Home
Introduction
Methodology
Findings and Discussions
Conclusions
How to use the technology
About the Researchers

How to use the technologies

Real Live Video Streaming Tutorial

Overview

Real streaming video technology comprises RealProducer, Real Helix Server Unlimited and Real Player. RealProducer has two versions. The Basic version is free, but does not have advanced professional features. The Plus version is usually needed for serious streaming endeavor. It costs $199.95. Real Helix Server can be used for free for 30 days. After 30 days, a server license key needs to be purchased for continued use. Both RealProducer and Helix Server can be downloaded at RealNetworks.com [1], and the Real Player can be downloaded at Real.com [2].

If you don't have RealProducer Basics on your streaming computer, please download and install it now. It is Windows-based only.

Before you start streaming via RealProducer, make sure RealProducer is added to the Firewall exception. To do so, on a PC, go Start menu > Control Panel > Windows Firewall > Click the Exceptions tab > Check if RealProducer is in the list. If not, Click Add Program, find it, and add it. Click OK.

Please follow the following steps to achieve an optimized streaming.

Connecting devices

You can use a webcam on your computer to do live streaming. For higher quality streaming, use an external digital video camera. To do so, you need to connect the camera via a Firewire or USB cable. Turn on the camera and switch it to the Camera mode.
Launch RealProducer on a PC. Check Devices in the Input pane on the left. Choose the connected camera for both Audio and Video.

Setting up Streaming

Click the Audiences button in the Output pane on the right. If you are streaming something other than an event that is talking-driven, such as a lecture, choose Voice for Audio mode, otherwise, choose Music. For Video mode, just pick Normal Motion Video. Check Resize video to and assign an appropriate dimension, such as 320-240px. In the Audience Selection, deselect the default 256 DSL or Cable. Instead, send the following three bit rates to the right: 128k Dual ISDN, 384k DSL or Cable, and 768k DSL or Cable. Click the Close cross in the upper right corner. Remember, only CBR (constant bit rate) items can be chosen for streaming.
Click the Video Filters button and make sure Deinterlace is checked. Click the Close cross in the upper right corner.
If you wish to record the live streaming, click the Add File Destination icon, find a folder and create a file name. Click Save. Otherwise, skip this step.
Click the Server Destination icon. This is a crucial step. By the time you reach this point, your server admin should have set up an account on the Helix Server for you so you know all the information necessary to fill out this panel. Please follow the instruction to fill out this panel. Destination name: type anything meaningful, such as the name of the streaming server> Stream name: anything you like, such as live.rm > Broadcast method: use Push, Account-Based Login (Helix Server) > Server address: type the address of your streaming server, like sandbox.informatics.iupui.edu > Leave Path unfilled > Port: Ask your server admin; usually, it is 8080. > Transport: Choose either UDP or TCP. The default UDP is just fine. > Key in the username and password provided by your server admin. If you are going to use this setting often, click the Templates button on top and save it as a template. Click OK.
Click Encoding. If your streaming is successful, "Broadcasting" will be shown under Status. Otherwise, you need to ask your server admin to reconfigure the server setting, especially check the firewall setting.

Connecting Devices

You can use a webcam on your broadcasting PC to do live streaming. For higher quality streaming, use an external digital video camera. To do so, you need to connect the camera via a Firewire or USB cable. Turn on the camera and switch it to the Camera mode.
Launch Windows Media Encoder on the broadcasting PC. Under New Session, select Broadcast a live event. Click OK. Choose the desired video device and audio device. Windows Media Encoder can utilize the computer's built-in microphone, USB audio devices, or Firewire audio, such as the microphone built into your camera. Click Next.

Setting up Streaming

Choose Pull from the encoder. Click Next.
Under Broadcast Connection, you don't need to change anything. Click Next.
Under Encoding Options, pick two to three bit rates. Let's pick 340Kbps and 548Kbps. Click Next.
If you wish to save a copy of the live streaming, check Archive a copy of the broadcast to file, browse to create a new file name under a folder of your choice. Otherwise, click Next to skip this step.
Go through the rest of the optional meta data entries. If you don't wish to enter any, click Finish.
Click the Start Encoding green button on top to start streaming. You should be able to see the video image both in the Input and Output windows.

Viewing Stream

To view a Real streaming video, the user must have a Real Player already installed on the computer.

Launch the Real Player. Go File > Open (or Open Location).
Key in the IP address of the Helix server and the rest of the items in the URL. It looks something like this: http://sandbox.informatics.ipui.edu:8080/ramgen/broadcast/live.rm.