| Author |
Message |
Moosprout
Guest
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 Posted:
Tue Dec 28, 2004 2:53 am Post subject:
Windows Media Encoder |
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Hi all,
I am not computer technical, so please bear with me.
I am wanting to stream a live webcam over the Internet. After looking
around, I noticed Windows Media Encoder. I was under the impression that
this would allow me to broadcast conetent that people can connect to via
Windows Media Player?
Is this right or wrong?
I cannot seem to stream anything. So, I am wondering if anyone can help me?
Thank you. :-)
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Neil Smith [MVP Digital M
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Dec 28, 2004 5:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 13:53:03 -0800, Moosprout
<Moosprout@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| Quote: | I am wanting to stream a live webcam over the Internet. After looking
around, I noticed Windows Media Encoder. I was under the impression that
this would allow me to broadcast conetent that people can connect to via
Windows Media Player?
|
Yes, it can do that. By default Encoder has a limit of 5 users
connected, you can increase that if desired (it's a little complex)
That would depend on how much *outgoing* bandwidth (measuerd in kbps ,
kilo bits per second) you have. Most ADSL lines have a lower outgoing
than incoming bandwidth available. So you might have a 512kbps
connection, but only be able to send 128kbps.
Each connected user adds to the bandwidth consumed. So if you
broadcast a stream of video at 40kbps, then with 5 users connected
your broadband would need to be able to send 200kbps. Check with your
service provider how much data you can send per second.
| Quote: | I cannot seem to stream anything. So, I am wondering if anyone can help me?
|
Not without you providing details of what you tried and what's not
happening ;-))
Cheers - Neil |
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Moosprout
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Dec 28, 2004 7:11 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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Dear Neil,
Thank you for your reply.
Thanks for that.
Right, when I stream, I 'Push from the encoder', as I am not sure on the
other option.
I start encoding and when people connect, they get either of the following
messages;
"Windows Media Player cannot connect to the server. The server name may be
incorrect or the server is busy. Try again later."
or
"Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the server is not
responding. If you entered a URL or path to play the file, verify that it is
correct. If you clicked a link to play the file, the link may not be valid."
I was under the impression that I had done everything right, but obviously
not. Have you any suggestions and is there a way we could chat via an
instant messenger? Such as MSN Messenger?
Thanks again,
Moosprout.
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Neil Smith [MVP Digital M
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:15 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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On Tue, 28 Dec 2004 06:11:02 -0800, Moosprout
<Moosprout@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Right, when I stream, I 'Push from the encoder', as I am not sure on the
other option.
|
OK, well you need "Pull from encoder" instead. Push sends stuff to a
media server (which you haven't got) where pull means people can make
a request of the encoder rather like connecting to a web server.
| Quote: | "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the server is not
responding. If you entered a URL or path to play the file, verify that it is
correct. If you clicked a link to play the file, the link may not be valid."
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Sure, it's just because it's not broadcasting and listening for
connections, so there's nothing for people to connect to.
Make sure too that you have the IP address set correctly when you tell
people where to connect to - it has to be a valid internet IP address,
and not a local IP address on your network (usually in the
192.168.x.x, 172.16-31.x.x or 10.x.x.x range of IP addresses)
| Quote: | is there a way we could chat via an instant messenger?
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Sorry, too busy - and nobody would get to benefit from any discussion
if we did it out of band ;-)
Cheers - Neil |
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Moosprout
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:33 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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Dear Neil,
Thank you for your reply.
I have finally got it sorted, or it looks to be.
How would I be able to increase the number of people viewing from 5 to
however many?
Also, is there a script or something that I could use in a website. So, it
would enable people to view the stream through the website?
Thanks again. :-) |
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Neil Smith [MVP Digital M
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Dec 29, 2004 11:09 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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On Tue, 28 Dec 2004 09:33:01 -0800, Moosprout
<Moosprout@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Also, is there a script or something that I could use in a website. So, it
would enable people to view the stream through the website?
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Well it's funny you should say this. What you're describing is
actually a 'channel aggregator'. Well, that's what I've been fooling
about with for a bit. I've some more development work to do yet before
I put anything live though (and I've to check it works OK with XPSP2).
Basically it will offer a add-in for the encoder (a simplified
interface), together with an IP locator on the website. People can
then visit a central location where they're offered a variety of live
streams, the IP locator handles the lookup and verification of
broadcasts, and the users get to pick from a range of streams (audio,
video, powerpoint etc)
If it sounds good, perhaps take a look at www.directstreaming.com in a
month or two and I should have something there. You should be able to
email me thrugh the site when it's up. Whether anybody will be
broadcasting is anybodys guess, but it sounds like the sort of thing
you'd be looking for.
Cheers - Neil |
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Moosprout
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Dec 29, 2004 11:49 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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Hi Neil,
Ooh, sounds interesting. I will check out the site when it is fully up and
running.
What I meant is view the stream through the website. For example, if you
visit www.price-drop.tv and click on 'Watch Now', or something like that, a
window pops up with the video playing inside it. It does not play in the main
Windows Media Player.
I have noticed you can have device and file source, but when I click it,
device or file only shows, and not both. How can I have them both? By the
way, does this allow me to play both at the same time? Is there a
picture-in-picture mode?
Thanks again and I look forward to seeing the end product.
Regards. |
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Neil Smith [MVP Digital M
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Dec 29, 2004 11:58 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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On Wed, 29 Dec 2004 10:49:06 -0800, Moosprout
<Moosprout@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| Quote: | What I meant is view the stream through the website. For example, if you
visit www.price-drop.tv and click on 'Watch Now', or something like that, a
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Yes, that's what it will do. The page will use the IP address and port
number stored in the database, and create the page based on that.
| Quote: | I have noticed you can have device and file source, but when I click it,
device or file only shows, and not both. How can I have them both?
|
You can source lets say video from a video-only file, and *also* live
audio from a sound source. Or you can source audio and video from
devices, and *also* script commands (eg subtitles or page-open
commands) from a script file.
Is that what you meant ?
| Quote: | By the way, does this allow me to play both at the same time?
Is there a picture-in-picture mode?
|
No. You'd have to run 2 instances of the encoder and do some serious
jiggery-pokery with CSS positioning to do that.
| Quote: | Thanks again and I look forward to seeing the end product.
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Aye, cheers. |
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Moosprout
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Dec 30, 2004 3:47 am Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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Hi Neil,
Aah, great. I cannot wait for it to be complete then.
Aah, shame about picture in picture, but never mind.
Is there a way in which I could stream something coming from another IP
address. Such as, http://something.something.com:8001 is broadcasting but I
also want to broadcast it. Is there a way I could type this into the source
to broadcast this? If not, any codes/scrips that will allow this?
Thanks again.
Regards. |
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Neil Smith [MVP Digital M
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:33 am Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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On Wed, 29 Dec 2004 14:47:09 -0800, Moosprout
<Moosprout@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Hi Neil,
Aah, great. I cannot wait for it to be complete then.
Aah, shame about picture in picture, but never mind.
Is there a way in which I could stream something coming from another IP
address. Such as, http://something.something.com:8001 is broadcasting but I
also want to broadcast it. Is there a way I could type this into the source
to broadcast this? If not, any codes/scrips that will allow this?
|
Not really. You'd need to run windows media server. Then you could
rebroadcast a stream coming from an encoder on another machine
(woudn't matter really where it came from), or from another media
server if the server permitted you to forward its broadcast. AFAIk
there's no way to tell the encoder to rebroadcast from a stream URL.
Cheers - Neil |
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Moosprout
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:49 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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Hi Neil,
Thank you for that.
Hmm, a windows media server? So, what would happen? How does it actually
work and where might I get one from? Are they expensive?
Thanks again, you have been a great help.
Regards. |
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Neil Smith [MVP Digital M
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:39 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 03:49:01 -0800, Moosprout
<Moosprout@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Hmm, a windows media server? So, what would happen?
How does it actually work and where might I get one from?
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You could install your own at great expense. You'd need a dedicated
machine and windows server 2003 (not web edition). Or you could find
an ISP who can provide the service for you. I'd go with plan B there
;-)
You can set up a publishing point which drags over live content from
your encoder at home/work, as well as static (saved files), create
playlists on the fly and all sorts of stuff. But look at hosting
packages, I don't know where to suggests but it could be pricey per
month.
| Quote: | Are they expensive?
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Yes. |
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Moosprout
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:59 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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Dear Neil,
Ooh right, never mind. Thank you for the reply, though.
Regards. |
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Graphic Anthem
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:30 am Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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| Quote: | Yes, it can do that. By default Encoder has a limit of 5 users
connected, you can increase that if desired (it's a little complex)
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Any suggestions as to where I might find out how to increase the number of
users? What's the max number of users at once if the bandwidth is there?
Any help will be greatly appreciated. |
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Neil Smith [MVP Digital M
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:30 pm Post subject:
Re: Windows Media Encoder |
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On Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:25:55 -0800, "Graphic Anthem"
<GraphicAnthem@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Yes, it can do that. By default Encoder has a limit of 5 users
connected, you can increase that if desired (it's a little complex)
Any suggestions as to where I might find out how to increase the number of
|
It's in the WME help documentation, but it's also a FAQ :
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/knowledgecenter/mediaadvice/0068.mspx#EABAC
| Quote: | users? What's the max number of users at once if the bandwidth is there?
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5 is the default. It's up to 50 (I've not tried more than that due to
obvious difficulty in testing it ;-)
Cheers - Neil |
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