# Why use the DataStreamer?

This section illustrates when data streaming is useful by discussing the following topics:

- Examples for using the DataStreamer
- Future development

## Examples for using the DataStreamer

The DataStreamer is useful for all applications that need to play back synchronized data of different types: video, audio, 3DO cels and animations, and so on.

The DataStreamer consists of a library and a number of examples. You can use these examples with minimal modification to stream your data to the 3DO system. Here's a list of examples including names of relevant example programs:

- Play a full-screen digital video sequence with sound. (Streaming:version:Examples:NuPlayer)

- Play a digitized cel animation with sound. (Attic:version:Examples:SCelPlayer)

- Play a video with multi-channel audio.

- Play a simple video while loading data (never say "Please wait").

- Play a video that allows start, stop, fast forward, rewind, and branch. (Streaming:version:Examples:ShuttlePlayer)

- Play a video with synchronized text (Attic:version:Examples:TextPlayer)

More extensive additions to the available source code make it possible to stream any kind of data you need. For example, if you have a proprietary software compression algorithm, you can modify the DataStreamer to play back video compressed with your codec, synchronized with sound.

## Future development

In the future, you should expect the capability to play back hardware, compressed video (MPEG), and video compressed by other codecs than Cinepak. There will also be more control over timing.

See the 3DO Release Notes for more information.

#