Real-time Streaming Vs Progressive Download

Progressive download allows users to watch or listen to media as it is being downloaded from a standard web server to their hard drive. This method works best for short-form media where file size is limited. Progressive download ensures high-quality playback regardless of users' Internet connection speed, although users with slower connections will wait longer before media starts to play.

The "progressive download" feature in most media players allows videos to begin playing as soon as enough data has been downloaded. This can give the impression sometimes that the video is being streamed because it can start playing almost immediately if you have a fast enough internet connection. The only downside is that you can't fast forward to the end of the video until it has been downloaded.

Real-time streaming delivers media in real time over the Internet, from modem to broadband rates. No file is ever downloaded to a viewer's hard drive. Media is played, but not stored, by the client software as it is delivered. Real-time streaming is often preferable to progressive download for webcasts of live events, delivery of long-form video, and 24/7 Internet radio and TV channels.

The ability to scrub through a streaming video to the part you want to watch is extremely useful, especially in longer videos. The benefits of the instant on nature of the streaming video is another attractive feature; no hanging around for the video to download before you can start watching. However, unlike with progressive downloads you are very much at the mercy of the end users internet connection. The video needs to be encoded to the correct internet connection speed to allow it to play smoothly whilst it is being sent from the streaming server.