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What Is ...

What Is Cellular Bonding?

In the absence of widespread high-bandwidth 5G availability, one technology that has been with us for several years remains the most reliable solution for getting your streams to the cloud when Wi-Fi and wired connections are unavailable: cellular bonding.

What Is VVC?

Advance testing shows the codec producing strong bitrate savings over its competitors, but a tiered licensing model could prevent all users from enjoying the best performance.

What Is Streaming?

A high-level view of state of streaming media in 2019, and the concepts and and technologies that make it work.

What Is DRM?

The move away from plugins like Flash and Silverlight has made video delivery easier, but it's also made DRM more complicated. Here's what DRM looks like today, along with a discussion of the leading DRM technologies and DRM service providers

What Is AV1?

Scheduled to be the first codec released by the Alliance for Open Media, AV1 is positioned to replace VP9 and compete with HEVC. While we don't know many details yet, the backing of the Alliance should give AV1 a significant competitive advantage.

What Is VP9?

VP9 is the open-source codec from Google, and provides a royalty-free alternative to HEVC. It's more efficient than H.264, and while it's less efficient than HEVC, it compares well on quality.

What Is 2K and 4K Video?

As we move beyond 1080p, consumers and the online video world are being enticed by 2K, 4K, and 4K Ultra HD (UHD). Here's a look at what those all mean, as well as what the future might hold.

What Is HEVC (H.265)?

Not sure what to make of the new format on the block? Read this to get up to speed on how HEVC was created, the challenges it now faces, and when it will go into everyday use.

What Is Transparent Caching?

Transparent caching benefits both the end user, who gets the content they want more quickly, and the CDNs and ISPs delivering the content.

What Is Google TV?

Is Google TV the smart TV platform of the future,or still just "beta" software?

What Is a Streaming Media Protocol?

HTTP, RTSP, RTMP, Smooth Streaming, HLS, HDS, and more: What exactly are streaming protocols, and how do they interact with other communications protocols?

What Is MPEG DASH?

MPEG DASH is the latest hot topic in the online video space. Here we break down what it is, and what its implications might be for video delivery in the future.

What Is HLS (HTTP Live Streaming)?

Apple's HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol is the technology used to deliver video to Apple devices like the iPad and iPhone. Here's a primer on what HLS is and how to use it.

What Is Adaptive Streaming?

A look at what adaptive streaming is, the primary technology providers, and the factors you should consider when choosing an adaptive streaming technology

What Is Encoding and Transcoding?

An overview of the basics of encoding and transcoding, including an attempt to settle on some hitherto controversial definitions

What Is H.264?

A look behind H.264, the world's most popular video codec, including encoding parameters and royalty concerns

What Is a Codec?

If you're going to understand online video, you need to understand codecs. Here's a high-level look at what codecs are, as well as the variety of codecs relevant to streaming media.

What Is a Content Delivery Network (CDN)?

A definition and history of the content delivery network, as well as a look at the current CDN market landscape

What Is HTML5?

An explanation of HTML5 and HTML5 Video, including history, patent issues, and current use by Apple, Microsoft, Google, Adobe, and others.

What Is Streaming (2011 Version)

A high-level view of streaming media technology, history, and the online video market landscape