Can You Stream Video Over USB?

Streaming media refers to media that is played on a device before the full file gets to the device. For example, streaming media over the Internet refers to watching movies or listening to music without downloading that media onto your own computer; it is streamed from a remote server. You can also stream video over USB connections. This enables you to view videos on your computer that originate elsewhere, such as a video camera, via a USB cable.

Different USB connection protocols can send and receive data at different speeds. The USB 2.0 protocol can send data at a theoretical maximum speed of 480 megabits per second. The USB 3.0 protocol can send data at a theoretical maximum speed of five gigabits per second. However, if you connect a USB 3.0 device to a USB 2.0 port, the data transfer will be limited to the USB 2.0 speed.