Configuring the ASF Real-Time Encoder


Configuring the encoder is a process of identifying the specifics of the network you're going to use, the media that will make up the ASF stream, the codecs that you'll use to make your media fit within the network bandwidth, and specifying a few other details of the encode process.

After you have configured the encoder, you are ready to click Start and begin streaming ASF information. However, if NetShow Server is going to use the output from the ASF Real-Time Encoder, you must save the configuration as an .asd file. The .asd file contains all the settings and specifications for the ASF stream. In order to multicast this ASF stream, you will need to make the .asd file available for the system administrator who is setting up a channel on NetShow Server. When the system administrator sets up a channel, she will import configuration data from the .asd file.

To configure the ASF Real-Time Encoder

  1. Open the ASF Real-Time Encoder. On the File menu, click New.

    The Input Source panel appears.

  2. Select a source type to use as your input. The ASF Real-Time Encoder can use a live source that it receives via the audio or video card, or the encoder can use a stored media file such as an .avi or .wav file.

    If you use a Live Source as your input, you must then select the audio and video card that the ASF Real-Time Encoder will use to receive the input. If you would like to have the option of including script commands in the ASF stream, select the Include Script Commands check box. Select AVI/WAV if you want to use an .avi or .wav file. Select the Audio only if you want to use the audio from the .avi or .wav file to create an ASF stream. The ASF Real-Time Encoder cannot use the video portion of an .avi file to create an ASF stream.

    After you have made your selections, click Next.

  3. In the Bandwidth Selection panel, choose the bandwidth of the network that the ASF stream or .asf file will stream over. If you want to create a custom bit rate, select Custom and then click Help for information on creating your own bit rate. Click Next to move to the Compression & Formats panel.
  4. In the Compression & Formats panel, select the codecs and their formats (if necessary) for the media types that will be used in the Active Streaming format information.

    Click Help for information on the Advanced button.

    After choosing all codec settings, click Next to move to the Output panel.

  5. In the Output panel, choose a method of output for the ASF Real-Time Encoder. Use To NetShow Server(s) over a network for delivering an ASF stream to NetShow Server for multicasting. Use To a local ASF file to write the Active Streaming format information to an .asf file. Select To both to accomplish both these tasks.

    After making your decision, click Next.

  6. The panel that appears depends on the selection you made in the previous step.
    • If you selected To NetShow Server(s) over a network or Both, the Transmission panel appears. Use this panel to choose the method that the ASF Real-Time Encoder will use to transmit the ASF stream to NetShow Server. Use Allow Remote Server(s) to connect via a fixed port if you want to dedicate an IP port as the method of delivering ASF information to NetShow Server, or click Initiate the connection to a NetShow server if you want the ASF Real-Time Encoder to establish communication with NetShow Server. For more information on these options, see the ASF Real-Time Encoder online Help file. Click Next to move to the Description panel.
    • If on the previous panel you selected To a local ASF, then the Local File panel appears. Use this panel to set the specifications for the .asf file you will create. These specifications include setting the name of the file as well as the maximum file size and maximum file duration. Click Next to move to the Description panel.
    • If on the previous panel you selected Both, the Transmission panel will appear first, and then when you click Next, the Local File panel will appear.
  7. The Description panel is a blank text box. Use this text box to enter any information that will help viewers or system administrators understand the contents of the ASF stream or .asf file. Click Finish to move to the Start panel.
  8. The Start panel displays all the settings information for the configuration. Click Start to start the encoder.

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