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Bit rate is the speed at which binary content is streamed on a network. Bandwidth is the bit rate capacity of a digital communications system, such as the Internet or a local area network. Bit rate and bandwidth are similar concepts except that bandwidth refers to the entire network transfer capability (both the amount available for streaming content plus the amount consumed by other network traffic), whereas bit rate refers to an actual transfer rate. Both bit rate and bandwidth are expressed in the number of bits transferred in a second: kilobits per second (Kbps). High bandwidth refers to a network capable of a fast data transfer rate. For example, in a 28.8 Kbps network connection, it is typical to achieve a bit rate of only 22 Kbps as a result of other network traffic.
Intranets can handle streaming content at a much higher bandwidth than on the Internet. In an intranet environment, either the network administrator or the overall network bandwidth limits the bandwidth available for streaming. The network administrator can set the Windows Media server to restrict the amount of data being streamed. This restriction keeps the server from streaming so much data that it slows down the overall data flow on the network during periods of high use. If the network administrator does not set a limit on the amount of information that a Windows Media server can stream, the network bandwidth is the limiting factor for content delivery. Content cannot stream at a higher bandwidth than the network connection supports.
Before you begin creating Windows Media-based content, consider both your audience and their expected bandwidth. For example, are you targeting modem users at dial-up speeds, a corporate local area network, broadband, or some combination of these? Your answers determine how much bandwidth is required to serve your audience’s needs.