SmoothStreamingServer

How To Livestream to a CSSS Publishingpoint in 10 Steps

In this small tutorial we show you how to use Microsoft Expression Encoder and the Clavain Streaming GUI to publish a stream with 2 profiles to a CSSS publishing point.

Prerequisites

You need a CSSS User Account with livestreaming enabled. For testing you can use your LiveDemo Account. As streaming Source you need a local File or a tool to capture from your webcam to a local file like Microsoft Expression Encoder

Step 1: Create a new Publishing Point

Login to your CSSS User Panel and navigate to Livestreaming/New Livestream and create a new Stream as example enter "test" then click the "Create Publishing Point" button

Step 2: Download the Streaming GUI

In the User Panel navigate to API/Publish/Streamtools and download the "ClavainStreams" Application.

Step 3: Extract, Run and Login

Extract the Application and run it by doubleclicking on the ClavainStreams.jar file. Make sure you have the latest Java Runtime Environment installed (Get Java)

Then Enter the Hostname of the CSSS Streamingserver (atlanta.clavain.co.uk for the livedemo machine) and your login informations then press "Login"

Step 4: Select the Publishingpoint

Next select the Publishing Point you just created and press "OK"

Step 5: Start your Livestream

Now create a Stream with a Tool of your Choice (here Microsoft Expression Encoder) and stream from a supported input device like your webcam to a local file on your harddisk.

Step 6: Select the Stream with ClavainStreams

Select the file or output within the Streaming GUI by clicking on "Select File" (alternative enter a network streaming url http,rtmp etc. for restreaming). Then click "Test Source"

If the Source is valid and usable with the GUI you see a thumbnail of the first frame.

Step 7: Generate the Streaming Profiles

For multi-bitrate adaptive streaming you need to create the profiles now. Enter a Minimum Bitrate (the bandwith needed for the poorest quality to watch the video) and a Maximum Bitrate (Best Quality/Resolution) aswell a Audio Bitrate and a Aspect Ratio. You need at least 2 Profiles, the number of Profiles is also the amount of encoding processes running later, make sure you have enough cpu power. Then Click "Generate Streaming Profiles"

Step 8: Start your Stream

Now you can start your Livestream by clicking "Start Stream", you will notice a ON AIR logo and the amount of viewers (~ unique from IP within last minute) which updates every 2 seconds.

Step 9: Open the Streaming Detailpage

Now go back to the CSSS User Panel and navigate to Livestreams/Overview and select your Stream. You can embedd the player to websites etc or watch it right away.

Step 10: Watch your Stream

In the Streamingdetailpage click the Link "Player URL" to view your Stream. Notice that this is not real Livestreaming, the nature of the protocol and the delay between the source and the GUI result in a little delay.

Example of playing a livestream in windows and on the ipod:

Turning the Livestream into a VOD Stream

If you Stop your Stream later and do not reconnect a new livesource to it the viewers can watch the stream with the same url/players from the beginning as VOD file without any changes.