Streaming Media Effect to Society and Technology

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Streaming media effect to society and technology

        Streaming media stemming from the use of the word “stream”, connoting the process of transferring media content from one point to another through a preferred channel is data received by an end user from the provider in a steady and continuous form (Kunkel, 146). Telecommunication networks distinguish the type of media distributed from the method used in delivering the media considering that other delivery media may also be passively streaming such as television or non-streaming such as  books and audio CDs. However, the internet exponential growth has made streaming technologies an important tool to users especially from the advantage the method offers to those operating on a low bandwidth connection by allowing them enjoy multimedia on the internet through this connection without having to download the file (Kunkel, 222). Streaming of data occurs in a sequential process where application on the end-user side receives the data from the provider in a steady form where if the connection is strong, data is saved in a buffer and if the connection is slow, information transmitted is not smooth. The application on the end user side transforms the data received through a browser or a plug-in into sound or picture in reference to the type of data requested by the client (Kunkel, 234).    

        Streaming media popularity has manifested comprehensively in the technological fields. The current generation of consumer devices most if not all have the capability to access the internet ranging from televisions no mobile devices. The universal appeal to the internet technology as a form of communication has led to creation of streaming media applications that are networked to necessitate the conveyance of digital video and audio (Kunkel, 16). Applications built for serve clients’ purposes including live video broadcast, telecasts and e-learning all use the concept of streaming. Networked devices refers to devices with incorporated technology to enable them independently connect to the internet hence they use this connections to receive and offer content to end users. Streaming technology through connected devices has essentially changed the way that people access and consume content in respect to the traditional methods that used discrete methods of conveying information to users. Examples of advances in technology attributed to streaming media include internet radio, YouTube and WirelessHD.