Adaptive Streaming

What is adaptive streaming?

Adaptive streaming is a technology that adjusts the video or audio quality in real time based on your current internet speed. It ensures that playback continues smoothly even if your connection fluctuates — switching between resolutions or bitrates as needed.

How it works

With adaptive streaming, video files are encoded in multiple quality levels (like 240p to 4K). As you stream:

1. Your player checks your available bandwidth and device performance
2. It selects the highest-quality version that will play without buffering
3. If your connection drops, it automatically lowers the resolution until speed improves

Common streaming protocols like HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) y MPEG-DASH enable adaptive streaming across platforms.

Benefits for Users

• Fewer interruptions and buffering
• Seamless experience across different devices or networks
• Saves data by reducing quality when full HD isn’t needed
• Instant start times, even with slower connections
• Improves accessibility for users on variable-speed networks

Common Platforms That Use adaptive streaming

• Youtube
• Netflix
• Hulu
• Disney+
• Spotify (for adaptive audio)

Virtually every major streaming service today uses adaptive streaming to improve performance and reduce user frustration.

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