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New technologies are allowing the delivery of on-demand streaming media. No longer do computer users need to simply read a plain text web page. Now, they can watch an attention-grabbing video presentation or listen to an interesting audio file. Streaming media has made audio/visual communication to a large audience easier and more accessible than ever. | ||
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Differences between Streaming, Progressive Download, and Download
The importance of bandwidth to your work
A standard web server and a streaming media server are two kinds of servers where a media file can be located.
On a standard web server, the entire file downloads to the user's computer. If you must wait for the file to download completely before it can be viewed, the file is simply called a "download". If the file can be viewed while being downloaded, it's called a "progressive download." The quality of the files are independent of the network connection speed.
Streaming media, on the other hand, are packets of information continuously downloaded from the server to the user's computer. The information is then viewed in real-time, but not saved to the hard drive. A streaming media server is needed for this kind of file. The quality of the files are dependent on the network connection speed. If the bit rate of the connection is lower than the bit rate of the streaming file, the file stutters during playback.
When choosing between downloads, progressive downloads, or streaming media, think about your users' bandwidth connection speed. Bandwidth can be compared to a drinking straw. If using a small-diameter straw (connection), only so much liquid (data) can run through it in a set amount of time. If you have a larger-diameter straw, more liquid can flow through it in the same amount of time.
Preparing media for distribution over the Internet involves three steps.
Capturing
Capturing is when a file is created on your computer’s hard drive from an external audio/video device such as a VCR, video camera, or CD/tape player. The source can have either an analog or digital output signal. The computer must have the same inputs as the source outputs to capture the media. Audio/video capture cards can range from $20 up to the $10,000 range. For sharing compressed files over the web, a high-quality broadcast card is not needed. Most of the detailed information is lost when the file is compressed during encoding.
Encoding
Encoding is when an existing file on the computer’s hard drive is converted to a different file format. The quality of the encoded file varies with the file format and amount of compression used. Software such as Windows Media Encoder allows the user to capture and encode media simultaneously. This can save time, but the encoded compressed file cannot be used for much other than streaming. It’s also hard to export the compressed file into other formats. If the user starts with a high-quality file, you can export it in various file formats with better results.
File Formats
Windows Media, QuickTime, Real, and Flash are several formats to use for encoding streaming media. Some video-editing programs allow exporting in these formats. If you don’t have the correct software, you can purchase and download proprietary applications to produce the streaming file.
Now that the media has been captured and encoded, it needs to be uploaded to a server. Staff in the department of Teaching and Learning Technologies can help you upload and host your streaming media.
Contact Shawn Sariti for assistance.
775-682-6794
