Glossary of Terms
A simple guide to understanding AVideo terminology. No technical background required!
| Term | Simple Definition |
|---|---|
| Streamer | Your main video website |
| Encoder | Video converter |
| RTMP | Live streaming connection |
| HLS | Smart video delivery |
| VOD | Watch anytime videos |
| Transcode/Encode | Video format conversion |
| Resolution | Video quality/sharpness |
| Bitrate | Video data amount |
| CDN | Fast video delivery network |
| Plugin | Feature add-on |
| UserGroup | User organization tool |
| Embed | Video on other websites |
| DVR | Live stream recording |
| Following a Channel | Get updates from creators (free) |
| Subscription Plugin | Paid membership system |
The Streamer is your main AVideo website—the place where visitors come to watch videos. Think of it as the "front door" of your video platform. This is where users browse, search, watch videos, create accounts, and interact with content. When someone visits your video site, they're using the Streamer.
→ Related: Admin Manual
The Encoder is a behind-the-scenes component that converts your uploaded videos into web-friendly formats. When you upload a video, the Encoder processes it to ensure it plays smoothly on all devices—phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. It also creates multiple quality versions (like 480p, 720p, 1080p) so viewers with slower internet can still watch. Think of it as a translator that makes your videos speak the language of the web.
→ Related: About Video Upload
RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) is the technology that carries your live video stream from your computer to your AVideo server. Imagine it as a video pipeline—when you go live using software like OBS, RTMP is the "tube" that transports your video in real-time to your platform. It's fast and reliable, which is why it's the standard for live streaming.
→ Related: How to Make a Live Stream | Live Plugin
HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is a smart way to deliver videos to viewers. Instead of sending one big video file, HLS breaks the video into small chunks (like puzzle pieces) and sends them one at a time. This means the video can start playing almost immediately, and if your internet slows down, it automatically switches to a lower quality to prevent buffering. It's why modern video platforms feel smooth and responsive.
→ Related: VideoHLS Plugin | Adaptive Bitrates on Livestream
VOD (Video On Demand) refers to pre-recorded videos that users can watch whenever they want—like Netflix or YouTube. Unlike live streams that happen in real-time, VOD content is always available. Users can pause, rewind, fast-forward, and watch at their own pace. Most videos on your AVideo platform are VOD content.
→ Related: About Video Upload
Transcoding (also called encoding) is the process of converting a video from one format to another. When you upload a video, AVideo transcodes it into formats that work on all devices and browsers. It also creates multiple quality levels (resolutions) from your original file. Think of it like translating a book into multiple languages—the content stays the same, but now more people can read it.
→ Related: About Video Upload | Automatically Convert Videos to MP4 and MP3
Resolution describes how sharp and detailed a video looks, measured in pixels. Common resolutions include:
| Resolution | Name | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| 3840×2160 | 4K / Ultra HD | Highest quality, very sharp |
| 1920×1080 | 1080p / Full HD | Excellent quality, standard for most content |
| 1280×720 | 720p / HD | Good quality, works well on most devices |
| 854×480 | 480p / SD | Basic quality, good for slow internet |
| 640×360 | 360p | Lower quality, minimal data usage |
Higher resolution = sharper video, but also larger file size and more bandwidth needed.
→ Related: About Video Upload | Configure NGINX Stream Resolutions
Bitrate is the amount of video data transmitted per second, usually measured in Mbps (megabits per second) or Kbps (kilobits per second). Higher bitrate means better quality but requires faster internet. Think of it like water pressure in a hose—higher pressure (bitrate) delivers more water (video data) per second, resulting in a clearer picture. AVideo automatically adjusts bitrate based on the viewer's internet speed.
→ Related: Adaptive Bitrates on Livestream
A CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a network of servers spread around the world that stores copies of your videos. When someone watches a video, it's delivered from the server closest to them, making it load faster. Without a CDN, all viewers would need to connect to your single server, which could be slow for people far away. Think of it like having multiple warehouses instead of one—customers get their packages faster because they ship from nearby.
→ Related: CDN Plugin | CDN Storage
A Plugin is an add-on that extends what AVideo can do. Plugins add new features without changing the core platform—like apps on your phone. Want live streaming? Enable the Live plugin. Need payment processing? Install a payment plugin. AVideo has dozens of plugins for features like ads, subscriptions, chat, analytics, and more. You can enable or disable plugins based on what you need.
→ Related: How To Install a New Plugin | How to Reset an AVideo Plugin
A UserGroup is a way to organize users into categories and control what they can access. For example, you might create groups like "Premium Members," "Students," or "Staff." You can then make certain videos visible only to specific groups. This is useful for membership sites, online courses, or any situation where different users should see different content.
→ Related: Create Non-Public Videos and Deal with User Groups | Users Permissions
Embed means placing a video player on another website so visitors can watch without leaving that site. When you embed an AVideo video, you copy a small piece of code and paste it into another webpage—the video then appears and plays right there. This is how videos appear in blog posts, news articles, and social media. The video still comes from your AVideo server, but it displays elsewhere.
→ Related: Video Embed URL for AVideo
DVR (Digital Video Recording) in streaming context means recording a live stream so viewers can watch it later or rewind during the broadcast. Just like a home DVR that records TV shows, AVideo's DVR feature captures your live content. This is useful for viewers who miss the live broadcast or want to replay a moment they just watched.
→ Related: Record Live Stream
A thumbnail is the small preview image representing a video. It's what viewers see before clicking play—like a book cover. Good thumbnails attract more clicks. AVideo can generate thumbnails automatically or you can upload custom ones.
A playlist is a collection of videos grouped together, played in order. Users can create playlists to organize content by topic, series, or any theme. Think of it like a music playlist, but for videos.
→ Related: AVideo Platform Channel Programming Documentation
A channel is a user's personal page on your platform where all their videos are displayed. Each user who uploads videos has their own channel that viewers can follow to receive updates when new content is posted.
💡 Note: Following a channel is free and different from the Subscription Plugin (paid memberships).
These are two different features that can be confusing:
| Feature | What It Does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Following a Channel | Get notified when a creator posts new videos | Free |
| Subscription Plugin | Pay recurring fees to access premium content | Paid |
Following a channel is like subscribing on YouTube—you follow creators to see their new videos in your feed.
The Subscription Plugin is for monetization. Site owners can create paid membership plans where users pay monthly/yearly to access exclusive content.
→ Related: Subscription Plugin | How To Make Money on AVideo
A codec is the technology used to compress and decompress video files. Different codecs offer different balances of quality and file size. AVideo's encoder handles codec conversion automatically to ensure compatibility across all devices.
An API (Application Programming Interface) lets other software communicate with AVideo programmatically. Developers use the API to build custom integrations, mobile apps, or automate tasks.
→ Related: AVideo Platform API
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| Service | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 🎯 | Professional Support - Direct assistance from core developers | Contact |
| ☁️ | AVideo CDN - High-performance video delivery network | Pricing |
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