T20:

STREAMING MEDIA 2003–Media for All

Tony Klejna, Daemen College, USA

 

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Identify moderate cost solutions to developing streaming media

  2. Identify required/ recommended hardware components for live and on-demand video

  3. Identify operating system and video editing software requirements

  4. Compare methods and results of several new video/audio editing software packages

  5. Compare/ contrast media types, compression methods, and media quality

  6. Discuss conversion of existing media assets for on-line streaming use

  7. Create basic media content with video and audio (demonstrated in tutorial)

  8. Edit content with widely available software tools (demonstrated in tutorial)

  9. Compare/ contrast media encoding techniques used by Real Networks, Microsoft, and Apple.

  10. Create basic web site with streaming media (demonstrated in tutorial)

  11. Identify dedicated streaming media server hardware and software options.

  12. Identify organizations developing and hosting media content

  13. Bandwidth Analysis - Investigate new high-speed network availability and solutions for low-speed devices.

 

INTENDED AUDIENCE:

Participants should have a desire to learn the basics of creating on-line streaming media from existing content, presentations, and from live sources. Participants should have a basic knowledge of Windows/ Windows 2000/ Windows XP operating systems.  Any photo/video/broadcast experience is very helpful but not required.

 

ABSTRACT:

Finally the pieces are falling into place.  New technologies, more bandwidth, and new tools released in the last year are making access to streaming media production a reality for thousands of people. You no longer need to be a technical guru to produce usable media for your courses or for global communications. Join us as this exciting technology becomes are reality.

 

This tutorial is designed as a broad introduction to the development of streaming multimedia projects, various methods of creating content, and means of presenting to your audience.  While we will discuss a wide range of solutions for broadcasting streaming media the primary focus will be the creation of media projects with readily available, low to medium cost tools.  These tools and methods are widely available for creating on-line content, presentations, audio, video, and live broadcasts. The differences between analog and purely digital video content, capture and compression techniques, video and audio quality, and ease of use will be discussed.  Hardware and software requirements for production of streaming media and using media server technologies and web sites will be discussed with emphasis on new and evolving technologies that make the process more efficient will be covered.  Conversion of existing media content to streaming content will be demonstrated.

 

Video captured during the conference and the tutorial will be used to illustrate basic editing, encoding techniques, and web production techniques. During the tutorial we will build a basic website with streaming video, audio, and presentations.

 

All tutorial content notes, code, and sample media will be made available to tutorial participants via CD-ROM and/or web download.

 

 

TOPICAL OUTLINE

 

** Overview of Streaming Media and Solutions **

How streaming media works

How compression works

What are codecs and why are they so important?

The new ISO MPEG-4 standard – specifications that enable creation, encoding, and delivery of media over multiple networks and devices from handheld computers through televisions. Perhaps the standard that will bring “Balance to the Force” of streaming media.

Content: On-Demand versus Live broadcasting

 

**Creating Media **

Digital Video versus Analog Video - What's best for you now and in the future?

Video camera considerations, new offerings from the top names in video

Capturing multimedia content- audio, video, hardware / software requirements

An overview of capture cards and interfaces – a rash of new options from consumer to professional

Converting Your VHS Tapes

Converting AVI, WAV, and QuickTime files

Converting your existing presentations (Using Microsoft PowerPoint XP and Producer)

Using StreamAuthor and Producer for on-line learning and enhanced presentations.

 

**Editing **

Using Ulead Media Studio Pro – moderate cost media editing suite

Using Adobe Premiere- the traditionally preferred choice for video

Sonic Foundry Vegas Video – a new millennium powerhouse

Sonic Foundry Stream Anywhere - really

Discreet Cleaner 5- the “Swiss Army Knife” of media processing tools

Audio editing

Others Audio and Video options

 

** Strike up the Streaming Bandwidth! **

Bandwidth Considerations- 28.8k, 56k,T1, Wireless, or Intranet?

So, What’s Up with Wireless – new advances in technology and clients enable the potential of streaming from handhelds to desktops – Nokia initiatives, Packet Video, and more.

New international high-speed networks. I2, Geant, Gigaport, and Canarie – MPEG-2 and potential of 10 Gb and up networks for the future. (Demonstration is possible if a 512k+ link to I2 is available.)

 

** Encoding Content **

Producing a live event vs. developing for on-demand – a world of difference

Powerful, new, packages from The Big Two - Real Networks and Microsoft

Using Automation Products to Speed Encoding and Availability of Media – Anystream and more.

An Overview and comparison of Real Networks and Microsoft Windows Media Technologies

 

MICROSOFT SOLUTIONS

Windows Media Player 7/8/9 – expanding into every area of media

Windows Media On-Demand Producer – dated but effective

Windows Media Encoder

WMV, WMA, ASF, ASD, ASX, and XML

Creating streaming files from AVI content

WMA (Windows Media Audio) – higher quality audio at smaller file sizes

Windows Media Player- configuration and use

Microsoft “Corona” and “FastStream” – no buffering immediate streaming, “stream surfing”, bandwidth caching, and DVD quality video with 6-channel audio.

 

REALNETWORKS SOLUTIONS

Real Networks Helix Producer, and Helix Producer Pro –new versions keep it Real

Easy multimedia creation and publishing

Something to SMIL about -Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language

Configuring and using the Real Player

 

WORKING WITH PRESENTATIONS

Using PowerPoint to create streaming presentations

Using Real Presenter to stream presentations

Record your presentations for on-demand viewing.

Adding audio and voice to your presentation.

Developing a live PowerPoint presentation.

Using CyberLink StreamAuthor to create tutorials and on-line training

Creating powerful presentations with Microsoft Producer

 

** Getting Your Content on the Web **

Let's build a web site...

Similarities and differences between Real Media and Microsoft solutions.

On the Client Side- Real Networks Real Player and Windows Media Player

Using the Windows Media Player in both Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Embed the Windows Media Player in a web page (using ActiveX and a plug-ins)

Cross-browser compatibility- JavaScript, applets, and a touch of XML

 

** Serving it up **

Do you need a dedicated media server solution or just a web server?

Microsoft NT/2000 Server with Windows Media Services

Real Networks Helix Servers - Multiple options, which is right for you?

Multicast vs. Unicast – Which is right for you and when might that change?

Need more? High capacity streaming solutions-

Content Delivery Networks and Providers – What and who is a CDN? The major players and typical costs.

 

** How much did we spend? **

Cost comparisons on solutions we discussed.