Streaming Audio and Video

Why use streaming audio and video?
The term streaming refers to the technology of broadcasting audio and video files over a network. Because of the often very large size of audio and video files even after compression, streaming technology allows end users to begin experiencing the audio or video files while the files are still downloading. In this way, very large files can be served over a network. Because the webserver is dedicated to the streaming of media, the streams can be adjusted to suit the connection speed of the end user, resulting in a playback with fewer pauses and glitches. If the audio or video file that you are working on lasts for five or more minutes, then it is best to stream it. For files that are less than five minutes, it is best to imbed the file in your webpage.

How to create a streaming audio or video file:
Although there are many formats for the streaming of audio and video, the Bryn Mawr server can only handle QuickTime streaming files. If the computer you are using does not have a QuickTime application, it is also possible to use Cleaner 6 to create a QuickTime file, or you can download a free version of QuickTime. However, the end user is not required to have QuickTime in order to access the file; they are able to use any other media software available to them.

Steps for creating a QuickTime streaming audio or video file, using QuickTIme Pro:
1. Open the QuickTime Player application.
2. Under the File menu, select Open URL in New Player...
3. Enter the complete URL of your media file. Remember to include http:// and the .mov extension at the end of the file. Click OK .
4. Make sure that the playhead is at the beginning of the file. The file may have started to play, simply press the pause button and drag the playhead to the beginning of the file (time should be set to 00:00:00).
5. Under the File menu, select Save As...
6. Save the file in a place where you will later be able to find it. You may rename the file if you like. The resulting file is called a reference file. It is a small file that serves as a pointer to the auctual media file. This reference file may be uploaded to a webserver and linked to just like any other type of file. Linking to this type of file, however, will cause the QuickTime player to open on the users' computer and for the streaming of the media file to begin.

Links
If you would like to learn more about the techniques involved with streaming media, please visit one of the following sites:
Webmonkey - Streaming Video for the Masses
Streaming Media World

Streaming Media Players
The following players are capable of playing both audio and video files including the recently popular MPEG-4 standard.
RealPlayer / RealOne
Quicktime player
Windows Media Player