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Clicking ahead in video: Does it all still have to buffer?
If a viewer needs to jump ahead in video… Example: An flv. video starts, viewer jumps/drags to middle of video. Question: can the video just start buffering at that middle point? Or does all previous video still need to buffer?
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4 Replies
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It depends on how it’s being served:
AFAIK
HTTP streaming will require that the whole video is downloaded
RTSP/RTMP streaming can play from the point the viewer decides without buffering the prior data.__________________________________________________________________
“There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance.”
Steve Ballmer To USA Today: 30 April 2007 -
There is also some coding that can be done using server side scripting (e.g. PHP, ASP, etc.), coupled with using specific types of HTTP servers that can allow HTTP streaming to emulate RTSP/RTMP streaming.
It’s not instantaneous when you seek, but it will only buffer what’s needed to being playing from the position you place the playhead. Meaning it does not have to download everything up to the point you place the playhead. So it’s a good compromise.
You need a Flash Player that supports this as well. Here’s some info about it:
https://www.longtailvideo.com/support/tutorials/HTTP-Video-Streaming
Chris Blair
Magnetic Image, Inc.
Evansville, IN
http://www.videomi.com -
Nice one, thanks for that Chris.
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“There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance.”
Steve Ballmer To USA Today: 30 April 2007 -
You’re welcome. But I’ll warn you that setting it up and coding it isn’t for the meek or a novice.
Using this method is however well worth it if your videos are long-format and if video is a big part of your website…especially if you can’t affort true streaming.
Chris Blair
Magnetic Image, Inc.
Evansville, IN
http://www.videomi.com
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