QuickTime Broadcaster


QuickTime Broadcaster is included with Mac OS X Server, but it isn't part of the server tools. It resides in the Applications directory. The primary job of QuickTime Broadcaster is to stream live audio and/or video content to others via the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP). The Source options in both the Video and Audio tabs are the main considerations for this type of task.

QuickTime Broadcaster was covered briefly in Chapter 2, "Server Tools." To learn how to set up a basic live broadcast, refer to the task "To set up a simple live broadcast" in Chapter 2. This chapter discusses using QuickTime Broadcaster with QTSS.

To use QuickTime Broadcaster and QTSS to stream live content:

1.

You should have a camera, a microphone, or some other supported AV input device connected.

If iChat launches when you plug in the device, quit iChat.

2.

Complete the earlier task "To enable a QTSS."

This task assumes you're running QuickTime Broadcaster and QTSS on the same Mac OS X Server.

3.

Open QuickTime Broadcaster, which is located in your server's Applications directory (Figure 12.65).

Figure 12.65. Launch QuickTime Broadcaster.


4.

Click the Show Details button to expand the window.

5.

Click the Network tab, and complete the following information (Figure 12.66):

  • Leave Transmission set at Automatic Unicast for the type of task being done here.

  • Host Name is automatically filled in with either the fully qualified domain name or the IP address of your server.

  • File is the name of the Session Description Protocol (SDP) file used to identify the stream. It's a good idea to use only lowercase letters and numbersno spaces or other characters.

  • Username and Password can be used to restrict access to the stream.

  • Buffer Delay allows for a build-up of data but causes a bigger delay in the delivery of live content.

  • Broadcast over TCP permits the stream to travel over the TCP protocol, thus making the stream accessible behind certain networks.

  • Annotations are used to further identify the broadcast stream.

Figure 12.66. Set the Network settings in preparation for the broadcast.


6.

Click the Video tab, and tweak the video input Source details to match the broadcast (Figure 12.67).

Figure 12.67. View and set the Video settings for the broadcast.


7.

Click the Audio tab, and tweak the audio input Source details to match the broadcast (Figure 12.68).

Figure 12.68. View and set the Audio settings for the broadcast.


8.

Choose File > Save Broadcast Settings in case you wish to use these settings for another broadcast session (Figure 12.69).

Figure 12.69. Save the broadcast settings for later use.


If you're finished tweaking the settings, click the Hide Details button to reduce the size of the window.

9.

Click the Broadcast button under the video feed to begin the Broadcast (Figure 12.70).

Figure 12.70. Click the Broadcast button to begin the broadcast.


Tip

  • Prior to beginning the broadcast, you can choose the "Record to disk" check box to save the broadcast directly to disk.


Viewing your broadcast

When your broadcast is set up, you should view it on as many machines as possible over different connection speeds to check for variances in quality.

To prepare to view a live broadcast:

1.

On your server, QuickTime Broadcaster should already be running. Be sure you can see it.

2.

Locate the stream address in the QuickTime Broadcaster window under Location (Figure 12.71).

Figure 12.71. Locate the link of a running broadcast.


3.

Open the QuickTime Player application in the Applications directory on another computer connected to the same network.

Select File > Open URL in New Player (Figure 12.72).

Figure 12.72. Use QuickTime Player to view the broadcast.


An Open URL dialog appears.

4.

Type in the stream path from step 2, and click the OK button (Figure 12.73).

Figure 12.73. Enter the information from the QuickTime Broadcaster Location into the QuickTime Player URL dialog.


5.

View your stream in the QuickTime Player window (Figure 12.74).

Figure 12.74. View your video stream using the QuickTime Player from Mac OS X Client.


6.

Choose Movie > Get Movie Properties (Figure 12.75).

Figure 12.75. Select Movie > Get Movie Properties.


The movie Properties window opens.

7.

Choose Streaming Track from the pop-up menu on the left and Annotations from the pop-up menu on the right (Figure 12.76).

Figure 12.76. View the properties entered in the QuickTime Broadcaster Network tab as they appear in the final broadcast.


You can view all the annotations placed in the QuickTime Broadcaster window prior to beginning the broadcast.

Tip

  • The Compression settings for both audio and video can be very complex and require background knowledge about color, video, compression, audio and video codecs, and more. When you're changing these settings, it's generally best to test thoroughly on several machines receiving the stream to ensure a quality broadcast.


Live Stream Precautions

Rebroadcasting copyrighted content is prohibited by law. Be sure to check with all parties involved prior to streaming any live audio or video.




    Mac OS X 10. 3 Server Panther. Visual QuickPro Guide
    Mac OS X Server 10.3 Panther: Visual QuickPro Guide
    ISBN: 0321242521
    EAN: 2147483647
    Year: 2004
    Pages: 105

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