?uestions about different streaming formats

[mol3000]

im trying to learn how which format of video is the best to stream at what times. Like i know .wmv is one of the smallest formats but the quality sux. How much bandwith does .swf streaming takes up and how does it matches the other formats like .avi and .mpeg????

[thecoalman]

Like i know .wmv is one of the smallest formats but the quality sux.

I've had nothing but great success with WMV.

500k stream for broadband: http://www.40lbhead.com/headfiles/albums/video/rockfest2005_empire_wandt.wmv

70k stream for dial-up: http://www.40lbhead.com/headfiles/albums/video/rockfest2005_empire_wandt_du.wmv

If you want to amke it accessible to as many people as possible realistically that's your only choice. You can use MPEG1 but that will produce larger files.

The only other alternative would be Divx, the issue there is that many are not going to have the Divx codec installed.

[mol3000]

let me know if im wrong but i also use the swf files because you dont need a streaming server and people cant download it. but if i put a avi, mpeg or wmv files and link people right click and do save as, and also i heard i need a streaming server for those to stream. I also use swf because a lot of host that dont like video on them wont check a swf file so its more universal to me.

[thecoalman]

Any file can be saved some way or another, simply searching the cache on your computer will usually find them. If you have a no-cache htaccess file or the no cache tag that will usually eleiminate that. SWF isn't exactly copletely safe either. If the source files are contained in the SWF file then it can be decompiled. If your using it as a front end for the files the URL's will still be in the SWF. There's other methods that work well too but in the ned they can be found or saved. It's just like a DVD. if someone is determined they can save it.

WMV doesn't require a streaming server, MS media player takes care of that on the client side. It downloads the amount it estimates it needs to play the entire clip without stopping then starts playback when that amount is reached. That's the "buffering" statement you get.

If your host doesn't allow video I'd suggest getting a different host.

[offline]

moving you to video general discussions

[mol3000]

Like i know .wmv is one of the smallest formats but the quality sux.

I've had nothing but great success with WMV.

500k stream for broadband: http://www.40lbhead.com/headfiles/albums/video/rockfest2005_empire_wandt.wmv

70k stream for dial-up: http://www.40lbhead.com/headfiles/albums/video/rockfest2005_empire_wandt_du.wmv

If you want to amke it accessible to as many people as possible realistically that's your only choice. You can use MPEG1 but that will produce larger files.

The only other alternative would be Divx, the issue there is that many are not going to have the Divx codec installed.

i notice when i clicked on your links if dl but didnt bring the windows medial player up right away. How do i put it where they click on the link and it brings the mp up and start buffering for play that way. and for the person not to be able to right click on it and save it

[thecoalman]

Those are direct links to the files. What happens after someone clicks on them really is system dependant. Also the first link is a 500k streeam so if your DL speed isn't up to that it will take quite a while to buffer.

If you embed the media player in a page you can control what is avaialvle for the controls. Even as far as making nothing but the video.