As the requirement for streaming services remains to evolve with the time, selecting the appropriate streaming server became very important. If you’re providing on-demand content or live broadcasting, the streaming server you choose will have its influence on the viewer’s experience, and some other factors. In this blog, we’ll take you through all the things that you want to understand about streaming servers, consisting of VOD servers, live streaming servers, and how to enhance content delivery for an unmatched viewer experience.

What is a Streaming Server?

A streaming server is a proficient system engineered to provide video, audio, and all other media content to viewers with the help of the internet simultaneously. There are basically two kinds of streaming servers:

Video on Demand (VOD) Servers 

VOD servers help viewers to look at pre-recorded videos again and again without any interruption. This is best in the case of movies, shows, and education-related content.

Live Streaming Servers

Streaming servers provide quality content in real time, especially for several events like conferences, live broadcasts, and concerts.

Both servers depend on cutting-edge protocols, quality networks, and robust hardware to offer seamless delivery and enhanced playback for viewers.

Key Points for Selecting the Best Streaming Server

Scalability & Performance 

At the time of selecting a streaming server, high performance is constant. Even if you’re organizing a VOD service or a live stream, you must have to check that the chosen server can manage high traffic without any type of lag or buffering. Opt for servers with enhanced bandwidth and computing power that can adjust as per your users size. Several key streaming server service providers provide reliable solutions that automatically manage resources according to real-time needs.

Content Delivery Network (CDN) Integration

For high-level streaming processes, a Content Delivery Network (CDN) is very important. A CDN allocates your media across different data centers internationally, making sure that your content is properly delivered from the server that is nearer to the viewer. This decreases latency and guarantees seamless streaming also for those audiences that are located a lot farther from the main server. Almost all top-notch streaming server solutions integrate smoothly with CDNs, increasing the speed and scalability of your content delivery.

Encryption & Security 

Safeguarding your content and audiences is necessary, mainly for elite live streaming events or VOD services. Select a streaming server with robust safety features such as encryption, authentication measures, and usage control. In the case of live streaming, you’ll also have to make sure that your server always supports safe practices such as RTMPS (Real-Time Messaging Protocol Secure) to avoid illegal access and media piracy.

Cost & Hosting Options

The charges of streaming servers can change significantly according to the features and adjustment of the server you select. Whereas several service providers provide cost-effective, general plans for low-level streaming requirements, enterprise-grade solutions may always come with hefty costs but provide more powerful features such as custom configurations and constant support. Always remember your budget, the adjustment of your streaming process, and any upcoming development at the time of selecting the premium server. Various server providers, such as Infinitive Host, provide reliable solutions customized to fulfill your requirements.

Latency and Buffering Minimization

One of the main considerations at the time of choosing a streaming server is how easily it manages both buffering and latency. Increased latency can badly impact the audience experience, especially in the case of live streaming. To reduce latency, always look for those streaming servers that offer low latency measures. These measures automatically manage quality according to the internet speed of the audience, decreasing buffering and offering a seamless viewing experience.

Uptime and Reliability 

For VOD services and live streaming, high uptime is very important. Any type of interruption at the time of a content playback or live event can result in a bad viewer experience and decrement in viewer engagement. Make sure that your streaming server service provides reliable uptime, generally 99.9% or more than that. A trustworthy server will offer smooth streaming without any downtimes, guaranteeing that your content is always available to everyone.

Best Streaming Servers for VOD & Live Streaming in 2024

Infinitive Host Streaming Servers

Infinitive Host provides top-notch VOD servers and live streaming servers enhanced for high-quality content delivery. Their servers come well-armed with robust GPUs for both decoding and encoding, ensuring high-quality video with very little latency. Even if you are streaming any live event or providing a list of VOD content, Infinitive Host’s servers offer unmatched reliability and scalability. Their advanced networking and CDN integration now offer a seamless viewing experience for your viewers, despite their location.

Wowza Streaming Engine

Wowza is a well-regarded streaming server solution in the whole industry. Popular for its reliability, Wowza easily supports VOD content and live streaming and combines with crucial CDNs for productive worldwide delivery. The available platform is more customizable, letting you set up your streaming server as per your specific requirements. With the constant support for different measures (consisting of RTMP, DASH, and HLS), Wowza guarantees enhanced streaming with very little buffering.

Adobe Media Server

Adobe Media Server is one of the best solutions for providing VOD and live streaming content. It easily supports numerous streaming measures and offers solid security protocols such as two-factor authentication and encryption. Adobe’s platform is a perfect choice for high-level streaming processes and provides top-notch scalability and reliability. For organizations wanting high-quality streaming with large-scale customization, this server is an ideal choice.

Red5 Pro

Red5 Pro is an advanced streaming server that is a solid choice for offering both live and VOD types of content. It benefits from reducing latency and unites with crucial CDNs to get quick, worldwide delivery. Red5 Pro also presents cutting-edge security measures, making it an ideal option for protected live streaming events or personal VOD libraries. Red5 Pro platform provides a variety of deployment choices, consisting of both on-site and cloud-based solutions, to fulfill diverse business requirements.

Nginx RTMP Server

Nginx RTMP Server is a freely available solution that’s generally utilized for live streaming. It’s well regarded for its ease, enhanced content delivery, and minimum latency. Whereas it’s completely free and open to use anytime, it’s also easily customizable and can be included with all other essential services. For all those on a budget or with very few streaming requirements, Nginx RTMP offers a robust foundation, especially for general-purpose VOD and live streaming delivery.

Conclusion

Selecting the best streaming server is very important for enhancing your content delivery. Even if you’re streaming live shows or providing VOD content, the appropriate server can boost performance, decrease latency, and guarantee a seamless viewer experience. Opt for various features such as CDN integration, scalability, and increased security to make sure that you get the enhanced streaming experience.

If you need a trustworthy and enhanced server for VOD and live streaming, Infinitive Host provides a robust solution customized to fulfill your demands. By choosing the best streaming server, you can provide an unmatched experience for your audience, helping you to remain in the lead on the competition among the media landscape.