Streaming Media

If you would like to serve up a video as streaming media, OIT can help you. On campus, EITS provides a streaming server for UGA use. If you would like to find out more, please visit the EITS website on streaming media, and submit a request to us at help@terry.uga.edu - we'll help get you started!

What is streaming media?

Streaming is a way to send real-time data from one computer to another. Unlike classic methods of file transfer, when you stream a file the destination computer is able to use it without having the entire contents of the file. One way to think about the difference between downloading a file and streaming it might be to compare them to getting a drink of water. Downloading a file is like pouring water into a glass and then drinking it. Streaming a file, on the other hand, is like drinking water straight from the faucet.

 

This ability to use data immediately is what makes streaming a good solution for delivering audio and video over the Internet. Both audio and video files can be large, and for this reason may take a long time to download. By streaming these audio and video files, users are able to watch or listen to them almost immediately. Further, live video and audio on the Internet would be impossible without the ability to send and use data on the fly.

—Excerpt from EITS website