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Live Stream Test this afternoon?
Hi all,
I know that this post is a bit off topic, but I was hoping for a small favor from this terrific community. This afternoon (Tuesday, 7/9/13) from 4:45pm – 5:00pm EST I will be originating a stream test for an upcoming webcast event that we are producing for a client. Usually, I would use a service like LiveStream. However, this client wants something very specific: A link that launches Windows Media Player and streams the video (not embedded on a web page).
So we think we’ve got it set-up and running through a streaming provider, but we want to test with as many different users connected as possible. For those of you that are available, I’d love for you to click through this afternoon and post your experience.
mms://wm.streamingmediahosting.com/omnipro-live-1
This video content will be boring, our production intern reading a book in our studio. But the content is irrelevant. The feedback I’m looking for is related to the stream itself:
- Difficulty in connection
- Freezing or stuttering
- Poor quality video or audio
- Audio/video syncing (i.e the video and audio don’t match)
And any other difficulty you might have.
The video feed will be 500×375 (4:3) at 500kbps @ 30 fps.
Finally, be aware that we’ve got the buffering set for 30 seconds, so don’t be alarmed if it doesn’t stream right away – it’s designed that way. But once it starts, if it stops let me know.
Thanks so much!
SteveProduction is fun – but lets not forget: Nobody ever died on the video table!
http://www.OmniNewMedia.com
http://www.GreenSlateStudios.com -
8 Replies
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I may have a look (you might want to post this in COW Web Streaming forum as well).
I’m curious about your objectives though.Is your client not interested in Mac users or mobile viewers?
The frame dimension might not be the most efficient since most codecs work in blocks of 16 or 8 (4 can be acceptable for frame dimensions as well). Numbers divisible by 2 and certainly odd numbers are the least efficient for many codecs.
496 × 372 might be good (4).
512 × 384 would be ideal (16)
If you want numbers close but may yield better quality. -
Hi Craig,
Yes, this client is VERY SPECIFIC. We asked the same questions. No iPhones? No iPads? I don’t know much about Android devices, but I’m not sure they will play WMV files either.
We initially proposed a full featured webcast branded with their info along with a chat console and the ability to give them an analytics report – all through our LiveStream account. But they said no – actually they said HELL NO. Kind of weird…
That’s why we want to do this test. I fell like I’m flying a little blind and I don’t want any surprises next week when we do the show!
As for frame size, you’re right. Thanks for the tip!
Best,
SteveProduction is fun – but lets not forget: Nobody ever died on the video table!
http://www.OmniNewMedia.com
http://www.GreenSlateStudios.com -
It’s conceivable this is an “inside corporate” stream so they know all computers are running Windows. While I know Flash can be a problem for some, HTTP live streaming doesn’t have the IT issues given it’s HTTP for example. Of course they may have concerns about that relative the browsers being used. That said. a WMV live stream isn’t all that unusual for such “in house” purposes.
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Just started, Steve… looks good, sounds good, good sync, no buffering or lag.
The only tech issue I saw (or rather heard) was that I only had one channel of sound… only coming in on LEFT only.
T2
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Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
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Some horizontal banding during dissolves (and if the talent moves quickly), which lets me know this is interlaced. Maybe there’s a way to output a progressive signal instead, since this is only for viewing on a computer monitor?
T2
__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
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Good catch Todd,
We’re using Microsoft Expression – I didn’t see that option but look more closely after the stream test concludes in a few minutes.
Production is fun – but lets not forget: Nobody ever died on the video table!
http://www.OmniNewMedia.com
http://www.GreenSlateStudios.com -
See 632kbps.
frame size 512×384
VC1 Advanced and WMA 9.2 Audio. 128kbps 48kHz Stereo.
Also confirming audio out of left side only.You may be lower the audio bit rate and change to Mono and maybe even lower sample rate to 32kHz if audio is just going to be talking head. It’ll leave more bits for the video if you want since you’re over your target of 500kbps.
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Awesome Craig and Todd – thanks so much for the detailed feedback! I really appreciate it!
Steve
Production is fun – but lets not forget: Nobody ever died on the video table!
http://www.OmniNewMedia.com
http://www.GreenSlateStudios.com
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