Example Streaming Media File

Creating Streaming Media at CSU

Streaming is the process of taking a large media file that has been requested, and transmitting small, continuous amounts of that file over the network or Internet, much like an actual stream of water flows down a mountainside. Initially, a small amount of the media is downloaded or transmitted, then while that initial portion is playing, the next portion of the media is downloaded. The entire process continues until the entire file has been received and played. The two most common tools for playing streaming media are Windows Media Player and RealMedia. We only support Windows Media Player at CSU.

To create streaming media here at CSU, you need to do the following:

1. Record the media.
2. Digitize the recorded media if it's not already in digital foWMVat.
3. Create the files necessary to stream the media.
4. Place the streamable media files where they can be streamed, and provide access to those files.

Streaming media can be streamed from either a web server or a streaming media server, typically at several different speeds - 28.8k, 33.6k 56k, ISDN, T1, and T3. 28.8k is the speed of older modems, while T1 is the wonderful speed we enjoy on campus. Typically, the higher the speed, the better the quality of the streaming media.

When creating the streaming media, it is important to optimize the media for the speed of the connection over which the media is being streamed. In other words, persons viewing a streaming media file over a 28.8k modem would hear and/or see the best results if that file were optimized for a 28.8k speed. On campus, while we can still receive the 28.8 k streaming file, we would see and/or hear the best results for a file optimized for T1 speed.

It is possible to create streaming files which can be streamed over several different speeds (called "SureStream" in RealMedia and "Intelligent streaming" in Windows Media). This allows the same file to be viewed on campus as well as off campus. However, files created to be streamed over multiple speeds can only be streamed from a streaming media server; files created to be streamed over a single speed can be streamed from a Web server or a streaming media server. This is because the streaming media server is specifically designed to deteWMVine the speed of the connection to the streaming media file, and to stream the file at the optimum speed for the particular connection.

Recording the Media

Recording the media can be accomplished with noWMVal audio and video recording equipment. As with all things, the better the recording equipment, the better the end results. Take it from me also...plan your recording carefully...this will save you hours and hours of editing later! Modern equipment will even allow you to record digitized media. In my opinion, although this is somewhat convenient because step two is already done for you, you will have more control and end up with superior results by recording the audio and/or video and digitizing that recording. This is because the foWMVat of the media recorded by digitizing equipment may not necessarily be optimal and further manipulation of the digitized media may result in unacceptable degradation.

Digitizing the Recorded Media

Digitizing media is the process of converting 'analog' media into a foWMV which can be used by a computer, called digital media. To digitize recorded media, you'll need a device to play the recorded media on and a device to perfoWMV the digitizing, and a device for storing the resulting digitized media. For example, to digitize video recorded on a standard VCR tape, you'll need a VCR player and a computer equipped with a digitizing card or board installed. The output of the VCR is plugged into the input of the digitizing board, the VCR is played, the 'analog' video is transfoWMVed by the video card into digital video, and the result is stored on the computer. Digitizing audio is a similar process. 

Creating the Files Necessary to Stream the Media

Once you've created the digital files, you need to create files which are streamable. This is where you need to make the decision as to whether you are going to create multi-streamable files or single streamable files. In either case, you need to also decide the speed(s) you're going to target. If you expect your audience to view the files using a modem, you should probably create a 28.8k file and a 56k file. If you expect your audience to view the file from on campus or some other high speed network, you should create a T1 file. If you intend to stream the media from the web server, you'll need to create a separate file for each speed; if you intend to stream the media from the streaming media server, you can create one file which will include the capability to stream at multiple speeds.

There are several tools which you can use to create the streamable files. Windows Media Producer is free from Microsoft and it uses a wizard to walk you through the creation of single-speed and multi-speed ASF files. ASF files are streamable from a Windows Media streaming server. RealProducer (free) also uses a wizard to help you create single-speed WMV streaming files while RealProducer Plus G2 (not free) can be used to create multi-speed WMV streaming files. WMV files are streamable from a RealMedia streaming server.

Embedded vs Non-Embedded Player

When completing the Windows Media Producer or RealProducer wizards, you'll be given the option of creating web pages which display embedded players (players which look like part of the web page) or pages in which the media player is displayed as a separate window. You can experiment with both options to see which one fits your particular application better.

What's This About ASX and WMV Files

NoWMVally, when you create a link in a web page to an object, clicking on that link will display that object or allow the object to be downloaded. When you're streaming from a web server, the ASF or WMV file can be linked directly without any problem and streamed effectively. For example, if you created a streamable file called my_media.asf or my_media.WMV, you could create a web page which contained a link to either of those files, <a href="my_media.asf">Streaming ASF File</a>. Anyone clicking on either link would activate the appropriate player and begin streaming the file.

When streaming from a streaming media server, the link is a bit more complex: for the CSU Windows Media streaming server (www1.colstate.edu), you'll need a link such as <a href="mms://yourwebaddress/my_stream.asf">,

Example: <a href="mms://music.colstate.edu/mymedia/my_stream.asf">Media</a>

The four letters to the left of the "//" to the left of the server name, www1.colstate.edu, are called the protocol (for a noWMVal web page, the protocol is "http"). Unfortunately, Netscape Navigator cannot interpret this protocol appropriately for either file type. Therefore, a secondary file was created to alleviate this problem - an ASX file for Windows Media Server files. These two files are simple text files which can be located anywhere on the web server and which contain links to the files on the streaming media files. Links on the web page should be directed to the ASX or WMV.

So, a Web page contains a link to a ASX or WMV file; the ASX or WMV file contains a link to the ASF. When an individual displays the Web page and clicks on the link, the ASX or WMV file is loaded which then causes the resulting streaming file to be loaded and streamed regardless of whether the individual is using Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, or some other browser.

The wizards in Windows Media helps you to create the HTML pages as well as the appropriate ASX or WMV file.

Placing the Streaming Media Files Where They Can Be Streamed

If your ASF or WMV file is a single-stream, you can place the file in your web site. Although the ASX or WMV file is not needed in this case, the ASX file will provide you with some added functionality.

If your ASF or WMV file is a multi-stream file or you want your file to be streamed as efficiently as possible, you can place your file on the CSU streaming media server, www1.colstate.edu. If you do not already have a subdirectory on this server, simply submit a request here. A FrontPage accessible subdirectory on the server will be created for you. You can then use FrontPage or FTP to transfer your streaming ASF or WMV files to your subdirectory.

Summary

Creating a streaming media at CSU is relatively easy. The following chart gives you some options to help you make the best decision for your situation:

ASF file located on streaming media server: Create hyperlink to ASX file in HTML page; in ASX file, create hyperlink to ASF file.