000 viewer hours, 20 channels, 5 TB video storage, starting at $1,460/month
• Custom: Please contact IBM Cloud video for custom plan pricing as well as payment plans

3. Kaltura

Platform Overview:

With a video management foundation in its open-source software, Kaltura offers a unique focus on the live streaming market. Historically, this company has worked most extensively with educational institutions.

Basic Functionality:

While the Kaltura software is free, it requires an infrastructure of servers for hosting and distribution. This platform represents an alternative to the self-hosted model (e.g., Dacast). That said, Kaltura offers cloud-based video hosting and distribution services for both VOD and live streams.

Key Features:

• Multi-bitrate and adaptive video streaming
• Monetization options (SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD) via integrations
• Powerful security features
• Total video and player API access

Pros:

• Completely customizable
• Very few limits on features thanks to integrations
• Well-suited for advanced broadcasters

Cons:

• The “pay-as-you-go” structure often makes it more expensive to use
• Complicated platform
• Not cut out for beginner broadcasters
• Slow-to-respond tech support

Pricing:

Prices are based on the solutions you’re looking for. These billed monthly plans include: 

Webinars:

• Limited trial: $1 for two webinars
• Business: $199/month (or $150/month when billed annually)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Virtual classroom:

• Free trial: 14 days; up to 25 participants per session
• Basic: $19/month (or $17/month when billed annually); up to 8 participants per session and 8 hrs of cloud recording
• Pro: $55/month (or $50/month when billed annually); up to 25 participants per session and 15 hrs of cloud recording
• Business: $125/month (or $115/month when billed annually); up to 100 participants per session and up to 25 hrs of cloud recording
• Business Plus: Custom pricing for up to 300 participants per session, unlimited sessions and custom storage needs

Media Services:

• Annual discounts: Discounted pricing packages available for any scale and use-case, enterprise SLA, and developer support
• Limited trial account: $1 for $100 worth of credits for 30 days for testing and experimentation, with no commitments
• Pay as you go – You pay only for what you use at these credit levels:
• Base plan: $20 one-time annual fee + monthly usage fees

Other services include virtual events, video portal town halls, video messaging, meetings, and more.

4. Wowza

Platform Overview:

Founded in 2005 by David Stubenvoll and Charlie Good, Wowza is a bootstrapped start-up, with live and on-demand live streaming capabilities to phones, tablets, consoles, focusing on greater accessibility, further flexibility, and the best cost-effectiveness.

Basic Functionality:

Wowza offers two main products, the first of which is the Wowza Streaming Engine. This product is widely used in the industry for self-hosted streaming. Wowza streaming services, however, come with the Wowza offering. The Streaming Cloud functionality includes a variety of features aimed at providing low-latency content access to global audiences of all sizes.

Key Features:

• Cloud transcoding
• Support for live streaming and VOD
• White-label video player
• All-device streaming with an HTML5 video player
• API access available
• Reliable customer support

Pros:

• Brand customization tools
• Auto-archiving
• Powerful video CMS
• Ultra HD streaming (4K)
• Wide range of security options

Cons:

• No simulcasting tools
• No support for video monetization
• No reliable video analytics tools

Pricing:

Wowza offers two main tiers: Streaming Cloud and Streaming Engine.

The Wowza Streaming Cloud offers four distinct pricing plans and services. Live Event Pricing, monthly plans include:

• Pay As You Go: $0 per month only pay for usage at a rate of $2.50 per streaming hour and $0.10 per viewer hour
• One Month of Streaming: $149 one-time purchase; includes 15 hours of live streaming and 500 viewing hours
• Plans built for your needs: Best for large audiences and large volume videos, but you should contact Wowza for custom pricing

All the Live Event plans reflect rates when paid monthly and include full brand control, multi-bitrate streaming, and UHD and HD streaming.

The Wowza Streaming Engine has its own professional-grade streaming plans billed annually and includes:

• Basic Monthly: $195/month with the first instance included (Additional instances $195)
• One Month Streaming: $295/month with the first instance included (Additional instances $295)
• Enterprise: Please contact Wowza directly for access to their custom-tailored high volume enterprise solutions

5. Vimeo Livestream

Platform Overview:

Since its founding in 2004, Vimeo has grown to be one of the most well-known video platforms on the internet.

Originally, Vimeo made its mark by offering an ad-free experience for video sharing, which made it an instant hit with creators and audiences. Now, it offers live streaming and enterprise video hosting space, with a range of services targeting businesses of all sizes.

The platform emphasises quality over quantity, which is appealing to many professional creators and businesses. Vimeo offers a cleaner user experience and a vast array of customization options.

Basic Functionality:

Vimeo offers live streaming, video hosting and OTT video delivery services. Vimeo is a cloud-based video streaming platform with comprehensive video hosting and livestreaming functionality. Vimeo has a simplified live streaming interface with features like text and graphic overlays and social share options. It also has plenty of tools that help with greater audience interaction.

Key Features:

• Cloud-based video hosting
• Small-scale streaming solution
• Text and graphic overlay
• Collaboration and interaction tools
• Social share options
• Flexible storage options

Pros:

Vimeo is simple to use, even if you are not a techie. They offer low-budget options so that small organizations can use the platform as easily as larger organizations. At the same time, the interface is very professional.

• User-friendly interface with simple navigation
• Great in-class security and privacy settings
• Good video playback quality
• You can embed your live stream video using this cloud streaming platform on your website.

Cons:

• Some issues with connection to an internal server
• No China video delivery
• Limited live streaming and video hosting capabilities
• Requires you to be tech-savvy to take full advantage of its features and have everything running smoothly
• The live event management system is pricier than other services and lacks robust features you’ll find on other platforms
• Buffering times are longer than other cloud video services
• You can’t convert the text in English to other languages.

Pricing:

Vimeo offers basic video hosting plans that are suitable for content creators and startups.

Pricing if billed monthly, is as follows:

• Free: $0/month; 1 GB storage, creation and editing, screen recording
• Starter: $20/month; 100 GB storage, auto closed captioning, custom URLs and video player, privacy tools
• Standard: $41/month; 1 TB storage, engagement and social analytics, AI script generator, teleprompter, brand kit
• Advanced: $108/month; 5 TB storage, stream to multiple destinations, host live broadcasts and webinars, AI-generated chapters and text summaries
• Enterprise: Custom pricing; more storage and bandwidth, advanced AI capabilities, quality events, dedicated support

Vimeo is great if you want to maximize the usage of your content by turning your live streams into VOD content. 

Vimeo’s OTT solution is priced separately from the regular Vimeo packages. There are two plans: Starter and Enterprise.

• Starter Pricing: $1/subscriber per month
• Enterprise Pricing: Please contact Vimeo for custom pricing information

FAQs

1. How Do You Live Stream a Conference?

Here’s a step-by-step process explaininghow to live stream a conference. 

• Identify your goals, intentions, and target audience 
• Plan the details of your live stream, including the platform, e, agenda, and intended participants
• Select an online video platform
• Setup your broadcasting equipment 
• Connect video and audio encoders
• Setup your source input
• Create a live channel
• Embed your live stream
• Do a test run
• Promote your live stream
• Start streaming
• Replay the live stream
• Carry out a post event follow up to find areas for improvement

2. Is Video Conferencing the Same as Live Streaming

Live streaming typically involves broadcasting content to a large audience, while video conferencing happens among a smaller group of people. Live streaming usually focuses on one-way communication or a primary speaker addressing a group of people, with little room for interaction. For example, live concerts.

On the other hand, the latter places emphasis on collaboration among members of a small group. For example, employee meetings.

3. How Much Does it Cost to Live Stream an Event?

The cost of a live stream depends on the type of equipment, camera setup, and streaming platform you use. Using Dacast’s video live streaming platform costs between $39 and $165 per month.

A single-camera live stream setup can cost roughly between $700 and $2500, while multiple camera setups can cost up to $6000 or more.

4. What is a VOD in Streaming?

Short for video on demand, VOD services allow users to access movies, tv shows, documentaries, and other video content whenever they want. 

With traditional broadcast television, users can only access specific content at scheduled times and they often have no control over what they watch. However, VOD platforms give users the flexibility to watch video content at their convenience, as long as they have internet connection. 

5. What is the Best Live Streaming Website?

Some of the best live streaming platforms include: 

• Dacast
• Brightcove
• IBM Cloud Video
• JW Player
• Vimeo Livestream

Conclusion

In this article, we took a look at some of the potential benefits of incorporating live streams into your events. We also touched on some of the key factors to consider when deciding on a live streaming platform that’s right for live streaming conferences and meetings. 

As the world has had to adjust to new ways of living, conference organizers have been forced to find new ways to host their events in a world that’s quickly shifted online. Thanks to the internet and modern live streaming platforms, conference hosts haven’t had to completely put their plans on hold until the world reopens; they’ve simply had to come up with a new way of doing things.

With professional-grade features, ease of use, and top-notch customer service, Dacast is the clear choice for anyone looking to start — or elevate — their live content streaming strategy.

Ready to try the platform named Best Small/Medium Business Platform by the 2019 Streaming Media Readers’ Choice Awards? Try Dacast free for 14 days. There are no long-term contracts to sign, no hefty start-up fees to pay and you won’t have to give us your credit card number to get started.

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For exclusive offers and regular live streaming tips, you’re welcome to join our LinkedIn group. Have further questions, thoughts, or feedback about this article? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your events.

The post How to Live Stream Conferences and Virtual Meetings [2025 Update] appeared first on Dacast.

The popularity of OTT platforms is obvious. Why wait to watch an episode a day of a rerun of your favorite show when you can watch every season at once, whenever you want? Then, there is the sheer variety and quantity of content available online.

As the OTT user base grows, however, so do general concerns about privacy protection and compliance with legal regulations. Services with OTT platforms operate online and stream millions of bytes of content, drawing in international audiences who entrust them with their personal information to use their service. How do they ensure that every consumer’s data is protected and each piece of content is properly licensed?

Dacast has one of the leading OTT platforms on the market, so we know all about video streaming regulations and data privacy in streaming services. We’ll break down the key aspects of OTT compliance, explain the importance of protecting user data, and highlight best practices to avoid common legal issues in OTT streaming.

OTT Compliance: What Is It and Why It Matters?

OTT is short for over-the-top, a service that delivers content from the provider straight to the consumer using the Internet. It removes the middleman, aka cable companies, and gives unlimited access to video, music, and live streams.

While most providers allow users to watch this content on their own time, some services still provide linear broadcasting online. Thus, IPTV allows users to enjoy the classic TV experience. 

Even though OTT technology distributes content exclusively online, they don’t have free reign over the Internet. These companies must comply with regional and international laws protecting providers, users, and content creators. In that sense, OTT compliance is:

• Data Privacy and Security: Adhering to privacy laws and implementing data protection measures.
• Content licensing for OTT platforms: Securing content distribution rights across regions.
• Respecting Regional Regulations: Following local laws for content, advertising, and consumer protection.

Why Do OTT Platforms Collect Consumer Data

It doesn’t matter which streaming platform with OTT services consumers use – they all collect and store personal data. From your location and age to your favorite type of content, this is all information they collect daily. But why? Well, there are several justified reasons:

• Content Personalization: The service can recommend content that suits the consumer’s tastes by analyzing what they watch, how often they watch it, and for how long. The algorithm analyzes shows and movies based on previously watched content and gives suggestions in the same or related genres.
• Targeted Advertising: Many of these services are free to use but rely on AVOD before other monetization models. They use consumer data to offer targeted advertising. Analyzing demographics, interests, and viewing behavior helps them show more relevant ads to users.
• Constantly Improving User Experience: The collected data helps refine UI and overall user experience constantly. For example, tracking how users navigate the app or website can improve content discovery and optimize streaming quality.
• Easy Subscription Management: Instead of manually renewing their subscription each month or manually entering card details to buy a pay-per-view event, most platforms remember the user’s payment information. This automates the payment process and saves them time.

The Need for OTT Platforms To Have Strong Data Protection

This is where the trouble starts. Sort of. The more data a platforms collect, the better service it can provide. On the other hand, the need to protect it also rises. A recent study suggests that 95% of all cyber-attacks are financially motivated. Personal and payment information are high-value targets for cybercriminals, and any data breach will have severe consequences for the platform and the users. Data privacy in video streaming services is more important than ever, so the efforts to protect it must also be great.

OTT Privacy Laws: Protecting Your Users Data

While the Internet (metaphorically) opens up borders and allows viewers worldwide to use your OTT services, it also raises the question of compliance with the law. Providers must follow specific privacy laws set in place to protect users’ personal data from unauthorized access and misuse.

However, the privacy laws in China differ from those in North America, for example, so which ones does the provider follow? They can choose to comply with the privacy requirements in their own region, but this regional OTT compliance may cut off an entire section of the international market. In general, there are three major privacy regulations OTT platforms must adhere to:

• General Data Protection Regulation: The GDPR controls the collection, processing, and storage of personal data for all EU citizens. It’s a strict regulation that imposes very specific data protection requirements on businesses, like asking for explicit consent before collecting data and reporting any security breaches within 72 hours. The penalty for failing to comply with GDPR is €20 million, or 4% of what you generate in a year.
• California Consumer Privacy Act: The CCPA offers data privacy protections for California residents. This law gives consumers the explicit right to know what personal data a service collects and to choose not to sell their data to third parties. Consumers can also demand the deletion of their collected data.
• Asia-Pacific Region’s Data Privacy Laws: This region includes privacy and data protection laws like China’s Cybersecurity Law and Japan’s PIPA. Other notable countries with such regulations include India, South Korea, and Australia. These laws focus on consent, data storage, and breach notification, though they may have differing requirements and penalties.

Data Sovereignty

Another issue that providers of OTT platform solutions can face is data sovereignty. This is the requirement that they store and process data within the borders of a specific country. Many countries enforce these laws so local governments can control data within their jurisdictions.

The Challenges OTT Faces When Managing User Privacy

As we said before, to give their users the best possible viewing experience, OTT platforms need their data. One of the strategies OTT services use to reach new audiences also involves user data. Data is the best currency, and the more you have, the better services you can offer.

However, you also have more to lose and are at greater risk of data breaches and breaches of international privacy laws. No one wants to suffer the loss of reputation and trust if one of these cyber attacks succeeds.

Providers are always trying to find the balance between collecting the necessary information from their users and following the legal requirements for OTT platforms to keep that information safe and secure.

The Best Security Practices for Data Protection

When choosing where to watch their streams and broadcasts, most consumers have a list of the OTT features the platform must have. If they fall in the 85% of adults worldwide who want to protect their online privacy, they must also carefully consider the security features of that service. The few essential cyber safety features all OTT platforms must have include:

• Encryption: To prevent unauthorized access, the provider must encrypt sensitive data while it is at rest and in transit.
• Secure Payment Processing: It must use secure payment gateways that comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
• Access Control: To improve security, the service must restrict access to sensitive data to authorized personnel only and implement multi-factor authentication.
• Global Compliance Standards: It should adopt globally recognized security frameworks and certifications, such as ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management systems and SOC 2 compliance for user data privacy and security best practices.

At Dacast, we take data protection very seriously. We implement end-to-end encryption for all video content streamed on our OTT platform, protecting users’ content and personal information.

Our payment systems are fully PCI-compliant, and we follow stringent security protocols to safeguard financial transactions.

We also comply with global privacy regulations, such as the GDPR and CCPA, and continuously update our security measures to stay ahead of evolving threats.

OTT Platform Legal Considerations for Content

Some of the biggest trends in the OTT industry all focus on novel and engaging content. We’ve got cloud-based content and interactive content coming from all sides. So, as the offer continues to grow and diversify, so do the legal requirements surrounding content licensing and distribution.

The differing global audiences have differing tastes in content, so providers must secure the intellectual property and distribution rights to and from other countries.

Content Licensing for OTT Services

Quality and varied content are at the heart of every good OTT service. Whether that content is movies, TV shows, documentaries, or live streams, as long as it has gig production and entertainment value, your viewers will watch it, regardless of their country of origin.

The services must procure all legal permissions to stream material to avoid copyright issues in OTT streaming. This is called licensing, and it involves:

• Acquiring Rights: This typically means negotiating with content creators, studios, or distributors to obtain the rights to stream their content for a specific duration and select territories.
• Revenue Sharing: OTT services often share revenue with content owners, particularly when the business model involves AVOD or TVOD pay-per-view monetization.
• Exclusivity: Exclusive streaming rights give services a competitive edge. However, these agreements are more expensive and come with additional restrictions.

Global Content Distribution Rights and the Challenges of Acquiring and Managing Licenses

OTT services operate in a global marketplace, but content rights are typically territorial. Depending on the region, a single piece of content might have different distribution rights and follow different OTT broadcasting regulations. Some of the OTT compliance challenges services face most often are:

• Multiple Licenses for Different Regions: OTT services need different licenses to comply with broadcasting regulations in different regions. This includes negotiating multiple agreements with studios or content owners.
• Changing Terms: The terms of these licenses can change over time. So, to stay compliant, services must renegotiate rights or even remove content if they fail to renew a license.
• Geoblocking: In some cases, content is restricted to certain regions, requiring OTT services to use geo-blocking technology to prevent users in unauthorized locations from watching.

Standard OTT Compliance Requirements For Broadcasting

Staying compliant with regional and international broadcasting rules and regulations is a complicated dance. In addition to procuring the appropriate licensing, here is what most of the biggest providers of OTT streaming and broadcasting solutions are doing to stay compliant:

1. Adhere to content classification systems in different jurisdictions (e.g., age ratings, content warning). In some countries, content may need to be censored or restricted based on cultural or legal norms.
2. Ensure that a certain percentage of their catalog contains local content (e.g., 30% of content should be European in the EU).
3. Follow specific rules about collecting data from children. In the U.S., COPPA regulates the collection of personal data by services aimed at children under 13 years old.
4. Respect the copyrights, trademarks, and patents of their content. They must protect against the distribution of illegal pirated content and respond to IP owners’ takedown requests.
5. Offer resolution and bitrate optimized for various devices, as well as support for high-definition, 4K, and HDR formats where applicable. Maintain consistent streaming quality even under varying network conditions.

Navigating Copyright Laws for Content Streaming on OTT Platforms

Today, anyone can stream anything with a phone and an Internet connection. But just because they can, it doesn’t mean they have the legal right to. The same applies to OTT services, which have a legal obligation to protect the intellectual property of content creators, including producers, writers, musicians, and actors.

OTT services sometimes use DRM technology on their platforms to overcome the legal challenges of streaming and stay compliant with regulations and agreements. DRM prevents the unauthorized distribution or copying of content and protects copyrighted material during transmission and streaming. They also maintain clear records of all content licenses and rights agreements to prove they have a right to stream the content and avoid infringement claims.

The Consequences of Copyright Infringement on OTT Streaming Services

While this may seem like a lot of legal and technical work, every bit of it is necessary because failure to comply has serious legal and financial consequences for OTT streaming services, and those who violate copyright laws risk facing lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage. This will damage their long-term viability and ability to be profitable. Some of the consequences include:

• Financial penalties and fines: Copyright holders can ask for substantial damages for unauthorized use of their content.
• Loss of content: DMCA strike downs can stop you from streaming content and force you to remove it entirely.
• Damage to reputation and audience trust: Accusations of piracy will affect the platform’s reputation and potentially drive audiences away.
• Service interruptions: Courts can issue injunctions, requiring a platform to temporarily or permanently stop streaming certain content.

Overcoming The Challenges of OTT Compliance

Offering OTT services and maintaining OTT platforms isn’t a walk in the park. Plenty of regional and international laws and policies regulate content and the gathering of user information. Most of them are different because OTT caters to global audiences, so OTT providers must comply with most, if not all.

To stay compliant, providers must secure region-specific licenses for every piece of content they offer. This often involves negotiating with studios, distributors, and content owners to obtain the rights to stream and broadcast content. Providers must also monitor any changes or updates in regional rules and policies.

Advertising compliance is another area where OTT providers must tread carefully. Some countries have strict rules regarding the advertising of alcohol or gambling, while others limit the frequency of ads during broadcasts.

How AI Can Help With Compliance

Staying on top of so many rules and regulations isn’t easy. Luckily, AI tools can automatically monitor content for potential violations. They can help identify illegal or inappropriate material and alert you when content needs to be geo-blocked.

AI solutions can streamline data privacy protocols by helping providers better manage personal information and detect potential security breaches. These tools can also facilitate the storing and processing of private data according to regional laws.

OTT Compliance: Keeping Your Favorite Platforms Streaming

There are a lot of rules put in place to protect media consumers and creators. And if they don’t follow these rules, providers won’t be able to stream and broadcast content or other entertainment.

Here at Dacast, we know the importance of OTT compliance and following OTT privacy laws. Our acquisition of Vzaar introduced us to Chinese audiences and taught us all about following international regulations. We follow global privacy standards, such as GDPR and CCPA, and have robust security protocols to protect user data.

If you need a professional video streaming and hosting platform that crosses all its T’s and dots all its I’s, why not try Dacast for free? Get our 14-day free trial – no credit card required.

On that note, why not start today with the Dacast 14-day free trial? Sign up today to begin streaming live in a matter of minutes. No credit card is required.

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