Tools, tips and techniques to help you create and profit from web video

A buffer is temporary holding pen in the computers memory for data for inputs (e.g., to software) or outputs (e.g., to a printer) until the process can deal with it.

Buffers are needed when data comes in faster than it can be processed, or when the rates vary, like in a printer spooler.

In regards to video streaming, buffering occurs when a streaming media player saves portions of a streaming media file to local storage for playback.

Streaming media players usually buffer a small percentage of a media presentation before play begins. Buffering can also occur during the streaming media presentation, when the presentation's required bandwidth is greater than the available bandwidth needed to view the file in real-time.