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Exam code:9618

Bit streaming

What is bit streaming?

Bit streaming is the continuous flow of data (bits) sent over the internet or a network
Commonly used for real-time services like video, audio, or live broadcasts
Data is sent in small chunks so it can be played back immediately
Reduces the need to download the entire file before use
Bit streaming can be categorised into two types:
- Real-time
- On-demand

Real-time vs on-demand

Feature	Real-time streaming	On-demand streaming
What is it?	Watching something live as it happens	Watching something whenever you choose
Examples	Live sports, live news, online gaming, video calls	Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime
Timing	Streamed and watched at the same time	You choose when to watch
Delays (latency)	Needs low delay to feel live	Can handle small delays thanks to buffering
Internet needed	Needs a strong and steady connection	Can adjust quality based on your connection (adaptive bitrate)
Playback controls	Usually no pause or rewind during live events	You can pause, rewind, or skip as needed

Factors affecting bit streaming

What factors can affect bit streaming?

There are two main factors to consider when using bit streaming, they are:
- Bit rate
- Broadband speeds

Bit rate

Bit rate is the amount of data able to be transmitted in a specified unit of time (usually seconds)
Streaming platforms will adjust bit rates based on network performance

Feature	Higher bit rate	Lower bit rate
Quality	Allows for higher quality content (HD / 4K)	Lower quality – more pixelation or blurriness
Visual & audio clarity	Sharper and clearer images and sound	May look blurry, especially during fast movement
Bandwidth usage	Uses more network bandwidth	Uses less bandwidth
Buffering	May require a larger buffer to maintain quality	Smaller buffer can be enough, but more frequent buffering likely on poor connections

Broadband speeds

Broadband speeds affects how well data can be streamed
Faster speeds = better quality and smoother playback

Aspect	High-speed broadband	Slow/restricted broadband
Network capacity	Handles higher bit rates	Can’t support high bit rates
	Allows multiple devices to stream smoothly	Limited bandwidth affects overall network performance
	Supports HD/4K quality	May force streams to use lower resolution
User experience	Smoother streaming with minimal buffering	Frequent buffering and interruptions
	Clear visuals and audio	Pixelation and lower sound quality
	Ideal for real-time content (e.g. gaming, video calls)	Struggles with live or interactive services

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