Introduction to Streaming Media

A high-level introduction to critical streaming-related concepts

This course teaches concepts like codecs and encoding, what a content delivery network does, what QoS and QoE are and why they are important, and an overview of live and VOD production and delivery workflows. In under two hours of instruction, it provides the fundamental domain-related knowledge to help new employees thrive in a streaming media company, organization, or department. 

Who this course is for

  • For employees new to a streaming media company or department who want to jumpstart their streaming-related knowledge and ability to contribute.

  • For streaming media companies or departments that want to get their new employees up to speed quickly on fundamental streaming-related concepts.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Thank You and Greetings
  • 2

    Section 1: Technology Fundamentals

    • Lesson: What is Streaming (and How is it Different)?

    • Quiz: What is Streaming (and How is it Different)?

    • Lesson: Why Organizations Stream

    • Lesson: Codecs and Compression

    • Quiz: Codecs and Compression

    • Lesson: Choosing and Deploying New Codecs

    • Quiz: Choosing and Deploying New Codecs
  • 3

    Section 2: Encoding Overview

    • Lesson: What is an Encoder and How Do They Work?

    • Lesson: Encoding Overview

    • Quiz: Encoding Overview

    • Lesson: Introduction to H.264

    • Quiz: Introduction to H.264

    • Distribution Alternatives and Introduction to Adaptive Bitrate Technologies

    • Quiz: Distribution Alternatives

    • Lesson: Choose an ABR Technology (HLS, DASH, and CMAF; Oh My!)

    • Quiz: Lesson: Choose an ABR Technology
  • 4

    Section 3: Miscellaneous Topics

    • Lesson: Introduction to DRM

    • Quiz: Introduction to DRM

    • Lesson: Introduction to Low Latency Technologies

    • Quiz: Introduction to Low Latency Technologies

    • Lesson: Introduction to Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE)

    • Quiz: Introduction to QoE and QoS

    • Lesson: What is a Content Delivery Network (CDN) and When Do You Need One?

    • Lesson: What are Video Players and How to Choose One

    • Quiz: What Video Players are and How to Choose Them
  • 5

    Section 4: Producing Video On Demand

    • Lesson: VOD Production Overview

    • Quiz: VOD Production Overview
  • 6

    Section 5: Producing Live

    • Lesson: Live Production Overview

Instructor

Instructor

Jan Ozer

Jan is a streaming consultant and contributing editor to Streaming Media Magazine, where he teaches courses on Video Quality Metrics, FFmpeg, and other topics at Streaming Media Events in New York City, Los Angeles, and London. Jan is the author of Video Encoding by the Numbers, which uses video quality metrics to direct key encoding configuration decisions and differentiate codecs and encoders, and the author of Learn to Produce Video with FFmpeg in 30 Minutes or Less which is available on Amazon and other online sites.