Streaming video: how at no cost?

[Brian Ellis]

Hi!

I've just been glancing casually at the idea of streaming a 7 min video on a web site. I looked initially at the Real notion at successfully created a .RM file. However, I then find that to put it on the web site, I need some special software costing hundreds of $.

I then tried a .ASF file, being conned into thinking that it stood for a streaming format. This did not stream. If viewed in MSIE, the ASF file downloaded (2 -3 minutes) and then played correctly, but this is not streaming, by my definition. If viewed in Netscape, it showed as a "broken picture". Right-clicking and downloading it produced a slightly larger, corrupt file, which could not be viewed.

Trying a search for 'streaming' or 'asf' in the MS KB gives zero results. I suggest that ASF is another MS "innovation" whereby they use their corrupting MPEG4 v. 2 codec to keep it within the MS family.

Does anyone know of a method whereby one can have a true streaming video on a web page, viewable in any browser with the right plug-in (widely distributed), without having to spend a small fortune (ie anything over a few tens of bucks)? If so, would they be so kind as to explain how it's done, preferably in words of one syllable that my poor intellect can seize?

------------------
Brian (the terrible)

[kenobi]

windows media tools

------------------
Damnit Jim I'm a film maker, not a systems tech!

[Brian Ellis]

Kenobi

Thanks, but I already went through this to create the asf file. It seems vastly complex and I've not understood half of it. As I understand it, the system generates the asf file, alternate pages for MSIE and NS and a few other files. The asf file has to be installed on a compliant server (which my ISP does not have) and the pages link into that. Then it requires a script code to separate the browser pages correctly, etc. etc.

On viewing, it would seem that a special plug-in, in MSIE and NS flavours, only bundled with media player 6.4, is required and must be downloaded before anyone can look at the video. This is asking viewers to spend half-an-hour on line before anything can be seen, and hoping they are capable of downloading/installing it all.

This seems a VERY complex procedure (assuming I have the right end of the stick). Please tell me I'm wrong, because I understand nothing, really, as I did not study for my Ph.D. in MS pseudo-technology.

------------------
Brian (the terrible)

[Aryko]

Hi Brian,

I guess you have to back up a second and define what you mean by streaming. What software platform do you expect your users to be using when they go to view your content? One of the advantages of the Windows Media Player 6.4 is the support of streaming media. More often then not, when I download an MPEG file, the computer buffers a certain amount and then plays it right away. It doesn't for AVI - go figure. Quicktime has a similar process. I believe ASF will stream, but I think only the WMP6.4 will play it.

You mention your own ISP as the location these files will be stored on. Well, the problem could lie right there, if they haven't shelled out the bucks for a streaming server. Check out xoom.com, they offer unlimited file storage (max 11MB chunks, I believe) and a streaming server. Can be a bit slow sometimes, but hey, you get what you don't pay for.

- Aryko

[fluggo99]

Guys, guys, a file doeseth not streameth. A stream streameth. Encoding into ASF alone won't do the trick; your ISP has to have the Windows Media Server (free) installed to manage the connection and the streaming. Once installed, you place your ASF file into a designated folder, known as a publishing point, and refer to it using either an ASX file or directly through the mms: protocol, like so:

mms://www.dv2media.com/fluggo/discnow_fun_low.asf

Download the Windows Media SDK and/or the Windows Media Server and peruse the documentation; you'll learn a lot.

[fluggo99]

P.S.-- If your ISP doesn't have WMS, and you'd rather avoid the trouble, Windows Media Player will start playing MPEG videos before they're done downloading, and the same applies to QuickTime videos. Not streaming, but perhaps better because you don't have to worry about net congestion ruining your video.

[Brian Ellis]

OK, thanks, guys.

I found what I needed chez Real. They have a really well hidden freebie on their web site, which I didn't see first time. It works fine and is cross-platform (incl. Linux and Mac), which the MS offering isn't. I've experimentally published a 7-1/2 min video which looks not too bad, albeit a little too jerky for the moment. I'll try polishing it up.

------------------
Brian (the terrible)