24/7 Streaming Glossary: 20 Terms Every Creator Should Know
New to always-on streaming? This glossary explains 20 essential terms — from RTMP and bitrate to keyframes and multistreaming — in plain language.
Streaming has its own vocabulary, and it can feel like alphabet soup when you're starting out — RTMP, GOP, bitrate, ingest. This glossary explains the 20 terms you'll actually encounter running a 24/7 channel, in plain language, so the jargon stops getting in the way.
Key takeaways
- Most streaming jargon boils down to a handful of core ideas.
- Protocol terms (RTMP/RTMPS) describe how a feed reaches a platform.
- Codec and bitrate terms describe the video itself.
- Operational terms describe running a channel reliably.
Protocols and delivery
- RTMP — Real-Time Messaging Protocol, the standard way a feed is sent to a platform's server.
- RTMPS — RTMP secured with TLS encryption; use it when offered.
- Ingest — the point where a platform receives your feed (its ingest URL/server).
- Stream key — the secret code that identifies your channel to the ingest server.
- CDN — Content Delivery Network, which distributes your stream to viewers worldwide.
Video and audio
- H.264 — the most common video codec for streaming; broad compatibility, good efficiency.
- AAC — the standard audio codec for live streaming.
- MP4 — the container format that holds H.264 video and AAC audio.
- Bitrate — data sent per second (kbps); the main dial for quality vs stability.
- Resolution — the pixel dimensions of the video (e.g. 1080p).
- Frame rate — frames per second (e.g. 30 or 60 FPS).
- Keyframe / GOP — a full reference frame; a ~2-second interval suits live streaming.
Streaming concepts
- Pre-recorded (simulated) live — streaming finished videos as a live broadcast.
- Playlist — the ordered set of videos that plays as your stream.
- Loop — automatically restarting a playlist when it ends, for 24/7 running.
- Multistream — broadcasting one feed to several platforms at once.
- VOD — Video On Demand; a recorded video (often a past broadcast).
- Transcode — converting video from one format/quality to another.
Operations
- Uptime — the percentage of time your stream stays online (99.9% is a common target).
- Latency — the delay between broadcasting and viewers seeing it.
That's the essential vocabulary. You don't need to memorize it — a cloud service handles the technical pieces — but knowing the words makes everything else easier to follow.
Putting it together
In practice, running a 24/7 channel touches only a few of these directly: you upload MP4 videos, build a playlist, connect a platform with a stream key, and the service sends the feed over RTMP at an appropriate bitrate. The rest happens behind the scenes. See the getting-started guide to go from vocabulary to a live channel.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between RTMP and a stream key?
RTMP is the protocol (how the feed travels); the stream key is the secret that tells the platform which channel the feed belongs to. You need both.
What does 'bitrate' actually control?
How much video data is sent per second. It's the main trade-off between quality and stability — match it to your resolution and connection.
Do I need to understand all these terms?
No. A cloud service handles the technical side. Knowing the basics just helps you follow guides and troubleshoot faster.
