A clip is a complete presentation. If there is more than one component in a clip (for example, audio and video), then it's made up of multiple streams.
Each individual stream carries specific information about an element in the clip. One stream carries the audio elements, one the visual, one the text, etc. RealPlayer takes each of these streams and synchronizes them so that when the reporter appearing in your Display Panel opens her mouth the appropriate words come out.
Content providers often create a clip with a number of streams optimized for a specific connection speed, so that you can hear and see the best clip your connection can provide. This multi-speed capability is called SureStream.
Because each clip is divided into different streams, RealPlayer optimizes your experience by choosing the streams that are most appropriate for your current connection speed, or your connection preferences, or even for your language preference.
©1999 RealNetworks, Inc. All rights reserved.