Autodesk 64006-051108-9001 User Guide - Page 13

Real-Time Streaming, Standard and Streaming Servers, Bandwidth Scalability, streaming protocols

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Streaming Basics 5 Real-Time Streaming Real-Time streaming refers to technologies that keep the bandwidth of the media signal matched to that of the viewer's connection so that the media is always seen in real time. Dedicated streaming media servers and streaming protocols are required to use Real-Time streaming. Real 10, Windows® Media® and QuickTime all offer Real-Time streaming capabilities. Real-Time streaming also supports random access of material, so the user can fast forward to other parts of the movie, which may be useful for presentations and lectures. In theory, realtime streaming movies should never pause once they start playing, but in reality, periodic pauses may occur. Real-Time streaming movies must match the bandwidth of the viewer's connection, which means the image quality is generally poor at modem speeds. Also, information that is lost in the network due to errors is often ignored, so the video quality will suffer if the network is congested or having problems. Real-Time streaming media requires special servers, such as a QuickTime Streaming Server, a RealServer or a Windows Media Server. These servers give you a greater level of control over media delivery but can be more complicated to set up and administer than a standard HTTP server. Also, Real-Time streaming uses special network protocols, such as RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) or MMS (Microsoft® Media Server). Standard and Streaming Servers A standard Web (HTTP) server is designed to send text and graphics as quickly as possible and in the largest data packets as possible. However, this is not the best method for streaming audio and video. Streaming media servers are designed to deliver smaller data packets just before they are rendered and seen. Streaming servers enable a movie to be watched as it is downloading, eliminating the long wait for a complete download. Dedicated streaming media servers and streaming protocols, such as Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) and Microsoft Media Server (MMS), are required to enable real-time streaming. Bandwidth Scalability Bandwidth scalability refers to the ability of the streaming video server to adapt to fluctuating network conditions. Since viewers use many different ways of connecting to the Internet, the streaming server can deliver the source video at several rates for optimum streaming. This enables users with slower 56K modems or fast T1 connections to view the Webcast at a size and

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Streaming Basics
5
Real-Time Streaming
Real-Time streaming refers to technologies that keep the bandwidth of the media signal
matched to that of the viewer’s connection so that the media is always seen in real time.
Dedicated streaming media servers and streaming protocols are required to use Real-Time
streaming. Real 10, Windows® Media® and QuickTime all offer Real-Time streaming
capabilities.
Real-Time streaming also supports random access of material, so the user can fast forward to
other parts of the movie, which may be useful for presentations and lectures. In theory, real-
time streaming movies should never pause once they start playing, but in reality, periodic
pauses may occur.
Real-Time streaming movies must match the bandwidth of the viewer’s connection, which
means the image quality is generally poor at modem speeds. Also, information that is lost in
the network due to errors is often ignored, so the video quality will suffer if the network is
congested or having problems.
Real-Time streaming media requires special servers, such as a QuickTime Streaming Server, a
RealServer or a Windows Media Server. These servers give you a greater level of control over
media delivery but can be more complicated to set up and administer than a standard HTTP
server. Also, Real-Time streaming uses special network protocols, such as RTSP (Real-Time
Streaming Protocol) or MMS (Microsoft® Media Server).
Standard and Streaming Servers
A standard Web (HTTP) server is designed to send text and graphics as quickly as possible and
in the largest data packets as possible. However, this is not the best method for streaming audio
and video.
Streaming media servers are designed to deliver smaller data packets just before they are
rendered and seen. Streaming servers enable a movie to be watched as it is downloading,
eliminating the long wait for a complete download. Dedicated streaming media servers and
streaming protocols, such as Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) and Microsoft Media Server
(MMS), are required to enable real-time streaming.
Bandwidth Scalability
Bandwidth scalability refers to the ability of the streaming video server to adapt to fluctuating
network conditions. Since viewers use many different ways of connecting to the Internet, the
streaming server can deliver the source video at several rates for optimum streaming. This
enables users with slower 56K modems or fast T1 connections to view the Webcast at a size and