Live video streaming has taken on a whole new meaning with the launch of Facebook’s new Continuous Live Video feature. It lets users stream video on the social networking platform day and night, thereby getting rid of the earlier 90-minute limit.
However, the only trade off here is that users won’t be able to save videos while there is no way viewers can rewind the broadcast at any point. It’s mainly because anything otherwise would have led Facebook spending huge money on server costs for hosting an insane number of videos.
The feature is under testing at this moment, and a public launch is expected in the coming weeks. Continuous Live Video might have already hit the path of high growth. The number of interested broadcasters is increased from 12 to 100 since it was announced during F8 conference.
Explore.org has already used the method to stream live nature videos that should appeal both to the enthusiasts as well as those studying any particular aspect of nature. Among the other user cases being cited that can make the most of the continuous live video include coverage of important events beyond the stipulated 90-minute mark.
Continuous Live Video also comes with a geo-tagging feature that allows broadcasters to stream videos visible only at a particular location.
It’s not all as there is also the age-gating option that will make the video visible to only users within a particular age group. Some other notable features of Continuous Live Video include support for on-screen graphics along with the option to beam from multiple cameras.
See Also: Facebook rolls out Periscope-like Live Video streaming for US iPhone users
Facebook has also expanded beyond the smartphone-toting crowd that so far was among the highest contributors to its videos segment. Instead, the new feature is suited best to beam images from fixed cameras where perhaps professionals have a bigger role to play. In fact, the continuous video streaming facility should appeal more to the experts than it does to the domestic types that upload fun videos are spanning not more than a few minutes at the most.
Continuous Live Video also reinforces Facebook’s growing ambitions in the online video segment where it wishes to emerge as a clear winner. It also poses a competition to YouTube that so far served as the only medium to host videos that long. However, the distinct advantage with YouTube is that the videos are always saved for later viewing.
Then again, one might lack that community feeling when watching a YouTube video even though it comes with a host of sharing options while also allowing viewers to comment on the videos.
Facebook’s Continuous Live Video, on the other hand, allows one to watch videos within the ambit of being onboard the biggest social media platform on earth.
