March 2018 - Sourcebook

Magazine Features

The Dystopian Era of Streaming Video: How to Survive and Thrive

Yesterday's sci-fi visions of the future are here, so now the real work begins. Video providers need to outsmart the big names or they'll find themselves hunting for scraps.

The State of Enterprise Video 2018

Enterprise video platforms set themselves apart from their media and entertainment counterparts, and vendors learn it takes significant reengineering to serve the business market.

The State of Mobile Video 2018

Small screens are getting bigger, while consumers watch more video than ever on mobile devices. 5G is clearly the next great leap, but when will it get here?

The State of Media and Entertainment 2018

Viewers opened their wallets to skinny bundles and SVOD services last year, and there's more where that came from.

The State of WebRTC and Streaming Media 2018

WebRTC holds tremendous promise for adding interactivity and reducing latency in streaming video. Here's a look at where it fits today, and what we should expect of it in the future.

The State of Video and AI 2018

The machines aren't taking over; they're just helping video publishers achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively.

20 for 20: The Most Important Standards of the Last 20 Years

To celebrate Streaming Media's 20th year, here's an overview of 20 major patents and standards that have impacted the growth of the streaming media industry.

20 for 20: The Top Mergers and Acquisitions of the Past 20 Years

Streaming Media has been around for 20 years, and has seen a lot of interesting technologies, opportunities, and business acumen come together.

The State of Live Video 2018

Live sports video is streaming on every platform, skinny bundles with live channels are thriving, and social video apps are creating the next generation of celebs. Are we near the saturation point for live?

Top 20 Streaming Technologies of the Last 20 Years

It's our 20th anniversary, and so we're taking a look back at the 20 technologies that have dominated—and sometimes frustrated—the streaming media industry over the past 20 years.

Buyers' Guide to Live Encoders 2018

While nearly any encoder can connect to any streaming service, some encoders make it easier than others. Here's how to choose the right tool for the job.

Buyers' Guide to Per-Title Encoding 2018

If you're not already using per-title encoding, it's time. Here's a guide to choosing the tool that's best for you.

Buyers' Guide to Content- and Context-Aware Encoding 2018

A new generation of encoders looks at the context of content to deliver better video playback and higher efficiency. Here's what publishers need to know about CAE.

Buyers' Guide to Encoder Appliances

Sometimes software-only solutions just don't cut it. Here's how to understand the tradeoff between hardware and software encoding, and how to select the best appliance when low-latency and delivery matter.

Buyers' Guide to Cloud VOD Encoding

When moving to the cloud, don't let price be the only consideration. This guide explains the different categories for cloud VOD encoding and the features to look for in each.

How to Measure Video Encoding QoE

An insightful new service called Mux Data makes quality of experience monitoring and analysis easy. This illustrated guide explains how to use it when diagnosing problems big and small.

How to Live Stream to Multiple Destinations

Reaching multiple viewing platforms with a single live video stream used to be impossible, but not anymore. Here's how to do it with Switchboard Cloud.

Tutorial: How to Add Interactivity to Your YouTube Videos

It's important for YouTube publishers to create a great user experience for our viewers, and interactivity can help. Here's a walk-through of how to use YouTube's interactive features.

Tutorial: Previewing and Reviewing Client Videos

This tutorial will look at online previewing and reviewing client videos with Frame.io through the lens of a 29-video series produced with a remotely located editor and a client reviewing the videos in development.

How to Create a Live HLS Feed With HEVC

It's not easy, but it can be done, as long as you have the right tool and know the tricks. Here are eight steps to success using Softvelum Nimble Streamer.

Editor's Note

20 Years of Streaming Media: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Streaming Media launched during the dot-com bubble, and while some of the early players faded away when their funding ran out, others helped chart the future of the industry.