Technology
How does streaming work?
Streaming works by sending media to you in small chunks that play as they arrive, instead of downloading the whole file first. Your device buffers a few seconds ahead, so video or music starts almost instantly and plays continuously.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how streaming works.
Step by step
- 1Media is broken into small sequential chunks.
- 2Chunks are sent over the internet and played as they arrive.
- 3A 'buffer' stores a few seconds ahead to smooth playback.
- 4Quality adapts to your connection speed in real time.
- 5Nothing is permanently saved — it plays then is discarded.
Frequently asked questions
- How is streaming different from downloading?
- Downloading saves the whole file before you use it; streaming plays small chunks as they arrive, so it starts almost immediately.
- Why does streaming buffer or pause?
- If your connection can't deliver chunks fast enough to stay ahead, playback catches up to the buffer and must wait for more data.
- What is adaptive streaming?
- The service automatically raises or lowers video quality based on your current internet speed to avoid constant buffering.