Streaming media makes it possible for a PC to function like a television. But don't expect the same image quality. Streaming video appears tiny on a screen. Click on the image to see more. It's a different picture on corporate networks.
Wider networks allow larger streams with subsequent improvement in quality.
But the improvements in clarity and sound of images sent over a corporate network can be offset by bandwidth requirements. Streaming media needs a lot of bandwidth. A large company could easily swamp its networks if thousands of users sign on to hear a CEO's pep talk. Despite that issue, analysts say a strong business case can be made for using streaming sound and images, especially for training. Video files and sound files can come in a variety of formats, and the trend among vendors is to support as many formats as possible.