We have all heard the term ‘cloud’ used almost everywhere in the industry by now, but what does it really mean? For broadcasters and cloud providers, understanding and correctly using the cloud, specifically cloud based streaming, can make the difference between a poorly managed and inefficient workflow and a leveraged, elevated approach to content distribution and playout. Cloud based live streaming, although not a new venture for the industry, is making substantial and continuous developments. With the rise of hybrid and remote workflows, cloud based streaming is a must-do venture for many content providers, becoming an essential and central element of many broadcast and streaming practices particularly for live video production.
Cloud based streaming is a method of cloud deployment focusing on the distribution and management of content over a cloud based workflow. Cloud based streaming allows for a user friendly, scalable and cost effective method of watching, distributing and broadcasting video content over the internet. What’s even better, is that there is no need for providers to download anything first – this is because everything is stored in the cloud. By implementing cloud based streaming software, broadcasters and content providers can gain access to a versatile and reliable space that can be used for the storage and distribution of data. Cloud based streaming is slowly but surely changing the way that we approach cloud playout and content distribution as an industry, particularly with the appetite for high quality, on-demand content increasing by the day. Consumer demand has never been higher, and as such, broadcasters and content providers are shifting towards a cloud based approach for live video production.
In order to understand the essentials of cloud based video streaming, first we need to cover the concept of streaming protocols and content delivery networks (CDNs). When broadcasters and content providers are looking to distribute video content, a network of servers is distributed across various locations, storing copies of video content to ensure faster delivery regardless of geographical location and user preferences. Cloud based streaming software allows for videos to be encoded into a variety of formats and resolutions, making sure that the content being distributed is of the absolute highest quality possible.
With the unprecedented demand for high quality content increasing over the past few years, consumers are expecting higher quality, more efficient and overall speedier distribution of streaming content. Most, if not all of consumers, will be consuming content through their preferred cloud based video platform, allowing for providers to easily scale and develop their solutions to fit everchanging demands.
The idea behind cloud based video streaming is for the user to take centre stage, allowing for the features to add scalability, flexibility and efficiency to a cloud playout workflow. When searching for cloud based streaming software to implement in your own workflow, there are a few features that we need to look out for to ensure success in the cloud.
Features to Look Out For in Cloud Based Streaming
Cloud based video streaming offers a wide range of features and benefits to any broadcasters and content providers looking to elevate their workflows. In an industry where so much data is transferred and distributed daily, ensuring a safe, secure and efficient workflow when dealing with content distribution is vital to growth and development. Let’s go over a few of the essentials when starting with cloud based streaming.
Scalability: cloud based video streaming offers a scalable and accessible storage and distribution solution. This allows for content providers and broadcasters to implement a hybrid or even fully remote workflow, supporting many different methods of cloud playout and cloud based streaming. Any video streaming platform hosted on a cloud based server can be easily scaled to accommodate large audiences without significant infrastructure changes in the first instance, making it a very vendor and user friendly option.
Cost-efficiency: not only does shifting to a cloud based video streaming workflow allow for a scalable solution, but it is also extremely cost-effective. Without the need for unnecessary hardware, data and content can be stored in the cloud and accessed from anywhere. Perhaps most importantly, content delivered using a cloud based video streaming platform can be distributed quickly and at a high quality, effectively meeting the requirements of rising consumer demand.
Easy integration: on using a cloud based video streaming platform, broadcasters and providers can take advantage of a flexible approach to content playout, including ease of integration between devices and additional features. Cloud based streaming supports a large variety of devices including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and laptops, or practically any device designed to host apps and content distribution software. Not only this, but cloud based video streaming workflows adapt very easily to additional features, such as new codecs or software protocols. With the software being entirely cloud based, new features and integrations can be deployed in a matter of hours, minutes or seconds.
Monetisation: perhaps one of the most exciting features of cloud based video streaming is the opportunity for monetisation. Ad-tech and monetisation methods are a hot topic right now, with many broadcasters and content providers looking to implement them in some form or another. Cloud based streaming offer a new and intuitive approach to monetisation, allowing for providers to gain some freedom over how they implement their ad technology. In-video ad insertion, for example, offers many formats for ad implementation for a live, dynamic and interactive approach to advertising. This opens the doors to contextual advertising, ad-break alternatives and picture-in-picture opportunities, making cloud based live streaming an obvious choice for most broadcasters and content providers.
Security: security is an ongoing struggle for most broadcasters and content providers, driving many professionals to opt for cloud based streaming as a preferred option. Cloud based video streaming platforms offer built-in security and content protection features, which can help to prevent unauthorised access to your content. Cloud based streaming providers also use encryption to protect data at rest, ensuring that it cannot be accessed by unauthorised users, even if the physical storage devices are compromised at any point. Cloud based video streaming software also deploys a range of advanced security features to protect customer applications and data.
Which Cloud Based Video Streaming Solution Should You Choose?
Choosing the right cloud based streaming solution for you is dependent on your preferences as a business, but ultimately, your decision must consider challenges such as consumer demand, user accessibility, content quality and distribution.
Veset Nimbus is the intuitive, all-in-one cloud playout management platform designed to streamline professional linear channel operations, all while keeping the user in mind. It operates with high levels of operational complexity, taking full advantage of the cloud and allowing content owners to manage multiple linear channels flexibly while future-proofing their operations. As a cloud playout, SaaS solution, Veset Nimbus uses advanced SCTE35 capabilities alongside integrations for Restful API and intuitive web UI. Unlike other cloud playout solutions, Veset’s expertise in cloud based software means that Veset Nimbus is fully integrational and fully leverages the benefits of the cloud including scalability, reliability and flexibility.
To make a decision on the right cloud based video streaming solution, why not request a demo of Veset Nimbus and invest in a user-friendly, efficient workflow for your content.
