Which Format to Choose (Web Design in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition)

25.4. Which Format to Choose

To deliver long-playing video (like a full movie trailer) or live video broadcasts, you should definitely use one of the streaming media solutions (RealMedia, Windows Media, or streaming QuickTime). Which you choose will come down to the individual requirements of your site. If you expect heavy traffic and many simultaneous streams, definitely invest in a dedicated true streaming system.

If you have just a few short clips to share with a limited number of visitors, you may be able to get away with pseudo-streaming RealMedia or FastStart QuickTime movies on your regular web server.

Since all streaming video formats are capable of supporting multiple file formats, are fairly stable, and feature well but not universally distributed players and plug-ins, the decision will likely come down to which server matches your budget or expertise.