The following equipment / software works for us to stream "live"windows media (.wmv) video files.
(This is not the only way, but it will get you up and running fast.)
1st : Acquire the following equipment
A... 2.8 Ghz or faster computer (3.0 Ghz Pentium 4 : Sony Vaio)
B... High-Speed internet access.(Charter Cable)
C... A Windows Media Streaming Server. (www.churchquest.com)
D... Download the free : (Windows Media Encoder 9)
E... One 3 color-chip camera: (at least) ex: Sony pd100 (1/4") 3CCD ~ $900
ex: Sony pd150 (1/3") 3CCD ~ $1800
ex: (two) JVC GY DV500 (1/2") 3CCD ~ $2100
** We are using each of these. See if you can tell the difference.
** The larger the color chip the better the picture.
** Smaller 1CCD cameras usually give an inferior image. But??
F... Videonics MX-1 Swithcher/Mixer (~ $500) (Videonics MX DV Pro ~ $1000)
**(Only if you use more than 1 camera at once. It's called Live Switching.)
G... 1 (Osprey 210 Video Capture Card ~ $250) with a break-out box or cable)
** If your computer has a IEEE 1394 input, you can go directly from the camera to the computer.
**But the image will be somewhat inferior.
H... DVD Recorder ($150-$200)& a TV Monitor ($60)
I... An FTP software program (WinSock FTP) for uploading files to your website.
**(Only if you wish to archive the video streaming for on-demand viewing.)
**(The live broadcast stream passes through the server. It is not saved or up-loaded.)
J... Now hook it all Up. Turn it on.
note**....the Sony Vaio Simultaneously encodes a WEB STREAMING file AND captures an .AVI file thru Adobe Premier 1.5 for editing.
2nd : Hook it Up.
1. Hook the camera by firewire or S-video/audio cables to the Video Mixer/Switcher.
2. If no mixer; connect the camera to the DVD Recorder
3. Connect the TV Monitor to the Recorder; ...to see what is being recorded.
4. Connect the Recorder to the Computer by Firewire
5. OR Connect to the Osprey Capture Card by S-video/audio cables.
6. Turn on all equipment. Run Windows Encoder 9.
7. Set Encoder 9 Parameters at the Properties tab.
***ChurchQuest.com will give you an ID and Publishing Point Password
Our Windows Media Encoder 9 BroadCast Live Event Parameters are below.
Device Options Page : Configure video : Osprey Card with S-Video
Device Options Page : Configure audio : Osprey Card
Broadcast Method Page : PUSH
Server Address & Publishing Point Page : (Churchquest will give you those)
Encoding Options Page : Multiple Bit Rate : Audio & Video
Endoding Options Page : Bit Rate = 282 Kbps
Archive File Page : Yes, it will save a compressed copy on your hard drive
Display Information Page : Put something there : see demo
Settings Review Page : Look for errors
Our Properties Parameters are listed below ;
SOURCES : audio & video via Osprey Card
OUTPUT : "push"
COMPRESSION : windows media server streaming ~ multiple bit rate CBR (audio & video) ~ 282 kbps
VIDEO SIZE : no cropping ~ 320 X 240
ATTRIBUTE : whatever is appropiate
PROCESSING : video=none ~ pixel = default
PLUG-INS : ? blank
SECURITY : ? bland
ADVANCED : blank / default
8. For practice select Capture a video / audio event.
9. The Camera's picture should be coming through the encoder.