Description

In "Hands-On Guide to Webcasting," industry experts address the fastest-growing application for streaming media - broadcasting live audio and video on the Internet. Used in all industry verticals from corporate to entertainment, this book provides an end-to-end technical overview of the webcasting process. Providing you with step-by-step instructions from audio/video production, encoding and authoring to delivery and business issues, this guide provides both the depth and breadth necessary for mastery of the subject.

Table Of Contents

About the Authors
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Introduction to Webcasting
Successful Webcast Ingredients
How to Use this Book
A Quick Word about Platforms
Support: We’re Here to Help

Chapter 1 – QuickStart
Getting Ready for a Webcast
Business considerations
Planning for your webcast
Equipment You’ll Need
Computer Hardware You’ll Need
Software You’ll Need
Encoding Planning
Authoring Planning
Distribution Planning
Crew Planning
Your First Webcast
Connect Your Sources
Set up your encoding software
Test the webcast

Chapter 2 – Basic Webcasting Concepts
Streaming Media: What It Is and How It Works
The Importance of Bandwidth
Webcasting System Components
Encoders, Servers, and Players
Protocols, File Formats, and Codecs
The Webcasting Process
Planning
Production
Encoding
Authoring
Distribution
Webcasting Tools
Production Tools
Encoding Tools
Authoring Tools
Distribution Tools
Platform Considerations

Chapter 3 – Digital Audio and Video Basics
Digital Audio and Video
Digital Audio
Sampling Rates
Bit Depth
Digital Video
Digital Video Encoding Schemes
Digitizing Audio and Video
Soundcards and Capture Cards
External Appliances
FireWire (IEEE 1394)
Codecs
Codec Side Effects
The Limitations of Streaming Media

Chapter 4 – Business considerations
Business Considerations
Does it Really Have to Be Live?
Cost Considerations
Production Costs
Bandwidth Costs
Bandwidth Measurement Basics
Real-World Bandwidth and Throughput Calculations Example
Return on Investment
Legal considerations
Get the Right Clearances
Location and Union Permissions
Streaming and Digital Media Patents

Chapter 5 – Choosing the Right Partners
Do it Yourself vs. Outsourcing
Production Partners
Expertise
Pricing
Professionalism
Distribution Partners
Physical Distribution
Pricing and Providers
Marketing Partners
Contracts

Chapter 6 – Webcast Production Planning
Location Concerns
Signal Acquisition
Dedicated vs. Shared Connectivity
The Importance of Connectivity Testing
Equipment
The Crew
Communication
Presentation
The Pre- and Post-Show
Use Talent
Technical Difficulties

Chapter 7 – Webcast Audio Production
Audio Engineering Basics
Level
Setting Up a Gain Structure
Audio Equipment
Microphones
Mixing Desk
Signal Processing Equipment
Monitoring
Additional Audio Tools
Webcast Audio Engineering Techniques
Get Rid of Ground Hum
Ambient Microphones
Compression
EQ

Chapter 8 – Webcast Video Production
Video Engineering Basics
Lighting
3-Point Lighting
White Balancing
Warm Cards
Video Equipment
Camera and Tripod
Lights and Lighting Accessories
Video Switching and Distribution
Monitoring
Additional Video Equipment
Webcast Video Techniques
Keep Motion to a Minimum
Video Signal Processing

Chapter 9 – Webcast Encoding
Encoding Basics
Consider Your Audience
Consider Your Programming
Encoding Equipment
Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Special Encoding Equipment
Multiple Stream/Format Solutions
Presentation Solutions
Production/Encoding Hybrids
Setting Up for Redundancy
Webcast Encoding Techniques
Bit Rate Considerations
Audio Considerations
Video Considerations
Resolution
Frame Rate
Frame Quality
Using Advanced Encoding Filters
Cropping and Resizing
Legacy Considerations
Multiple Bit Rate (MBR) Files
Push vs. Pull
Encoding Settings Examples
Windows Media Encoder
Selecting Sources
Choose Your Encoding Settings
Adjust the Video Size
Fill in the Stream Information
Video Processing
Advanced Functionalities
Apply Your Changes, Save the Session
Start Encoding
Test Your Stream
RealProducer
Selecting Sources
Setting up Your Outputs
Setting up Audiences
Video Processing
Fill in Clip Information
Save the Job File
Start Encoding
Test Your Stream
Redundant Encoding Techniques

Chapter 10 – Webcast Authoring
Authoring Considerations
HTML considerations
Embedded vs. Standalone Players
Standalone Players
Metafile Examples
Windows Media
RealMedia
QuickTime
Redundancy in Metafiles
Embedded Players
The Microsoft ActiveX Control
The Netscape Plug-in Model
Building Cross-Platform Web Pages with Embedded Players
Embedding the Windows Media Player
Embedding the RealPlayer

Chapter 11 – Webcast Distribution
Distribution Basics
Size Matters
Equipment
Platforms
Distribution Techniques
Live Server Redundancy
Deployment Considerations
Unicast vs. Multicast
Live Stream Latency
Firewalls
Webcasting “Canned” Performances
Server Setup Examples
RealNetworks Helix Server
Windows Media Services
Log Files

Chapter 12 – Case Studies
X-Prize Competition
Implementation
Results
ACLU Members Conference
Implementation
Results
Sweet Adelines Convention
Implementation
Results

Appendix A – Streaming And Digital Media Statistics
Resources
Glossary
Index