Streaming Advise Please

[stocktonlad]

I manage my schools website and we have a large amount of video content. From performances to history clips etc. I host the site on my own web server.

At present the clips are in WMV format and I embed them in a media player object on the webpage.

I am looking for a solution to play video where the wmv is not dowloaded to the Temporary Internet Folder either through Flash or any other way.

Any advise will be much appreciated.

John

[Eye for Video]

Making the step from progressive downloading (videos stored in Temp Internet Files folder) to true straming is not so much a technical issue as it is a cost issue. Streaming video can easily cost 10 to 20 times the amount you are paying for regular hosting.
But since that's what you are looking for, here is a great host that I highly recommend. They do both Windows (.wmv) and Flash streaming over their CDN:
http://www.upstreamnetworks.com/
Even if you don't use them, check out the help and info available for a better understanding of true video streaming.
Best of luck on your project,
Eye for Video
www.cidigitalmedia.com

[stocktonlad]

Many thanks.

John

[aj_nsc]

Well, if it's just downloading of the videos that you are worried about, I found a good method through using pseudo-streaming or HTTP-streaming where the file is progressively downloaded and not cached by the browser. It uses Longtail video and a server side script.

HTT Video Streaming (http://www.longtailvideo.com/support/tutorials/HTTP-Video-Streaming)

It takes a little bit of know how to get it up and running, but it's a cheap alternative to true streaming, especially if you're only issue is to prevent caching of the video files.

[stocktonlad]

Thanks for that. Delivery like You Tube would be great. Will check out that site.

Many thanks

John

[Eye for Video]

YouTube uses progressive downloading and the file is stored in your cache. To test, go to YouTube and find a video you want but before playing it, open your Temp Internet Files folder and delete everything. Then click "play" on the video. After playing, check your cache. The big .flv file with the convoluted file name is the video you just watched. Copy and paste that video file into a folder with a Flash player in it, rename the file so your player can find it.... play away.... nothing to it.
So if your goal is to protect your video files..... don't do it like YouTube.
I agree that HTTP streaming is a good alternative.
EfV

[stocktonlad]

I tried the You Tube test a couple of weeks ago when I first started on this. I thought it streamed and didnt cache, I was surprised. High You Tube users will soon build up large caches if they dont clean up regularly.