h level, VidTorrent is a peer-to-peer protocol that builds an adaptive overlay mesh suitable for real-time streaming. The protocol works by aggressively probing for bandwidth and minimizing latency. On the same time, the protocol continuously monitors and dynamically adapts the mesh to match the underlaying network topology and node capabilities.

VidTorrent is more than just a protocol from an end user's perspective. It provides application infrastructre for fostering communities around real-time media, similar to what BitTorrent? does for the file sharing community and Skype for internet telephony users all over the world. In one such application, XPat-TV, we are experimenting with forming social groups within expatriate communities. These groups are created by VidTorrent co-casters, sharing live TV broadcasts from their home country.