webStreamer - an integrated Web streaming solution

[Spartan]

I've put together a quick new build to let you use a different mux and transport method. Actually, I can tell you right now that nothing other than http will work yet, so don't be surprised when udp doesnt work Just keep it at http for now.

There was a glitch where sometimes the codecs in the XML file weren't being loaded, that is fixed now.

If you're having trouble with the stream, try setting up a Windows Media stream by setting VideoCodec to WMV2, AudioCodec to MP3, and Mux to ASF. See if that works better for you.

Again this isn't really the "next build", but a build in progress I wanted to post here to see if it fixes some of the issues that folks are having.

** As always, the new build is on the first post of the thread. (that way you dont have to fish around to find the link later on)

Excellent. I'll give it a go when at work tomorrow (oh, and thanks for the props! )

[wedgie]

great, i click watch and get a blank black screen. does the firefox plugin need to be installed on host?
Great plugin though.

[sgilani]

You need to have VLC installed on *both* the server (the computer with GBPVR) and the machine you're using to view.

If you're having trouble, or you don't have VLC installed on the viewer machine, you can now try a Windows Media stream that should play in Windows Media Player. To do this, edit the webStreamer.xml file and set the VideoCodec to WMV2, the AudioCodec to MP3, and the Mux to ASF.. then point media player to http://your_server:streaming_port (based on the IP and port you have chosen).

[Spartan]

This works great:

If you're having trouble with the stream, try setting up a Windows Media stream by setting VideoCodec to WMV2, AudioCodec to MP3, and Mux to ASF. See if that works better for you.

EDIT: This only works great in Windows Media Player. When viewing the stream w/in VLC on the client, playback halts after 10 seconds or so.

[Spartan]

Hey, a quick question about the webstreamer.xml -- when exactly is this file parsed? I have made some changes to it and it doesn't seem to pick it up right away.

Since this uses the cassini webserver, an iisreset won't cause it to reload, will it?

On a secondary note, because of the above problem, I have been playing with the vlc command line directly to find something that works.

[sgilani]

The XML file gets parsed when the stream.aspx file is rendered (the page with a list of the recordings). Refreshing that page should load your new settings from the XML file.

Seems like the VLC plugin and WMP work differently for people.. for me, I get stuttering and lots of buffering on WMP but not on VLC. The new build which is coming out either today or tomorrow will hopefully have the option to use the VLC embedded player, or an embedded WMP player instead.

[Spartan]

The XML file gets parsed when the stream.aspx file is rendered (the page with a list of the recordings). Refreshing that page should load your new settings from the XML file.

Seems like the VLC plugin and WMP work differently for people.. for me, I get stuttering and lots of buffering on WMP but not on VLC. The new build which is coming out either today or tomorrow will hopefully have the option to use the VLC embedded player, or an embedded WMP player instead.

ah -- the stream.aspx file must have been cached then (or i haven't been refreshing it)

Nevertheless, I wish i could get the VLC solution working. Running VLC with WMV2 & mp3 audio is a little painful.

[sgilani]

Just posted a new build... with IE support! For now I haven't put in the option to use WMP, because I really think mp4v and mp4a is the way to go. As Spartan rightfully points out, WMV2 and MP3 just doesn't give you the same quality.

See if you're able to use the embedded VLC player now in IE. It should also still work in Firefox as it always has.

Next thing on the agenda is most likely the issue with deleted / pending recordings erroneously showing up in the list.. but as always feel free to give feedback if there's something else not working or something like that.

[Spartan]

Just posted a new build... with IE support! For now I haven't put in the option to use WMP, because I really think mp4v and mp4a is the way to go. As Spartan rightfully points out, WMV2 and MP3 just doesn't give you the same quality.

See if you're able to use the embedded VLC player now in IE. It should also still work in Firefox as it always has.

Next thing on the agenda is most likely the issue with deleted / pending recordings erroneously showing up in the list.. but as always feel free to give feedback if there's something else not working or something like that.

Actually, I have found that the sweet spot for me is WMV3 + mp4a streaming video at 160 (anything more, and VLC won't play the stream). WMP won't play it, but VLC doesn't seem to mind :p

[sgilani]

Yeah, I think it's the mp4a audio that WMP snarls at.. VLC of course couldn't care less what you throw at it