Streaming Video Servers

Streaming Video Servers

A streaming multimedia server or "true streaming" server is a specialized application which needs an Internet server to run. True streaming has advantages such as:

• The ability to handle much larger traffic loads.
• The ability to detect users connection speeds and supply appropriate files automatically.
• The ability to broadcast live events.

There are two ways to have access to a streaming server:

1. Operate you own server (by purchasing or leasing).
2. Sign up for a hosted streaming plan with a web hosting provider.

Operate Your Own Server

To run and operate your own streaming server, you can either purchase a standalone server machine or purchase a streaming server software package and install it on an existing web server. I must admit this is way beyond my experience, it is a serious step and far beyond the needs of most websites.

Examples of streaming media software and plans:

• Helix Universal Server from RealNetworks.
• RealNetworks Managed Application Services (MAS).
  Supporting a several formats including, RealMedia, Windows Media, Quicktime and MPEG-4.

• Apple Quicktime Streaming http://www.apple.com/quicktime/extending/resources.html.
  Supporting a several formats including, MPEG-4 and 3GPP.

• Macromedia Communication Server Hosts.
  Specializing in Flash-based video and interactive multimedia.

In much the same way that you sign up for a website hosting plan, you can get yourself a hosting plan which specializes in streaming media. This is a far more realistic option for most people.

• Last warning: True video streaming can be a very expensive undertaking, read your terms of service etc. very carefully. Unless you’re going reap the full benefits of true video streaming you’ll probably be better off with HTTP streaming.

You may also be interested in the following:

Adobe. "A Streaming Media Primer." (10/5/2007)
http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/pdfs/AdobeStr.pdf
Adobe products.