Best Streaming Media Format and Capturing Software

[Mekamur]

I have AV equipment, a dedicated capture card/PC, and media server. We'll be uploading hundreds of captured videos instantly after being recorded for people to stream online. I know it's not possible to secure 100%, but we do not want to allow easy downloading of these videos.

1. What's the best streaming media format to use for online streaming? Is it MP4 h.264?
2. What's the best capturing software to capture/encode in this format? Paid is fine if it's worth it.

Format/capture software must provide good video/audio quality and good compression for 1-2+ hour videos. The format must be compatible with all operating systems and streamed in as many devices as possible: laptops, tablets, mobile devices, etc.

[themaster1]

if you want to capture and broadcast at the same time i suggest you try Vlc

The best container imo would be .ts because if somehow data packets are lost it's not a problem for the decoder (client end)

[Mekamur]

Broadcast live? No, we will not at the moment. Although that may be an option in the future. We were going to capture and upload the file to our media server as soon as we are done capturing for clients to stream.

.TS? Never heard of it before. Is it better than h.264?

[Mekamur]

Anyone? I'm still looking for software to encode in MP4 H.264 to be used for online streaming at a later time. We'll be recording classes using professional A/V equipment and capture card for students to watch at a later time.

[usually_quiet]

I don't know anything about streaming server products from personal experience, but here are a couple of well-known commercial products for you to investigate. Unreal Media Server (and/or one or more of Unreal's other products) look like they are designed to do what you describe. Wowza Media Server might also work.

[Mekamur]

I think we're going to go with the Wowza media server based on some research I did. I just hope they're are no issues with downtime/support.

Now we just have to find the best software or hardware encoder to capture the lectures. And ideas?