poolcasting

Poolcasting is a term that describes the practice of distributing content, typically audio or video, to a group of devices or users simultaneously. This is often achieved through a network connection, where a central source broadcasts the content to multiple receivers. The term is a portmanteau of "pool" referring to the group of recipients, and "casting" signifying the act of transmission. Poolcasting can be used for various purposes, including live streaming events, distributing digital media libraries, or enabling collaborative viewing experiences. The technology underpinning poolcasting can vary, ranging from simple local area network broadcasts to more complex internet-based streaming protocols. When applied to audio, it might be referred to as multi-room audio or synchronized playback. In the context of video, it could be a form of group streaming or shared viewing. The efficiency of poolcasting lies in its ability to deliver content to many without needing to establish individual connections for each recipient. This can reduce server load and bandwidth requirements compared to one-to-one streaming. The user experience for poolcasting can range from seamless to requiring specific software or hardware to participate in the broadcast.