What is RTMP? An Inside Look at the Real-Time Messaging Protocol
By Jennifer P
An article posted on flowplayer gives a detailed look at what RTMP is and how it is used in livestreaming.
What is RTMP?
RTMP, or Real-Time Messaging Protocol, is a protocol for streaming audio, video, and other data over the internet. It is used to transmit data from one place to another, such as from a camera to a web browser or mobile device. RTMP is a first-mile protocol, meaning that it focuses on delivering data from the source to the initial destination, such as a server or video host.
The RTMP protocol is a popular choice for live streaming, as it allows for low-latency transmission of data. This means that the audio and video data can be transmitted quickly, without significant delays. RTMP is often used in conjunction with other protocols, such as HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) or DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP), which handle the delivery of the data to the end user.
While RTMP is a commonly used protocol for live streaming, it is not the only one available. Other protocols, such as SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) and WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication), are also commonly used for streaming audio and video over the internet. Each protocol has its own unique features and advantages, and the right choice will depend on the specific needs of the user and their streaming setup.
A Brief History of RTMP
RTMP was originally developed by Macromedia in 1996 as a way to transmit audio and video data over the internet. It was designed to be used with the company’s Flash Media Player, and quickly became a popular protocol for live streaming. In 2005, Macromedia was acquired by Adobe, which continued to support RTMP as part of its Flash plugin.
In recent years, however, the use of RTMP has declined. This is partly due to the discontinuation of Flash in 2020, as well as the rise of other protocols and technologies for live streaming. Today, RTMP is still used as an ingest protocol, allowing users to stream data from their cameras to servers or video hosts. However, the data is often transcoded into a different playback protocol, such as HLS, for distribution to viewers.
Despite its decline in popularity, RTMP remains a useful protocol for live streaming, and is still supported by many streaming platforms and services. It is likely that it will continue to be used in some capacity for the foreseeable future.
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