From birth, when we start learning, we could grasp things better through visual effects. For instance, we still remember the stories told by our grandparents. The reason is, they narrated stories to us in such a way that we could visualize the scenes.
Therefore we tend to remember the stories even today. Owing to the above scenario, in this time and age, no one is bereft of the prevalence of online videos which are flourishing in leaps and bounds.
From a small little kid watching rhymes on Youtube to our good old grandfathers watching the news online, videos have carved an alley in each one’s life.
Henceforth, with the steady increase in the popularity of the video trend, Video Marketplaces have emerged in an extraordinary manner.
Keeping this in mind we have created Video Player Extension for Magento 2 that will help you to add videos to your online store products. Customers can watch videos without getting redirected to third-party websites like YouTube or Vimeo.
Reconciling with the Video Marketplace Era
It is quite essential to keep up with the ongoing technological trends otherwise we shall be the outdated mass. This holds true when talking about e-commerce marketing trends.
Let us put light on the Video Marketplace which acquires almost 90% of the users around the globe.
Nowadays, videos are known to capture and lure more customers, which has triggered the evolution of the Video Marketplace.
The reason is, no one wants to sit down for hours and stare at text slides to collect information.
The information which the videos circulate unlike, textual information is far more effective to retain online customers.
Another add-on that video marketplaces have, is the videos can be dispersed across the internet in various platforms making them easily available for the users.
When Youtube has 1 billion hours of views each day, then one can easily make out, what impact a Video Marketplace has on the users.
Let’s move on and take a closer look at the components which build an effective Video Marketplace. But before proceeding further, you must take a look at the popular e-commerce platform solutions to build a video marketplace.
The driving elements of a Video Marketplace
In order to start a Video Marketplace, one must take a tour of the core components required to set up a complete Video Marketplace.
Wherefore, we are ready to explore and prevail in the existence of the Video Marketplace.
HTTP or the Hypertext Transfer Protocol
Hypertext Transfer Protocol or HTTP is known to be the cornerstone that forms the Internet. As the name suggests, it is a set of protocols that initiates data transmission between the World Wide Web(www) and the Browser.
It does not keep a track of any session between two requests and that’s why it is called a Stateless Protocol. It tends to process and treat every client-server request as fresh.
While video streaming maintains a session, it requires TCP connections for enhanced performance. For instance, the most popular video streaming platform, Youtube.
It is important to note that the basic HTTP is not efficient enough for video streaming.
Optimization
Optimization is one of the most imperative aspects of digitization as it leads to less bandwidth consumption and hence better performance.
One of the best-known optimization techniques is compression. The compression algorithms are categorized as:
- Lossless Compression
- Lossy Compression
Lossless Compression:
- In layman’s language, the lossless compression simply shrinks the size of the file. Also, there is no loss of data in the process.
- It generates a file format of better quality, indeed. The size compression is comparatively lesser or almost that of the original size of the file (audio or video, image, etc).
Lossy Compression:
- Unlike lossless compression, some part of the data is lost during the encoding process.
- This shall generate a file size of comparatively lesser size, but it is obvious that the quality of the file shall degrade.
Video Streaming Protocols
Let’s plunge into the concept of Video Streaming Protocols- RTP, RTSP, and the RTCP.
Nuts and Bolts of a Video Marketplace if we talk about Youtube, we may claim that the wifi connectivity renders a buffer-free, seamless video.
Yes, internet connectivity is one of the reasons, but there are several other factors that are accountable for the quality of the Video being rendered to the users.
These other factors may be compression/ decompression software, encapsulation method, and streaming protocols. They are the key elements responsible for high-quality video transmission.
Having said this, let us take a deep dive into Streaming Protocols:
The RTP or the Real-time Transport Protocol
- RTP is responsible for real-time data streaming such as videos and audio over a network.
- It ensures faster delivery of the data packets and has schemes to remunerate factors such as data loss or security issues.
- The RTCP or the RTP Control Protocol assesses the quality of the data transmission by concurrently synchronizing with the RTP.
- The RTCP manages the streams of media packets and retains the QoS or the Quality of Service of the media file.
The synchronization of the RTP and the RTCP is possible as the odd number of ports are allocated to the RTCP and the even ports are the RTP.
Separate port allocation to the RTP and the RTCP enables them to work independently of delivery timing of the data packets which are delivered in an alternating format with a minor time gap.
The RTSP or the Real-time Streaming protocol
- RTSP supervises the transmission of the video or audio streaming over a network.
- It facilitates the RTP to transmit the audio and video streams in the form of packets. These packets are transmitted through the RTSP media servers.
- The transmission takes place using the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). It retains the connection from start to finish n encourages data transfer.
- The RTSP distributes the audio-visual media streams to a larger crowd.
The WebRTC- Web Real-Time Communication
Latency is one of the most critical issues in Live Streaming.
For instance, a bunch of die-hard cricket fans will never be happy seeing the buffer sign while watching the finals of the cricket world cup live; it is quite annoying when the match is delayed for even a few seconds.
In simple terms, this scenario is a result of sluggish delivery of the video packets on the user’s cellphone or desktop. This needs to be optimized so as to deliver a buffer-free live-streaming session to the users.
The WebRTC is the way out. It is known to be an essential component of live-streaming sessions.
It is all about a coherent JavaScript code that plays a prime role in seizing the actual video, audio, or data from the device camera to the microphone and integrating it into the websites or browser-based apps.
Communication Protocols and APIs: the Driving Integrants behind the Web RTC
The main elements which form the basis of the WebRTC are the communication protocols and the API.
The protocols and the APIs are collectively responsible for initiating a two-way, concurrent, peer-to-peer streaming of data, video, or audio on the websites or mobile applications.
The Web RTC & HTML5
Some of the mainstream WebRTC APIs based on HTML5 are-
- getUserMedia(): which seizes the video or the audio,
- RTCPeerConnection: which takes care of audio or video streaming, or
- RTCDataChannel: which streams the data.
The prime motive to release HTML5, which is the upgraded version of the HTML, was to transform the overall user experience, especially as it offers superior quality audio and video streaming support.
Likewise, the WebRTC APIs tend to treat the video and audio streams in HTML5 as video or audio objects.
This way the video or audio streams can be integrated into the apps or websites, easily. Also, it will run in any browser which supports HTML5.
Live Streaming: escalating towards Newer Technologies
Adobe Flash Player
Something that we can surely say about live streaming is that it has become an essential aspect of an individual’s lifestyle.
Be it Cricket World Cup matches or the GOT series streaming life on Hotstar, one can make out what importance does Live Streaming holds in our lives.
When talking of Live Streaming Servers, we cannot ignore Adobe’s Flash Player. It was most popularly known for audio and video streaming.
Flash Player is available as an easy-to-install plugin for both, web browsers and hand-held devices. It offers a platform for mobile gaming, multimedia, animations, and more.
Though Flash has been quite mainstream amongst the user base in past years, it has lost its aura owing to its susceptibility to security, excessive battery utilization on mobile devices, performance issues, etc.
Therefore, Adobe proclaimed the end of the “Flash Era” in the year 2020 as it relishes a progression to HTML5. It is referred to as the best alternative for Adobe’s Flash player.
Red 5
With the advent of live streaming technologies, Red 5 has marked a revolutionary upsurge and is one of the most desirable technology for live streaming, nowadays.
One need not doubt this as companies like Amazon and Facebook are implementing the live-streaming services offered by Red 5.
Red 5, which is an open-source live streaming server, built using the Java framework, offers services such as live audio and video streaming/ publishing, client stream recording, etc.
Red 5 has become one of the hard-core live streaming technology which uses RTMP protocol for media distribution and facilitates streaming services such as HLS, RTSP, and Web Sockets.
The reason why Red 5 is a prompt technology for live streaming is one can record live media streams with the help of Red5.
A good thing about Red 5 is it detects the users’ internet connection speed and likewise provides the video stream to the users.
Also, it eliminates the pain to wait for the video file to download and the users can view any part of the complete video. Most of all, it uses less bandwidth! What else do you need?
A boon as it is for live streaming, it becomes necessary to list down some of the major applications of the Red 5:
- Responsible for capturing media and transferring it to the users.
- Video Conferencing
- Enterprise Application Software
- Multi-User gaming, etc.
DSS- Darwin Streaming Server
Another technology, which forms a base of live streaming is DSS or the Darwin Streaming Server.
Quite similar to Red 5, it is also an open-source streaming server technology provided by Apple for its Quick Time Server Technology which allows MP3 audio streaming and MPEG4 video streaming.
It facilitates smooth and crisp media streaming to users on various platforms such as Windows, Linux, and Mac, with the help of the RTP and the RTSP protocols.
The major advantage of the DSS is that its code, which is based on that of the Quick Time Server can be customized as per the users’ requirements. It means one can frame its code according to the streaming scenario, likewise.
It becomes necessary to mention that an essential requirement for the Darwin Streaming Server is ActivePerl.
A pre-compiled package as it is, it includes source files using which one can create applications which run on multiple platforms.
These applications would run on any system regardless of any operating system which drives the system.
The major add-on of the Darwin Streaming Server is that it offers high-definition (HD) streaming. It has an additional feature as well, which detects the users’ bandwidth for bufferless media streaming.
Video CDN
When signifying the technologies used for live streaming, we cannot outdistance the role of CDN for the same.
CDN or the Content Delivery Network is basically, a group of servers, which are disseminated in geographical regions. This arrangement facilitates faster delivery of internet content by transferring HTML pages, images, videos, etc, at a comparatively faster speed.
Furthermore, Video CDN is responsible for providing live or on-demand video streams to devices connected to a network.
As the user requests a live video stream, the content cached on the server nearest to the user provides the requested video.
Having said that, we cannot forget to mention Akamai, which leads in providing live streaming through Video CDN and handles almost 30% of the global internet traffic.
Another example is Webkul’s UVDesk System which uses the CDN to retrieve the data such as images/ videos.
FFmpeg: to Video and Audio Format Conversions
When manifesting the operations of the FFmpeg or the Fast Forward MPEG, one must know that it is chiefly responsible for instant audio/ video format conversions.
Also, it operates to perform audio extraction, recording and streaming the audio/ video files, etc.
A simple FFmpeg syntax looks something like this:
FFmpeg -I input1.wav output.mp4
Where actually FFmpeg comes into Play?
Let’s suppose, you download a video but the downloaded video file is not of the desired extension; for instance, you have an MP3 file which is to be converted into WMV.
This is where FFmpeg springs into action, just a simple command and you have a file of the desired format.
ffmpeg -i input1.mp3 output.wmv
The Prime Integrants of FFmpeg
FFmpeg, which is a command-line tool is compliant with Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows with variable configurations and frames.
Having said that, the main components which make FFmpeg versatile are its libraries.
A list of FFmpeg libraries which are utilized by the applications is given below:
libav:
- util: it contains utilities that are required for multimedia programmings such as data structures, number generators, string functions, mathematical functions, and functions relevant to multimedia (pixels).
- format: responsible for multiplexing and demultiplexing the audio, and video streams.
- codec: performs encoding/ decoding operations on the audio, and video streams.
- filter: it performs audio/video filtering using various filters and sources.
- device: it is responsible for interaction with various i/o devices relevant to multimedia.
libsw:
- sample: performs audio resampling, audio rate conversions, rematrixing, etc.
- scale: it is specifically concerned with video resizing/ rescaling and pixel formatting.
Also, FFmpeg, ffplay, ffprobe, are used by the users for transcoding and playing purposes.
As a matter of priority, FFmpeg makes use of the libavcodec and libavformat for audio/ video conversions.
- libavcodec: a library that includes various encoders and decoders for video/ audio and subtitles encoding/ decoding and bitstream filters as well.
Bitstream Filter:
- It performs operations on the encoded data stream and without any decoding, carries out modifications at the bitstream level.
- libavformat: It performs mux and demux (multiplexing and demultiplexing) on the video/ audio and subtitles. Apart from this, it also fosters various i/o protocols to link to a broadcasting data source.
Bitrate: A Concept Behind Better Video Quality
When talking about FFmpeg, we cannot ignore the concept of Bit Rate.
Bitrate is the number of bits that are transmitted per second across a channel. Measured in Kbps or Mbps, it determines the quality factor of the audio/ video file which the user receives.
Apart from this, Bitrate is reliant on the speed of the internet connection as well; the higher the bitrate, the better the quality of the audio/ video.
For that reason, it is vital to opt for bitrate which is suitable to play videos on different devices, such as tabs, desktops, or cellphones.
VBR vs CBR: the Variable and the Constant Bit Rates
Usually, it’s the VBR or the Variable bitrates that are used to produce a superior-quality video. What actually it does is, allocate higher bitrates to complex chunks of video and lower bitrates to simpler chunks.
Though more time is consumed in encoding the VBR, it delivers high-quality audio/ video files. Also, it sets a harmony between the file quality and its size.
Contrary to VBR, the CBR or the Constant bitrates can be used for specific occasions such as streaming a live occurrence. In such a case, constant bits must be served over a network so as to offer a high-quality live stream.
Now that we have developed an idea about what FFmpeg is, and its core components we must also add to our knowledge that Handbrake, which is a video conversion application, uses FFmpeg.
Amazon S3: Disseminating the Server Load
With so many videos, images, and data which is present online, it is definite that one needs to distribute the data load and store it in a secure dwelling.
What better than the Amazon S3 or the Amazon Simple Storage Services.
Wherefore, let us excavate and uncover the concept of Amazon S3.
The Amazon Simple Storage Service: Because it is the solution!
Imagine you have a Fitness website that has multiple workout videos and images already. Also, on a daily basis, you need to add new videos and data to your website for visitors/ customers.
In such a case, it is likely that at some point in time, your local server may flare up and you might tend to lose the website’s data.
The only way to prevent such a situation is to shift the local server’s data load to a dedicated server. Hence, the Amazon S3 Server, which comes into the picture.
Amazon S3: Establishing the Idea!
Okay! now, leave all worries behind as Amazon S3 is here to save your day!
Amazon S3 or the Amazon Simple Storage Service is cloud storage, which facilitates the users to store and secure their data by using its web service network.
One of the core benefits of storing the data on the Amazon S3 is, this data can be accessed anytime.
To store the data on Amazon S3, one can create a bucket after choosing a region. Henceforth, one can store as much data without any concern for storage space.
Likewise, if storing videos is a matter of concern, one can always choose the Amazon S3 to store the videos.
Also, there is a backup of the data such as videos or images on Amazon S3. If in some instances, any video is deleted, it can always be recovered.
Moreover, the Amazon S3 ensures that no illegitimate user can access your data. This safeguards the integrity of your data by keeping it soundly secure.
This way, fetching the videos/ image files from the Amazon S3 is always a good idea. Apparently, it will apportion the local server’s data load, thus limiting the data loss.
The Bottom Line
Owing to the current living standards, we can make out the importance of the Video Marketplace in each one’s life.
For instance, while traveling in a metro, we observe every second of human surfing videos either on youtube or on Netflix or Prime.
Hence, there’s no doubt that with the surge in online commerce trends, Video Marketplace has occluded its place on the internet, without any intent to leave. You may check readymade marketplace plugins as well:
That’s all for How to create a Video Marketplace. If you have any issues, please feel free to add a ticket and let us know your views at https://webkul.uvdesk.com
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