How does Streaming Media work?

There is a lot of protocol that goes into the process of streaming media. In order to understand this process you need to understand basic terms:
IP: Internet Protocol: underlying protocol which transmits data across the internet; supports real-time transfer of data
HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol: Protocol for transfering hypertext files or web pages
RTP: Real-time Transfer Protocol: allows the actual transfer of data in real time (allows one-way stream: server --> client)
RTSP: Real-time Streaming Protocol: allows two -way protocol and allows client to have more control over streaming media (i.e.- stop, start, pause like with a remote control for DVD's) as well as request info about the data in a format-specific way, specific transport type and destination, and the like
Unicast: "one to one" each end user gets seperate stream (one cast)
Multicast: "multiples" allows multiple streams to be sent to multiple end users

These are some terms just to get you started. Understanding how the technology of streaming media works can seem difficult, but if you break it down into simple steps, its not so bad. More on this later. Good luck!