Scott San,
The Media player 7.0 is great as you have said and it is playing the mpegs even quicker.
My question though is, what is in volved in streaming video. I know my server needs to be able to hold greater amounts of material, but is it the same as just saving it in AVI for instance? And is it copiable, say someone watches it on their computer, can they save that to their hard drive and even send it somewhere?
I realize this will not be readily answerable in a posting so could you also refer me to reference material. Someone was helping me get to this point but as people sometimes do he did not follow through.
Nice job!
------------------
Evan Pantazi
users.erols.com/kyusho
Streaming
Moderator: Scott Danziger
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Evan Pantazi
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- Location: N. Andover, Ma. USA
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Scott Danziger
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Streaming
Hi Evan,
I usually have no problem getting back to people
The streaming format is much smaller than an AVI or even an MPEG which when compressed properly (under certain conditions like 29.97 fps (frames per second) will be even smaller. The streaming format uses a codec (compresion/decompression) called ASF. The .ASX extentions you might see when you place your arrow over a link sets up the .ASF file.
Here's an Example. When I did the last video vidmag18-b, I used Adobe premier to make the AVI. I usually go for quality so the compression was not "too" great but I wanted smoothness as well. The file using indeo 5.07 (a codec, there are many others) compressed the file to 139 or so megs for 3:30 minutes. I then made 3 different .asf files for 3 different type users, 56k modems, ISDN, and broadband for the fast guys. These file sizes ended up to be...
56k (low) - 1,086 kb
ISDN (med) - 2,083 kb
broadband (high) - 3,604 kb
Notice the difference. Massive commpression. That is why the low (56k) looks so bad when compared to mpeg version which I converted from AVI into 20,150 kb (20 megs) [btw: I didn't upload the mpeg version yet of this particular video, I want to change the music at the beginning]
Now... to get features like fast forward or multiband (one fits all - but from what I seen out there - not too good for 56k users
), you need to have the server run Windows NT or 2000. This server here is a UNIX so I make 3 different streaming versions. Please note though, on servers that "I" have streamed videos from that were NT/2000, media player 7.0 won't let you load in (buffer) the higher quality stuff. I'm still a lowly 56k modemer. Here however, on a UNIX server, you can load the quality stuff. Yeah, it may be a wait but it's a MUCH longer wait downloading the 20 meg mpeg. Broadband users need not worry though. (lucky #^%^$@# )
To find out more (This is how I learned) check out the following websites....
http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/imedia/windowsmedia/crcontent/asx.asp
for the programs you need to make asf files and put the neat text in the descriptions go here.. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/features/compression/default.asp
And download the Windows Media Tools from this page... http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/technologies/tools.asp
I know it seems like a lot. They also have another program in there somewhere but the media tools are FREE!! Something the Realplayer people can't do.
Any questions just let me know. I hope I didn't overkill here.
Scott
[This message has been edited by Scott Danziger (edited July 10, 2000).]
I usually have no problem getting back to people
The streaming format is much smaller than an AVI or even an MPEG which when compressed properly (under certain conditions like 29.97 fps (frames per second) will be even smaller. The streaming format uses a codec (compresion/decompression) called ASF. The .ASX extentions you might see when you place your arrow over a link sets up the .ASF file.
Here's an Example. When I did the last video vidmag18-b, I used Adobe premier to make the AVI. I usually go for quality so the compression was not "too" great but I wanted smoothness as well. The file using indeo 5.07 (a codec, there are many others) compressed the file to 139 or so megs for 3:30 minutes. I then made 3 different .asf files for 3 different type users, 56k modems, ISDN, and broadband for the fast guys. These file sizes ended up to be...
56k (low) - 1,086 kb
ISDN (med) - 2,083 kb
broadband (high) - 3,604 kb
Notice the difference. Massive commpression. That is why the low (56k) looks so bad when compared to mpeg version which I converted from AVI into 20,150 kb (20 megs) [btw: I didn't upload the mpeg version yet of this particular video, I want to change the music at the beginning]
Now... to get features like fast forward or multiband (one fits all - but from what I seen out there - not too good for 56k users
), you need to have the server run Windows NT or 2000. This server here is a UNIX so I make 3 different streaming versions. Please note though, on servers that "I" have streamed videos from that were NT/2000, media player 7.0 won't let you load in (buffer) the higher quality stuff. I'm still a lowly 56k modemer. Here however, on a UNIX server, you can load the quality stuff. Yeah, it may be a wait but it's a MUCH longer wait downloading the 20 meg mpeg. Broadband users need not worry though. (lucky #^%^$@# )To find out more (This is how I learned) check out the following websites....
http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/imedia/windowsmedia/crcontent/asx.asp
for the programs you need to make asf files and put the neat text in the descriptions go here.. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/features/compression/default.asp
And download the Windows Media Tools from this page... http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/technologies/tools.asp
I know it seems like a lot. They also have another program in there somewhere but the media tools are FREE!! Something the Realplayer people can't do.
Any questions just let me know. I hope I didn't overkill here.
Scott
[This message has been edited by Scott Danziger (edited July 10, 2000).]
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Evan Pantazi
- Posts: 1897
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 1998 6:01 am
- Location: N. Andover, Ma. USA
- Contact:
Streaming
Scott San,
No overkill just valuable information. I have picked up several new online lessons and I am looking for better ways to serve these members. I will check out all this info and I want to thank you very much for all the trouble you went through to supply it.
Thank you again.
------------------
Evan Pantazi
users.erols.com/kyusho
No overkill just valuable information. I have picked up several new online lessons and I am looking for better ways to serve these members. I will check out all this info and I want to thank you very much for all the trouble you went through to supply it.
Thank you again.
------------------
Evan Pantazi
users.erols.com/kyusho
-
Evan Pantazi
- Posts: 1897
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 1998 6:01 am
- Location: N. Andover, Ma. USA
- Contact:
Streaming
Scott San,
Can these strems be save and or copied on a PC? Or can they just be played from the server?
I have had my videos show up in Okinawa (never sold any there) and they were in Austrailia, Canada and Europe long before someone bought one over there. I want to be able to protect these somewhat from the average pirate as I know if someone wants something bad enough it would be hard to stop.
------------------
Evan Pantazi
users.erols.com/kyusho
[This message has been edited by Evan Pantazi (edited July 11, 2000).]
Can these strems be save and or copied on a PC? Or can they just be played from the server?
I have had my videos show up in Okinawa (never sold any there) and they were in Austrailia, Canada and Europe long before someone bought one over there. I want to be able to protect these somewhat from the average pirate as I know if someone wants something bad enough it would be hard to stop.
------------------
Evan Pantazi
users.erols.com/kyusho
[This message has been edited by Evan Pantazi (edited July 11, 2000).]
-
Scott Danziger
- Posts: 929
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 1998 6:01 am
- Location: Long Island
- Contact:
Streaming
The .asf file can be copied and played like an avi or mpg. If you want to protect the streaming format, don't give access to your ftp and use .ASX files to direct the user to the streaming video. The .asx file is a text file telling the media player where the .asf file is and play it.
Is it foolproof? Well... I am not an expert hacker but depending how the .asx file is created someone may find a way to capture the file unless you set up a secure server. That is covered in the Windows media pages however you will need your server to be NT or 2000. You can dl the .asx file and read it in a text reader. Especially once you change the .asx to .txt
The figure below demonstrates what you can do with streaming media between the two types of servers...
I hope this helps. For more info check out http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/
Scott
[This message has been edited by Scott Danziger (edited July 11, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Scott Danziger (edited July 11, 2000).]
Is it foolproof? Well... I am not an expert hacker but depending how the .asx file is created someone may find a way to capture the file unless you set up a secure server. That is covered in the Windows media pages however you will need your server to be NT or 2000. You can dl the .asx file and read it in a text reader. Especially once you change the .asx to .txt
The figure below demonstrates what you can do with streaming media between the two types of servers...
I hope this helps. For more info check out http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/
Scott
[This message has been edited by Scott Danziger (edited July 11, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Scott Danziger (edited July 11, 2000).]
