VBrick Systems VB5000, VB6000, VB4000 manual Multicasting, Unicasting

The Microsoft Windows Media 9 product suite divides transport functionality between two distinct products—the encoder and the server. In some applications the VBrick WM Appliance provides the same functionality as the Microsoft encoder in that it can encode live video and audio and provide a unicast stream to a Microsoft Windows Media server which then may relay the stream to the many players using various transport protocols. In other applications, the VBrick WM Appliance replaces both the Microsoft encoder and the server. It can directly support a large number of players connected via unicast (maximum 200) and it can multicast to an unlimited number of players. The VBrick WM Appliance supports direct player unicast connections, server unicast connections, and direct player multicast connections—all at the same time.

Multicasting

The VBrick WM Appliance can multicast to any number of players directly after using the Configuration: Encoder > Multicast settings to enter a multicast address and port for the session. There are many ways for a Windows Media player to access the multicast stream from a VBrick WM Appliance but here are some of the most common. (For more detailed information, see Multicast Playback on page 37.)

TTo access a Windows Media multicast:

•Distribute the Windows Media .asx file. You can get an "announcement file" (*.asx) from the VBrick by right-clicking on the playback hyperlinks in IWS. Once moved to a Windows computer, the user can double-click the .asx file to launch the Windows Media Player and view the multicast. (A standard Windows system associates the .asx extension with the Windows Media Player.)

•Use an HTTP URL to access the .asx file on the VBrick. You can create a web page that contains an HTTP link to the multicast asx file on the VBrick or you can open the multicast asx URL using Windows Media Player or a web browser.

•Use VBrick StreamPlayer Program Guide. VBrick's StreamPlayer product adds an automatic program guide to Windows Media Player. Each WM Appliance on your network is automatically listed in the program guide on the player. You simply click on the entry in the program guide to play the stream.

•Use VBrick's EtherneTV Portal Server (v3.2 or later). The Portal Server is a fully integrated video solution with automatic program guides and an integrated player for live streams from all types of VBrick appliances as well as on-demand streams from video servers. EtherneTV offers many advanced features such as scheduling, recording, and access control.

Unicasting

The WM Appliance can support up to 200 simultaneous unicast destinations depending on bit rate and other configuration options. There are many ways for a Windows Media player to access the unicast stream from a VBrick WM Appliance but here are some of the most common. (For more detailed information, see Unicast Playback on page 44.)

TTo access a Windows Media unicast:

•Distribute a Windows Media .asx file. You can get an "announcement file" (*.asx) from the VBrick by right-clicking on the playback hyperlinks in IWS. Once moved to a Windows computer, the user can double-click the .asx file to launch the Windows Media Player and view the unicast. (A standard Windows system associates the .asx extension with the Windows Media Player.)

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