Table of Contents

 

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Introduction

Successful Webcast Ingredients

How to Use This Book

A Quick Word about Platforms

Support: We’re Here to Help

Chapter 1: Quick Start

 

Getting Ready for a Webcast

Business Considerations

Planning for your Webcast

Your First Webcast

Connect Your Sources

Set Up the 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

Digital Video

Digitizing Audio and Video

Sound Cards and Capture Cards

External Appliances

FireWire (IEEE 1394)

Codecs

Codec Side Effects

The Limitations of Streaming Media

Chapter 4: Business Considerations

 

Does It Really Have to Be Live?

Cost Considerations

Production Costs

Bandwidth Costs

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

White Balancing

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

Specialized Encoding Equipment

Setting Up for Redundancy

Webcast Encoding Techniques

Bit Rate Considerations

Audio Considerations

Video Considerations

Legacy Considerations

Multiple Bit Rate (MBR) Files

Push vs. Pull

Encoding Settings Examples

Windows Media Encoder

RealProducer

Redundant Encoding Techniques

Chapter 10: Webcast Authoring

 

Authoring Considerations

HTML Considerations

Embedded vs. Standalone Players

Standalone Players

Metafile Examples

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

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

The Sweet Adelines Convention

Implementation

Results

Appendix

 

Uses of Streaming and Digital Media Report

Glossary

Resources

Index