Streaming & Video Glossary
Simple, clear definitions for every streaming and video term you need to know. Click any term to learn more.
Bitrate
The amount of data processed per second in a video or audio stream, measured in Kbps or Mbps.
Codec
Software or hardware that compresses and decompresses video data. Common codecs include H.264, HEVC, VP9, and AV1.
FPS (Frames Per Second)
The number of individual images displayed per second in a video. Common values are 24, 30, 60, and 120 fps.
Resolution
The number of pixels in each dimension of a video frame. Common resolutions include 720p (1280×720), 1080p (1920×1080), and 4K (3840×2160).
CBR (Constant Bitrate)
An encoding mode where the bitrate stays the same throughout the entire video, regardless of scene complexity.
VBR (Variable Bitrate)
An encoding mode where bitrate fluctuates based on scene complexity — more data for complex scenes, less for simple ones.
Keyframe (I-Frame)
A complete video frame that doesn't reference other frames. Streaming platforms require keyframes every 2 seconds.
Transcoding
Converting a video from one codec, resolution, or bitrate to another. Streaming platforms transcode your stream to offer multiple quality options.
Encoding
The process of compressing raw video data into a smaller format using a codec like H.264, HEVC, or AV1.
Latency (Stream Delay)
The time delay between something happening on your screen and viewers seeing it. Typically 2-15 seconds for live streams.
Buffering
When a viewer's player pauses to download more data because the stream bitrate exceeds their download speed.
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)
Free, open-source software for live streaming and recording. The most popular streaming application worldwide.
RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol)
The standard protocol used to send live video from your encoder to streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Kick.
SRT (Secure Reliable Transport)
A modern streaming protocol that handles packet loss and network instability better than RTMP. Used for remote production.
HLS (HTTP Live Streaming)
A streaming protocol developed by Apple that delivers video in small chunks over HTTP. Used for playback delivery to viewers.
Ingest Server
The streaming platform's server that receives your live stream data. Choosing the closest server reduces latency and dropped frames.
B-Frames (Bidirectional Frames)
Video frames that reference both previous and future frames for better compression. Setting 2 B-frames is standard for streaming.
Chroma Subsampling
A technique that reduces color data in video to save bandwidth. 4:2:0 is standard for streaming, 4:4:4 preserves full color.
Color Depth (Bit Depth)
The number of bits used to represent color per pixel. 8-bit is standard, 10-bit enables HDR and smoother gradients.
Container Format
A file format that holds video, audio, and metadata together. Common containers include MP4, MKV, MOV, and FLV.