How to create and stream video content
The following article includes details on creating and streaming video content on the internet.
There are two options available to those who wish to create streaming video files. These are:
Use a conversion utility program
This takes an existing digital video file and converts it into the streaming format of choice. A conversion utility is a program, which imports a video clip and exports it to a different format.
In simple terms, this involves opening a file and selecting which format you wish to convert it into. Within the program will be various options for you to optimise the quality and production of the video. Some notable examples of these utilities are RealNetworks Real Producer and Sorenson Squeeze.
Export streaming files from video editing software
The second option involves exporting files from a video editing package such as Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. Most packages of this nature have an option to export video for the internet and this is obviously the easiest way to create streaming videos.
What next?
Once you have created your streaming video, the next step is to upload it to your website. The options you have are either http streaming or embedding.
Http streaming
This is the simplest and cheapest way of streaming a video from a website. This method does not require any special type of website or expensive server hosting. Despite the ease of this means of streaming, it is not without its limitations. For example, it is only suitable for websites with modest levels of traffic. For content which will attract viewers of over a dozen people at one time, a more serious, hosted video streaming solution should be considered as it will place a heavy strain on your existing site’s hosting solution.
HTTP streaming only works with pre-recorded video, those looking for a real-time solution will have to look to ‘true’ video streaming.
True Streaming
True streaming allows organisations to:
- Stream live video
- Broadcast to large audiences simultaneously
- Automatically detect connection speeds to direct users to the most appropriate video
For this option, you will have to use a streaming video server, a specialised application which runs in an internet server. This is known as ‘true’ streaming as it is the most effective and efficient way of streaming video content to a large audience. It is also however, the most expensive and complex means of streaming video and is only usually considered by large organisations.
For those wishing to take this route, there are 2 options; operating an in-house streaming server, or outsourcing to a third party provider. Again, this will depend on the budget and the requirements of the organisation in question.
Streaming Tank provide a range of bespoke webcasting and media streaming solutions for a broad range of clients. To find out more about the range of services they offer, visit: http://www.streamingtank.com
