Video Streaming Server: What it is, How to create one, Features and Benefits

Learn More About Video Streaming

Did you know that around 80% of the whole internet traffic comes from videos. People are watching movies, live streaming, online classes, and entertainment – from anywhere, anytime. And that is exactly why building your own video streaming server puts back power in your hands as you control how your videos are stored, streamed, and safeguarded.

No more sharing revenue.

No more additional costs periodically.

No more waiting on platform policies.

But is it all about saving money? No – A self hosted video server gives you more privacy, complete customization and server performances that are tuned to your business needs. With tools like OBS, Nginx and platforms like VPlayed – It’s easier now than ever to create one, even if you are not an expert.

In this blog, we have covered the complete details of the video streaming server and the step-by-step procedure to build your own streaming server.

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What is a Video Streaming Server?

A video streaming server is a web server that delivers live and on-demand content to user devices with internet. It enables smooth playback of movies, TV shows and live streams through adaptive bitrate streaming.

How Video Streaming Server Works?

A streaming server works by encoding raw video files to reduce its size into suitable formats for online video transmitting, ensuring the video quality remains the same while file size is minimized.

The process starts by encoding raw video and converting it into a suitable format using video streaming software. Once converted the data is sent from the origin server to the user’s device whether it is a computer or smartphone.

These servers use advanced algorithms to adjust the video to the user’s device, connection speed and network conditions so that it can play without any issues.

 

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Who Needs a Streaming Video Server?

Anyone delivering video content (live or on-demand) needs to setup a media streaming server for smooth, scalable, and real-time playback of video over the internet.

• Content creators who wishes to distribute and monetize your video content online.
• Media company and content owner/aggregator looking to offer your customers live streaming or on-demand video streaming services.
• Educational institutions that offer online classes or distribute recorded lectures.
• Event organizers who want to offer live streaming of video conferences, concerts, and other events.
• Religious organizations that want to live stream their services and to spread messages to remote audiences.
• Sports franchise looking to live stream games or events to fans.

So, a streaming video server is a fundamental prerequisite for any large business that wants to share video content with a large audience online.

6 Easy Steps to build a Video Streaming Server

Setting up your own media streaming server gives more flexibility and freedom over third-party video streaming platforms. Let’s look at the step-by-step process in detail now.

Step 1: Set Up Your Server Environment

You need to choose a server with a strong internet connection, something that has enough capacity to handle huge amounts of video data. There are 2 ways to talk about:

• Use a physical server that can be on-site
• Or rent cloud streaming based ones: AWS, DigitalOcean, etc.

However, for open-source setups, Linux has been the sought-after choice for many. Additionally, you need to install the Nginx web service with the RMTP module to send live video streams in real time over the internet

Step 2: Install Streaming Software

Streaming software includes your video content and sends it to various servers. 

OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is a popular choice that’s free and supports all mainstream OS. 

Once installed, you need to enter your server’s RTMP URL and stream key to launch and link OBS to your integrated server. 

Step 3: Enable Transcoding and Bitrate Control

You need to enable video transcoding to support fluctuating internet speeds and different devices. Video transcoding converts your content online into multiple resolutions for smooth playback.

• 1080p
• 720p
• 480p

You can choose tools like FFmpeg to ensure there are no video viewing interruptions, even during a shaky connection, by using adaptive bitrate technology.

Step 4: Configure a CDN

Having a sleek content delivery network [CDN] improves the overall speed and reliability by storing segments of your video content in multiple online repositories to:

• Reduce buffering 
• And video loading times.

For instance, you can use third-party CDNs like Cloudflare. Or if you are planning to set your own – You need multiple edge serves to distribute the video across places.

Step 5: Integrate a Media Player

The media player you choose needs to support streaming protocols like HLS or RTMP. Here are some choices:

• VideoJS for video embedding into websites
• VPlayed to build your own streaming platform

Either way, this media player can fetch the video from your server and show it to users in real time. 

But if you plan to build your own VOD platform – All the heavy work will be lifted by the tech team at VPlayed so you can focus on building your dream biz.

Step 6:  Secure Your Streams with DRM & Encryption

You can protect your streams and servers with HTTPS, access control, and token-based authentication. To deepen user experience and engagement, you can:

• Add advanced analytics tools to understand audience behaviours
• And set up timely alert systems for performance issues.

Important: Make sure to maintain the uptime of your server always with backup servers and power supplies that are always (or most of the time) up and running!

Must-Have Features on a Video Streaming Server

Here contains the details of the must needed features to look into a video streaming server:

1. Scalability:

The video server should scale per the demand and accommodate increasing users and video content without lag.

2. Video and Audio Quality:

Any media streaming server should mandatorily support high-resolution video and audio codecs. These are very essential to ensure the best streaming experience for your viewers.

3. Adaptive Streaming:

Adaptive streaming feature enables seamless video playback on different devices and network speeds. So, ensure your video streaming software has built-in support for adaptive streaming.

4. Video Transcoding:

A good media streaming server software should have a built-in video transcoding feature. It will convert videos to a number of streamable formats and resolutions, allowing playback on different devices.

5. Security:

The on-premise streaming server should have the necessary video security features.

This will help the users to protect their valuable video content from unauthorized access, piracy, and other kinds of data breaches.

6. CDN Integration:

The streaming video server you choose should be able to provide easy integration with a CDN to deliver high-quality video content to viewers without any buffering or downtime.

7. In-Built Data Analytics:

The server should have a robust analytics feature that provides detailed insights into video consumption, viewer behavior, and engagement to help you make informed decisions.

8. Low Latency Protocols:

Low latency video streaming protocols reduce lag time between live broadcasts and viewers.

Popular low-latency protocols include WebRTC, SRT, and RTMP; these are mandatory to achieve a buffer-free streaming experience. 

9. Multi-Device Support:

The media streaming server should be definitely capable of supporting multiple devices, like smartphones, tablets, desktops, and smart TVs.

Because cross-platform compatibility is very crucial these days for reaching a bigger audience and increasing user engagement

10. Technical Support:

A proactive technical support team ensures the smooth operation of your media streaming server. It includes offering timely assistance with troubleshooting, consistent updates, and maintenance support preventing downtime and other issues.

11. Customizability:

It will be great if your video streaming server is customizable. This will allow you to customize the platform to your niche-specific needs and help you in branding.

Customization options usually include layout, colors, logos, additional features, etc.

So if your media streaming server meets these requirements, you can easily deliver your viewers a seamless and super secure video stream.

Benefits Of Creating a Video Streaming Server:

The top benefits of building your streaming video server are mentioned below:

Instant viewing without downloading:

One of the major advantages of streaming servers is that they can stream content without downloading it first.

With video streaming, viewers can instantly access and watch their favorite videos without wasting any unnecessary time and storage space for downloading them.

Minimal RAM usage:

Video streaming servers are designed to stream videos with minimal RAM usage. It means viewers can watch high-quality videos without affecting their device’s performance.

Increased viewership:

A server enables content creators to serve a broader audience, regardless of the location, as viewers can watch videos from every corner of the earth, thereby increasing viewership.

Increased revenue and cost efficiency:

Since content creators can monetize their video with subscriptions, advertisement videos, or pay-per-view models, by building a video streaming server, that provides the facilities for video monetization.

They can also save costs related to physical media distribution

Increased audience engagement:

A streaming server will help the owner of the content to engage with the audience as they are able to provide them with a chat, live social media feeds, and other interactive tools.

Over time, such an approach will help in creating a loyal audience base which, in turn, will increase the level of engagement and customer loyalty.

 

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Conclusion

The global streaming market is expected to hit a home run with $330 billion expected revenue in the next few years. And that’s why owning everything – from infrastructure to interface – gives you a serious edge as you gain:

Full control over your content,

Cut third party platform fees,

And safeguard user data.

Furthermore, you can even blend adaptive bitrate streaming and ensure low latency playback for any audience size. But yes – Setting up needs a (little of) tech knowledge to:

Configuring Nginx or Wowza,

Or to build your own CDN layer.

If that feels overwhelming, here’s the fix: Partnering with expert providers like VPlayed can help. But that doesn’t just stop at video servers.

From having your exclusive white label VOD platform to video CMS, DRM, 10+ video monetization models, real time analytics and more – VPlayed leverages you to take that leap of faith faster and with full flexibility.

Whether you are a brand, educator, streamer, or enterprise – This is how you stream, on your own terms, having full control over everything. 

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