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Windows Hosting Integrated Media Platform – Live Smooth Streaming
Today we look at yet another feature – namely Live streaming. For smooth streaming, the content has to already exist encoded in various formats.
However, for live streaming the content delivery has to be immediate and on the fly. In addition, the delivery patterns for live streaming is very different from that of smooth streaming local content. Live streaming events are typically watched by large audiences in a short period of time.
In addition, people don’t like to have frames skipped when a network interruption occurs. Factors like this are addressed by the component of IIS 7 Integrated Media Platform which works with Silverlight clients on the browser.
HTTP Streaming
Straight off the bat, IIS 7 uses the HTTP protocol for it’s live streaming services. This ensures that you can use your existing HTTP infrastructure of the service which is likely to be considerable. This piggy backing off your existing systems allows you to forgo the need to build expensive dedicated networks for that particular live session.
Dynamic Encoding
It is very difficult to adapt live streams to suit different users, which is why most content is streamed out at the lowest bitrate that users are likely to have. This naturally leaves users with high speed connections frustrated.
IIS 7’s dynamic encoding makes customized live streaming delivery a cinch by automatically detecting a users resources and sending them the media at the best quality they can handle. Increased customer satisfaction is the result.
Skip back and forth
IIS 7 allows users to view the media as they want to see it. Unlike other streaming systems. Those who entered late can rewind back to the beginning and replay the main points. You can increase the effectiveness of your delivery by allowing your users to focus on those parts that are of most use to them.
Optimal Experience with Silverlight
Users can get the most out of the live streaming service with Microsoft’s Silverlight plugin which is free for all to download and use in their browser. This way you ensure a uniform interface for all your customers.
Silverlight is available for all major Operating Systems and browsers including Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome, ensuring that the widest possible audience receives the great benefits and experience.
