The Difference Between Downloading and Streaming

What’s the difference between “streaming” and “downloading” video, audio, or some other kind of linear media? Many platforms make a firm distinction between streaming and downloading, implying that they’re very different. But they’re not. They’re basically the same thing Despite what various platforms would have you believe, there’s no significant technical difference between streaming and downloading. Suppose you’re choosing whether to download or stream a video. In both cases: The server gets frames of video from a source (file, livestream, etc.) The server sends those frames to your device Your device stores them while it does something with them Want to keep a copy of this animation? You don’t have to trick your computer into retaining it as it streams because I’ve open-sourced it, and the code used to produce it. So what’s the difference? The fundamental difference between streaming and downloading is what your device does with those frames of video: Does it show them t ... Read full article.