Industry Expert Blogs

What is latency anyway?

The terms "latency", "low-latency", "ultra-low latency", "zero latency" or even "no latency" are used by many vendors providing video streaming solutions. However, without clear numbers, it is difficult to measure these statements.

"Latency refers to time interval or delay when a system component is waiting for another system component to do something. This duration of time is called latency."

Technopedia.com

While latency can in fact be clearly measured in time, we as humans have a different perception of latency based on the situation in which we find ourselves.

When live-streaming TV over the internet, a latency of one to multiple seconds is nothing uncommon. In fact, the average broadcast latency for streamed video is around 6 seconds. A delay we can usually all cope with. Except for those extreme situations that your cable-TV neighbour cheers for the goal of your favourite football team while on your side the ball is nowhere near leaving Ronaldo's foot. Or even worse, your satellite TV friends already send you a text commenting on the last outrageous death on Game of Thrones, all before you even see Jamie Lannister pulling his sword. Still we can all agree on anything below one second being a “very low latency”.

Click here to read more ...