Point-to-point web streaming - Equipment required

[mcentrye]

Hi all ...
I've seen similar questions asked previous (even by me) but I can't find an exact answer to what I need.

I'm looking at ways to stream a service from one location to another using an existing broadband connection. The source location has 14Mbps up (and we'll upgrade if required) and the receiving site will have adequate bandwidth to handle much more than what can be sent.

I understand there's other ways to accomplish this type of streaming through microwave or dedicated connections between campuses. I'm also familiar with the DVD approach (which will be one of backup plans).

Optimally, we'd like the live stream to be "buffered" so that we can start the service at the second location a few minutes later than the actual start. That would help ease in to the service and not have the 2nd location tied to start exactly when the main campus starts. Hopefully, it'd help ease a little of the tech requirements so that it'd flow smoother. We'd only be streaming the teaching, not the worship.

What I'm trying to determine is what exactly would you use to get the highest possible quality output on the receiving end? What equipment would you use to "encode" the audio/video and what equipment would you use on the receiving end to "decode" the signal and get it to a projector?

Would you use a computer/server to encode or one of the appliances? Most of what I find is intended to stream to the web so that there are multiple recipients. I'm afraid they'd be using codecs with compression greater than what's needed for a point to point connection. Also, would a CDN be helpful? Seems they are only required again if you intention is multiple recipients. Correct?

Ideas? Thoughts?

Thanks for your help!

[tdangelo]

Originally Posted by mcentrye

I'm looking at ways to stream a service from one location to another using an existing broadband connection… Optimally, we'd like the live stream to be "buffered" so that we can start the service at the second location a few minutes later than the actual start….

When you encode video/audio for distribution on the web the end-viewer sees the content via one of two means. (1) via a streaming service, or (2) as Video on Demand or VOD. A stream is when the content is being sent from a host to a recipient live, point-to-point; or point-to-many-points. VOD is when the video audio is already encoded and stored on a server available for anyone to watch at any time regardless of when the church service occurred live. If the live stream or on-demand VOD are intended for multiple recipients it would generally be hosted through a CDN or contend delivery network to handle the bandwidth requirements.


In your case it sounds like you are attempting to stream from only one point to one point … and at the destination point the streamed or VOD content will be projected.


In my experience there is currently no solution appropriate for streaming a live service from one location to another and projecting the image to a group of people large enough to require a projector and who will need to watch this content for an entire sermon.


If the services are delayed by a substantial amount of time allowing you to buffer or FTP transfer the entire sermon beforehand then you can surmount the latency & dropped packets issue with streaming … but the picture quality will not be appropriate for a projected image. For now live streaming is relegated to computers, phones, pads and TVs will small audience sizes.

[waynehoskins]

Agree with Tom.

From a network standpoint, one end would have to be able to see the other, suggesting either a fixed public IP address with a server on it (probably at the source) or a VPN, probably with managed Cisco routers rather than a software solution like OpenVPN.

A microwave link sure sounds like the right way to do it.

[mcentrye]

Thanks for the info. I understand there may not be a "perfect" way to accomplish this with broadband. But for research sake, let's say we have a connection established with a static IP on the source side. The goal is a delayed start for viewing the stream, so it's closer to live than a VOD scenario.

What would you use on the source side to prep the video for streaming and what would use on the receiving side to handle showing the stream?
Thanks!

[tdangelo]

Originally Posted by waynehoskins

A microwave link sure sounds like the right way to do it.

There's a Ikegami PP70 coming up for auction in New York. I bet you it will sell for more than new. Except for rain fade it's a very cost efficient powerful tool.

[mcentrye]

I'm looking for methods to stream over broadband, not microwave or satellite links.

[TapeWorksBrad]

If you still have need for this - I'd take a look at the TeraDek Cube encoders.
This will take any video inputs (just about) and stream via Wifi into the room - or via Flash RTMP to a server / service.

PM / email / or call me at 713.688.3597 for details.

[MnemonicMonkey]

You're looking for Renewed Vision's (ProPresenter) Pro Video Sync. (Apparently I can't post links yet. Sorry.) It's renewedvision dotcom.

It is built expressly for this purpose, is inherently built with a time delay/buffer, and will actually allow you to stream two separate streams to multiple campuses.