streamingformaatit

Streaming formats refer to media formats designed for delivery over the internet. They encompass containers, codecs, and delivery protocols, and are chosen to support smooth playback, adaptive bitrate, and compatibility across devices.

Container formats such as MP4 (ISO base media container), WebM, MKV, and 3GP define how audio and video streams are packaged within a single file. MP4 is the most widely supported for web video; WebM is common for HTML5 video on open platforms, while MKV is popular for high-fidelity archival use.

Codecs encode the data inside containers. Video codecs include H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP9, and AV1; audio codecs include AAC, MP3, Opus, and Vorbis. The choice of codec affects compression efficiency, quality, and device compatibility, and often drives licensing considerations.

Delivery methods and protocols: streaming relies on segmented delivery rather than whole-file download. Adaptive bitrate streaming uses manifests (HLS with M3U8 or DASH with MPD) to switch between different encoded rate streams. Fragmented MP4 (fMP4) or WebM fragments carry segments, enabling smoother playback and adaptation to network conditions.

Protection and rights: many streaming services apply DRM and encryption to protect content; common systems include Widevine, PlayReady, and FairPlay. Metadata and subtitles are often delivered separately or embedded within segments.

In practice, streaming formats are chosen to balance compatibility, quality, latency, and bandwidth. A typical web video uses MP4 with H.264/AAC delivered via HLS or DASH, often in multiple bitrates to support a wide range of devices and network conditions.