Vistronic

The purpose of this project is to Video Stream on the web for as cheap as possible.
First off you need a Windows XP or better PC dedicated to this purpose.
Striped and trimmed of all un-necessary software and hardware make it a lean mean fighting machine.
Items required:
Video capture card- VIEWCAST OSPREY-100 (or better model, 210, 230,..) $130.
This is the card that works well and I recomend.
Win xp computer – built from parts $300 (Newegg or Tiger direct) .
LCD Monitor $150  (I went with a KVM switch instead)
UPS power supply CyberPower Home/Office CP685AVR 685VA 390W UPS – Retail $61.99.
Audio video wiring to Webstream computer $50 (Program out from source).
Video Hum eliminator: (if needed, I did at source it works better on that end) Jensen VB-1BB Composite Video Isolator $80.
Audio Hum eliminator: (if needed, I did) Behringer HD400 2-Channel Hum Destroyer $30.

And Finally you need audio and video source material. In my case I connected to program output of the master control room at a television station. You could use any audio or video source even another computer set up as a video server or a satellite receiver , DTV converter box and so on.

The stream leaves your building and travels to a server company so they can serve the Internet. They have the bandwidth for multiple users to watch at the same time.
Webstream Server: Monthly Webstream charge at http://windows.media.serverroom.us/ (or another server)
Service Levels: Windows Media 50:$12.99/Month (I use this and it works and is cheap 10x cheaper then most)

You will also need a DSL or better Internet connection:  I upgraded service upload speed, (done no charge) now 812KB upload speed, we will use 300KB for webstream (vis-a-vis we are using our DSL with higher upload requested). The upload speed is not always the same as the download speed and in this case upload speed is needed.

This project is done and now up and running. Notes to follow.

Setup:
Streaming with the Windows Media Encoder 9 series:
(At serverrrom.us your setup may be a little different if on a WAN or company network )

In order to broadcast you should have the following components and/or software:
A. Windows Media 9 Series Encoder (Download software for local computer its free!)

B. Video encoding card must be software based with windows drivers!
Not mpeg 2 hardware based!. Surprisingly some of the cheaper cards word better in this regard.

C. Access to a Windows media streaming server. (remote server).

D. DSL or above.

STEP 1 – After starting up the Windows Media Encoder and starting a new session, choose “Broadcast a live event”.

STEP 2 – Next, select, the devices you wish to use to broadcast with.

STEP 3 – Select your broadcast method. (Push method).

STEP 4 – Enter your server address and publishing point. . You will also be prompted for a user name and password.

STEP 5 – Select your desired encoding rates.

STEP 6 – Select whether or not you would like to record your broadcast to a file on your local machine. (Optional.)

STEP 7 – Choose if you would like to use additional files along with your broadcast devices.

STEP 8 – Enter your broadcast information. (Title, author, etc.).

STEP 9 – Click “Start Encoder” button.

CONGRATULATIONS! You are now broadcasting !

That is till server locks up and you need to reconnect! (click encoder stop/start button) This happen once every 48 hours at random so read below.

Solution setup a macro to start stop encoder 2 to 4 times a day! Also disconnects users so all bandwidth is not used by someone leaving there computer on all night. But most important keeps stream up.

(it automates the mouse and mouse clicks!)
nMacro Recorder 1.1
Name: nMacro Recorder
Version: 1.1
Price: FREE (only for non-commercial use)
Size: 375 KB
Release date: 23 SEP 2006
Category: Automation Tool

Create macro to stop and start encoding.
After that use windows scheduler to run the macro at the times you choose like midnight and 6:00am. Note you must be logged in for windows scheduler to work. So make sure your automatic windows re-start includes a login.

REBOOT:
In addition set computer to auto reboot one time per week.
You must have auto windows login set up (a reg hack), and auto encoder start see below, and a macro to get encoder full screen again ( a encoder .bat file that starts and stops encoder would eliminate all macros I have not found that .bat file that stops encoding.)

Encoder restart:
http://www.serverroom.us/mediapulltutorial
How To Automate Live Streaming With Windows Media Encoder This article will explain how to have Windows Media Encoder automatically reconnect (always stay encoding), and also explain how to have Windows Media Encoder automatically start encoding at boot up, for example in case of a power outage.

Remote control: Install tightVNC to control computer from outside the building.

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You must have Broadband to watch stream:
The quality of the stream is 273 KPS Video, 320 x 240,  with quality audio, Windows Media Audio 32 kbps, 22 kHz, stereo (A/V) 1-pass CBR.

I decided not to embed player but to spawn Wm player as that is the way I prefer, to click to watch… if you automatically launch at homepage it kills all dial-ups! Let the viewer choose.

the link: mms://169.130.151.126/wtjr

Note the mms://

The Stream is UP and on the air!

Filed under: Computers