Not Downloading, Not Live

Streaming is a middle ground between downloading and live broadcasting. When you download a file, you wait for the entire thing before using it. When you stream, data arrives in small chunks and plays immediately while the next chunks are still being fetched.

This works through buffering — your player downloads a few seconds ahead of what you are watching. That buffer provides a cushion against network fluctuations. If your connection dips briefly, the buffer covers the gap.