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The digital-first world has made streaming an integral component of communications, security, and entertainment. Businesses, government facilities, and media companies are increasingly using advanced technology platforms to provide streaming video content that is both high quality (live streaming from security cameras) and reliable (fully functioning OTT systems), across multiple geographic locations, including millions of viewers worldwide. 

Organisations looking for reliable solutions that minimise latency and provide maximum security are increasingly turning to advanced streaming options such as those listed above, where the overall level and amount of viewer interaction with the video and recorded content can be measured. The information contained in this document will highlight how the development and growth of video streaming technology have evolved and continue to impact organisations through the use of cutting-edge technologies to continuously improve their business.

Evolution of Video Streaming Technology 

The technology behind streaming video has evolved significantly from early, slow and disruptive experiences to Adaptive Delivery Systems. The original streaming video experience revolved around the idea of downloading files progressively; therefore, there was no way to control the quality of what you downloaded, and it gave off a significant amount of excess bandwidth usage. Through the introduction of new streaming protocols, including RTMP, HLS, MPEG, DASH, etc., the streaming video ecosystem has transformed and created the opportunity for segmented streaming and Adaptive Bit Rate Switching, as well as Cloud-Based Delivery.

Today, streaming video services are primarily hosted through Distributed Cloud-Based Systems; through Intelligent Encoding/Compression Technology and AI-Based Optimisation, Companies can now use Distributed Cloud-Based Systems to provide consumer-ready high-definition (HD) Video and Ultra-high-definition (UHD) Video with Zero Latency from Any Device/Network. Additionally, with Edge Computing and Low Latency Streaming Protocols, Providers can now also support both mission-critical use-cases, for example, streaming remote CCTV Video, as well as delivering high-quality Video to global audiences with real-time Broadcast-Quality Video Content.

Live CCTV and Remote Monitoring 

Organisations committed to maintaining security, compliance, and operational visibility rely heavily on live streaming CCTV feeds. As such, the demand for immediate access to the most recent footage, along with constant uptime and secure connections, has increased dramatically.

Most modern CCTV streaming products utilise various methods of transmitting video data from the camera(s) to the user's device(s), including but not limited to Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC), and HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). Therefore, organisations can accomplish the following:

• Access livestreams from anywhere on the planet.

• Transmit video securely over encrypted networks.

• Obtain sub-second latency in transmission via WebRTC.

• Orchestrate a large number of cameras utilising Cloud technology.

Additionally, remote monitoring solutions utilise artificial intelligence (AI) based video analytic technology that identifies out-of-the-ordinary occurrences, follows objects, analyses behaviour patterns, and alerts users when an alert condition arises. Consequently, these analytic technologies can substantially diminish a user's need to monitor, while simultaneously improving efficiency and quickness of response when monitoring is necessary.

OTT Platform Architecture Multi-DRM and Content Protection

An Over-The-Top (OTT) Platform (also known as OTT) is any digital service that provides audio as well as video services via the Internet without relying on existing broadcast infrastructure. The architecture of a well-designed OTT platform will typically include the following layers:

1. Ingestion and Encoding Layer

Ingested content streamed via live or on-demand sources is encoded at multiple resolutions and formats. Additionally, the modern encoding process ensures that the encoded file sizes are optimally sized to meet the minimum file size requirements of all the devices that will be used to consume the content.

2. Content Storage and Management Layer

The content storage and management system is a centralised, secured content management system (CMS) that enables digital assets, metadata, user permissions and publishing workflow. The content stored in the CMS has a high degree of durability and global access via Cloud-based storage.

3. Multi-Device Applications Layer

OTT delivery systems provide multiple means of accessing content, including web-based applications, mobile applications, smart TV applications, streaming devices, etc. All of these types of applications should maintain a consistent user experience (UX), load quickly, and play without interruption.

A well-designed OTT architecture ensures scalability, reliability, and future-readiness, making it suitable for enterprises, broadcasters, and digital media companies. 

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming 

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR) helps adapt video quality to the needs of each viewer by automatically adjusting to match their unique situation (e.g., type of device they’re using, available Internet bandwidth). As a result, viewers are able to change between multiple bitrates in real time and are less likely to experience buffering when viewing a piece of content.

ABR is also very important from a security perspective, as it provides users with reliable access to their stored content, such as in the case of CCTV camera surveillance systems. It ensures that users have access to their security videos, despite having limited bandwidth.

Global CDN and Low-Latency Delivery 

In order to ensure that streaming video can quickly and easily be delivered globally, CDNs are critical to providing fast delivery channels in addition to reducing delivery time through caching video content on EDGE servers.

The need for low latency has increased significantly over the last few years for streaming live events, participating in online gaming, streaming financial broadcasts, and providing remote surveillance services to customers.

Technologies such as edge computing, chunked transfer encoding, and WebRTC now provide the ability to achieve sub-second latencies, allowing for real-time situational awareness for interactive OTT applications and live feeds from CCTV.

Video Analytics and Engagement Metrics

Streamlined video analytics give an unencumbered visualisation of how viewers interact with and consume video content, allowing for superior audience behaviour identification and better content performance assessment. OTT services use the data collected from the above to determine how they can improve user experience, design personalised content, and increase user retention.

In addition to video analytics used in CCTV applications, the advanced features of Video Analytics allow CCTV to provide object detection, facial recognition, intrusion detection, and operational monitoring. These additional features provide the capability of enabling more intelligent decision-making and automated responses to critical incidents.

Conclusion

Streaming technology has changed our perception of Live Streaming and global distribution of Over The Top(OTT) Streaming Services for video content. Companies embracing new technology and implementing multi-DRM Security, Adaptive Streaming, Low Latency Delivery and Intelligent Video Analytics to improve their operations will establish themselves as leaders in efficiency and safety while increasing Audience Engagement with their content as the demand for superior video quality continues to increase. Modern Streaming Solutions will play a large role in Digital Transformation across multiple sectors.
VTL, which stands for Vensysco Technologies Limited, is a company that helps businesses use these modern live streaming solutions. They make it easy to stream videos safely over the internet, whether it is for OTT platforms or live CCTV cameras. With VTL’s streaming services, people can watch clear videos anytime, anywhere, on any device. In simple words, VTL helps companies share live videos smoothly, quickly, and safely across the world.