Video buffering and frame skipping: How to improve customer experience during live-streaming events

Live-streaming events have become increasingly popular in recent years, from sports games to concerts and conferences. However, the quality of the live-streaming experience can be marred by video buffering and frame skipping. These issues can cause frustration and disappointment for viewers, and they can also have a negative impact on the reputation of the streaming provider.

Common Issues in Live-Streaming

To provide a high-quality live-streaming experience, streaming providers must prioritize customer experience and invest in essential services both before and during the live-streaming event. In this article, we will explore how video buffering and frame skipping can be addressed, and why redundancy is essential for ensuring a smooth live-streaming experience.

What Causes Video Buffering and Frame Skipping?

Video buffering occurs when the video playback pauses to load more content. This can be caused by slow internet speeds, poor network connections, or overloaded servers. Frame skipping occurs when the video skips frames, causing the video to appear choppy or disjointed. This can be caused by issues with the video player, network troubles, or problems with the encoding.

Preparation Before the Event

To address video buffering and frame skipping, streaming providers must first invest in essential services before the live-streaming event. This includes optimizing the video player, encoding the video content properly, and testing the network connections. Streaming providers must also have backup servers and network connections in case of unexpected traffic or network troubles.

Redundancy During the Event

During the live-streaming event, streaming providers must have redundancy in place to ensure a smooth streaming experience. This means having backup servers and network connections, as well as monitoring the network and servers for any issues. If an issue is detected, the streaming provider must be able to quickly and effectively address it to minimize disruption to the live-streaming event.

Customized Solutions

It's important to note that there is no one-fit-all solution for addressing video buffering and frame skipping. Streaming providers must be able to customize their services based on the specific needs of each live-streaming event. This requires a deep understanding of the technical requirements of live-streaming, as well as the ability to provide personalized customer support, even if it comes at the cost of supporting fewer customers.

Article written by
Sylvain Corvaisier