Hands-On Guide to Webcasting

Hands-On Guide to Webcasting

by Steve Mack, Dan Rayburn
Released November 2005
Publisher(s): Routledge
ISBN: 9781136034251

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Book description

In "Hands-On Guide to Webcasting," industry experts address the fastest-growing application for streaming media - broadcasting live audio and video on the Internet. Used in all industry verticals from corporate to entertainment, this book provides an end-to-end technical overview of the webcasting process. Providing you with step-by-step instructions from audio/video production, encoding and authoring to delivery and business issues, this guide provides both the depth and breadth necessary for mastery of the subject.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Halftitle
  3. Frontmatter
  4. Title
  5. Copyright
  6. Table of Contents
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. About the Authors
  9. Introduction
    1. Successful Webcast Ingredients
    2. How to Use This Book
    3. A Quick Word about Platforms
    4. Support: We’re Here to Help
  10. Chapter 1: Quick Start
    1. Getting Ready for a Webcast
    2. Business Considerations
    3. Planning for your Webcast
    4. Your First Webcast
    5. Connect Your Sources
    6. Set Up the Encoding Software
    7. Test the Webcast
  11. Chapter 2: Basic Webcasting Concepts
    1. Streaming Media: What It Is and How It Works
    2. The Importance of Bandwidth
    3. Webcasting System Components
    4. Encoders, Servers, and Players
    5. Protocols, File Formats, and Codecs
    6. The Webcasting Process
    7. Planning
    8. Production
    9. Encoding
    10. Authoring
    11. Distribution
    12. Webcasting Tools
    13. Production Tools
    14. Encoding Tools
    15. Authoring Tools
    16. Distribution Tools
    17. Platform Considerations
  12. Chapter 3: Digital Audio and Video Basics
    1. Digital Audio and Video
    2. Digital Audio
    3. Digital Video
    4. Digitizing Audio and Video
    5. Sound Cards and Capture Cards
    6. External Appliances
    7. FireWire (IEEE 1394)
    8. Codecs
    9. Codec Side Effects
    10. The Limitations of Streaming Media
  13. Chapter 4: Business Considerations
    1. Does It Really Have to Be Live?
    2. Cost Considerations
    3. Production Costs
    4. Bandwidth Costs
    5. Return on Investment
    6. Legal Considerations
    7. Get the Right Clearances
    8. Location and Union Permissions
    9. Streaming and Digital Media Patents
  14. Chapter 5: Choosing the Right Partners
    1. Do It Yourself vs. Outsourcing
    2. Production Partners
    3. Expertise
    4. Pricing
    5. Professionalism
    6. Distribution Partners
    7. Physical Distribution
    8. Pricing And Providers
    9. Marketing Partners
    10. Contracts
  15. Chapter 6: Webcast Production Planning
    1. Location Concerns
    2. Signal Acquisition
    3. Dedicated vs. Shared Connectivity
    4. The Importance of Connectivity Testing
    5. Equipment
    6. The Crew
    7. Communication
    8. Presentation
    9. The Pre- and Post-Show
    10. Use Talent
    11. Technical Difficulties
  16. Chapter 7: Webcast Audio Production
    1. Audio Engineering Basics
    2. Level
    3. Setting Up a Gain Structure
    4. Audio Equipment
    5. Microphones
    6. Mixing Desk
    7. Signal Processing Equipment
    8. Monitoring
    9. Additional Audio Tools
    10. Webcast Audio Engineering Techniques
    11. Get Rid of Ground Hum
    12. Ambient Microphones
    13. Compression
    14. EQ
  17. Chapter 8: Webcast Video Production
    1. Video Engineering Basics
    2. Lighting
    3. White Balancing
    4. Video Equipment
    5. Camera and Tripod
    6. Lights and Lighting Accessories
    7. Video Switching and Distribution
    8. Monitoring
    9. Additional Video Equipment
    10. Webcast Video Techniques
    11. Keep Motion to a Minimum
    12. Video Signal Processing
  18. Chapter 9: Webcast Encoding
    1. Encoding Basics
    2. Consider Your Audience
    3. Consider Your Programming
    4. Encoding Equipment
    5. Computer Hardware
    6. Computer Software
    7. Specialized Encoding Equipment
    8. Setting Up for Redundancy
    9. Webcast Encoding Techniques
    10. Bit Rate Considerations
    11. Audio Considerations
    12. Video Considerations
    13. Legacy Considerations
    14. Multiple Bit Rate (MBR) Files
    15. Push vs. Pull
    16. Encoding Settings Examples
    17. Windows Media Encoder
    18. RealProducer
    19. Redundant Encoding Techniques
  19. Chapter 10: Webcast Authoring
    1. Authoring Considerations
    2. HTML Considerations
    3. Embedded vs. Standalone Players
    4. Standalone Players
    5. Metafile Examples
    6. Redundancy in Metafiles
    7. Embedded Players
    8. The Microsoft ActiveX Control
    9. The Netscape Plug-in Model
    10. Building Cross-Platform Web Pages with Embedded Players
    11. Embedding the Windows Media Player
    12. Embedding the RealPlayer
  20. Chapter 11: Webcast Distribution
    1. Distribution Basics
    2. Size Matters
    3. Equipment
    4. Platforms
    5. Distribution Techniques
    6. Live Server Redundancy
    7. Deployment Considerations
    8. Webcasting “Canned” Performances
    9. Server Setup Examples
    10. RealNetworks Helix Server
    11. Windows Media Services
    12. Log Files
  21. Chapter 12: Case Studies
    1. X-Prize Competition
    2. Implementation
    3. Results
    4. ACLU Members Conference
    5. Implementation
    6. Results
    7. The Sweet Adelines Convention
    8. Implementation
    9. Results
  22. Appendix
  23. Uses of Streaming and Digital Media Report
  24. Glossary
  25. Resources
  26. Index

Product information

  • Title: Hands-On Guide to Webcasting
  • Author(s): Steve Mack, Dan Rayburn
  • Release date: November 2005
  • Publisher(s): Routledge
  • ISBN: 9781136034251