The evolution of streaming technologies: What will be the next innovations?

The existence of the virtual world has truly changed the world! And this in every sense of the word! It is probably the change that has changed the world the most in the last ten decades. Unsurprisingly, the world of streaming has also evolved in recent years, pushing us to question the evolution of the experience. 

These advances have revolutionized the way we consume audiovisual content, video games and music. Today, we are witnessing a new phase of innovations that promise not only to improve our user experience, but to completely redefine the way we interact with digital. To plan ahead even further, read on!

Innovative technologies that are developing rapidly

Imagine yourself comfortably seated in a gaming chair, immersing yourself in the world of streaming becomes a captivating experience. Every movement in the game is amplified thanks to your chair, allowing you to stay focused during extended sessions. With comfort as your ally, you can concentrate fully on your activities.

New technologies are booming and revolutionizing streaming, transforming the way we watch films, series, play video games or listen to music online. These advances will change our habits and promise new experiences for millions of users around the world. 

Understanding streaming

Streaming technology is revolutionizing the way we access multimedia content such as internet videos and music played loudly in a helmet. Traditionally, to watch or listen to a file, you had to download it entirely, which sometimes took a long time, depending on the file size and connection speed. 

With streaming, it's different: data is sent continuously from the server to the user's computer. This means that instead of waiting for the full file to download, the user can start watching or listening. While playing, the rest of the file continues to download in the background.

To illustrate, we can compare traditional downloading to filling a bucket of water before being able to use it, which requires patience. In contrast, streaming is like turning on a faucet: once turned on, the water flows immediately and can be used instantly, no matter the size of the bucket or the speed of the water flow. This makes the experience more fluid and dynamic for the user.

There are two main types of streaming: sequential streaming, which allows the user to watch while the file gradually downloads, and real-time streaming, which allows live viewing with the ability to fast forward or rewind in the content. Each file format (like ASF, RealMedia, and QuickTime) requires a specific player to play correctly.

Streaming technology goes beyond traditional bandwidth limitations, making it essential for live streaming, video on demand, distance learning, and many other applications. It transforms the way media is delivered and consumed, giving users greater control over their viewing or listening experience.

The immersive experience of virtual reality

Virtual reality promises total immersion in streaming content, radically transforming the way we experience online. This technology allows users to fully immerse themselves in fictional or real worlds, providing completely new user sensations.

Major players in the industry are already investing heavily in virtual reality. For example, Netflix introduced a special section for VR content a few years ago, providing users with a typical experience. For their part, YouTube offers 360-degree VR videos, enriching the viewing experience with a unique perspective.

The current landscape of video streaming

Today, video on demand is experiencing sustained growth, estimated at 7.5% in 2021. This phenomenon is mainly explained by a radical change in the way people consume videos, accentuated by repeated periods of confinement in 2020. During this period, users not only increased their content consumption but also explored new productions available directly on streaming platforms, due to the closure of cinemas.

In the future, video on demand promises rapid expansion, but what innovations does video streaming have in store for us tomorrow?

AI and streaming

Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in the evolution of streaming. It makes it possible to improve the quality of content, personalize recommendations and even simplify the creation of new content.

For example, several platforms already use AI to analyze user preferences and offer them tailored recommendations. Netflix, for example, is currently developing an AI algorithm to create personalized trailers based on individual preferences.

Additionally, AI could revolutionize content creation by automating certain stages of video production and editing. This approach would allow creators to save time while providing higher quality content to their subscribers.

What does the future hold for video streaming? 

Recent years have seen the emergence of many technologies that are shaping our future experience:

High-resolution restoration of old works

This restoration is in full swing, aiming to adapt them to modern HD screens through the use of restoration software assisted by artificial intelligence, although this service remains expensive.

Ultra-high definition

The advent of ultra-high definition, with the popularization of 4K and 8K, now offers immersive possibilities such as streaming 8K content during the Beijing Olympic Games. The creation of televisions suitable for this technology is underway for wider adoption.

Co-watching

The practice of "co-watching" is becoming the norm, allowing users to watch programs together remotely via extensions such as Netflix Party or apps like Squad and Rave, although challenges like latency remain to be addressed to improve the user experience.

360° video streaming

This meets a growing demand for an immersive experience where spectators want to be part of the action, as exemplified by Verizon enabling viewing from multiple camera angles during sporting events.

5G: A fast connection redefining streaming

5G will revolutionize streaming by offering ultra-fast connection and stable. This new generation of mobile network will allow users to enjoy high quality content without interruptions, even when they are on the move. In addition, 5G opens the way to new streaming experiences such as live broadcasting of content in virtual or augmented reality.

Although deployment is ongoing and limited, 5G heralds significant changes coming in the coming months.

Video game streaming via the cloud: a coming revolution

Cloud gaming represents the future of streaming video games. This innovative technology offers an experience where games are hosted on remote servers and streamed directly to the player's device. This approach allows you to play video games without requiring a very powerful console or computer. Complex calculations are performed on remote servers, and only game video is sent in real time to the player's screen. Major companies like Google with Stadia and Microsoft with xCloud are investing heavily in this technology, promising to revolutionize the field of video games.

In summary, the evolution of streaming technologies holds an exciting future for us. With advancements like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, 5G and cloud gaming, the way we watch movies, play games and listen to music online is transforming. These new features not only make our experiences more immersive and personalized, they also open up new possibilities for the entertainment industry. We are at the dawn of an era where online entertainment will be more dynamic and interactive than ever, meeting the expectations of an increasingly connected global audience. It's exciting to see how these technologies will continue to evolve and enrich our lives in the future.