do it yourself streaming video?

purple

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May 19, 2004
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Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Hi,

Im a video newbie. I've done some searches on Goggle but don't seem to
know enough to find answers to my question, ie ask the right
questions. I don't even know what forum to ask in 🙁

I want to put MPEG clips on my website and share them with
friends/family. Since these files are huge, I would like people to be
able to view them without downloading the whole thing first. I don't
want people to have to get special software to watch them either so my
solution needs to work with free players like quicktime or
MediaPlayer.

What product(s) would I need to do this? What steps are involved?

At present, my website is hosted by another company so I don't have
the freedom to install server software. If it sounds
doable/affordable, I could create my own server at home, I suppose.

Thanks for your help.
 
Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

It's a while since I looked at this but I dont think the answer has changed
that much.

I think you have two basic options.

1) If you have a fast enough conenction to the internet then you could host
it yourself using something line Windows Media Services which will allow you
to offer streaming video. Windows Media Services is a built in function of
Windows 2000 which has been improved in WIndows 2003. OK, there are
complications to this approach (such as using static addressing and DNS)
which mean for most domestic users this option isn't suitable.

Even if you have enough bandwidth you do need to ensure that eny firewalls
in circuit have the required ports open. Obviously the costs involved in
this are the cost of the link, the cost of server sofware

2) Use a hosting service which you will have to pay for (this doesn't need
to be the same as the service you use to host your web site). a quick search
returned several choices including http://streamhoster.com/ (I have no
connection whatsoever with ths company, purely picked at random). But you
will pay for this...especially if your views exceed your usage allowance!

Dave
 
Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Thanks Bugsy,

I assume what you are saying is that offering streaming video means
running a special streaming program – the format of the file is not
the issue.

a) I could put an MPEG file on my web server. Users would click the
link and the file would download first and then play.

Or

b) I could put an MPEG file on a webserver that offers streaming.
Users would click on the link and the file would start playing without
downloading the entire file first.

If I chose (b), I could pay someone to provide the streaming server or
I could set up my own at home.

I didn't really want to hear this since it involves more money on my
part, but thanks for the answer :)

"bugsy57" <bugsy57@spammer.spam> wrote in message news:<cjoamh$h0n$1@titan.btinternet.com>...
> It's a while since I looked at this but I dont think the answer has changed
> that much.
>
> I think you have two basic options.
>
> 1) If you have a fast enough conenction to the internet then you could host
> it yourself using something line Windows Media Services which will allow you
> to offer streaming video. Windows Media Services is a built in function of
> Windows 2000 which has been improved in WIndows 2003. OK, there are
> complications to this approach (such as using static addressing and DNS)
> which mean for most domestic users this option isn't suitable.
>
> Even if you have enough bandwidth you do need to ensure that eny firewalls
> in circuit have the required ports open. Obviously the costs involved in
> this are the cost of the link, the cost of server sofware
>
> 2) Use a hosting service which you will have to pay for (this doesn't need
> to be the same as the service you use to host your web site). a quick search
> returned several choices including http://streamhoster.com/ (I have no
> connection whatsoever with ths company, purely picked at random). But you
> will pay for this...especially if your views exceed your usage allowance!
>
> Dave
 
Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

This is a litle confusing for me as I'm not seeing my posts on the NG - I
think this may be down to my ISP.

My answers shown below.


"Purple" <vaitkus@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:d9a19377.0410030953.33c35e93@posting.google.com...
> Thanks Bugsy,
>
> I assume what you are saying is that offering streaming video means
> running a special streaming program - the format of the file is not
> the issue.

In my experience (which is only based on WIndows Media Services) the format
of the file IS an issue. For example (from memory) with Windows Media
Services you have to publish the media file from the server. This creates a
file (I think it's an asf suffix but can't be sure) which you create a
hyperlink to.

When you publish this file in your web page using an href the href="" will
not be http:// it will be (again from memory) something like "mms://<ip
address>/filename.asf". The browser the recognises this as a streaming media
file and starts playing it when a suitable amount is buffered. Now I'm
guessing this may only work with IE as other browsers may not recognise the
MMS protocol.
>
> a) I could put an MPEG file on my web server. Users would click the
> link and the file would download first and then play.

COrrect - the download time would vary according to link speeds and size of
file.
>
> Or
>
> b) I could put an MPEG file on a webserver that offers streaming.
> Users would click on the link and the file would start playing without
> downloading the entire file first.

Correct but it may need to be coverted to a different format first.
>
> If I chose (b), I could pay someone to provide the streaming server or
> I could set up my own at home.

Correct
>
> I didn't really want to hear this since it involves more money on my
> part, but thanks for the answer :)

Sorry!
>
> "bugsy57" <bugsy57@spammer.spam> wrote in message
> news:<cjoamh$h0n$1@titan.btinternet.com>...
>> It's a while since I looked at this but I dont think the answer has
>> changed
>> that much.
>>
>> I think you have two basic options.
>>
>> 1) If you have a fast enough conenction to the internet then you could
>> host
>> it yourself using something line Windows Media Services which will allow
>> you
>> to offer streaming video. Windows Media Services is a built in function
>> of
>> Windows 2000 which has been improved in WIndows 2003. OK, there are
>> complications to this approach (such as using static addressing and DNS)
>> which mean for most domestic users this option isn't suitable.
>>
>> Even if you have enough bandwidth you do need to ensure that eny
>> firewalls
>> in circuit have the required ports open. Obviously the costs involved in
>> this are the cost of the link, the cost of server sofware
>>
>> 2) Use a hosting service which you will have to pay for (this doesn't
>> need
>> to be the same as the service you use to host your web site). a quick
>> search
>> returned several choices including http://streamhoster.com/ (I have no
>> connection whatsoever with ths company, purely picked at random). But you
>> will pay for this...especially if your views exceed your usage allowance!
>>
>> Dave
 
Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Purple wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I want to put MPEG clips on my website and share them with
> friends/family. Since these files are huge, I would like people to be
> able to view them without downloading the whole thing first. I don't
> want people to have to get special software to watch them either so my
> solution needs to work with free players like quicktime or
> MediaPlayer.

MPEG clips are far to large to be used as a on-line media. Plus Mpeg
does not allow streaming or progressive downloads, thus requiring the
viewer to wait till the whole thing is downloaded before they can view
the video clip.

> What product(s) would I need to do this? What steps are involved?
>
> At present, my website is hosted by another company so I don't have
> the freedom to install server software. If it sounds
> doable/affordable, I could create my own server at home, I suppose.
>
> Thanks for your help.

No need. Simply find a ISP/Host that provides larger bandwidth. Or one
that has NO limitation on downloads transfers. If your serving small
movie clips, progressive downloads are best. Real time streaming is only
worth it if your doing real time video or want to protect your video
with rights management's.

There are essentially 3 major players here.

Real Networks - Allows you to place a movie file in the .rm format, and
the player downloads are free to users to view your video.. REal format
supports streaming, embedded, and progressive. However, ever since the
incident with the spy ware in their software, it's never been a trusted
company again.. Personally I hate them, and I'm NOT alone here..

Windows Media Video - A proprietary CODEC set, however the tools are
available to create downloadable progressive videos with ease.
Downfalls, most windows users have Win Media, but no many Mac users do,
nor do linux people. Great video quality though, at low bitratess.

Quicktime - No compatibility problems between OSs. A .mov file will play
on any version of any OS. QT is supported by every single editing
system, and QT files can be created by not only QT Pro, but by loads of
other software.. sort of a industry standard. The Quicktime player is
also FREE, but doesn't come with windows so viewers would have to
download and install QT. Not too terribly difficult, however some are
unwilling to do. .mov format can do progressive downloads, which means
that the movie doesn't have to be finished before the user can start
watching the movie. Apple host a free streaming software, but its not
needed really.. Some great examples of "progressive" downloads can be
found at QT movie trailers.

There is however, a NEW 4th option now.. Flash!! You can create a
video file with a free utility from Macromedia. It creates a .FLV file,
in which can be embedded into a .SWF file or flash movie. Slightly
extra work on your part however, Flash has a near 98% saturation of the
plug in market, so your viewers will NOT have to download another media
player. Flash MX 2004 Pro gives you all the tools needed to build a
video webpage. Some people are now creating video webBlogs with flash
too.. Go over to Macromedia website, and search for tutorials on how to
make video embedded into your flash with the .flv extension.

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

-Richard
 
Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

You will want to get the files as small as you can. Quality = size. There
are bitrate calculations on the Web that will show you the file size you
will get with various bit rates.

You can get a very good compresser for not a lot of money if you buy
Quicktime Pro.


"Purple" <vaitkus@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:d9a19377.0410022046.46d7a341@posting.google.com...
> Hi,
>
> Im a video newbie. I've done some searches on Goggle but don't seem to
> know enough to find answers to my question, ie ask the right
> questions. I don't even know what forum to ask in 🙁
>
> I want to put MPEG clips on my website and share them with
> friends/family. Since these files are huge, I would like people to be
> able to view them without downloading the whole thing first. I don't
> want people to have to get special software to watch them either so my
> solution needs to work with free players like quicktime or
> MediaPlayer.
>
> What product(s) would I need to do this? What steps are involved?
>
> At present, my website is hosted by another company so I don't have
> the freedom to install server software. If it sounds
> doable/affordable, I could create my own server at home, I suppose.
>
> Thanks for your help.
 
Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

I believe Real offers a free version of their streaming server. Apple still
might have the Darwin Streaming Server for free too.


"Purple" <vaitkus@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:d9a19377.0410030953.33c35e93@posting.google.com...
> Thanks Bugsy,
>
> I assume what you are saying is that offering streaming video means
> running a special streaming program - the format of the file is not
> the issue.
>
> a) I could put an MPEG file on my web server. Users would click the
> link and the file would download first and then play.
>
> Or
>
> b) I could put an MPEG file on a webserver that offers streaming.
> Users would click on the link and the file would start playing without
> downloading the entire file first.
>
> If I chose (b), I could pay someone to provide the streaming server or
> I could set up my own at home.
>
> I didn't really want to hear this since it involves more money on my
> part, but thanks for the answer :)
>
> "bugsy57" <bugsy57@spammer.spam> wrote in message
news:<cjoamh$h0n$1@titan.btinternet.com>...
> > It's a while since I looked at this but I dont think the answer has
changed
> > that much.
> >
> > I think you have two basic options.
> >
> > 1) If you have a fast enough conenction to the internet then you could
host
> > it yourself using something line Windows Media Services which will allow
you
> > to offer streaming video. Windows Media Services is a built in function
of
> > Windows 2000 which has been improved in WIndows 2003. OK, there are
> > complications to this approach (such as using static addressing and DNS)
> > which mean for most domestic users this option isn't suitable.
> >
> > Even if you have enough bandwidth you do need to ensure that eny
firewalls
> > in circuit have the required ports open. Obviously the costs involved in
> > this are the cost of the link, the cost of server sofware
> >
> > 2) Use a hosting service which you will have to pay for (this doesn't
need
> > to be the same as the service you use to host your web site). a quick
search
> > returned several choices including http://streamhoster.com/ (I have no
> > connection whatsoever with ths company, purely picked at random). But
you
> > will pay for this...especially if your views exceed your usage
allowance!
> >
> > Dave