Real-Time Streaming

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:34:07 Z

When i use Expression Encoder 2 in Live Encoding Mode and set output to broadcast stream and start 'Lunch Preview' i have a delay arround 6 seconds. How can I bring this delay down to <1 second?
I also tried to stream to a WMS to test delays, but this unfortunately did not work.

Thanks in advance!

Real-Time Streaming

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:06:34 Z

Latency of 6 seconds is pretty good. There are buffering and fast start tweaks for the encoder and server. Once the h.264 codec is implemented in v.3 you should see significantly less latency. I've been looking for real-time web broadcasting for years and currently there are none that I've found.

Real-Time Streaming

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:02:57 Z

Will Silverlight 3 and expression encoder be able to stream in "REAL TIME" as Flash claims they can currently? Although I believe it is not "REAL TIME" and would be considered "NEAR REAL TIME" (NRT) due to some latency. And what is the exact meaning of the RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocal) protocal due to latency? -dino

Real-Time Streaming

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:11:03 Z

thanks for ur reply. good is relative. depends on the scenario. not good enough for me actually. :)
yes, some delay is caused due to buffering. but it seems as the buffers are much too large. id like to shrink the buffers. but i have not found an option in the expression encoder. also id would be nice to have a prefered buffer size for the client in the protocol so that the client buffer can be shrunken too if near real time is needed.
i think there are better (real time?) broadcasting solutions. but they are far more expensive.
do have any more information about this version v.3 of the h.264 codec?
thanks again!

Real-Time Streaming

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:33:29 Z

Even though expensive, could you provide the better (real time?) broadcasting solutions? thanks

Real-Time Streaming

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:59:34 Z

to Dino V: It is some time ago since i looked into this. i searched for non-expensive streaming solutions. i found references to multiple products from discussions and so on. the problem was all of those companies were aquired by avid. it seems they bought all the competitors. therefore i suggest you have a look at www.avid.com .
also i recently came about microsoft iptv. seems they renamed it to microsoft mediaroom http://www.microsoft.com/mediaroom/ . but i was not able to get much information about it and it seems this is only available for larger service providers.
in both cases i have no clue about latency/realtime. but both seem to be capable to provide better solutions than the 6 seconds.
as a side note, currently i'm using windows media encoder along with windows media services. but the latency is in the same order (6-10 seconds).
good luck!

Real-Time Streaming

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:48:01 Z

what about Skype? There's no delay when I use Skype with video, why is that?

chuckdawit

Real-Time Streaming

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:17:59 Z

Just curious what the <1 sec requirement is for. Unless your doing a realtime news style interview, would it matter?

Real-Time Streaming

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:46:32 Z

There is really no such thing as 'real-time' as all communication networks have latency.

So your correct in 'near-real time' assessment. Same for TV broadcasts (and not just for FCC bleeping).

Now (as we saw with the MJ Tribute as well as Wimbleton) Microsoft is not pLAYING AROUND. The smooth streaming live technology is really really cool. The problem is you need almost roll your own infrastructure to use it (SEE NBC Olympic architecture).

As long as you have a guarantee of consumers receiving a seamless stream, be in 10 seconds or five minutes delayed, it is good. Exceptions are of course timeliness critical domains such nas financial trading, etc.

Same goes for RTSP. No magic there at all. In the end we are all slaves to physics.

Damon

Damon Wilder Carr http://blog.domaindotnet.com

Real-Time Streaming

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:20:31 Z

What is acceptable depends on the application for real-time broadcast. I work with surgical robots where we have to provide ideally < 1 second HD video transmission for proctoring. If somebody watches Sunday night football and there is 6 second delay in the broadcast I agree that this isn't a bid deal. But if a surgeon would like to caution the other to watch out for that artery under that tissue before you make an incision into it, that 6 second delay is unacceptable.

Now, the 6 second delay I also confirm from my evaluation on a screaming fast computer that is dished out with all the latest goodies and no network devices between the two endpoints. IMHO 6 seconds is unacceptable under these condition to call it real-time. When I perform the test where I stream the broadcast to another dished out Streaming Server that provides unicast, another 5-7 seconds are added on top of it. ???? What on earth is going on in there?

Guys in MS: You are doing some wonderful stuff, but please optimize this for performance. With another home brewed setup using VLC we are down to 1.5 seconds streaming h.264/ACC across the town.

Martin

MartinF