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Video Web
Server
Streaming
Media Content
Video Web Server is a method of
streaming media content that does not have to be down loaded prior to
being played.
It takes uncompressed video files and compresses them
with audio to make a single media file.
The file is designed to be sent
over a specific network that has a designated bandwidth, such as 56
kbps modem.
The method uses a standard web video server for sending
these
video files to computer media programs.
Video Web Servers are not a
specialized streaming media server, which is more efficient in
communicating with media software programs.
YouTube,
MySpace, and MetaCafe websites use many servers to support the
functions of their websites. These are video sharing websites so they
use standard web server technology to provide services to their
registered users for uploading videos.
In addition to providing
uploading services to registered users, their servers provide download
services to anyone who accesses their websites to view videos.
On
standard video web media servers a video file that is created by
someone is
placed on the server by being linked to a specific web page.
When the
web page is activated the video file launches and the file is
downloaded to a computer from the web server.
These are the same
actions that were used in previous technology that did not have the
ability to stream media.
Unlike the older
technology, the computer receiving the video file starts to play the
media file while it is still being downloaded. There is buffering of
the download that creates a small backload to allow the media file to
play uninterrupted.
The video file is sent to the user
computer as fast as the network will allow. This happens regardless of
bit rate and parameters of the compressed file.
Video
web hosting servers are specifically based on the software installed on
the
computer. The software manages the requests received and delivers the
requests.
If a company has a central computer that handles all the
intranet services for the company, it is a server.
Video server
streams using the Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP), which is the
standard web server protocol. This web server is sometimes referred to
as the HTTP server.
Advantage and
disadvantage of
using a Video Web Server include:
- The major advantage is that because it uses the
standard web server
protocol, no new software is required to be installed on the server or
receiving computer
- The major disadvantage is that more Video Web
Servers are required to
handle the traffic than specialized streaming video servers
- Any
computer can become a Video Web Server by installing server software
and connecting the computer to the Internet. Sometimes people will
convert a computer into a web server to host their own website to avoid
having to use a hosting company.
- These specialized
web servers can be used for specific or multiple purposes other than
just video servers, such as:
- Audio Server
- Web server
- File server
- Mail server
- Merchant server
- Modem server
- Intranet server
- Fax server
- Database server
- Print server
- Proxy server
- Telephony server
- Terminal server
- Remote Access
server
- Network access server
- or a combination of the above
For
additional streaming server concepts, such as the video
web server section here, please check out the
related
topics; windows
media server, streaming
audio
servers, streaming
video server, streaming server hosting and streaming
server software.
If
you are looking for a little more
hands-on
type information, take a peek at the streaming media player, video teleconference, video webcasting, how to stream video
and
how to
stream audio.
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