** Updated ** Now with Pictures �
Basic Tutorial To Stream Video To A Profile Page
Minimum Requirements;
Fast computer 2Ghz+ Preferably a Dual Core Processor
Minimum 512 Megs Ram
Windows Media Encoder 9 (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx)
RedLightCenter Installed
Start by running Redlightcenter.exe There is no need to log into the game just yet, but it has to be running in order for the encoder to �hook� it.
Once you are running Windows Media Encoder, select New Session, and Custom Session from the popup window
It should open a new screen and the sources tab will be selected. From here we want to make sure only the video has a check mark. So take the check mark off of the audio if it is checked. On the video we want to select the scroll down menu and select Screen Capture. Click the Configure button beside it and select Redlightcenter from the drop down menu, then click OK.�If you receive one of windows helpful hints regarding � use a screen capture profile to optimize performance during when capturing screens� Just click ok.
Next we want to click the Output tab. For this we want only the �Push to server� setting checked. �
This will tell the encoder where our stream is located. If you have not already set up a media stream, do so by visiting
www.djbull.org or email me at
jasonw@redlightcenter.com. Once you have a stream set up we can add it here;
Server Name: Stream.redlightcenter.com:8080 (This won�t change)
Publishing Point: � �(Your Stream Name Goes Here)
These are the only settings that have to be changed. We can now move on to the Compression Tab
Here is where it gets interesting. First click edit. It doesn�t matter what is checked as we are going to make our own settings. In the name box you can call it what ever you want like RLC Capture or something. We want the video box checked, CBR selected (Constant Bitrate) and windows Media Video 9 for the codec.
On the top left there will be 2 tabs, one will say General and the other will list the bitrate (207 kbs in this example). Click the Bitrate tab. This tab gives us our options on the size and quality of the video we want to produce. In order to read the text we have to have the video size as large as possible so let�s click the �Same as video input� button. * If you are experiencing alot of lagging then keep this as 320 x240. The text might not be a clear or even legible but the image should be okay and it will work with some older pc's *
Now the next option is frame rate. This determines how many frames the computer has to compress. If you have a slightly older machine I would suggest keeping this around 6-8 frames maybe lower. Otherwise you may select 10-12 Frames for new computers. You will know if it is too much because you computer will SLOW right down as this will work your CPU pretty hard.
The next option is key frame interval I recommend a setting of about 5.
The video bitrate setting can be anywhere from 200kbs to 350kbs. (I recommend sticking with 200kbs to start) Any more than that and we have 2 problems.
1. You are going to need a really good internet provider as most ISP offer large download speeds (10 megs +) but uploading is limited to 1 meg.
2. The end user may not be able to view it. A lot of users are using so called �Light Speed� internet. For these users they will end up seeing more of the �Buffering� message than of the video.
The buffer size can remain at 5.
Video Smoothness should be set to 99. We want this as high as we can go otherwise it makes it difficult to read the text.
Decoder Complexity can remain on auto.
Now we should save this so that we don�t have to do this all over again. Click on the General tab again and select the Export button. Again call this whatever you like (RLC Capture for example) and click save. Now the next time we come to this stage we can just hit import and select our settings.
Now we are pretty much ready to go. You can click OK and then start encoding at the top. We are not concerned about any of the other settings as they are mainly for cropping and editing video which we are not doing.
It might take a minute or two for the encoder to connect to our media server. When it does it will ask you for your username (This is the name of your stream.) and for your password that you selected. Once you click Ok the screen will minimize itself and you are streaming.
You can now enter into RLC and whatever you see will be displayed on your profile. Try not to make to many sudden turns as this will cause your system to slow a bit as the encoder works harder to capture all of the information, as well you will notice slow downs in areas filled with multiple avatars. (your machine will try to render all of the information and the encoder will try and capture it as well)
Please keep in mind that this is fairly new and there might be some problems or glitches. Please direct any questions or concerns to
jasonw@redlightcenter.com as I will be more than willing to help.
Attached is the code for the embedded media player, as well as some pictures of the process. You will have to edit the emmbeded media player text stream �in notepad and change the "Your Stream Here" to your stream name. Then just copy and paste this into your profile.
