AudioStream

An audiostream is a continuous sequence of audio data that is transmitted, streamed, or processed for real time or near real time playback. It differs from a stored audio file in that the data are typically generated and consumed in a streaming fashion, often while still encoded or transmitted. An audiostream may carry encoded audio such as AAC, MP3, Opus, or FLAC, or uncompressed PCM samples. In streaming contexts the data are organized into frames or packets with timing information to preserve sample rate and channel synchronization. Latency and buffering are important considerations for user experience and device capabilities.

Delivery and transport of audiostreams can use a variety of protocols and architectures. Real-time transport protocols such as RTP are common in encoded live audio and telecommunication workflows, while control and session management may use RTSP or similar protocols. For distribution over the web, adaptive HTTP streaming methods such as HLS and MPEG-DASH enable audio alongside video by delivering media in small segments and adjusting quality based on available bandwidth. Certain applications also rely on WebRTC or traditional streaming servers to publish and fetch audio streams.

Applications range from subscription music and live radio to voice over IP, online meetings, and in-vehicle infotainment. In professional and consumer software, audiostreams are handled by media frameworks and audio subsystems that provide source and sink interfaces, buffering, mixing, and synchronization. Popular software tools include multimedia frameworks, media players, and streaming servers; developers may also use libraries that encode, multiplex, or transport audio streams.

Some platforms implement audiostreams as persistent channels that remain open for continuous delivery, while others deliver discrete segments that are reassembled by a client.