Security Monitor Pro: Streaming Video/Audio

Streaming Video/Audio

Live Streaming lets users connect to the PC running Security Monitor Pro and see live video and audio.  The number of users that can connect is limited by the bandwidth of your Internet connection and the resources of the PC. Live Streaming uses advanced Windows Media streaming technology to provide you with the best quality media streaming.

To stream video and audio preview live:

1. Select a camera.
2. On the Tools menu, click Camera Monitoring Options.
3. Switch to the Streaming tab.
4. Select a Profile.
5. Set the Maximum Number of Viewers.  This is the number of other computers that can simultaneously view the video/audio stream from Security Monitor Pro.  This maximum number is for this camera only—if you are streaming from multiple cameras, each camera's limit is separate from the others.
6. Choose a network Port.  Security Monitor Pro will automatically fill in a port number.  The first camera to start streaming will default to port 1030, the next 1031, and so on. You can choose different ports if you prefer.  Two cameras can not stream using the same port.  Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) block low-numbered ports (below 1024).  If this is the case for your ISP, you will need to select higher-numbered ports.
   
   If a port is selected that is already being used by another program, Security Monitor Pro will warn you.  You must then select a different port in order to stream audio and/or video.
7. Choose whether to stream Video, Audio, or both.  Note that currently audio from IP cameras cannot be streamed.
8. Decide whether to Start Live Streaming automatically at Startup.  If this checkbox is checked, streaming will begin as soon as the program starts.
9. Click OK.
10. To actually start the stream, in the Tools menu, click Start Streaming.

NOTE: Each camera must be configured for streaming separately. You can stream from one, a set of, or all cameras.

Selecting a Profile

Security Monitor Pro uses the selected profile for encoding video and audio data before they are streamed.  A profile contains information about how the video and audio streams should be encoded or compressed so that they take up only the bandwidth given in the profile.  For example, if you select a profile that encodes video and audio streams at 56Kbps, the streamed video will play properly over an Internet connection of 56Kbps or more.  Users with lower bandwidths will experience pauses and "drop outs" when viewing the stream.  The lower the bandwidth you select, the lower the quality of streamed video and audio.  If you are allowing multiple users to connect at once, remember to multiply the bandwidth by the maximum number of users when checking it against the upload bandwidth of your Internet connection.  That is, if your upload bandwidth is 128Kbps, you can only allow a maximum of 2 users at 56Kbps (2 x 56 = 128).  Also remember that if you are streaming from multiple cameras, the bandwidth used for each camera must be added together to find the total bandwidth used.  For instance:

NOTE: There will be a delay ranging from a few seconds to five minutes in the Live Stream.