The file extension STREAM is associated with a BitTorrent Swarm which is initiated using a BitTorrent Client. To understand the process, a torrent is a small file that stores data which pertains to a file you want to download from a website. The file typically contains the TORRENT file extension. The metadata contained in a TORRENT file is used to open the file in the future once it is downloaded to your PC.
Peer computers which are sharing the torrent file you are downloading do so without using a BitTorrent Client which is running continuously regardless of whether or not it is in use. A BitTorrent Client is an application which is used for peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing using the BitTorrent protocol. If a computer is using a BitTorrent Client which is constantly being run, it is known as a seed since it runs continuously and offers the complete file for download by other computers on the P2P file sharing website.
A BitTorrent Swarm is made up of a series of P2P users that are connected to a specific file on a P2P file sharing website. When you open a BitTorrent Client, it will reveal how many other users are connected to the same file in addition to the seed computer which continually runs the BitTorrent Client to offer the file to members of the Swarm.
The file extension STREAM is categorized as a miscellaneous file type which is associated with BitTorrent and P2P file sharing applications that allow media to be streamed onto your PC while it is being downloaded from the P2P file sharing site. P2P file sharing applications provide a way to download and stream various types of multimedia such as songs and videos.
How to Open STREAM Files
The STREAM file extension must be opened using a P2P file sharing application. Unlike torrent files which contain metadata that points to the actual media content, STREAM files open and play the actual media with a P2P file sharing program. It is important to mention that you should do your research before choosing a P2P file sharing application which will open this file extension. Some of the P2P applications have been known to contain spyware, adware, and other types of malicious files.
P2P file sharing applications use video streaming technology which is based on the BitTorrent protocol. The protocol provides a browser extension which allows you to play multimedia directly from the BitTorrent Swarm. If you are using Windows with the Mozilla Firefox browser installed, you can open and play the file extension STREAM using SwarmPlayer v2.0 which is available on the P2P Next and CNET websites.
You can also opt to use BitTorrent, which is a popular P2P file sharing application that is used in conjunction with the BitTorrent Client. BitTorrent is available for download on the BitTorrent website and is designed for use with Windows, Mac OS X, and the Linux operating system.
IMesh 12 is another P2P file sharing program which allows you to stream millions of songs and videos through your browser. The program is available on the iMesh website and is compatible with the Windows operating system.
Shareaza 2.6.0.0 is an earlier P2P file sharing application which will also open the file extension STREAM in Windows. Shareaza 2.6.0.0 works with a wide variety of P2P networks and is available for download along with the Shareaza P2P Client on the SourceForge website.
