What Is Video on Demand (VOD) Streaming and How Does It Work?
Video on Demand (VOD) streaming is a technology that allows users to access and view video content on demand. With this technology, you don’t have to wait for a scheduled broadcast or go through the trouble of downloading a video file to your device. Instead, you can simply browse through a library of videos and choose the content you want to watch.
VOD is made possible through the use of streaming technology. Streaming is a method of delivering video content over the internet in real-time. When you watch a video using streaming technology, the video data is sent to your device in small chunks called packets. Your device receives and plays each packet as it arrives, without having to wait for the entire video file to download.
The process of VOD streaming begins with the content provider uploading the video content to a server. The server stores the video files and makes them available for delivery to users. Users can then access the content through a website, app, or streaming device.
When a user selects a video to watch, their device sends a request to the server for the video data. The server then streams the video content to the user’s device in real-time. The user’s device buffer the video data, so the user can start watching the video before the entire file has been downloaded.
VOD streaming is delivered using various protocols, including HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH). These protocols use adaptive bit-rate streaming, which means that the video quality and resolution are adjusted on the fly based on the user’s internet connection speed. So, if the user’s connection speed is slow, the video quality will automatically be reduced to avoid buffering and ensure smooth playback.
One of the key advantages of VOD streaming is its convenience. Users can access their favorite videos and TV shows from anywhere and at any time, as long as they have an internet connection. VOD services, such as Netflix and Hulu, have become increasingly popular as more people cut the cord and opt for streaming video content over traditional cable TV.