Streaming
audio and video with RealMediaStreaming
audio and video with RealMedia
Although there are many different streaming programs, I recommend using RealMedia.
There are two ways to stream video and audio with RealMedia.
Using RealEncoder
Using RealEncoder is a quick and easy way to stream your files. BUT, the problem is that RealMedia files are large and take up a lot of processing power. So, if there are as few as 5 people accessing your streamed file, they will halt server activity.
1. Download RealEncoder. (Note: There is also a plug-in for Adobe Premiere that permits encoding within that program.)
2. Create you streamed video or audio file by following the wizard.
3. Create your Web page using <a href=name of file.rm">. (Note: .rm is the RealMedia extension for your files.)
3. Put your file on your Web server. (Note: Your server administrator will need to include .rm as one of the recognizable mime type.)
4. Your user will need to have the RealPlayer plug-in to listen & see your file.
Using a RealNetwork server
A RealNetwork server only allows you to create and send streamed video and audio files. RealNetwork servers can handle the large media files and a many users accessing the files simultaneously. The server software is currently only for PC or UNIX formats. You may download a freeware version of Basic RealServer. This free version permits 25 people to simultaneously listen and view RealMedia files. There are other versions of the software that may be purchased (min. ~$500).
1. Download the freeware version of RealServer. This will keep all the files directly on the server.
2. Create you streamed video or audio file by following the wizard.
3. Make a text file that has the name of the server & the name of the streamed file you created. (i.e. pnm://128.174.195.203/streamed_video.ra). Save the text file with a .ram extension.
4. Make an html file that direct the path to the text file that redirects the path to the server.
(i.e.
<html><head><title>Practice</title></head><body>
<h3> Page Title</h3>
<p>Some content of the page<br>
<a href="name of text file.ram">Click here to listen to the
streamed file</a>
NOTE: RealServer must be running on the machine to have these files streamed properly.
Broadcast Streaming
1. Use RealEncoder.
2. When promoted by the wizard, select Live Broadcast.
To broadcast, you need to be on the machine that is running RealServer. You also have the option to archive the live broadcast.
(NOTE: 1.5-2 hours of audio is ~12MB, I've never tested it with video.)
Evangeline S. Pianfetti, PhD
esecaras@uiuc.edu
Date Last Modified: 10/27/98