# Progressive download vs http streaming of audio?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressive-download-vs-http-streaming-of-audio/248565>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 4, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressive-download-vs-http-streaming-of-audio/248565 "2004-06-04T02:31:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ready29003](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@ready29003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ready29003)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressive-download-vs-http-streaming-of-audio/248565/1 "2004-06-04T02:31:31Z")

</div>

I asked a web host: do you support http streaming of audio files.

They replied:

"We offer progressive streaming, meaning that you can upload the file to our  
servers, and then link to it. When a visitor accesses that file, they can  
then stream it to their computer, or download it.

I hope this is helpful. "

So did they answer my question? Is progressive downloading of audio files the same thing as http streaming of audio files? Anyone know? I sure don’t. But I need to know. Thanks.

Matt

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressive-download-vs-http-streaming-of-audio/248565/2 "2004-06-04T06:18:23Z")

</div>

[Here’s a link](http://www.creativecow.net/forum/read_post.php?postid=108325034429231&forumid=117) that seems to answer your question.

Effectively progressive download will allow it to stream, but only in the same way a regular download happens - one bit at a time in order. It is not true streaming, where there are buffers pre-programmed, and where you can scrub through the file to any point and it will play from that spot.