Playback buffer
A playback buffer holds usable media ahead of the position currently being shown.
Explore → Pro Max 4K OTT
Playback streaming reference
Definitions, mechanisms, examples and practical guidance for playback concepts used in streaming and player setup.
A focused reference
Playback concepts.
Buffer underrun
A buffer underrun occurs when a playback stage needs media that is not ready in its buffer.
Explore →Live edge
The live edge is the newest point currently available in a live presentation.
Explore →Live latency
Live latency is the elapsed time between something happening at the source and its presentation on a viewer's screen.
Explore →Timeshift
Timeshift lets a viewer play an available earlier portion of a live presentation instead of remaining at its current live position.
Explore →Catch-up TV
Catch-up television makes a previously broadcast programme available for later selection when a service provides a usable replay version.
Explore →Video on demand
Video on demand lets a viewer select an available item and start it on a personal playback timeline instead of joining an ongoing broadcast.
Explore →Hardware decoding
Hardware decoding uses dedicated media circuitry to reconstruct compressed audio or video instead of performing all decoding work on the general-purpose CPU.
Explore →Software decoding
Software decoding reconstructs compressed media using software running on the general processor rather than relying entirely on a dedicated media decoder.
Explore →Your next step
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