TheRealTimeWeb.com - Books & Training

Book Tip: Producing Streaming Video for Multiple Screen Delivery

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:50:00 +0100

On April 2, 2013, the Streaming Learning Center and my friend Jan Ozer released Producing Streaming Video for Multiple Screen Delivery. This book is a professional reference for producers seeking to distribute streaming video to the widest possible audience, including computers, smartphones and tablets, and Over the Top (OTT) devices. Written by Jan Ozer, this book delivers the lessons learned from years of producing and consulting on streaming, and serving as a contributing editor to the industry bible, Streaming Media Magazine.

This book is the successor to Jan's highly regarded Video Compression for Flash, Apple Devices and HTML5, which has earned a five-star rating on Amazon and is used as a textbook by many colleges and universities. Published over two years after Video Compression, however, Producing Streaming Video for Multiple Screen Delivery is almost a complete rewrite, and contains links to the dozens of product reviews and video tutorials published and produced by Jan over the last 24 months. At 432 pages, the new book contains more than 65% more content than the original book.

Read on for a full chapter summary.

Chapter By Chapter Description

Chapter 1: Formulating a Multi-Screen Strategy. After providing a streaming technology backgrounder, this chapter identifies the technologies that can be used to distribute to desktops, mobile and OTT devices.

Chapter 2: Technology Fundamentals. There's a good chance you know most of the concepts covered here, which include file details like resolution, frame rate and data rate. You'll also learn how aspect ratio and deinterlacing issues can degrade the quality of your video. If you're a relative newbie, you should at least scan through this chapter.

Chapter 3: H.264 Encoding Parameters. In this chapter, you'll learn all about encoding video with the H.264 video codec and audio with the AAC audio codec. The chapter starts with an overview of common H.264 encoding parameters like profiles and levels--as well as I-, B- and P-frames--and then moves into more advanced parameters controlling search depth and precision. Then it details your audio encoding options and specifics for encoding for delivery via Flash and HTML5.

Chapter 4: Configuring H.264 for Desktop, Mobile and OTT Viewers. Now that you know how to encode with H.264, we examine how to configure single files for delivery to desktop, mobile and OTT platforms.

Chapter 5: Adaptive Streaming. In this chapter, you'll learn more about the technology alternative s for adaptive streaming, factors to consider when choosing the number of streams and their configuration, and how to encode for adaptive streaming.

Chapter 6: Choosing an On-Demand Encoding Tool. Here we look at the various categories of on-demand encoder, including free tools, bundled tools, desktop tools and enterprise tools. You'll learn how to choose the best category for your needs and the best encoder within each category.

Chapter 7: Encoder-Specific Instruction. Here we'll look at the H.264 encoding interfaces from a variety of desktop, enterprise, hardware, OVP and cloud encoders so you can apply the lessons learned in previous chapters in the encoding tool of your choice.

Chapter 8: Producing for iTunes. This chapter focuses on the best practices for encoding files for distribution via iTunes.

Chapter 9: Distributing Your Video. Here we detail distribution alternatives like UGC and OVP sites, and discusses how to choose the best service provider for your videos. The final section covers encoding for uploading to an OVP or UGC site.

Chapter 10: Introduction to Live Streaming. Live streaming is a completely different animal than on-demand. This chapter introduces you to live streaming, covering how it works and technology alternatives like OVP and LSSP service providers.

Chapter 11: Distributing Your Live Video. Live streaming involves its own distribution options, whether you choose to do it yourself (DIY) or use a Live Streaming Service Provider (LSSP). This chapter discusses factors to consider when choosing a streaming server and an LSSP services.

Chapter 12: Choosing and Using a Live Encoder. This chapter discusses how to choose the best encoder for your live productions, including software, hardware, cloud and on-camera alternatives.

Chapter 13: Producing Live Events. Now that you know the technology components, this chapter details how to produce a live event, covering pre-production and game-day production tips and techniques.

Chapter 14: Introduction to Closed Captions. This chapter introduces you to closed captioning, including which organizations need to do it and how.

Chapter 15: Essential Tools. Streaming involves a range of file formats and encoding parameters. The tools discussed in this chapter analyze the files that you and others have encoded to identify these formats and parameters.

Chapter 16: Introduction to HEVC. You probably already started hearing about H.265; in this chapter, you'll learn what it is, how it works and how soon you should start thinking about using it.

I recommend you check out Jan's book if you are even remotely interested in video encoding best practices.

Lisa's Flash Video Newsletter

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:06:00 +0100

Do you want to stay updated on the latest news around Flash video? Or maybe want to get your questions answered by one of the leading industry experts? Then look no further than Lisa Larson-Kelley's new web video newsletter which Lisa is planning on sending out every week - or near enough.

In it she will share tips and tricks about FMS and Flash video and will also give readers sneak peaks into some chapters of her upcoming Flash Video Guestbook - so make sure to sign up to the newsletter and send her your video questions.

Book: Flex 4 in Action

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:53:00 +0100

A quick heads up on a new book covering Flex 4 which was authored by fellow Adobe community members (most are Adobe Community Professionals as well) Tariq Ahmed, Dan Orlando, John C. Bland II, and Joel Hooks.
The book is called Flex 4 in Action and constitutes an updated and revised edition to the previous Flex 3 book.

This book has received extremely positive reviews and whilst I have not yet read it myself I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone starting out with Flex or wishing to broaden their existing Flex 3 skills.

Tariq, the lead author, has this to say:
"The book assumes you know nothing of Flex. So it's optimal for software professionals looking to expand their skill set, an architect/technical manager conducting a deep evaluation of Flex in order to assess if Flex is a good fit, and teams looking to bring Flex into their technology stack. And if you're already working with Flex, and looking to go into Flex 4, the book covers all the concepts and features that were added to Flex 4.

The focus of the book is to provide a lot of coverage on the stuff you'd use all the time, vs. covering every possible topic under the sun and having to go shallow on the details. And even then, we came in at over 600 pages (and that's after we chopped stuff out).

For owners of Flex 3 In Action, we didn't want to just merely copy the previous book, but provide a lot of new content. That includes things new to Flex 4, but subjects such as MVC architecture that we didn't have space for in the prior book.

For example we took out the chapter on working with XML and made it available for free: http://www.manning.com/ahmed2/ (look for bonus chapter 26)"

Readers describe it as 'Your one stop shop for everything you need to know about Flex', 'a Solid Start With Flex', 'Good reference guide' and 'Great book'.

Go and grab yourself a copy and hit the ground running.

Adobe TV Launches New Website

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:11:00 +0100

You may have heard by now that Adobe have relaunched Adobe.TV. Adobe have listened to feedback and greatly improved the site through a better navigation system, more robust search and more interactive capabilities. Incidentally the video player used on Adobe.TV is one of the first public video players which utilises the Open Source Media Framework (OSMF).

The site now offers new additions such as a resizable pop-out window that allows users to view content while simultaneously working within their Adobe applications. A new homepage provides quick and easy access to relevant episodes, with the ability to sort by most popular, most viewed, highest rated and recently added. And users can download the Adobe Media Player to view and save content offline, and receive new programming as soon as it is released.

I've used the site to watch a few episodes by the Flex Team and I must admit that the new site is a definitive improvement. While there are some minor glitches still to be ironed out I think this is a destination to keep an eye on. And the quality of the content is superb - which is of course the most important part.

State of the Computer Book Market 2008 According to O'Reilly

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:41:00 +0100

Here's an interesting article from O'Reilly on the state of the computer book market according to their publishing and sales figures.
From a Flash Platform developer's point of view it is exciting to see that ActionScript has moved into the top tier of programming languages, selling enough titles to make it part of the 'Large' languages. The growth of the ActionScript bracket is also very good, in fact it is one of the three fastest growing languages in that category next to C# and PHP.

Way to go Flash!

New O'Reilly Book on FMS3 by Bill Sanders

Mon, 19 May 2008 15:09:00 +0100

Bill Sanders has done it again - and yes I know I am slow to blog it. Nevertheless his new book in PDF format, published by O'Reilly and titled Learning Flash Media Server 3, comes highly recommended.

On over 250 pages it covers a lot of ground to get you started with FMS3 and also quite deeply into more advanced topics. From installation to setup over SharedObject and streaming video and audio to server side programming, every reader will get something out of this book.

You can get more info on it at O'Reilly and also order it there for a mere USD $19.99.

Wowza Media Server Video Tutorial

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:55:00 +0100

Streamingmedia.com have posted a video tutorial covering Wowza Media Server. In it Richard Lanham covers installation, video on demand, live restreaming, extending Wowza, monitoring, and customer examples.

Check it out.

Critical Skills for Streaming Producers

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:02:00 +0100

My friend and co-author Jan Ozer has just released a huge, 340 page PDF document entitled 'Critical Skills for Streaming Producers'. It is accompanied by a series of video tutorials and materials which will help you hit the ground running when it comes to on location video shooting, lighting, choosing a codec, encoding and much much more.
You can find more info on this page which also contains a link to purchase. I'll definitely grab myself a copy.

New Book: Learning Flash Media Server 2

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:23:00 +0100

Fellow developer Bill Sanders has just announced the release of his latest book 'Learning Flash Media Server 2', published by O'Reilly.
This book aims to give its readers a thorough introduction into the features and capabilities of Flash Media Server 2 by providing a step by step guide for building a variety of applications such as two way communications, streaming video and a text chat application.
In my opinion this book looks like the ideal companion if you want to hit the ground running with Flash Media Server and are looking for less of a reference than a how-to guide to actual applications - check out the table of contents here. I'll definitely be adding this book to my collection.

Sample Chapter From My Book 'Hands-On Guide To Flash Video'

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 22:07:00 +0100

I've just been given the go ahead to post a sample chapter of my book 'Hands-On Guide To Flash Video' (which I co-authored together with Jan Ozer). So without further delay here is chapter 4 (written by Jan) which covers lighting for shooting web video.

Chapter 4 (7MB PDF).

I you feel so inclined you can order the book from Amazon.

Video Demo: Adobe OnLocation and Ultra

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:43:00 +0100

Here's a nice demo by Karl Soule of Adobe covering Adobe OnLocation and Ultra. Both tools have been added to Adobe's offering after the aquisition of Serious Magic.

Ultra is a tool for working with blue- or greenscreen video in a very straight forward way and it allows you to easily change backgrounds in a video and it even gives you a real time preview during the shot, amongst other things. Very cool.

OnLocation (previously called DV Rack) on the other hand provides you with an easy way of recording video directly to disk, for example on your laptop. No need for tapes anymore. I saw a demo of this at Adobe Live in London and the tool is really powerful once you take a few minutes to explore the many options its interface provides.
You can watch the recording by Karl Soule here.

My Book 'Hands-On-Guide to Flash Video' is (Almost) Out!

Wed, 02 May 2007 21:44:00 +0100

Some of you may know that I've been working on a book, together with my co-author and all round video meister Jan Ozer. The book is titled Hands-on-Guide to Flash Video and it's part of the Hands-on Guider Book Series by Focal Press.
Today I have received my first copy of the book (see pic) and it was a great feeling flipping through it (no, I did not read it!) and actually holding it in my hands - up until now it did not seem real at all and the process of writing and copy editing seems way back in the past (before christmas 2006).
I had a blast writing my chapters (about half of the book), especially since my co-writer was such a great sport and helped me out with great tips and guidance. Jan, you rock. This was my first major writing engagement (I'm more used to blogs and short articles) and I really hope that some of you will enjoy the book and learn a few things from Jan and myself.

The book (which you can preorder here) has quite a broad target audience and I think that most people will gain SOMETHING from it. I tried to keep the code part quite basic because I expect that a lot of readers will be new to Flash and not only to the Flash video side of things. On the flipside I think that seasoned Flashers can gain a lot of new knowledge from Jan's chapters as he takes a close look at codecs, shooting, lighting and encoding, to name but a few. But that's not to say that my chapters on Flash Media Server won't have anything to offer to experienced ActionScripters, too.The content breaks down as follows:
1. Quick Start
2. The Streaming Media Landscape
3. Designing the Set
4. Lighting the Set
5. Streaming-Related Shooting Skills
6. Correcting Audio and Video Problems
7. Preparing for Compression
8. Producing Alpha Channel video
9. Encoding Your Video
10. Flash Video Concepts
11. Deploying Progressive Flash Video
12. Customizing FLV Playback
13. Using Cue Points
14. Controlling Your Content
15. Advanced Effects and Playback Options
16. Introduction to Flash Media Server (FMS)
17. Streaming Video with Flash Media Server
18. Advanced Flash Media Server Techniques
19. Case Studies

The book launches in the US in two days time (May 4th). You can also grab a copy at Streaming Media East (but unfortunately I won't be there).
Anyways, do feel free to leave some feedback if you have read and enjoyed the book or if you have any questions about it.
You can preorder the book now and it should ship very shortly. Leave a review on Amazon if you like but note that I only accept positive ones ;-)

Total Training: Get up to speed with Adobe Premiere 2

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:56:00 +0100

Being part of the Adobe Community Experts program carries some benefits (sorry for rubbing this in), one of them being the occasional freebie. Recently I received a free copy of Total Training's Premiere 2 DVD Course - Premiere (and video editing in general) is something I wanted to learn a bit better. Being a book kind of person I hadn't ever seen any of these training courses before and I got to say I was presently surprised. The package includes some 5 DVDs and approximately 17 hours of on-screen training. There is a lot of detail to the exercises too. Take this for an example (if you already know a bit about Premiere 2): check out the preferences > general option in Premiere 2. There's a heck of a lot of stuff in here but the presenter walks you through each and every one of these options, making sure you understand them all. And this theme carries on right through the rest of the video lessons. I haven't been through the entire course yet but I'm sure it will take my Premiere skills to the next level. I'm keen to check out the upcoming Flex2 course and I will make sure to post a review once it's out later this month.

Programming Flash Communication Server

Sun, 06 Mar 2005 11:26:00 +0100

The wait is over: the long awaited book 'Programming Flash Communication Server' has been released. You may already know that Brian Lesser is the main man behind this, backed up by a crew of Flashcom allstars such including Peldi, Robert Reinhardt, Justin Watkins and Joey Lott. Yes, wow.
I am not sure what else to tell you except GO AND BUY IT and once you have placed your order check out the book's website which features a sample chapter, articles and sources.
Congratulations to everyone involved!