Low latency and high latency are terms used to describe the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another. Low latency is desirable in streaming applications such as video conferencing, VoIP, and online gaming, where users want quick reactions and minimal delays. High latency may cause stuttering or buffering when streaming media, resulting in a poor user experience. Optimizing for low latency can help ensure a smooth streaming experience with minimal delays.

Introduction

Understanding Latency

Low Latency Streaming

· What is Low Latency Streaming?

· Benefits of Low Latency Streaming

· Use Cases for Low Latency Streaming

High Latency Streaming

· What is High Latency Streaming?

· Potential Issues with High Latency Streaming

· Use Cases for High Latency Streaming

How to Optimize Latency for Streaming

Conclusion

Introduction

Latency is a critical concept in streaming media and is often overlooked by most viewers. In short, latency refers to the time it takes to send or receive data from point A to point B. Essentially, the lower the latency, the faster content can be streamed. Low latency is significant in any live streaming events such as video conferencing, online gaming, or live sports events. However, there is still some debate regarding streaming media between low and high latency. In this blog post, we will explore the different definitions of low and high latency and how they affect your streaming experience.

Understanding Latency

Latency is the time it takes for data to be sent or received from point A to point B. The lower the latency, the faster media is streamed without any lags or delays. Anything under 100 milliseconds (ms) is considered low latency, and anything over 300 ms is considered high latency. Latency consists of two components: transmission delays and processing delays.

Transmission delays refer to the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another over a network connection. In contrast, processing delays refer to the time it takes for a device to process the data. Common factors affecting latency include network type, distance between origin and destination, hardware capabilities, software optimization, and the number of users accessing the network simultaneously.

Low Latency Streaming

What is Low Latency Streaming?

Low latency streaming is when a video or audio stream is delivered with minimal lag between sending and receiving the data (less than 100 milliseconds). Low latency streaming requires an efficient internet connection and optimized hardware and software on both the sender’s and receiver’s sides to ensure that data travels quickly and without delays. The advantages of low latency streaming are that it allows for real-time interactions such as video conferencing, online gaming, or live sports events with minimal lag time. Additionally, low latency streaming reduces the amount of data buffered, improving overall performance.

Benefits of Low Latency Streaming

Low latency streaming offers many benefits for users, such as improved user experience and enhanced viewer engagement. With low latency streaming, users can interact in real-time with minimal lag between sending and receiving the data. This makes it ideal for streaming events like video conferencing, online gaming, or live sports events where timing is crucial. Low latency also reduces buffering and minimizes video or audio stuttering, which can be distracting and impair the user experience. As low latency streaming has become more accessible with 5G technology, it is now used for more applications such as virtual reality (VR). Low latency also encourages viewers to participate in interactive activities on a live stream, thereby increasing viewers.

Use Cases for Low Latency Streaming

Low latency streaming is often used for applications such as video conferencing, online gaming, or live sports events where timing is crucial and real-time interactions are required. For instance, if a viewer joins an online game with other players with high latency connections, it can cause lag that negatively affects the user experience. Additionally, low latency streaming benefits virtual reality (VR) applications, allowing for real-time interactions and reducing buffering. Low latency streaming is essential for live events to ensure viewers get the best possible experience without any lag or buffering issues. Furthermore, many streaming platforms now support low latency streaming to improve user engagement with interactive activities on a live stream.

High Latency Streaming

What is High Latency Streaming?

High latency streaming is when a video or audio stream is delivered with a significant lag between sending and receiving the data (more than 300 milliseconds). High latency can be caused by several factors, such as inefficient internet connections, underpowered hardware or software on either side of the connection, or too many users accessing the network simultaneously. The disadvantage of high latency streaming is that it causes lag and buffering, negatively affecting the user experience. Additionally, high latency makes it difficult for viewers to participate in interactive activities on a live stream, as there is often too much delay between sending and receiving data from the server.

Potential Issues with High Latency Streaming

High latency streaming includes several potential issues, such as buffering, stuttering, delays, and reduced viewer engagement. If the connection is not optimized for low latency streaming, it can lead to lag that directly affects user experience. Additionally, long wait times between sending and receiving data from the server can cause buffering, further impairing the user experience. Furthermore, high-latency streaming delays real-time interactions such as video conferencing, online gaming, or live sports events, reducing viewer engagement. To avoid these issues, ensuring that your internet connection and hardware/software are optimized for low-latency streaming is essential.

Use Cases for High Latency Streaming

High-latency streaming might be possible for specific applications where real-time interactions are not required. For instance, non-interactive broadcasts such as pre-recorded video or audio content may not require low latency streaming. Furthermore, high latency can happen in cases where the connection is limited due to slow internet speeds or insufficient hardware/software on either side of the connection. It is vital to remember that high-latency streaming has drawbacks and should be avoided.

To ensure a good user experience, it is always best to use low-latency streaming when real-time interactions are required or desired.

How to Optimize Latency for Streaming

To ensure a good user experience when streaming, reducing latency as much as possible is essential. Several technologies and techniques can be used to optimize latency for streaming, such as using a content delivery network (CDN) or real-time protocols like WebSockets or QUIC. Additionally, hardware and software can be optimized to support low-latency streaming, such as using GPUs for video processing or optimized streaming protocols

like SRT. Other methods of reducing latency include optimizing Internet connections, avoiding server congestion by utilizing load balancing, and reducing packet size for faster transmission. Using these techniques and technologies can reduce latency and improve the user experience when streaming video or audio content.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is vital to understand the implications of low and high latency when streaming video or audio content. Low latency streaming can help ensure a seamless and smooth viewing experience, while high latency can lead to lag and buffering issues that negatively affect user engagement. To optimize for low latency, it is advisable to use technologies such as CDN, real-time protocols and optimize internet connections, hardware, and software for streaming. By understanding the implications of low-latency streaming, you can ensure a more interactive, engaging streaming experience for your viewers. EdgeNext Streaming/ VOD CDN can offer you the most optimized low-latency streaming to help you deliver a seamless and smooth viewing experience.

Reference:

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Exploration. (n.d.). Non-interactive streaming. https://exploration.io/non-interactive streaming/#:~:text=Non%2Dinteractive%20music%20streaming%20differs,and%20comp

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EdgeNext. (n.d.). Content Delivery Network (CDN). https://www.edgenext.com2/cdn/

GeeksforGeeks. (n.d.). What is Web Socket and how it is different from the HTTP? https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-web-socket-and-how-it-is-different-from-the-http/

EdgeNext. (n.d.). Live Streaming. https://www.edgenext.com2/live_streaming/