Forms of Online Digital Media Distribution

Forms of Digital Media Distribution

 

 

 

There are three main forms of online distribution, Namely Progressive Streaming, True Streaming, and Downloads, and both illegal and legal methods of accessing them. Because of Progressive Streaming, it is becoming quicker, easier, and cheaper to access archives of films and other media without having to physically go out and purchase it, as well as being able to watch live events with ease, and online downloads make it easier to purchase media online and usually at a cheaper price.

 

Progressive Streaming exists in forms such as Netflix, Lovefilm, Vuavi, etc.

Progressive Streaming is when a film is encoded and then uploaded to a server, which is then accessed by the viewer. For example, A film is encoded and uploaded to Netflix's server, and then when viewers log in to Netflix, this enables them to access Netflix's server and view the films that have been uploaded onto this.

 

True Streaming is always live streaming, and is used for live events such as wrestling, football and various other sports, or any show or event which is broadcasted live. One way that people watch these is via the internet, or on Television services such as TiVo boxes, etc; where people can pay to watch these broadcasts (Wrestling PPVs, etc). There are also many illegal methods through which people can watch streams live online without having to pay/from someone other than the broadcaster/etc.

 

Downloading media online is quite easy from the many sites which provide downloadable content; e.g - iTunes, Amazon, etc. This is simply where you download the media straight on to your hardrive without streaming, however, Progressive Downloading also exists, where as you are streaming a form of media, it is downloading to your hardrive at the same time. For example, Through the Xbox Marketplace or Playstation Network; where as you are watching/listening to something, it is downloading itself to your hard drive.

There is quite a high rate of illegal downloading, mainly using Torrenting sites, also known as File-Sharing, where someone will upload a media file, and other people will download it from then, and then using a torrenting program share the file, so the more people who have downloaded the file, the quicker and easier it is to download it.