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Streaming Video Software – Which Ways Can I Use It For My Personal Videos?

April 19th, 2011


Just a few years ago, it would have been almost unthinkable to use streaming video service for something as mundane as personal videos. Today, however, this is not only possible, but also a very convenient way to use the media.

Q: Why should I use streaming video for my personal films?

A: As you know, pictures and videos demand very large files. Instead of sending those files with email, it’s much smarter to put them online in flash players, and then invite your family and friends to watch them in their browser.

If you use software that can create streaming video, your visitors don’t even have to wait for the film to download. They can start watching after a few seconds.

Q: What kinds of videos could I use?

A: Family reunions would be a nice choice. People love to watch themselves on video time and time again. So record those family reunions, and put the output online afterwards. Your family will love you for it.

Another option would be birthday cards or salutations. Instead of sending a card, you can record a video with a Flip cam or web cam. Send off your happy birthday wishes by video. Alternatively, show the newborn to your friends and family in a video.

Obviously, if you have kids or pets in the house, you can record movies with them, and set them online. Even strangers like to watch funny or cute situations.

Q: Could I use it to create a special gift for somebody?

A: Yes, that would be an excellent idea. Let’s say that you want to offer a friend an Amazon gift card. You should start by creating a video, greeting your friend, and then to set up this video on a secret page. Create another page with the number from the Amazon gift card, and let the film redirect your friend to this page, when he’s seen the video.

This would make for a great surprise. First to watch a personalized greeting, and then to receive the gift in such an original way.

Q: Any other ideas about how to use streaming video with personal videos?

A: Plenty. You can record yourself on the fishing trip with little Timmy, and set the video online on your blog. Conversely, get somebody to record you, while you’re cooking your special dinner. In fact, you can use video in any way you like, and it’s easy to both record it today, and to set it online, thanks to streaming video software.

By: Britt Malka

About the Author:
Q: How can I get more tips about streaming video?

A: Streaming video can make the difference between failure and success. Make sure, you learn more about how to use it.

You can get streaming video software that can create custom sized players, redirect your visitors, etc. very cheap.

Get my tips about streaming video for free. Sign up at http://getmoneymakingideas.com/streaming-video/



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Independent Video in the Information Age

April 19th, 2011


One of the primary obstacles for video content distribution over the Internet is the cost of specialized software required to encode video. Video encoding consists of converting video content into compressed digital data that can be easily distributed electronically.

There are several software development companies that sell closed source software for video encoding and content distribution. The cost and available features of the different software packages vary. Some software companies require additional royalty payments for use of their encoding software.

Thanks to the efforts of several software developers, there is free software that does not require royalty payments. This software can be used for both commercial and non commercial projects.

NullSoft

Justin Frankel, the creator of the Winamp media software player, also developed NullSoft video. This format was specifically designed for distributing video media through the Internet and is based on the Shoutcast Internet protocol.

Both open source and closed source video codecs are supported by NullSoft. Codecs are software programs that allow media to be digitally encoded or decoded using a specific compression architecture. These video codecs include the VP3 open source and the VP6.1 / VP6.2 closed source. The MP3 and AAC audio codecs are supported as well. The VP3 video and MP3 audio codecs are included with the NullSoft tools download.

A free set of tools for encoding and streaming video through the Internet using NullSoft was also created. You can download the NullSoft video tools package direct from the NullSoft web site.

NullSoft content can be streamed through the Internet with the following free media server software:

- Shoutcast DNAS
- Icecast
- Steamcast

scvi.net is the unofficial information resource website for NullSoft video. You can find many tutorials, guides and third party software tools to download here.

There are several media software players that can view the NullSoft format.

These include:

- Winamp
- Video Lan Client
- Mplayer
- Xine
- X box

Theora Video

The Theora project is being developed as a complete open source video solution. The group behind this project is ( http://www.xiph.org.) This format uses the Theora video codec and the Ogg Vorbis audio codec.

The Theora project uses the Theora video codec which is based upon the VP3 codec developed by ON2. The Theora codec offers core architectural improvements to provide better video encoding and playback performance.

Both live and pre recorded multimedia can be distributed via the Internet using Theora.

Theora content can be streamed through the Internet with the following free media server software:

- Icecast
- JRoar
- Flumotion
- Steamcast

There are several media software applications that can play the Theora format.

These include:

- Video Lan Client
- Mplayer
- Xine
- Xbox Media Center
- Real (Player) Alternative

Theora can also be deployed with Java components for web site use. This will allow people to watch Theora multiemdia without the need for installing additional player software.

Tim Gnatek of the New York Times wrote a article entitled “Internet TV: Don’t Touch That Mouse!”.

This article highlights some of the problems associated with content delivery via the Internet. These problems include how independent broadcasters will be able to “keep up with viewer demand, given the cost of the servers and Internet connections required” in addition to “How do you get it (video content) from your garage to the Web?”

These barriers on the information superhighway are being removed by Internet video stations using alternative media distribution methods.

Some of these alternative methods include:

P2P video streaming

P2P streaming does not require a centralized server architecture for content distribution. Each client that views the video content automatically relays it to the next person requesting access to the video. This greatly reduces the need for large amounts of bandwidth for content delivery.

Unlike P2P file trading, P2P streaming can be used to broadcast live multiemdia content using several encoding formats and is supported on various computer operating systems.

Video podcasting

Video podcasting allows people to publish content via a web host with no specialized server software. A specialized data client using Really Simple Syndication provides users access to the most current video content. The multiemdia content can be downloaded on a computer or hand held media device for viewing at a later time.

You can use both NullSoft and Theora for multimedia podcasting.

By: David Childers

About the Author:
Dave Childers is a freelance Internet broadcast consultant, writer and the webmaster of http://www.scvi.net, the Winamp TV / NullSoft video information website.



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How the Internet Has Changed the Way We Waste Time

April 18th, 2011


For every great tool the internet has given us like live video streaming services, the internet has also given us wonderful distractions like live panda webcams. Before we decry them, these distractions also show us how far we’ve come and how much we have stayed the same.

To see how much the internet has changed life as we know it you have to look at the simple things. Sure, we have stuff like live video streaming services, and you can listen to radio live from just about anywhere in the world, but that stuff is the stuff you tend to think about everyday. Instead, just take a look at all the stupid little distractions that live streaming video has given us in the last decade. You can check out just about anything online. As we speak I am watching a live webcam of a baby panda from the San Diego Zoo. Cute? Yes. Unnecessary? Absolutely. But if there is anything that is indicative of the “age of the internet”, this is it. You now have literally millions of ways of waste your time, and you can access them anytime you want. And frankly, there is nothing wrong with this.

Don’t get me wrong, distraction did not just begin with the internet. Let me tell you a little story I heard when I was on a family vacation back in the late 90′s. On a cruise to Alaska we had an excursion day in Juneau. During our excursion we hired a cab to take us around and see the sights. During one of our stops our cabbie told us a story about how the local cable supplier had an open channel which they decided to fill with a live camera of a fish tank while they tried to negotiate a real network to fill that slot. About six months later they finally filled the channel with a real entertainment network, hence taking the fish tank off the air. To the cable suppliers surprise they were bombarded with calls and letters from locals demanding that they bring the fish tank back. Apparently they became so attached to the fish tank that they watched the channel religiously.

To me, stories like this prove that there is always a market for these live animal webcams online. Webcams showing everything from pandas to buildings to trees to, yes, even fish tanks gets thousands of viewers daily. Do they make money? Who knows, but they show where technology has taken us. But this is just the way it goes with technology: each medium starts out as a way to get information out and then as it advances in comes other sources and, eventually, distractions. When television was created it was three channels. Now, there are 500-1000 channels and no lack of “distractions” on the airwaves. Heck, even the news channels are “entertainment” based.

This is what happened with the internet. Once people got use to webcams and e-mail, then came web based entertainment and around the clock web coverage. Where will the internet in the future? Who knows, but I know that I’ll be there watching it.

By: Kimberly Green

About the Author:
Author Kimberly Green teaches her children about animals using the live video streaming services provided by the local game preserve.



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Step by Step Guide to Setup and Configure a Netgear Wireless Router?

April 16th, 2011


Need help with Netgear wireless router setup? This must be your next search after having purchased a Netgear wireless router, which you are quite upbeat about connecting it to your laptop and PS3 to stream live video or play favorite media files. You may also not be interested in going through the entire installation process yourself and understanding each and every step as it is arduous and time consuming. Or, in another case, you may have already setup your Netgear wireless router, but you are stuck as its not responding or showing error messages.

Netgear wireless router being one of the most popular wireless networking devices allows you to interconnect your computers, laptops, peripheral devices, and non-computer devices etc. It means you can share media files or documents, do live streaming, browse internet, send/receive emails, or print documents etc. simultaneously. Easy it sounds, but highly cumbersome the procedure is for setting up a Netgear wireless router.

Therefore, we have decided to help you out by bringing this comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide to you. The purpose of this guide is to provide you step-by-step information on Netgear router setup support in the most user-friendly way and save you from doing rounds of vendor’s shop and exploring different websites for right Netgear technical support and spending a great deal of time.

A Netgear Wireless router package ideally contains:

A wireless router A blue Ethernet cable A power adapter (varies region-wise) A resource (installation) compact disc (CD) including the Smart Wizard Installation Assistant and the manual Warranty card Support information card

Methods of Netgear Wireless Router Setup:

Smart Wizard Installation Assistant Setup Manual Setup

What is required before you start?

An active internet connection Configuration information, provided by your ISP (internet service provider) when you subscribed to their service. You may require one or more than one of the below mentioned information for your Netgear router setup:

Host & domain names

Domain name server (DNS) addresses

Fixed or static IP addresses

Internet login user name and password (could be an email address & password)

Smart Wizard Installation Assistant Setup Method

Insert the ‘resource CD’ into your PC and wait for the response. The CD will start itself automatically and recognize your PC’s language viz. English or French etc. click on ‘yes’ or ‘ok’ to continue in the same language or change it if you want to. Click on ‘next’ to proceed Click on ‘setup’ to launch the Smart Installation Assistant Follow rest of the instructions and the wizard would check your internet connection, configure wireless network settings, and choose the optimum security level for your network.

Manual Setup Method

Below are the easy steps that will help you access Netgear router setup:

Open up your browser viz. internet explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome etc., whichever you are using Type 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in the address bar of your browser and then hit ‘enter’ on the keyboard or ‘go’ tab on the browser. You will see a login screen, which will prompt you to enter your login information viz. username and password. Enter your user name and password in the window. If it’s a new router, then the login information would the default one came along with the router. Or, if it’s a router you have been using previously, then the information would be the configuration information that you entered while setting it up for the first time. After logging in, you will see a setup utility window Once you have setup your router, you can use it for wireless networking

So, you see how easy it was to setup a Netgear wireless router. However, the process may seem lengthy and cumbersome to you. In this case, you can always approach us via toll-free phone service or internet chat. We provide online technical support services for a broad range of products including Netgear routers, other wireless routers, Microsoft products, and non-computer devices etc.

By: Kumar Gandharva Jha

About the Author:
V tech-squad has a special shell for troubleshooting all your Netgear router support related problems including Wi-Fi setup, networking, security, and upgrade etc. If you are facing problem with your Netgear Router Setup and Configuration, You can reach V tech-squad online technical support at their Toll Free No +1-888-820-3828 For US/CA.

V tech-squad Inc. ( www.vtechsquad.com ) is a leading provider of online computer support, virus removal, home networking support, phone support, and ipad support. V tech-squad has a team of certified technicians who cumulatively have more than 100 years of experience in desktop support. V tech-squad is currently solving hundreds of customer issues a day with best resolution rates in the industry. V tech-squad management is formed by IIT alumni who are ex-employees of Microsoft and IBM. Founded in 2010 V tech-squad is serving customers around the world including United States, Canada and India.



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Practicing Your Webinar With Your Friends

April 15th, 2011


For those unfamiliar with webinars, they are live streaming video presentations viewed with the Internet. Learning how to host successful webinars can seem like a tough task, but it can actually be very simple when a few easy tips are followed. Anyone who is preparing to host a webinar should practice before going live. You will want to be sure that nothing important is left out of the PowerPoint slides, and that every aspect of the feature will run smoothly. The most important thing is to sound professional. You want to convince all of your viewers that you know what you are doing. It is strongly advised, therefore, that before hosting a webinar, you have some practice sessions with friends well ahead of time. Try pretending that you are live. Have some self-recording sessions and compare the results to your friend’s notes.

When rehearsing for your upcoming webinars, it may be very tempting to gloss over the seemingly less important areas. However, when practicing, it is actually vital to pretend that you are live, on the air. This will help you in your ability to deliver a pristine presentation when it is time for the real thing. If you make any errors in your practice, you will be able to work them out in time for your real performance to be flawless. By doing this, you will nip accidents in the bud before they can ever have the chance to happen to you.

It is vital to have a practice audience for asking questions during your trial runs. When you are practicing alone, it is easy to forget about leaving plenty of space for any question the viewers might ask. Perhaps some of your viewers will even impart something very important to you during the webinar which will slow it down for up to fifteen minutes. Leaving plenty of time for such interruptions can help you to be completely prepared, even if there are no questions asked during the webinar. Try asking your practice audience to ask you a few questions about the presentation for added realism in practice.

Another crucial aspect of practice is to take recordings of yourself. While it is wonderful to practice with friends watching you, recording yourself takes the preparation to an even higher level. You will be able to see and hear yourself as others will see and hear you, giving you the opportunity to make any last-minute improvements in your delivery of the presentation. Try letting someone else watch the video so that they can give you a detailed critique.

One of the special promotions you can try to keep the viewers hooked is to offer the webinar session as a bonus along with whatever is being sold in the presentation. You can also note that if your viewers would like to watch the webinar again or replay any areas of it, they can access it in a members only section. This kind of instant gratification is very attractive to most people and will keep them coming back. Be sure to include such information in your practice runs so that you will not forget to mention it when you are live.

You should always practice as if you are live on the air. Record yourself, have your practicing partner ask questions and leave a fair amount of open space.

By: Robert Plank

About the Author:
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, learn everything you need to know about hosting a webinar with: http://www.webinarcrusher.com/blog



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