A Brief Insight Into Low Latency Video Streaming Solutions

A Brief Insight Into Low Latency Video Streaming Solutions

When it comes to offering live-video streaming services at a professional level, furnishing engaging experiences to the viewers is of utmost importance. Keeping low latency in mind is one thing that contributes to the pleasant user experience since it enables viewers to stream and watch events that are close to real-time. 

The popular Apple HLS streaming custom defaults to nearly 30 seconds of latency. To ameliorate this issue, separate categories such as real-time and ultra-low latency have been brought into the limelight, appearing at below one second of lag. Maintaining this level of video streaming attention is for interactive use cases such as real-time system control and two-way chats.

What is Low Latency Video Streaming?

Latency refers to the delay in time between input and output, otherwise also termed as lagging. In video streaming, it is often denoted as “glass to glass”. It calculates the time taken by a live video stream to travel from the front glass of the camera lens to the computer screen glass of the viewers. 

Latency is to be blamed whenever you are streaming a video and you hear cheerful applauses from your neighbors while you’re still waiting for the rightful event to happen on your screen. Latency is the culprit for those awkward five seconds of pause that a reporter takes before answering a question asked by the news anchor. 

For instance, the latency of broadcast TV is about 5-10 seconds as compared to that of HTTP streaming, which is nearly 30-40 seconds. 

According to a study, by 2024, live streaming services are expected to rise by 10% to 91 million subscribers. For many OTT service providers that aim to gain a strong foothold in the competitive digital media & streaming industry, achieving low latency always remains a challenge. Nevertheless, virtual event organizers are now switching to low latency video streaming solutions to enable audience interaction and engagement. 30-40 seconds of delay would make it nearly impossible for real-time feedback.

Also Read: What Is Transcoding And Why Is It Crucial For Video Streaming
Selecting The Right Low Latency Video Streaming Services In Accordance With Your Needs

The main factors affecting the latency of your video streaming are segment length and streaming protocols that are applied in the transmission stage. Low latency video streaming solutions consider both aspects to ensure the smooth delivery of high-quality and scalable videos. Therefore, while picking a suitable low latency platform, look out for the protocols they support.
 

• Standard Video Latency (+20 seconds): Choose standard DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) or HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) protocols in case a higher latency will not compromise your user’s streaming experience. They are great for live events or VOD for large audiences sans interaction. These type of streaming services allows for 4K or HD video quality and massive scale.
   
• Reduced Video Latency (20-5 seconds): By optimizing your streaming chain, you can further downsize your standard latency via DASH or HLS protocols to below 20 seconds. Real-Time Messaging Protocol or RTMP will also get you closer to the 5 seconds mark. Look for tuned DASH or HLS protocols for video streams that are time-sensitive without allowing any interaction with the viewers.
   
• Low Video Latency (5-1 seconds): Add and combine multiple solutions to reduce your latency even further. Enter into the low latency protocols such as LLDASH, LLHLS, RTP/RTSP, and SRT. These protocols are advantageous for any streams that would need to match up the 5-seconds media delivery of cable TV broadcast.
   
• Near-Real-Time or Ultra-Low Video Latency (less than 1 second): Ultra-low latency is the most preferred choice for real-time video streaming, meaning that you will no longer have to suffer delay. Web Real-Time Communication or WebRTC is the protocol that you’d require if you are seeking to deliver competitive live video streams with sub-second latency. It is the most sought-after protocol for two-way communication situations such as virtual classrooms and online meetings. WebRTC is supported by all web browsers and it is open-source.
   
• Faster Than Light or FTL (real-time): As the name suggests, FTL is a real-time streaming protocol, meaning that it supports sub-second latency. This enables you to communicate and engage with your users in real-time with virtually no delay. It uses the H.264 video codec and Opus audio codec to enable a good mix of low latency and high-quality video, and smooth playback.

Final Thoughts

For any time-sensitive and high-interaction live video streaming solutions such as video conferencing, virtual events, and webinars, low latency video streams are no longer about making a competitive edge, In 2021, OTT service providers and tech companies are pushing the envelope to meet the technological requirements of viewers and remote workers.

If you are seeking low latency video streaming app development solutions, feel free to drop us a line.