Streaming Server setups

[pensacola]

I currently stream from the TC to an internal media server inside our network. Because of the bandwidth available inside the network, I broadcast at 640 X480 to get a better picture. (some of the internal clients are large screen TVs)
I have been tasked to also stream this feed to the INTERNET so the public can also see it. I setup another streaming server behind a firewall so it is viewable to the public but I had to shrink the size of the stream to 320x240 to make it viewable for the public. (but now the INTERNAL stream is also small)
I looked into distribution servers but I can't figure out how to shrink the 640x480 stream to a 320x240 stream for the external customers.

For example
Tricaster streams to SERVER1 (internal network) and the stream is 640x480.
Server1 streams to SERVER2 (via a remote publishing point) and I would like the public to get the stream at 320x240

In case you haven't figured it out, I not all that savy on server setup so......:bangwall:
Is this possible?
Is the stream from server 1 to server 2 supposed to be 640x480 and then server2 shrinks it to 320x240 or is the stream from server1 to server2 supposed to be a 320x240 stream? (i.e. server1 shrinks it to 320x240 and shoots it to server2 at that resolution to be broadcast to the public)

Am I making any sense? Should I just go have a beer and tell the boss it can't be done? Should I just get a job where I can cook fries? :help:

[rally1]

Flash or Windows Media?

Alternative: You could setup a second encoder (PC with a capture card) and take the output from the TC to it and have it send the second lower res. stream out to your server.

[pensacola]

Windows media

The alternative method is probably do able, but just not the most eliquent solution.

[rally1]

It's been a while since I used WMS so I don't recall if you can do that resizing on the fly.
But I seem to remember using multibitrate streams out of Windows Media Encoder. I am guessing your 640x480 stream is a higher bitrate than the 320x240.

Setting up an MBR stream
If you plan to deliver your content as a unicast stream from a server running Microsoft Windows Media Services, encoding multiple-bit-rate (MBR) stream provides users with better quality content during times of network congestion. When you set up an MBR stream, your content is encoded at each bit rate that you specify. When a player receives an MBR stream, only the stream that is the most appropriate for current network conditions plays. The Windows Media server and player handle the process of selecting the appropriate stream, which is invisible to the user. Because an MBR stream is intended for use only in a streaming scenario, you can only use CBR encoding when encoding an MBR stream.

You can encode an MBR stream for both audio and video content; however, it is not necessary to use MBR encoding for both audio and video in a stream. For example, you can stream audio at one bit rate and have multiple bit rates for the video portion of the stream.

When setting up an MBR stream, keep in mind that the more bit rates you select, the larger the aggregate bandwidth for live stream distribution from the encoder to a Windows Media server is required. To estimate the aggregate bandwidth of an MBR profile, calculate the sum of each audio and video bit rate, and the script bit rate. Also keep in mind that encoding an MBR stream uses more processing power for the encoding computer.

[bob anderson]

Actually, I'd think the 2nd, smaller stream would HAVE to look better if it were captured Full size and scaled on a separate computer as opposed to re-sizing the already scaled 640X480 image.

Bob Anderson

[David Curle]

Tried using VLC on the second server ? - it streams at pretty much anything.

[wftiv]

Vlc?

[joseburgos]

Rally1 is right, you need to select more than one but you will not see this choice in the WME preset list.
So first thing to do is open properties tab and compression. This should display the 320x240 streams and if it does not, change the preset to display them (Multiple Bit Rate has many choices for 320x240). Now select only one or many of the stream Bit Rate you want by checking them off. Now click on the Edit.. button to display the values of these Bit Rate presets. On the top are tabs, one for each one you checked off. One at a time, jot down the values of the settings or do a screen capture/print.
Hit cancel and now change the preset to the 640x480 bit rate presets you have been using for in house. Again check off the one you want or multiple if you want, then click the Edit.. button. In the target bit rate area, click on the Add.. button. Type in the bit rate of one of the 320x240 settings (whole number not rounded). Now change the values to match the 320x240 setting you jotted down. When you are done adding them all, click OK. If you get an error it most likely is the audio setting was not correct.
Once you have the settings that stream the best for you, go back and click on Edit...
Now click on Export and name the setting something like 320and640 and click OK.
Latter when you want to load these saved settings, just click on Edit.., Import and load your saved setting.

Take care,

[joseburgos]

This is for WME and I think you can save a WME stream setting to use in TC but not sure how to do it.
Maybe someone from NewTek can assist with that portion.

[PIZAZZ]

This is for WME and I think you can save a WME stream setting to use in TC but not sure how to do.
Maybe someone from NewTek can assist with that portion.

You need to use the full Windows Media Encoder to create/edit the PRX file that the TriCaster sees.

Off the top of my head I can't remember the exact path to the TriCaster's prx files but a quick search will find them. Search for *.prx

Edit the .prx file with the tools included with Windows Media Encoder.
Save to appropriate folder in TriCaster.
Restart TriCaster and there is your custom profile.

[joseburgos]

My instructions will create the .prx file so all one needs to do is copy it into the proper TriCaster folder.
I tested it in VT and it works fine but cannot test TC at this moment.

Take care,