CLOUD COMPUTING IN THE MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
- December 13, 2023
- 10:14 am
Cloud computing in today’s world is said to be beneficial for all types of businesses. Ranging from small-sized businesses to large-sized businesses, cloud computing has proven to be advantageous for all sectors across the globe. Initially, cloud computing was more prominent in the IT sector, where they focused mainly on software development, testing, disaster management, data backup, and more. However, in recent years, the importance of cloud computing is well known to every sector worldwide. The advantages of cloud computing, like exceptional flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, have compelled businesses ranging from automotive and retail to agriculture and healthcare to use cloud computing in their business activities. However, one particular industry that has been seeing a surge in the use of cloud computing is the media and entertainment industry. This could be due to the rise of demand for quick access to media anytime and anywhere. This phenomenon could be proven by the frequent use of platforms such as Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify. Therefore, the media and entertainment industry is shifting to the cloud so that they can fulfill the client’s demands on time and therefore, can deliver their content in a short period.
The core of this shift from regular services to the cloud is “media cloud’’. The media cloud plays a crucial role in enabling companies to provide Over The Top (OTT) services to its viewers where the media can be directly delivered to the audience through the internet. Thus, cloud media eliminates the necessity for the system operators to send the content directly to the viewers.
In this article, we will comprehensively discuss what is media cloud, media cloud hosting, cloud media orchestration, cloud media workflow, cloud video streaming, cloud video encoding, cloud video transcoding, advanced media processing in the cloud, batch processing in the cloud, and much more.
Cloud for streaming media
In the contemporary world, the conventional paradigm of linear television which includes traditional broadcasting systems has become outdated. In place of such traditional broadcasting systems, people now prefer digital streaming platforms as they can watch their favorite content whenever they want to no matter what the time is, and from anywhere because of the flexibility these platforms provide. Consequently, the media and entertainment industry not only have to meet the demands of its audience but also remain loyal to them. This underscores the importance of cloud computing in the media and entertainment industry.
What do we mean by media streaming?
Before we delve into the role of the cloud in streaming media and media streaming, we should first understand what do we mean by cloud storage media streaming. Streaming media refers to multimedia such as videos and audio which are posted on the internet in compressed form. Users can instantly view the media content even before saving the video or the audio to the hard drive. The users can also pause, fast forward, and rewind the streaming content just the way they can with the downloaded content. OTT (Over-The-Top) media services are the best modern term related to streaming media. OTT is a media streaming platform where the users can watch the content over the internet. Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify are some of the examples of such OTT platforms.
How does cloud computing improve OTT and streaming media services?
OTT services include formatting various video files for delivery to any device with an internet connection, involving intricate workflows and necessitating good infrastructure. Using on-premise systems for OTT media streaming may affect the expected quality of user experience. This is because on-premise systems usually do not offer the high computing capacity and scalability that is required to deliver content without being interrupted. They also require complex ongoing maintenance and are extremely costly.
However, to avoid these issues, using cloud computing is the best option. This is because of various reasons. Firstly, cloud computing simplifies processes so that there is no complex media workflow. Secondly, cloud media streaming has benefited OTT services. Thirdly, the cloud also provides flexibility and scalability to handle advanced and complex workflows. Lastly, the media cloud enables companies to manage, deliver, and protect their digital content. Due to these advantages, the audience can watch smooth, crystal-clear videos that don’t buffer or skip. Therefore, in a nutshell, cloud computing enhances the viewing experience of the client.
In the media and entertainment industry, cloud computing is used for cloud video and audio streaming, cloud-based audio recordings, media asset management cloud, and much more.
Cloud Video Streaming
Cloud video streaming encompasses seamless streaming and storing videos in the cloud using a network of video streaming servers in the cloud.
Following are some of the key features of the best cloud service for video streaming and storage for the streaming video:
- Efficient Video Hosting:
Cloud video streaming enables video streaming service providers to deliver content with high efficiency at any time.
- Live Streaming to Cloud Storage:
Cloud video streaming enables you to record all the live streams and stream videos from cloud storage at any time. This provides flexibility to the users to access recorded content as well as on-demand shows easily.
- Cloud Video Encoder/ Encoding Service:
It is essential for cloud-based live video streaming. This is because it involves the conversion of video files from one format to another.
- Cloud Video Transcoding Service:
Cloud video streaming allows you to prepare videos for web delivery. Transcoding refers to creating various versions of the same video, where each video has a different size and quality.
- Helps in the analysis of the video
- Cloud-Based Media Player:
It often utilizes cloud-based media players such as HTML 5 to enhance the experience of the viewers.
Netflix is one of the most popular examples of cloud-based streaming OTT service providers. Netflix uses a comprehensive set of cloud-based technologies such as cloud media players and media servers for cloud-based video streaming, cloud video processing, cloud-based video encoding, cloud-based video transcoding, cloud media analysis, and more. YouTube and Hulu are other examples of cloud video streaming services.
Cloud-based audio streaming
Cloud-based audio streaming refers to transferring audio such as music to the internet. You can access and enjoy the songs online at any time at your convenience because of these cloud music services. Furthermore, some of these music services provide you with extra functionalities such as cloud storage where you can download your audio. This feature enables the users to remotely utilize an old file and also upload any audio file.
Spotify is one of the best examples of cloud-based audio streaming. This application allows you to listen to music over the internet through an audio cloud player. This application also has many features, ranging from saving the playlists, storing songs, and listening to the songs even in offline mode.
Cloud Media Processing
Cloud media processing involves the manipulation of various media content, incorporating video, audio, and images. The aim of audio, video, and image processing is the conversion of these files into different formats so that they can be used efficiently and smoothly.
Cloud-based image processing
As the name suggests, cloud-based image processing refers to running information through computerized algorithms so that we can analyze the image and discover meaningful insights from it. Image processing requires substantial storage and cloud image processing fulfills this need by providing extensive storage space and processing capabilities. This is the reason for the gaining popularity of cloud-based image processing.
Various fields require the usage of cloud-based image processing. Some of them are satellite applications, medical science, security applications, and more.
What are the applications of cloud computing in satellite image processing?
Satellite images are the images of the Earth that are collected through satellites. These images are used for various purposes including weather forecasts, navigation, cartography, and more. These images produce a large amount of data, therefore, data scientists and researchers need to use advanced image-processing tools and complex computer technologies. These needs can be fulfilled by cloud-based image processing.
Cloud Video Processing
Video processing is said to be categorized under image processing as a video stream is primarily a sequence of images. However, the resulting signal is still a video stream. Cloud video processing utilizes software such as cloud-based audio editing and cloud-based video processing to edit the images and audio present in the video stream. This is managed by a third-party service provider. This helps users to store files in the cloud. Through cloud video editing you can upload the file to the cloud and then edit it and encode it on the internet.
Cloud media storage hosting
In earlier times, if you wanted to save your favorite songs you had to depend on physical devices such as USBs or CDs, with large storage capacities. You needed to make extra physical space at your home to store these devices in which you stored your favorite playlist of music.
However, with technology, and the advent of cloud-based media storage, you no longer require physical spaces to save your favorite music. You can simply use cloud storage for media files or audio cloud storage to save your music and listen to them anytime and anywhere. It should be noted that cloud storage media is not only four saving audio files, rather you can also save streaming videos. Thus, you can stream the videos to cloud media storage where you can gain easy access to it. Cloud media storage is highly secured for streaming.
What are the advantages of cloud computing in the media and entertainment industry?
The following are the benefits that cloud computing provides to the media and entertainment industry:
- Quicker time to market:
Media companies can opt for customized media cloud hosting plans, including cloud video storage and video streaming, which provides them with a competitive edge. The utilization of media cloud computing enhances the experience of the users while ensuring faster content delivery to the users in comparison to the traditional methods.
- Reduces costs:
Traditionally, on-premises over-the-top (OTT) streaming services, entailed various expenses like hardware acquisition, power consumption, replacing the hardware, etc. However, cloud media services are responsible for everything, thus, there are no such expenses. Furthermore, the cloud service model is usually based on a pay-per-use model, which in turn reduces the costs.
- Offers scalability:
Scalability is a crucial attribute of cloud computing, affording media companies on-demand capabilities, and providing unparalleled flexibility. This means that according to the requirement, the businesses can scale up or scale down their businesses. For instance, when a media broadcasting channel has a high demand, it can double its computing and network resources. This enables the business to fulfill the customer’s demand efficiently.
- Lower latency:
On-premise servers are located at only one specific point on the premises of the media organization. However, cloud media servers can be located anywhere in the world. Thus, cloud-based media companies can deliver content to the audience through the closest media streaming server, which reduces streaming latency.
2B Innovations
2B Innovation’s anywhere cloud enables companies in any segment of the media and entertainment industry to deliver content to the audience at lightning speed and scalable flexibility. With its presence in Dubai UAE, UK, India, and South East Asia, the young and dynamic team of experts strives to create an impact through digital transformations powered by passion, innovation, and excellence. Another advantage of 2B Innovations is that the companies do not need to worry about building the infrastructure they need at any time or any location, rather 2B Innovations will take care of it. Thus, with 2B Innovations, the companies can reach the heights of success while delivering their service to the audience globally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the applications of cloud computing in the media and entertainment industry?
Applications of cloud computing in the media and entertainment industry are cloud audio recording, cloud audio editor, cloud media management, cloud collaboration for audio, cloud-based audio conferencing, and more.
2. What is cloud processing or processing cloud?
Cloud-based processing includes the processing of audio, video, and images in the cloud. Image processing cloud computing can be used in various fields such as satellite applications, medical science, security applications, and more.
3.What is cloud video streaming?
Cloud video streaming encompasses seamless streaming and storing videos in the cloud using a network of video streaming servers in the cloud. The best cloud for streaming services, helps the provider to deliver uninterrupted video content to the audience.
4.What is the process as a service in cloud computing?
The process as a service in cloud computing uses the efficiency of cloud media solutions to provide organizations with all the resources, such as modern tools technologies, and processes they need to work on.
