Windows Media Players
Download the latest version of Windows Media Player
Download the latest version of Windows Media Player for the Mac
Download the latest version of Windows Media Player for Mobile Devices
Download the latest version of Plusmo Client for Mobile Devices
Download a player for Linux:
Download the latest version of Windows Media Player SDK
Download the latest version of Windows Media Encoder
Learn more about Windows Media Streaming Services
Learn more about Helix Servers
What is Streaming Media?
Why is it called "Streaming"?
What is encoding?
What's the difference between real-time streaming and progressive streaming?
We are looking for a turnkey solution to broadcast content from a foreign country to the United States and elsewhere. What is the first step?
If the stations do not have satellite, can we somehow relay over IP the station from the foreign country to a distribution center?
How does TotalStream connect to the encoder?
How far can TotalStream 'pull' the signal from the encoder? What distance?
We want to reach a thousand or so concurrent users, with the ability to at times handle spikes. Can that be done?
We want to find some sort of billing solution for subscriptions, and also find a client solutions so viewers can watch the programs on their PC and possibly a set-top box.
Can TotalStream provide advertisements to offset the cost of the streaming?
How does Totalstream 'relay' the encoder signal between streaming servers across long distances?
What is a traceroute, and why do I need to know that?
Do we need a static IP address for the encoder? Why cant we use dynamic DNS for the encoder?
Why should we pay for expensive internet connectivity for the encoder, rather then get a cheap DSL connection?
Why is our signal quality so poor, and how can we improve it?
Our viewers have different capacity internet connections. How do we deliver multiple bit rate video streams, such as 330 kbps, 600 kbps, and 1 mbps?
For the computer at the TV station, how many channels can we fit per encoder?
If we buy and set up the computer at the TV station with an OS and hardware connected to a static IP, can TotalStream configure everything remotely?
Is the encoder simple enough that an average IT guy could get it up and running?
After the encoders at the TV station are configured, do they need continual maintenance?
What are some of the most common encoder related outages?
How are the end-users going to select which TV station or network they want to watch over the Internet?
How will the end users know what time to watch the content?
What is Streaming Media?
Streaming media is video or audio materials that are prepared for distribution over the Internet. The sound and image data are sent as a data stream to the users who can play the materials immediately instead of waiting for the entire file to download. A few seconds of data is usually sent ahead and buffered to ensure continuous play in the event of network congestion or delays. Windows Media, QuickTime and RealVideo are three of the most common streaming formats and players in use today.
Why is it called "Streaming"?
Streaming media typically refers to video or audio that is played on your computer but not downloaded to it. Like an actual stream of water, the encoded media moves from the server to client as it is playing on the client player. The media is not stored on the client for later viewing, it must be requested from the server again. In contrast, video or audio that has been downloaded to the client can be replayed over and over without additional requests from the server. However, downloaded media cannot be viewed until the entire file as been downloaded. Also, downloaded media can take up large amounts of client storage space.
What is encoding?
Encoding is the process of preparing audio and video files to be streamed. Uncompressed audio and video files are extremely large (five minutes of AVI video will take roughly 1 gigabyte of disk space) and therefore are not a practical format for Internet delivery. The encoding process takes in the following criteria:
- Format (QuickTime, Real, Windows Media, etc)
- Data Rate
- Frame Rate
- Window Size
- Streaming method (progressive or real-time)
The primary goal is to balance compression with video quality. Files that are too large take too long to transfer or may be subject to stalling. However, video that has been over compressed can look blocky and fuzzy. Striking the right balance will ensure an optimal user experience
What's the difference between real-time streaming and progressive streaming? Progressive streams are files such as MP3, QuickTime, RealMedia and MPEG media that can stream because the client players are able to play these files as they are being downloaded. Progressive streams can come from conventional servers. Real-time streaming media requires a streaming server, a streaming client and a Real-Time Streaming Protocol. Live events require real-time streaming.
We are looking for a turnkey solution to broadcast content from a foreign country to the United States and elsewhere. What is the first step?
You will need to obtain licensing from the TV stations to broadcast the content outside of the foreign country.
Also, you will need to conform with the DMCA compliance requirements, copyrights, etc.
The next step is to determine how to get the signal to TotalStream - either via satellite, or over the internet.
If the TV signal is already sent to a satellite, provide the name and frequency of the satellite to TotalStream.
If you want to send the signal to Totalstream over the internet, you will need to install an encoder at the TV station that has a high speed internet connection.
If the stations do not have satellite, can we somehow relay over IP the station from the foreign country to a distribution center?
Yes -- At each TV station install a workstation, to be used as the encoder. Basic box such as a Dell 420 with a 2 ghz CPU, 512 MB ram, NIC, running Windows XP Pro. The workstation will need a good video encoder card that is connected to the A/V cables from the TV feed. The workstation will need a static IP address. See attached diagram.
The workstation must be dedicated to encoding, the local staff should not be allowed access to it.
Each TV station will need to have a solid internet connection with at least twice the stream bit rate available. So if they want to stream at 500 kbps they should have at least 1.2 mbps of bandwidth dedicated for the encoder.
How does TotalStream connect to the encoder?
TotalStream will 'pull' the signal from the encoder (above) to the streaming servers. Depending on the location of the foreign country, TotalStream make require an intermediate relay server.
To connect to the encoder you must tell TotalStream the static IP address of the encoder, and the port number that you are using. (You set the port number when you configure the encoder software) Generally you will select a port greater then 1023, such as 8080. Make sure that you do NOT select port 80. Also, if there is a firewall on the network, make sure that the firewall is allowing connections on that port.
How far can TotalStream 'pull' the signal from the encoder? What distance?
The furthest that TotalStream has pulled a signal is from Bangalore, India to San Jose, CA; and from Reykavik, Iceland to Dallas, TX.
We prefer not to do that, as latency and packet loss increases with distance; resulting in lower stream quality to the viewer.
Often it is better to use a satellite if it is a short-term event.
We prefer to use intermediate relay streaming servers
We want to reach a thousand or so concurrent users, with the ability to at times handle spikes. Can that be done?
TotalStream can easily handle that. Your company will only need enough bandwidth for the encoder - TotalStream will handle the bandwidth for the viewers from the streaming servers.
We want to find some sort of billing solution for subscriptions, and also find a client solutions so viewers can watch the programs on their PC and possibly a set-top box.
They can watch on their computers with no issue. There are several devices out there now for connecting to their TV.
Can TotalStream provide advertisements to offset the cost of the streaming?
Yes. TotalStream can run an ad at the beginning of the program, or at intermittent intervals.
We can not do ad replacement for streaming television stations.
TotalStream can assist you in obtaining advertising for specific streaming events, or TV stations by target market.
How does Totalstream 'relay' the encoder signal between streaming servers across long distances?
It is a function included with Windows software.
What is a traceroute, and why do I need to know that?
If you are in a foreign country, you want to connect to the Internet as close as possible to the main connection for that country to minimize routing issues, packet loss, and latency. (These three factors negatively impact your encoder signal, thus having a negative impact on viewer experience)
It is best to do a traceroute from multiple locations in your country. This can be done by going to www.traceroute.org
For example, lets say that you are in Iceland and want to stream your content to the U.S. Click on the 'Iceland' link and you will see several ISPs. When you do the traceroutes you will see that several of the ISPs are actually connected to the ICENET network, www.siminn.is. Therefore you would want to connect your encoder to thier network, not the other networks. Also, you would want to purchase a business class DSL connection or E1/T1 buienss line connection.
If you are in Europe and want to send your content to the U.S. please trace route to 69.1.92.1
If you are in Europe and want to send your content to Europe please trace route to 69.1.86.1
If you are in Asia and want to send your content to the U.S. please trace route to 69.1.64.1
Do we need a static IP address for the encoder? Why cant we use dynamic DNS for the encoder?
Yes, you need a static IP address for the encoder. Dynamic DNS will not work.
Why should we pay for expensive internet connectivity for the encoder, rather then get a cheap DSL connection?
The quality of the stream to the viewer is largely dependent on the quality of the stream from the encoder.
Cheap DSL connections result in very poor viewer quality. Business class, dedicated DSL is the minimum requirement
for video streaming. It is strongly preferred to have a dedicated connection such as a T1, DS3, or better.
Why is our signal quality so poor, and how can we improve it?
If you are certain that you have a solid internet connection, that the video card is operating correctly, and that there is not a cpu or memory issue with the encoder, the next thing would be to increase the encoder bit rate.
Many customers are no longer satisfied with 330 kbps encoding rate, you can increase it to 500 kbps or 700 kbps and see if that improves the picture.
Our viewers have different capacity internet connections. How do we deliver multiple bit rate video streams, such as 330 kbps, 600 kbps, and 1 mbps?
You will need to provide multiple encoder streams. This can be done by:
1. utilizing a video card that has three outputs
2. utilizing an encoder specifically designed for this. (Extremely expensive)
3. utilizing three different computers with three different video cards.
You will then send all three encoder streams to TotalStreams video streaming servers. When the viewer clicks on the link to watch the video stream the Windows Media software will automatically downgrade to the appropriate stream.
Note that you must have adequate internet bandwdith for twice the amount of bandwidth that you are sending. For example, if you are encoding at 330 kbps, 600 kbps, and 1 mbps you will need 2 x (330 + 660 + 1,000) = 4 mbps of upload speed. You can NOT do that on most DSL or cable modem connections.
For the computer at the TV station, how many channels can we fit per encoder?
You can do one channel per encoder with a standard computer.
Use Windows XP Pro or better for the encoder.
If we buy and set up the computer at the TV station with an OS and hardware connected to a static IP, can TotalStream configure everything remotely?
Yes, we do that all the time. You will need to install PCanywhere or Remote Desktop on the computer at the TV station.
Is the encoder simple enough that an average IT guy could get it up and running?
Yes
After the encoders at the TV station are configured, do they need continual maintenance?
Not really. Virus updates, roll log files, reboot once per month, that type of thing. Note that they have to have a decent UPS.
What are some of the most common encoder related outages?
Lack of bandwidth, due to a poor connection to the ISP, occasionally due to employees downloading files on the same network.
Employees using the encoder computer as a workstation, to play games, etc.
Network cabling being disconnected.
Network devices such as hubs are disconnected or turned off.
Power outages.
How are the end-users going to select which TV station or network they want to watch over the Internet?
Viewers will go to the TV Station or network that they want to view, and click on the link at that station.
How will the end users know what time to watch the content?
The TV station is responsible for publishing the program viewing and time. Most stations provide this in GMT with cross-references to east coast and west coast time zones.
