RTMP vs. RTSP: Streaming Protocols in Brief

What is RTMP?

RTMP refers to the Real-Time Messaging Protocol. It is a standardized way of moving multimedia files over the internet.

It was developed by Macromedia and is now owned by Adobe. RTMP streams low-latency, on-demand content efficiently. This data can be pre-recorded or live-streamed, but RTMP is most generally used today for live-streamed content.

While most live video streaming software helps ingest RTMP, most online video streams use the HLS streaming protocol. The HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) protocol was pioneered by Apple and is compatible with almost all mobile devices, smart televisions, game consoles, and computers on the market. The real-time messaging protocol sends the audio and video files from the RTMP encoder to the video hosting platform, and HLS transfers the files from the hosting platform to individual viewer devices.

RTMP is a very popular streaming protocol, shown as a featured choice by most of the leading live streaming platforms such as Brightcove, Diecast, and Wowza.

Pros and Cons of RTMP

Using RTMP in your live video streaming comes with a combination of positive and negative points:

Pros of using RTMP:

• Low latency: Low latency lets your live video stream keep a steady relationship and video feed for the viewer, even if the internet link is inconsistent. This provides your viewers with fewer "lags" when managing your videos with a shaky internet connection, letting them quickly resume the stream once their internet connection stabilizes. RTMP qualifies for a better viewing experience.
• Adaptable: An adaptable feed means your spectators aren’t locked into managing your feeds in one linear direction. Adaptability permits them to cut and rewind parts of the feed or to enter a live stream after it’s started. Most observers now wish the videos they watch had this capability.
• Flexible: RTMP authorises you to incorporate a variety of media kinds into one cohesive container, seamlessly integrating audio, video, and text. Additionally, you can have numerous interpretations of media channels, such as streaming both MP3 and AAC audio streams or streaming FLV, MP4, and F4V videos. It authorises RTMP audio streaming.

Cons of Using RTMP:

• Not supported by HTML5: RTMP is supported by Flash parties, a format that’s well on its way toward obsolescence. HTML5 players are fast becoming the modern norm, but RTMP cannot play on HTML5 players without a converter such as HLS. Using RTMP requires other tools.
• Bandwidth issues: RTMP streams can be particularly vulnerable to issues of low video bandwidth. This can generate frequent, frustrating interruptions to your streams that ruin the experience for your viewers.
• HTTP is incompatible: You cannot instantly stream an RTMP stream over an HTTP connection. To operate an RTMP stream on your website, you have to link to a special server, such as the Flash Media Server, and use a third-party content delivery network (CDN).

What is RTSP?

Wondering what RTSP is used for? RTSP, also known as Real-Time Streaming Protocol, is a lesser-known protocol for streaming video online.

This protocol was designed to handle the streaming servers employed in entertainment and transmission systems. RTSP servers sit between the live stream and the witness, issuing "play," "pause," and "record" orders.

When RTSP commands the server-to-client relationship, video-on-demand streams are used; when it contains the client-to-server connection, RTSP uses voice recording streams.

RTSP is commonly utilized for Internet Protocol (IP) camera streaming, such as that arriving from CCTV or IP cameras.

Pros and Cons of RTSP

Before you select an RTSP live stream for your video delivery, it’s important to comprehend the advantages and drawbacks of its use:

Pros of using RTSP:

• Segmented streaming:  Rather than requiring your viewers to download a full video before watching it, the RTSP stream authorizes them to watch your content before the download is done.
• Customization:  By using other protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP), you can make your video streaming.

Cons of using RTSP:

• Less popular: Compared to other media streaming protocols, RTSP is far less famous. Most video participants and streaming services do not support RTSP streaming, making it more difficult to promote your stream in your browser. To broadcast an RTSP stream, you must use a different RTSP live streaming service.
• HTTP incompatible: Like RTMP, you cannot instantly stream RTSP over HTTP. Because of this, there is no straightforward, direct way to stream RTSP in a web browser, as RTSP is created more for streaming video on private networks such as safety systems within a company. However, you can stream RTSP using other software that's embedded into your website.

RTMP vs. RTSP: Which is Right for Your Needs?

Deciding between RTMP and RTSP streaming protocols greatly depends on your company's requirements and how much extra effort you are willing to put in to make your content playable on your website.

To make this decision, it’s important to comprehend how each type of streaming works.

How RTMP Works for Streaming

RTMP streaming is founded on the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and is designed for live streaming through Flash Player.

RTMP is safe because of its versatility, and it can stream audio, video, and text files in any web browser or mobile device that supports Flash. This indicates RTMP streaming is widely available to witnesses without the demand for secondary applications or platforms to create a consistent player. It also makes your task of filming, uploading, and communicating your live-streamed videos easier. RTMP is made for modern streaming requirements.

To capably live stream with the RTMP streaming protocol, you will require a live-streaming camera, a capture card or hardware video encoder, and live video streaming software. Once you have all the right tools, the RTMP streaming protocol will help get your content to your viewers.

How RTSP Works for Streaming

Where RTMP uses only TCP to send data, RTSP uses two network transmission protocols: TCP and UDP.

TCP solves problems and accepts the stream’s control commands, and UDP provides the audio, video, and data. Because of the use of these two network transmission protocols, an RTSP live stream lets users start managing a video while the stream is still being downloaded.

Because RTSP is not designed to stream instantly in your web browser, implanting an RTSP stream on your website is more difficult than RTMP. You will need different software to create stream compatibility when streaming RTSP video content.

RTMP Streaming with Diecast: How Does It Work?

Diecast works hard to ensure that you maintain a simple, seamless white-label streaming resolution for online video delivery.

To give your spectators the softest playback experience, Diecast delivers adaptive bitrate streaming. This indicates that your users will view the highest-quality file that will reliably recreate itself on their machines and internet connections.

To efficiently offer adaptive bitrate streaming, Diecast utilizes cloud transcoding to help you create different groups of file quality without much action on your end. The RTMP protocol is the backbone of this service.

Cloud transcoding and RTMP

When using the term "video transcoding," refers to the method of taking a video file in one form and re-encoding it into a different format. For instance, transcoding can take an MP4 file and re-encode it into FLV, allowing the video to be more widely playable.

By transcoding in the cloud, you save processing power, time, and money over transcoding all the files locally on your computer. Furthermore, cloud transcoding automatically re-encodes your files into all open formats without your intervention or specialised knowledge. RTMP cloud transcoding makes it easier to get quality videos to your viewers.

Because RTMP lets your spectators watch your videos in various forms on almost any video player, cloud transcoding makes your videos ready for this varied consumption.

In Summary

The RTMP vs. RTSP argument has been around for a while and has just surfaced again, thanks in part to the drastic growth in the number of live video lovers.

While both multimedia streaming protocols have distinct pros and cons, you don’t have to decide between one of these streaming video protocols.

By opting for a high-quality video streaming provider, such as Streaming Video Provider, you can not only stream with both RTMP and RTSP but also take advantage of state-of-the-art live streaming technologies such as adaptive streaming. Besides, with Streaming Video Provider, you can monetize, save, and print your streams on the same platform.