A one-way audio transmission over a data network. It is widely used on the Web as well as company networks to play audio clips and Internet radio. Computers in home networks stream audio (mostly music) to digital media hubs connected to home theaters. Unlike sound files that are played after the entire file has been downloaded and stored, streaming audio begins playing after only a small amount is received, and the audio data are not stored permanently in the destination computer. See digital media hub.
If the streaming audio is broadcast live, then it may be called "real-time audio." However, technically, real time means no delays, and there is a built-in delay in streaming audio (see real-time audio).
It's Already in the Buffer
Listening to momentary blips in music or a conversation is annoying, and the only way to compensate for that over an erratic network such as the Internet is to get some of the audio data into the computer before you start listening to it. In streaming audio, both the client and server cooperate for uninterrupted sound. The client side stores a few seconds of sound in a buffer before it starts sending it to the speakers. Throughout the session, it continues to receive audio data ahead of time.
VoIP Is More Demanding
Voice over IP (VoIP) is more taxing on the network than streaming audio. It requires real-time, two-way transmission with sufficient bandwidth for audio coming in and going out at the same time without being able to buffer any of it. See streaming video, VoIP and Windows Media.
If the streaming audio is broadcast live, then it may be called "real-time audio." However, technically, real time means no delays, and there is a built-in delay in streaming audio (see real-time audio).
It's Already in the Buffer
Listening to momentary blips in music or a conversation is annoying, and the only way to compensate for that over an erratic network such as the Internet is to get some of the audio data into the computer before you start listening to it. In streaming audio, both the client and server cooperate for uninterrupted sound. The client side stores a few seconds of sound in a buffer before it starts sending it to the speakers. Throughout the session, it continues to receive audio data ahead of time.
VoIP Is More Demanding
Voice over IP (VoIP) is more taxing on the network than streaming audio. It requires real-time, two-way transmission with sufficient bandwidth for audio coming in and going out at the same time without being able to buffer any of it. See streaming video, VoIP and Windows Media.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- RemoteSight 1.0.1 (Mac)
- RemoteSight is an application for video and audio transmission over a network. It captures video from any attached video input device (for example the built-in iSight camera included in many Macintosh computers), which can then be viewed on another computer over a network or the internet. The primary use of...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Plex 0.8.5 (Mac)
- Plex bridges the gap between your Mac and your home theater, doing so with a visually appealing user interface that provides instant access to your media. Plex can play a wide range of video, audio and photo formats as well as online streaming audio and video. The real power of...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Action Scanner for iPhone 1.1 (Mobile)
- Action Scanner for iPhone lets users scan through their choice of Police, Fire, EMS and other feeds from around the country. Streaming audio scanner feeds can be exciting, but when there is a lapse in the action things get boring quickly. It features over 1,600 stations currently available and the...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- FoxPlayer 1.4 (Windows)
- FoxPlayer is a light audio software with a hip interface, Internet streaming, continuous play, and MP3 WAV converter. The program lacks in size and compensates in performance having an integrated ID3 editor which simplifies renaming and modifying files and using Xaudio MPEG engine to power up its impressive number of...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- UCee 1.0.0003 (Windows)
- Stream from PC to computers/smartphone safely and securely. Video, Audio, Surveillance. Stream contents to your customers. Set up program broadcast schedules. Users can also find your programs by searchable key. Retrieve documents or stream media contents from your PC to a smartphone or remote PC. Watch surveillance video from remote...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- PandoraJam 1.4 build 292 (Mac)
- PandoraJam enables you to enjoy the popular Pandora.com radio service on your Mac desktop. Easily stream music wirelessly, record audio for playback on iPods, and submit tracks to Last.fm and Twitter. Desktop integration via Growl notifications, instant messenger updates and keyboard shortcuts. Support for Apple Remote. PandoraJam (Free demo, $15)...
- Software downloads 2009-11-14
- Gateway NV7802u
- Editors' note: This review is part of our 2009 Retail Laptop and Desktop Holiday Roundup, which covers specific fixed configurations of popular systems found in retail stores.Gateway continues to offer some of the best bang-for-your-buck retail laptops. The NV7802u is a fine example: It's a 17-inch wide-screen model with a...
- Product reviews 2009-11-13
- KandaluLiteViewer 1.0.4 (Mac)
- Visualize your images in the incredible lossy format JPD and lossless GPD, CPD... CPD: a new lossless compression format for professional storage, exchange, vision and print. JPD: lossy compression is most commonly used to compress multimedia data (audio, video, still images), especially in applications such as streaming media. GPD: lossless...
- Software downloads 2009-11-13
- FairStars Recorder 3.28 (Windows)
- FairStars Recorder is a real-time audio recorder, offering professional recording features with full support for WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, FLAC and WAV formats. It allows you to record sound directly from your sound card, including from a microphone or a line-in jack at high quality. It can be used to...
- Software downloads 2009-11-11
- WM Recorder 14.0 (Windows)
- WM Recorder 12 is the easiest, most powerful way to record streaming video and audio. Just open WM Recorder, play your video or audio, and it's saved automatically. All the popular streaming formats and protocols are supported.
- Software downloads 2009-11-11
- AD Audio Recorder 1.4 (Windows)
- AD Audio Recorder is a sound record program for Windows. It can record in normal mode and in sound activated one. Intuitive user interface and sound visualization in real time make easy setting and adjusting of recording parameters. AD Audio Recorder can record any signal from your sound card including...
- Software downloads 2009-11-09
- Video Surveillance Monitor 2.0 (Windows)
- Video Surveillance Monitor is an advanced video surveillance software. You can effortlessly monitor your home, office, parking area or any other premises 24-hours a day. Motion activated video and image recordings let you capture events precisely when they happen. Client and Server options like live video broadcasting, the streaming video...
- Software downloads 2009-11-09
- EyeConnect 1.6.4 (Mac)
- EyeConnect software enables your UPnP AV digital media device to stream EyeTV recordings, digital photos, music and movies from your Mac onto your TV or stereo. EyeConnect is based on the globally trusted Universal Plug and Play Audio/Video standard UPnP AV for the seamless sharing of digital content throughout your...
- Software downloads 2009-11-08
- WD TV Live HD Media Player
- The first few rounds of network media streamers we tested weren't necessarily recommendable. Sure, this was partially because most of these devices depend on Windows Media Center for connectivity and content, but we also had issues with their interfaces and performance.Fast forward a year and it's safe to say that...
- Product reviews 2009-11-07
- Gateway NV5207u
- The Gateway NV5207u is what happens when a slow processor happens to an otherwise respectable budget-priced laptop. It's a good-looking notebook with a large screen, a decent port assortment, and a couple of extra features to sweeten the deal. But its AMD processor is a poor performer despite being dual...
- Product reviews 2009-11-05
- How to record streaming audio
- CNET editors give step-by-step instructions on how to record audio being played over your computer's sound card. by CNET News.com
- Image galleries 2009-11-05
- Wondershare Streaming Audio Recorder 1.0.9.2 (Windows)
- Wondershare Streaming Audio Recorder features out as a powerful streaming audio detector and recorder which can sense any tiny audio signal pass by the sound card and record it with high fidelity for your reserve, such as on-play music, video clips, movie, webcasts, softphone, message audio. Besides, it also provides...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- GOM Media Player 2.1.21.4846 (Windows)
- GOM Player is a free multimedia player with popular video and audio codecs built-in. GOM Player supports file formats such as AVI, DAT, MPEG, DivX, XviD, WMV, ASF. Users don't have to install codecs separately. GOM Player is capable of playing incomplete or damaged AVI files by skipping the damaged...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- The iPhone is one of the best phones in the world, carriers with it are the problem
- far from perfect indeedIt's a great gadget...until it freezes and you have to wait several minutes while you reboot it. That is if you know how to reboot it, the first time is always accompanied with panic because you think the thing went dead. Don't blame the carriers,...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-04
- Organic Social Networks, the Yankees and....Wha'? (UPDATE: WE WON OUR 27TH WORLD SERIES!)
- Needless to say, being a Yankees fan of the entirely driven and committed sort, I'm biting every nail on my hands off and frankly, if I could reach my feet, would go at those nails too (Ugh.). I do that every time that the Yankees are in the playoffs or...
- Blog posts 2009-11-04
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