Update to the original article (which follows below): There is now a growing suspicion that this 'server' is not actually a streaming server at all. In fact, it may be a progressive download server... Therefore and until we have further confirmation on this please read the following article with caution. The claims made by the company that developed the server may be true or they may not be.
Onlinelib, an internet agency based in Germany, has released Video Communication Server (VCS) 1.0, an alternative platform to stream Flash Video™ content. The Unix based platform, which also offers features such as jpg streaming, is hoping to grab its share in the currently booming online video market. In the heart of this server lies a specialised encoding process which delivers high definition, high quality video feeds. VCS claims to be a turn-key solution, encompassing an encoding module, a video content management module as well as an optional hosted service. The company states that additional features such as a live-module and automated encoding mechanisms are under development.
VCS also includes the equivalent of Flashcom Server's enhanced seek functionality. It enables the server to generate keyframes at any chosen point in the stream, therefore allowing for seemless ad content insertions and effective seeking to any point in the stream. Other VCS features include - insertion of logos and ticker tapes into the video - ultra fast seeking - support for different language tracks - fullscreen mode - automatic chapter creation However some of these features are only available at an extra charge which is in additon to the server software itself. It should be noted that the company has no plans to release a Windows version.
Onlinelib showcases several demo application on its website. The quality of the videos look very good and playback is almost immediate on my 2Mbit connection. The switch from language to language works well and ad insertions are also very smooth. Pricing for VCS can be found here.
#1 by Rob Coenen on 8/18/05 - 1:05 PM
#2 by luar on 8/18/05 - 5:58 PM
#3 by tf on 8/18/05 - 6:00 PM
#4 by Gerd Hilgemann on 8/19/05 - 1:21 PM
Test it:
Go to: http://www.onlinelib.de/VCS/VCS_Demo01.html
Click on Chapter, VCS generate 12 realtime Chapters.
You can then seek (by clicking on one of the created chapters) to different Positions in the Stream.
If VCS would be a progessive Server that would be impossible.
Same with the Spotbreaker and 2 Channel Mode. Its able to break any flv stream position to cut in the new flv and after playing the spot vcs is albe to return to any kind of flv position.
And not as Flashcom , vcs can seek frame accurate (milliseconds)!
For the pricing, vcs is much cheaper then flashcom. you pay 4000 euros for 2.500 connections without any bandwith limitation.
Flashcom Pro editon has only 10mbit bandwith! You cant buy flashcom for unlimited bandwith, you only can rent flashcom for 90days for
7500$ for unlimited connections.
VCS is for high performance video on demand. We go a other way then flashcom do it. We have some features that flashcom doesnt have.
We support 3GP (Handy) and JPG Streaming, have Traffic Controll and Bandwith Shaping..etc..
We translate the Onlinelib Site in the next days to english were you can get more information.
Regards
G. Hilgemann
www.onlinelib.de
#5 by Jens on 8/19/05 - 7:16 PM
#6 by Tek on 8/20/05 - 1:51 PM
The best thing you could do is probably to give people possibility to download a simple demo licence for 5 simultaneous users. I'm flash developper and I can't tell to my boss to buy a license without any proof of work with this solution.
#7 by Gerd Hilgemann on 8/21/05 - 5:05 PM
i fully understand that! the next step is to translate all important informations to english on www.onlinelib.de.
it possible to get a full demo account on one of our demo maschines. you can upload a 50mb flv
vidoe of your choice and you have a 5day period for testing everything.
vcs, the server application is bind to the server network adress. so each version is compiled
for every server license.
more informations soon!
thanks
g. hilgemann
www.onlinelib.de
#8 by Jens on 8/22/05 - 3:21 PM
#9 by James Rowley on 8/23/05 - 1:15 AM
#10 by Aaron Roberson on 8/24/05 - 8:41 PM
With my Win XP, Pentium 4 3.20 GHz, 1 Gig RAM laptop I viewed the HD DSL Streaming demo and the video stopped frequently to buffer. By the name of the title, I would image that your intent was to have an uninterrupted stream for any client connected to the internet with DSL. Is that correct?
We feel safe with Macromedia but the 10 Mbps thing is so outreageous that some of us would take the rist of trying you out if we could download the server and configure and test it on our own machines.
#11 by Link182 on 8/25/05 - 1:43 PM
#12 by streamingbob on 8/29/05 - 4:22 PM
Here is a paste from a follow-up email we received from Gerd, the German guy from onlinelib that is developing this "video communication server." As of now there does not seem to be very much English documentation, or proof of concept available, but I am hoping that this is simply the result of a delayed language barrier.
The prospect is very very interesting for those who want to stream lots of video to lots of people.
Here is part of his prompt response regarding RTMP. It also would appear as though onMetaData will be supported, and I have forwarded him along to Burak's Captionate link.
NB
For those of you who haven't seen Captionate, ( http://buraks.com/captionate/ )it is a ridiculously impressive tool for adding timestamped metadata to your FLV files. As its name indicates, its primary selling feature is the insertion of captions (onCaption) along the FLV's timeline, by the importance of triggers or Markers (onMarker) is equally important for programing interaction between the user and the audio or video stream. This metadata can be saved on its own (either XML or Data FLV) and layed over top of another FLV very easily.
Here is part of Gerd's reply.
__________________________
we dont use rtmp, cause this is patent protected by MM.
>>>>
>>>>but we have develope a own protocol which is compatible to
>>>>the net_stream class. you also have some new function in
>>>>the vcs_stream class.
>>>>
>>>>yes...you can stream sorenson squeeze and all flv 1.0 and flv 1.1
>>>>streams.
_______________________
#13 by Neil on 8/31/05 - 12:17 AM
#14 by stoem on 8/31/05 - 8:46 AM
#15 by Jens on 8/31/05 - 12:21 PM
#16 by GaryBruckheimer on 9/3/05 - 7:05 PM
we release a new demo with very fast seeking bar. this one seeks seconds accurate, vcs is albe to seek frameaccurate too.
the link is:
http://www.onlinelib.de/VCS/VCS_Demo04.html
regards
g. hilgemann
www.onlinelib.de