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VIDEO MEDIA STREAMING TECHNOLOGIES
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Video Media Streaming Technologies
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Introduction
Media streaming technology has captured the globe’s attention by allowing users to view media content online through the internet without the need to download it. Media streaming includes video streaming, movies, TV shows, live event broadcasts, audio content, to mention a few. Because media streaming technologies help users view online content without downloading it, it saves storage resources and time spent downloading. Several factors have contributed to the increased popularity of streaming in the current decades. These factors include an increased number of providers, gaming, and the need for live streaming. Streaming involves the breakdown of data packets constituting video or audio and converting it to play on the user’s devices (Herbert et al., 2019). The increased high-speed internet connectivity has played an essential role in ensuring media streaming achieves increased acceptance. It has also allowed the production of high-quality video and audio content in large volumes for consumer consumption. The demand for high-quality video and audio production has increased within the last few decades. Streaming technologies have allowed users to continuously have a seamless viewing experience, even when on the go. Numerous media streaming technologies exist, especially due to increased technological advancement and innovation.
Azure Media Services
Azure Media technology allows users to reach their audiences through different devices. The content is enhanced for increased discoverability and high performance through Artificial Intelligence (AI) (Azure media services, n.d.). It also includes digital rights management to protect the users’ content. Many media streaming technologies use cloud-based workflows for a better user experience.
Features of Azure Media Services
Azure services include providing a multi-channel pipeline that allows video and audio cues within a single timeline. This saves time and resources wasted in traditional methods (Azure media services, n.d.). The web interface effectively provides the user with better evaluation and integration, including easy-to-use website widgets and REST IPAs. The intuitive features of Azure platforms allow users to customize and manage different features, including training and fine-tuning that improves indexing accuracy. Azure Media Services adhere to and comply with most cyber laws and regulations, including HIPAA, ISO 27100-27001, HITRUST, and PCI, to mention a few.
The Pros and Cons of Azure Media Services
Several benefits accrue to using Azure Media Services, including boosting media discoverability and performance. Azure has several mechanisms to improve the discoverability of media content, especially through the automation of metadata extraction (Azure media services, n.d.). It also allows applications to use new forms of detectable content, such as celebrities and emotions. The technology also scales delivery according to the needs of the user. This includes the ability to handle audience sizes of different ranges by controlling the media properties of the outgoing Livestream. This includes restricting the number of users or how much can be recorded. The most beneficial aspect of Azure Media Services is protecting users’ content through dynamically encrypted content. Azure uses the advanced encryption standard (AES-128) and other DMR systems to protect user content. It uses competitive pricing for all cloud-based workflows, which do not include upfront costs because billing is on actual minutes for the service offered (Kesavan et al., 2021). The main challenges of using Azure Media Services include its complex pricing model. The premium and dedicated plans target enterprise clients, while the low-cost plans have numerous limitations, especially on the features provided.
Delight XR
Delight XR is another platform that provides media streaming services to the user. The technology allows users to use a flexible-module-based setup for a high-end video infrastructure and provides video encoding, hosting, analytics, and monetarization services.
Features of DX-R
The video player module of the DX-R provides high-quality virtual video reality content delivery. Its features include the ability to support cross-platform delivery, instant VR services, spatial audio support, and adaptive streaming, to mention a few (Delight XR, 2019). The live streaming module allows the user to stream events in VR and 360 degrees across any device. This transports users and audiences directly to the action scene through virtual abilities. The VR Showroom module is an essential tool that allows users to organize content in a customized virtual room freely. This allows the audience to dive deep into the users’ VR media without leaving the VR. The Video Encoding module provides a cloud-based encoding service through VR and 360-degree video. The technology integrates several mechanisms and techniques, including adaptive streaming next-generation codecs such as VP9 and HEVC to provide smooth playback on various types of devices (Tefertiller, 2018). Other modules include the Analytics API module, hosting and delivery module, and monetization module.
The Pros and Cons of DX-R
Delight XR has several advantages, including providing secure software for users. This involves an increased protection protocol that allows encryption of content. It has indicated an increased adherence to cyber laws and regulations, and its support system is considered among the best in the media streaming industry (Delight XR, 2019). However, it is faced with several challenges, including a complex pricing strategy. The pricing involves a free trial package with limited features, a starter pack for £9.99 monthly that includes only a single video, the Pro pack for £24.99 monthly including three videos, the Business pack for £49.99 monthly, and ten videos. It also has a customized package for enterprises whose prices depend on the features subscribed.
VR-X Media
Real estate agents formed VR-X Media to increase marketing efficiency by improving the quality and value delivered. VR-X Media provides relatively affordable prices for real estate media across the United States (VR-X Media, 2022). It has good coverage that reaches audiences and users across the United States. It currently serves over 50 metro cities and has shown an increased potential to grow further.
Features of VR-X Media
The technology allows users to book services through their online websites. It provides almost all real estate marketing plans to cover all kinds of real estate clients across the United States (VR-X Media, 2022). The most popular media services provided by VR-X Media include real estate photography. This module provides users with a professional photographer to enhance their marketing strategies of users. This is essential for clients who need to have more listings, save time, and be consistent. The 3D Matterport Tour module lets users showcase their real estate features to potential buyers. The 3D tour is essential because it enhances marketing and speeds up transactions in the real estate realm. The platform allows users to share real estate properties across all social media platforms to increase customer interaction.
VR-X Media also provides aerial drone photography and video coverage. This improves the marketing opportunities to real estate owners because it enhances spectacular views over the landscape of properties (Viola, 2021). According to VR-X Media, aerial photographs and videos have a 68% likelihood of converting into sales than non-aerial. Drone services are considered more effective in showcasing the entire property with its surrounding neighborhoods. This is essential in attracting buyers by creating visual intrigue.
The Pros and Cons of VR-X Media
It provides agents and other salespersons in the real estate industry to earn more for using the platform for marketing purposes. It has indicated an increased ability to impress sellers and buyers in real estate by including a professional image and video aspect that increases viewership by about 61% (VR-X Media, 2022). The 3D Matterport tours have encouraged the development of stronger brands and better market share. It also increases listings which promotes marketing to sell properties faster. Pricing depends on the packages involved. The main challenge to this platform is that it is specialized and provides services only to the real estate industry.
Recommendation and Conclusion
After evaluating the features and pricing specifications for Azure Media Services, Delight XR, and VR-X Media, the most recommended media streaming technology would be Delight XR. According to the analysis, Delight XR provides a wider range of functions than VR-X Media and Azure Media Services. For instance, VR-X Media is specialized in real estate marketing, restricting other functionalities that different users may require. This reduces its applicability in the diverse global market that requires increased flexibility to meet consumer needs. VR-X does not indicate to offer live streaming, which is an essential aspect in today’s operations of organizations. Even though the pricing depends on the user’s package, the features are limited to a specific field, which may not be suitable for other users. Azure has numerous excellent features, and the pricing is relatively affordable because it provides packages depending on a consumer’s choice. However, the price strategy is complicated and does not favor low-paying clients. Delight XR has numerous modules that can accommodate the different needs of consumers. This gives it better applicability to various functions of organizations. The pricing strategy may not favor low-paid packages. However, its features are secure and can be used in any form of business activity. It also allows users to customize pricing according to the size of the audience and the time covered. Its Pro pack, Business pack, and Enterprise pack over excellent features that meet most requirements of small to large organizations, and the prices are favorable for business activities. Therefore, organizations should consider utilizing Delight XR for media streaming services.
References
Azure media services. (n.d.). Cloud Computing Services | Microsoft Azure.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/media-services/#pricing
Delight XR. (2019, January 15). Wizard pricing.
Herbert, D., Lotz, A. D., & Marshall, L. (2019). Approaching media industries comparatively: A case study of streaming. International journal of cultural studies, 22(3), 349-366.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1367877918813245
Kesavan, S., Saravana Kumar, E., Kumar, A., & Vengatesan, K. (2021). An investigation on adaptive HTTP media streaming Quality-of-Experience (QoE) and agility using cloud media services. International Journal of Computers and Applications, 43(5), 431-444.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1206212X.2019.1575034
Tefertiller, A. (2018). Media substitution in cable cord-cutting: The adoption of web-streaming television. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 62(3), 390-407.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08838151.2018.1451868
Viola, R. (2021). Network-aware video streaming for future media internat.
https://addi.ehu.es/bitstream/handle/10810/55180/TESIS_VIOLA_ROBERTO ?sequence=1
VR-X Media. (2022, February 10). VRX Media – Pro Real Estate Photography, 3D Tours, Drone Services.