Features to Consider When Building a Video Streaming App

Video streaming allows users to simultaneously download and watch the video. This saves time and allows users to see the content online instead of saving it on a device.Our appetite for digital content has increased with time. People consume a lot of visual content due to the advancements in technology and the speed of internet connections. The biggest trendsetters are video streaming apps such as Youtube, Amazon Prime, and Netflix.

From content available across all devices and screen sizes to content delivery networks, everything revolves around the user experience these large video streaming apps provide. The objective is to discover new media streaming solutions that will enable you to provide better video streaming services. Netflix recently launched the sleep-timer feature. This is a thoughtful decision based on the fact that people watch Netflix content almost daily.

Similar innovations are being made by other video streaming software. These have not only improved the user experience but also ensured that people will continue using your product because of its convenience. They have high expectations, and it all started with accessing high-quality video on any device.

While there are endless possibilities for innovation, you should have a set of features you would like to use. This will help you launch your app on the market and give you a solid foundation for future development. You need to know these things about Video Streaming Application Development to make your idea a reality.

What's Streaming?

Streaming refers to continuously transmitting audio or video files from a server to clients. The media file stored on the server is temporarily saved to your internet-connected device. This allows you to view or listen to the content while watching TV. The transmission takes place over the internet in a few seconds.

Each packet includes a small file. Audio and/or video data are separated from the data packets. The packets will be received by audio and video players in the browser and on client devices, who will interpret them as video and audio.

What's Live Streaming?

Live streaming is when data is transmitted from the client device to the server in real-time. It doesn't need to be recorded or stored temporarily at a remote location. Instead, live streaming is used for TV broadcasts, game streams, and social media videos.

The content is stored beforehand and sent to the viewers in data packets. Live streaming allows the audience to access the content instantly, even while it is being recorded.

You can create apps like Skype, FaceTime, and Google Hangouts that allow audio-visual communication between multiple users using video conference applications and live streaming.

What Are The Technical Aspects Of Live Streaming Involved?

You can differentiate between regular streaming and live streaming based on their function and technical level. While we are discussing streaming in detail, we will end our discussion about live streaming by briefly explaining the technical aspects of the application. You can also consult our technical experts regarding live streaming app development and any other ideas.

These are the main steps to follow when a live stream is made of a video:

1. Segmentation (the live stream content is broken down into shorter segments that last a few seconds)
2. Data compression (data compression through the removal of redundant visual information).
3. Encoding: The data is encoded in a different digital format that can be recognized by a variety of devices, such as - H.264 or VP9, AV1, HEVC, AV1 and HEVC.
4. Content Delivery Network Distribution and Caching (CDN) is a distributed network that caches and serves the content for the original server.
5. Decoding and Video Playback (the device receives, decodes, and decompresses the video data and then watches it).

What's The Difference Between Streaming And Downloading?

Video streaming is different from downloading. The streaming data is temporarily stored in a remote location before being sent as data packets to your device. When you download a video, it is saved to your hard drive and cannot be played until it is completely downloaded.

Video streaming lets you play your content directly from the browser without waiting for it. It's more convenient. It is not necessary to save the video. You can load the video in sections and play it. The information is not stored locally on the device.

The downloading takes up space on your hard drive. You would need to wait to download large files, compromising your device space. Streaming can save you from all this and let you access the content quickly flowing to your browser.

Streaming Methods

There are two types:

1. User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
2. Transmission Control Protocol, or TCP

Video streaming apps are heavily dependent on data packets being transferred. Your users will have a better experience if the process is faster. TCP and UDP are transport protocols used with Internet Protocol. These protocols are used to move data packets across the network.

TCP

Before transmitting data, TCP creates a dedicated connection. TCP ensures that each data packet arrives in its correct order. This would ensure that video streaming is more robust and quality-driven. TCP is less likely to cause data loss, making it more reliable.

UDP

UDP focuses primarily on data transfer. UDP doesn't organize the data, so some streamed videos may lose data. UDP is faster than UDP, but you can't achieve quality with UDP.

There is still a debate about reliability vs speed. The use case is what you should be considering when deciding between TCP and UDP. Video conferencing applications require fast connections and live streaming. When discussing streaming music app development, developers prefer TCP. Video-on-demand services or video streaming software must be reliable.

A small data packet loss does not affect the quality of UDP or TCP. It all comes down to what you want to accomplish with the product that you develop.

What's Buffering?

Remember when YouTube was slow, and you didn't like it? Then came high-speed internet, and YouTube is now your favorite video site.

The media player waits for the data packets when the internet connection is temporarily lost. Streaming media players load data packets in seconds, allowing you to continue watching the video a few seconds ahead.

An interruption in the connection may result in delays in the loading process and, as a result, in the audio or video buffers.

We all hate buffering. Buffering is essential to ensure that the video runs smoothly and uninterrupted. Buffering can take some time if you have a slow internet connection.

These are other factors that could cause slow streaming.

What Factors Slow Streaming Down?

Network Issues

Two types of network problems can cause a delay in streaming.

1. Network Congestion
2. Network Latency

User Side

Three types of user-side issues can cause streaming delays.

1. WiFi issues
2. Client devices that perform slowly
3. Low bandwidth

How Do You Speed Up Streaming?

Many factors affect stream quality. Delay and performance degradation can be caused by many factors. Video content is the same as any other type of web content. The streaming content is stored at a host location. The location of the stream has an impact on its quality. The internet provides access to virtually any type of content. Data packets must travel the entire distance between the server and the client. The content must travel 3000 miles to reach New York if you are in New York. You might experience buffering, or the video may not play.

CDN, or Content Delivery Network, can speed up content delivery. You can also improve the user experience with faster delivery. CDN stores the content in places that are near the user. The CDN then transfers the data to the browser from the location. As the packet loss is greatly reduced, this improves speed and quality.

CDN has become an essential feature for any video streaming app. They have a competitive advantage in the market because of it. It reduces buffering and helps to combat latency issues.

Considerations When Creating A Video Streaming Application

Video viewing accounts for around 1/3 of all internet activity. Consumers spend 1.5-3 hours per day viewing online videos.

Both live and regular streaming has attracted much attention and offers promising opportunities.

1. The Main Features Of A Video Streaming Mobile App

1. Admin Features

The app functionality is what admin features are. It allows you to plan, organize, direct, and control the application. These admin panel features are available for every video streaming app:

• Upload video or mass upload
• You can delete the artist, video, style, or album.
• Manage Subscribers and Users
• Advertising and promotions can be managed
• You can run a variety of loyalty plans
• One-click to publish the video
• Video, album, style, and artist editing
• Video, album, style and artist can be added
• Manage memberships and subscriptions

1. User Features

These features allow users to perform specific functions or adjust the application according to their preferences. These are some of the users features every video streaming app should have:

• Browse and Search for Content
• Select Language & genre
• Watch Video Preview
• Watch video streaming
• Video can be added to a playlist
• Listen offline to the video by downloading it
• Share the video via social networks
• Make private and public playlists
• Search style, artist, album, video name
• Play Video in PIP Mode
• Lockscreen info (artist, video, cover)
• This search includes artists, albums and videos
• Manage your devices with your Subscription

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2. Advanced Features For Video Streaming Applications

• Sign up and log in to Social Login

Almost all new apps include social logins or signups. This improves the user experience and eliminates the need for personal information to be entered. It shortens the signup process and allows users to access your app using any social media account they have.

• User Onboarding

Although it is one of the most overlooked features, user onboarding is a great way to make your users feel comfortable using your app. This helps users understand how each feature works and engages them for longer periods with you. Many applications can be uninstalled within an hour of being downloaded. User Onboarding allows you to protect your application.

• Behavior Tracking

You can suggest content based on a user's behavior using behavior tracking. People can browse your video library easily when there is little content. However, once there is more content, it becomes difficult for people to find the content they want.

Behavioral Tracking will let you study what genres your user is most interested in and suggest content they might enjoy. Push recommendations are another great way to increase user interest. You can also use it to promote new content, which will help you get more views.

• Bitrate

Bitrate refers to streaming quality. We've discussed extensively how the internet connection affects the quality and quantity of a video stream.

You can use bitrate features to prevent broken connections in your application. Users can select the quality they wish to view the content. Allowing users to stream video, even on low-speed internet connections, would enhance their video streaming experience.

• Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is now a part of almost every industry. It is one of the top 10 most popular trends in 2021.

AI helps you gain useful insight. You can add features like dislikes, reviews, and likes. You can gather much information about users to help you understand their user profiles. You can then use the user persona to your advantage by suggesting the right content and giving them a personalized experience.

• Role-Based Dashboard

The dashboard can be customized for each team to help them improve their decision-making and work efficiency. You can view real-time stats, analyze user engagement and understand app behavior. These useful metrics allow you to create marketing strategies that target your potential customer base and set up new marketing campaigns.

• Analytics in real-time

When you run a video streaming platform, there is more to it than marketing strategies. You would need real-time analytics as a super admin to monitor all operations on the app simultaneously. You can view any sub-admin board from your super admin board.

• In-App Voice Assistance

Voice assistance is an essential feature in any application. Almost every smartphone now has its assistant. By using Siri on an Iphone, users can perform functions with voice commands. This quality can also be used to let users search your app. In-app assistance is also great for music streaming apps, which are often used when someone is driving or working out. They can access their favorite music without even touching the phone.

• Notifications

You may be familiar with the Netflix WhatsApp notification feature. It reminds users via WhatsApp when the listed movie or series is available for them to watch.

Push notifications are a common feature in video streaming apps to notify users about new arrivals and other information. You can engage users while on the move and enhance their experience through seamless application integration.

Read More: How To Build Live Video Streaming App Using Technology Stack?

• Integration of CRM

Customer Relationship Management software can be a powerful tool for managing customers and improving their app experience. This software allows you to view their feedback and assists the app developers in improving the experience.

• Loyalty Program

Loyalty programmes, as the name suggests, are specifically designed for loyal customers. This allows you to reward your customers and improve their app experience by allowing them to use these points for a discount or other benefit. This keeps your users interested in the app.

• Digital Asset Management

Most videos have restricted rights that are an asset to the company. You cannot run a video streaming service and publish content without sharing ownership. These certificates are digital assets for the app and can be managed easily on the Admin dashboard. Digital assets can also be transformed, secured and managed.

• Data Storage and Management

Video streaming apps must archive and save the data for future reference. When a person has finished watching, the video stream is removed from the provider server. This information must be saved and managed to avoid future problems.

3. Trends in Video Streaming Apps for 2023 and Beyond

Trends can assist you in staying ahead of the curve and increasing your ROI. This enables you to include features that will enhance the user experience and keep them satisfied for a long time. These are the top video streaming app development trends for 2023.

• 5G is a Gamechanger

Apps must be ready for 5G internet. Video streaming apps will be preparing for the next generation of cellular network technology. This would result in a more reliable and faster internet connection.

According to IHS, Markit applications that support 5G will dominate the market. A survey found that 29% of consumers would pay more if 5G offered better video streaming on mobile devices and reduced buffering.

• Immersive Streaming Technology

High-speed internet allows for 4K video streaming at 30 MBPS. This is a new possibility that was previously impossible. However, 5G is here and you should not ignore the possibility that your competitors will offer 4K videos on their platforms.

• Premium Market

Netflix was the video streaming leader, but it soon lost its edge and became a formidable competitor.

People are now able to subscribe to multiple platforms and not just one. This opens up a lot of opportunities in the market. App development for live streaming has also taken root as users search for apps that offer them live streams of various sports.

The video streaming market is growing, and new players can now tap into it. You can also generate constant revenue by monetizing advertising and other revenue streams.

• Innovation in Monetization

A third of video streaming sites make their content available through subscription models. We would soon reach the point where the market would be saturated by subscription fatigue.

Innovative monetization methods like advertising and pay-per-view are more effective than subscriptions to stay relevant in these times.

Bundling subscription packages is also a great idea. Disney+ bundles its content for use on other video streaming apps. This will likely increase in the future.

• CTV

CTV stands for "connected TV." It is streaming on television. It is possible to download apps on your TVs and gaming consoles to stream your favorite content.

The future of video streaming will look beyond smartphones, tablets, and desktops in 2021. CTV will soon be a mainstream phenomenon. Major industry players already stream their content via Amazon Firestick and Roku.

Three Types of Live Streaming Apps

Before you can begin developing a live streaming app, you must determine to which category it belongs. The three most common types of live-streaming apps are as follows.

Live Broadcasting Apps

The most popular live-streaming app is the one that allows you to broadcast your videos. This app allows users to stream live audio and video to other people who can access it. These apps have helped to create several internet celebrities and influencers.

Popular live streaming apps include Twitch and YouTube Live.

Audio Streaming

You can make an audio streaming app using the video from the image. An audio streaming app allows you to listen to audio in real time over the internet.

This category includes Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, and Apple Music.

Video on Demand Streaming

This live-streaming app lets users schedule and watch their favorite TV shows online whenever they want.

Hulu, YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video are all popular VoD apps.

Read More: Develop video streaming apps that are accessible and compatible with all platforms

Idea2app: How to Build a Live Streaming App in 2023

This part will be about the development of a video streaming app. Here are six steps to help you create a live-streaming application.

Step 1: Define your Audience and Their Needs

It is not a good idea to base a live streaming app on assumptions. Instead, it is critical to comprehend the needs and perspectives of the app's users. To identify potential problems early, you should plan and conduct user interviews.

Early feedback will assist you in developing the app.You might also get your first beta user group.

Step 2 - Choose Monetization Strategies

You will ultimately want to monetize your live streaming app. Here are three popular ways.

• Paid app -- Charges users for downloading the app.
• The app is free with a paid subscription.
• Advertisements -- Run ads on the app to earn advertising fees.

It's rare that a product only uses one monetization model. It's usually a mixture of two or more because it's safer and more stable.

Twitch, the most well-known live-streaming app, makes money in at least three ways. It offers advertising, subscriptions, and a cut for animated "bits" users purchase to boost their comments or reward them with a special prize.

TikTok's revenue comes from advertising, in-app purchases and ECommerce.

Livestream is another example. Vimeo now owns Livestream, a mobile streaming app that allows you to stream content to multiple platforms, including YouTube Live and Facebook Live. You can download the Livestream app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. To use the app, you must have a Livestream subscription.

Step 3: Use A Reliable Platform For Live Streaming, Hosting And Storage

The next step is to choose the best platform for streaming, hosting, and storing your content. It is not always a smart decision to choose the cheapest provider.

Although you could make it work by sacrificing quality to save money initially, the poor performance will become obvious as users and traffic increase. The app will soon be defunct if users are not tolerant of slow streams and low-resolution videos.

Step 4 - Design A Great UI/UX Design

You'll need to determine a platform that can stream the content. Then you will need to design a great UI/UX.

Technology is just one part of a successful live-streaming app. You must differentiate yourself in a competitive market with a great user experience. You must ensure the app's UI/UX design is perfect.

Sometimes a minimalist approach is better than a cluttered interface.

Step 5 - Test and Build Your MVP

There are numerous possibilities for your live-streaming app. However, creating a live-streaming app is the best way to see if it works. An MVP is an app that contains only the most essential features. It is simple and allows users to provide feedback.

Here are some tips for live streaming app development

Tech Stack Of A Live Streaming App

You must choose between programming languages, databases, and messaging queues. However, three areas require your attention.

1. Streaming Protocol

Two common protocols for streaming video are:

• Protocol for RTMP
• WebRTC Protocol.

RTMP

High-definition streaming is possible using the RTMP protocol. RTMP is used to broadcast live streams from conferences and concerts. The best thing about RTMP is its ability to transmit high-quality audio/video.

This comes at the expense of slower processing times, where there is a delay between the screen capture and the viewer's screen of about 10-20 seconds.

WebRTC

WebRTC, a well-known protocol, focuses on real-time communication. It's available on video-call platforms such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, and BeLive. WebRTC offers superior speed but will not transmit as well if there is insufficient bandwidth.

1. Streaming Platform

As we've already mentioned, choosing a platform that can handle content streaming is important. In this case, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the ideal platform. It provides the tools for managing streams, hosting applications, and delivering content to users.

2. Content Delivery Network (CDN)

The right CDN will ensure the live stream is available and performs well for users. AWS CloudFront can power various streaming services, such as Netflix and AWS MediaLive.

Amazon Chime can also be used for real-time WebRTC video rooms. Agora.io can create interactive streams in real-time, especially if AWS is not available at the required speed.

There is no set way to select tech stacks for live-streaming apps. Identifying the problems you want to solve and adjusting the stack accordingly is important.

Step 6 – Release, Maintain and Improve

All the effort and time spent on discovery, MVP development, testing, and validation have finally led to the product's launch. But this is only the beginning. After the live streaming app is launched, you can begin to analyze your users' behavior. Most of the most important insights are usually discovered at this stage. It is important to consider them, test them, and implement the best functionality.

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Conclusion

There is huge potential in the video streaming industry. However, it is important not to underestimate the competition. Each day, smaller video streaming platforms gain a stronger market presence.

You will soon be launching your video streaming app. This means you must concentrate on professional platform management. This will necessitate dedication and a great deal of help from video streaming app developers and third-party sources for dedicated services such as hosting solutions and CDN distributors.