Streaming Video

Streaming Tutorial

An intrepid Videotex videographer captures the North Park 3 implosion on video

To view a video via the internet, you can either download it, or stream it.  The difference is that a streamed video will begin playing as soon as a small portion of the entire video has been buffered to your player.  A downloaded video must be downloaded in entirety, then played.  Examples of streaming formats are Windows Media (WMV, ASF), and Real Media.  Examples of download formats are AVI. 

Streaming video can be produced either live, or previously edited.  If it is produced in a streaming format, you will be able to view it streaming - whether its live or previously edited.

Live Streaming basics 

To produce and deliver streaming video, you need two components: an encoder, and a streaming server.  An encoder takes the video, and converts it to the streaming format in real time.  It broadcasts it to a streaming server, so that users can connect to the server, and download it via the multicast protocol.   

Streaming video can be Unicast, or multicast.  Unicast is a protocol in which each user requires his own stream.  Multicast is a protocol that allows multiple users to attach to one stream.  If you are streaming to many people at one time, you want to multicast your stream. 

Encoders

Encoders can be dedicated rack mount streaming engines, or standard PCs with special encoder cards installed.  The board level product that is most popular for streaming is the Osprey. For full details on the Osprey models, see the Osprey full product line. 

Streaming Servers

A streaming server is a PC server with appropriate streaming software, and high-speed Internet connection.  The two most popular streaming servers are Windows Streaming Server, and RealNetworks Server software.

Another alternative is a streaming service bureau.  

Edited Streaming basics

To produce streaming video from edited material, you use a non-linear editing (NLE) system to create the video.  An edit system enables you to create your video with the proper cuts, transitions, titles, effects, etc.  An example of an edited video would be a training tape, such as a defensive driving video.  Once you have created your edited video, you would export it to a streaming format.  Once the streaming file is created, it is placed on a streaming server for multicast output.

Examples of NLE systems for creating streaming files are Apple Final Cut Studio, Avid Xpress Pro, Matrox RT.X2, Avid Liquid, Leitch/DPS, and others.

If your NLE system does not export streaming formats, you can use a conversion program such as Cleaner 5 to produce your streaming formats.

Hardware

Live

Osprey Board Products 

Osprey System Products - Niagara

 

Edited

Avid Xpress Pro, Media Composer

Matrox RT.X2 and RT.X2 SD

Apple Final Cut Studio

Software

Live

Windows Media Encoder

RealNetworks RealProducer Encoder

Edited

Sorenson Media, the global leader for encoding and compression applications, provides hardware and software solutions that enable users to easily and affordably compress, manage and deliver quality video over the Internet and to CDs, DVDs, mobile devices applications and many other formats.

Squeeze
	Squeeze 5 is the latest version of Sorenson Media’s award-winning compression and encoding software. In only three quick steps users can select, pre-process, and compress video for output in a variety of formats and publish directly to websites or burn to DVD.
Squeeze for Flash
	Squeeze 5 for Flash is the latest version of Sorenson Media’s award-winning compression and encoding software. In only three quick steps users can select, pre-process, and compress video for output in Adobe Flash compatible formats and publish directly. Squeeze 5 for Flash utilizes all the tools available in Squeeze 5 for those who are just creating Flash content.
Related Products
	From training to additional tools, these products will help to enhance your Squeeze experience. Related products include Squeeze plugins such as On2's VP6 pro encoder, Bias' SoundSoap and Telestream's Flip-4-Mac as well as other Sorenson training pr

Canopus/Grass Valley Procoder

Resources

Windows Media Showcase