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Video Caster v3.44 |
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Understanding
Video Streaming |
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Streaming technology
allows net users to click and enjoy on-demand audio
and video. The media file that the viewer watches is
usually present on a streaming server like Video
Desk that sends video/audio data over the Internet,
whenever it is requested. |
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This is easier said
than done. Normally, bandwidth required to view a VCD
quality video is 1500Kbps-2Mbps. However, Internet
bandwidth is usually restricted between 56 Kbps and 256 Kbps. Moreover,
the actual bandwidth available at a given time also
fluctuates depending on Internet traffic. |
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To workaround these
bandwidth issues, the media content author must create
files that can be viewed by the user with the available
Internet bandwidth. For example, a video created at
bit-rate 128Kbps will not be viewable to users with
a 56Kbps connection. The flip side is that encoding
the video at 56Kbps will cause a loss in image quality. A possible solution, often employed, is to create 2
videos – a low quality video for 56Kbps and a
relatively high quality video for 128Kbps users. |
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A more suitable solution
is to encode multiple streams at different bit-rates
within the same file. This is called as Mutual Exclusion
by Bit Rate. Such MBR files can contain multiple streams
encoded at say, 24Kbps, 56Kbps, 128Kbps and 256Kbps. The streaming server and the media player work together
to make the video adapts to a fluctuating Internet connection. For example, if a 128Kbps connection drops down to 56Kbps
then the streaming server automatically starts streaming
the 56Kbps stream, providing uninterrupted video playback. The only difference a viewer might notice is a change
in video quality. |
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Video
Caster allows you to convert your video files
to a streaming format like the Windows Media Formats,
with just a few clicks. All you have to do is to identify
the bandwidth that your audience has, and then select
from a list of predefined profiles for different bandwidths. |
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Once the conversion
is done, you can publish these files to a streaming
server or a web server from within the software itself. |
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Publishing your Media File |
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After you have encoded
your video in the suitable media format, you need to
publish it onto a streaming server like Video
Desk. |
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Video Caster simplifies
this process by providing an in-built publishing wizard. Simply specify the file you wish to publish along with
the details of the Streaming or Web Server you want
to publish to. |
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Once you have published
these files on to a streaming server, all your viewers
have to do is to click on a link. The streaming server
will take care of the rest. |
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A streaming server works
by further compressing the media file and then breaking
it into small packets. These packets are sent one after
another, over the Internet to the requesting user’s
computer. When they reach their destination, they are
decompressed and reassembled into a form that the user’s
media player can read and display. To maintain the illusion
of continuity, a number of packets are downloaded on
the user's machine before playback begins. As those
buffered packets play, more packets are being downloaded
and queued up for playback. |
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Why use Streaming? |
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Significantly Less
Bandwidth Requirement: Video files meant to be
played on your computer like MPEG, AVI etc. take up
a lot of disk space. To play them across the Internet they must take up less
space so that the bandwidth requirement is significantly
less depending on the internet connection speed. Streaming
Media Formats use various compression techniques to
make video files very small in size. |
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Video Files are Protected: Streaming media
files are streamed. Unlike other video clips, these
files are never downloaded to the viewer's computer
and are therefore protected. Viewers cannot manipulate
streaming media files in any way nor can they distribute
copies of the media files. |
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Monitoring
Capability: The streaming media server has reporting
capability that enables you to monitor any media files
for the number of times they are streamed, the amount
of bandwidth they consume, the peak hours when they
are most frequently streamed etc. These reports help
you analyze and further enhance online viewing experience
of your website. |
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A final Word |
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The conditions seem
ripe for streaming to become a global media broadcasting
and distribution standard. It has not only provided
great business opportunities for broadcasters, corporations,
and web sites, it has also become a powerful communication
medium that has brought families and groups closer. After all, isn’t that what the Internet is all
about? |
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