This article describes how to stream live audio or video using QuickTime Streaming Server 2.0.

Note: All information in this article comes from the help file distributed with QuickTime Streaming Server 2.0. The help file includes additional help topics which are not covered in the Knowledge Base.

Streaming Live Audio or Video

You need the following equipment to stream live audio or video:

• Recording equipment for audio, video, or both.
• A computer that has broadcast software and a video or audio capture card installed. You use this computer to capture and encode live audio or video and then broadcast it to your streaming server.
• A Mac OS X Server computer that has QuickTime Streaming Server software installed. You use this computer to send the captured media to your viewers. The streaming server must be connected to the capture and encode computer over an IP network.

The illustration shows a setup for streaming live video and audio. (Most video cameras have a built-in microphone.) You can stream audio only using a microphone, mixer, and other appropriate audio equipment.

A Mac OS computer captures and encodes video and audio. The encoded signal is sent to a QuickTime Streaming Server over an IP network.

A Mac OS X Server with QuickTime Streaming Server sends the signal to client computers who tune in with QuickTime Player.

Figure 1 Live video and audio streaming setup.

Streaming Live Media

To stream live audio or video:

1. Set up your broadcast software following the instructions that came with it.

2. Connect the audio or video equipment to the computer you're using to capture and encode the signal.

3. Use your broadcast software to create a Session Description Protocol (SDP) file on the computer you use to capture and encode the live signal.
See the instructions that came with your broadcast software.

4. Copy the SDP file to your QuickTime Streaming Server computer.
Be sure to copy the file into the media folder you're using for streaming.

5. If you want the streamed media to show on a Web page, set up the Web page.

6. Make sure streaming services are started.

7. Start the capture software by following the instructions that came with the broadcast software.

8. Tell users how to view the streamed media.

IF USERS CAN'T SEE THE LIVE STREAMED MEDIA:

• Make sure you are capturing a signal from the audio or video equipment into the computer you're using for capture and encoding.
• Make sure the SDP file is located in the media folder you set up on your streaming server.

For more information on streaming live media, see these Web sites:

QuickTime Web site : http://www.apple.com/quicktime/

Sorenson Broadcaster Web site: http://www.sorenson.com/