Streaming platforms have advanced significantly in the last decade. With every new update, they become faster, sharper, and generally better to watch. Both buffering and latency have been greatly reduced.
When watching a live sports or eSports event, low latency is essential. Some of the best casino online platforms offer sports betting options, which come with generous sign-up bonuses and big payouts. However, these benefits are lessened when you can’t follow the game accurately due to high latency. It makes in-game bets difficult, as you may struggle to assess how well your team is actually playing when there are delays.
So, how do modern streaming platforms achieve ultra-low latency?
Smaller video segments
Modern streaming platforms now divide video segments into smaller parts. Technologies such as Low-Latency HLS (LL-HLS) and Low-Latency DASH are adopted to do this. These smaller segments can be delivered faster, which allows for playback to align closer to the live edge. Previously, videos were divided into much larger segments. These took longer to send, which caused significant delays.
Localized server deployments
Streaming internationally is sometimes made difficult due to data residency mandates. These mandates may require companies to store and process data within a specific region. Due to this, localized server deployments are necessary. These help streamers comply with mandates while improving streaming through reduced network hops.
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
Streams are no longer sent only from the central network. Instead, CDNs are used to deliver content via networks that are positioned closer to audiences. By doing so, network distance is greatly reduced, which lowers latency significantly. Before, the central servers struggled to keep up when demand grew. Now, CDN providers and intelligent traffic routing ensure that high quality is maintained throughout live events.
Fast encoding and edge computing
The video processing pipeline is now more refined and creates formats that are better suited for streaming. Encoders can compress raw camera footage into internet delivery formats, which helps to reduce latency and improve the picture quality. Hardware acceleration also reduces the time it takes to create the footage. Edge computing is also employed to move the processing and delivery of the footage closer to the viewer. This reduces processing and transmission delays.
Real-time protocols
Better transport protocols are also used to keep latency at a minimum. WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication), for example, allows browsers to talk to each other in real-time. When used for streaming purposes, WebRTC can achieve a latency below one second. Beyond streaming sports games, this protocol is used regularly for auctions, video communications, and audience participation-based activities.
Adaptive bitrates
Network conditions change frequently during live performances. In order to avoid disruptions, multiple versions of the same video are created at different resolutions and bitrates. The adaptive bitrate algorithm monitors connections and switches between versions should a disruption occur. Adaptive bitrates ensure smooth playback while reducing buffering and latency.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
