What’s the difference btw streaming and downloading?

The main difference between streaming and downloading is that the streaming is the process of viewing the media file in real time, without saving it to the user’s computer, while the downloading is the process of copying the media file to the user’s computer. user to view it now or later. What’s the difference btw streaming and downloading?

Support streaming and downloading to access digital media such as music and videos. There is a difference between streaming and downloading, although these two terms are used interchangeably. The transmission is in real time and the file is not saved on the user’s device. It refers to the transfer of data so that it can be processed as a constant and continuous stream. On the other hand, downloading refers to copying the media file to the user’s computer. Both processes require an internet connection to be successful.

Key Areas Covered What’s the difference btw streaming and downloading?

1. What is streaming
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is downloading?
     – Definition, Functionality
3. What is the difference between streaming and downloading?
     – Comparison of key differences

what is streaming What’s the difference btw streaming and downloading?

Streaming is the process of playing media files on a device that is saved on some other medium or device. That file can be saved to a cloud, a computer, a media server, etc. A media streamer (Smart TV and Blue Ray Players) can access that file and play it. Streaming does not require moving or copying the file to the device that is playing it.

In streaming, the media file may come from an online website. Websites like Netflix allow users to stream movies. Websites like Pandora and Last.fm allow users to stream music. Also, when the user watches a video on YouTube, they are streaming that media file from the website to their computer. HD movies require a faster internet connection to stream the videos without interruption. Also, when a video is viewed simultaneously by many users, the transmission speed will be reduced.

What is download?

Downloading a file is another way to play a media file on a computer. When you download the file from a website, that file is saved to your computer. Since this file is available on the system, the user can also play it later. Streaming media like Blue-ray disc players and smart TVs don’t have built-in storage. Therefore, it is not possible to download files for later viewing.

When you download, the source file is copied and saved to your hard drive. The user must wait until the entire download process is complete. He will not be able to copy or move the file if it is a copyright protected file. Also, it is possible to copy the downloaded file to other machines. One of the main advantages of downloading is that the file is available when the user needs it. It is not limited to just that particular moment. He can view the media file later too.

Difference Between Streaming and Downloading

Definition

Streaming is the process of transmitting or receiving data, especially video and audio material, over a computer network as a continuous, continuous stream, allowing playback to begin while the rest of the data is still being received. In contrast, downloading is the process of receiving data from a remote system, such as a web server, FTP server, email server, or similar system over the Internet. Thus, this constitutes the difference between streaming and downloading.

Media file

A useful difference between streaming and downloading that one should know is that in streaming, the file is not saved to the user’s computer. However, when downloading, the file is saved on the user’s computer.  

later use

The streamed media file cannot be viewed later, while the downloaded media file can be viewed later. This is an important difference between streaming and downloading.

conclusion

There is a difference between streaming and downloading, although these two words are often used interchangeably. The difference between streaming and downloading is that streaming is the process of viewing the media file in real time without saving it to the user’s computer, while downloading is the process of copying the media file to the user’s computer.

Reference:

1. “Stream Media.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, September 25, 2018, Available here.
2. “Download”. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, September 23, 2018, Available here.

Courtesy image:

1. “2449144” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “1600351” (CC0) via Pixabay