e-Video: Producing Internet Video as Broadband Technologies Converge

Today, we are standing on the brink of an Internet revolution. As compression technology, streaming techniques, and transmission lines grow in efficiency, speed, and capacity, Internet video is fast becoming both viable and inevitable.

This resource-packed guide to producing, encoding, editing, compressing, and serving video over the Internet lets you in on this coming "killer app." It presents the current tools and technologies that make Internet video possible, and reveals likely future developments, allowing you to make knowledgeable investments in technology and equipment that anticipate these trends.

The book covers bandwidth requirements for video delivery-from low-end broadband to the ultimate high-speed HDTV transmission. It follows the video preparation and production process, demonstrating various software tools for developing, encoding, and editing content. You will also find in-depth information on the state-of-the-art in video compression and streaming technology. In addition, the book explains how the networks and servers currently support Internet video, and describes future developments in the works.

You will learn about such specific topics as:

• e-commerce, educational, and entertainment opportunities made possible by
• streaming e-video
• The desktop video production cycle
• Data compression fundamentals and algorithms
• Streaming video codec standards
• RealVideo and other software tools from such vendors as Microsoft and Apple
• MPEG streaming
• The transition from electronic routers and switches to optical nodes
• Innovations in network caching and data storage on the Internet

Filled with examples, experience-based techniques, and available tools, this book serves both as a compendium of information and a hands-on tutorial. The code and video demos for all the examples are included on the accompanying CD-ROM.

Table of Contents

List of Acronyms x
List of Figures xiii
List of Tables xiv

Introduction 1

Overview 1
Background 2
The Bandwidth Problem 5
The Bandwidth Solution 5
How This Book Is Organized 6
Who Should Read This Book 8
Associated Resources 8

PART I Video Opportunity 11

CHAPTER 1 Bandwidth for Video 13

Transitioning from Analog to Digital Technology 14
Competing Technologies 17
Streaming Video 19
Calculating Bandwidth Requirements 20
Transitioning from Narrowband to Broadband 22
Preparing to Converge 25
Conclusion 26

CHAPTER 2 Internet Video Opportunities 29

Bandwidth Requirements Differentiate Video Applications 30
The Explosion of e-Commerce 31
Why Long Distance Two-Way Communication Needs Internet Video 32
Internet Video Business Models 34
Video Service Business Models 35
Virtual Shopping Malls 36
Video for On-Line Education 37
Entertainment 38
Conclusion 40

PART II Video Production 41

CHAPTER 3 Producing, Capturing, and Editing Video Content 43

How to Produce Video Content Optimized for Web Delivery 44
Step 1: Preparing and Developing the Source Material 45
Analog and Digital Tape Formats 47
Step 2: Capturing the Audio/Video 49
Audio Requirements 50
Video Requirements 52
Video Processing Systems 53
Video Capture Cards 53
Capture Applications 55
Computer Bus Architecture 57
Drive 57
Backup Hardware 58
Turnkey Nonlinear Editor Systems 58
Step 3: Editing and Adding Effects 58
MediaStudio Pro 61
How To Example 62
Conclusion 65

PART III Video Compression 67

CHAPTER 4 Video Compression 69

Data Types for Different Types of Content 70
How Data Is Compressed 72
Image Compression 74
Discrete Cosine Transforms (DCTs) 76
Discrete Wavelet Transforms (DWT) 77
Fractals 77
Hybrid Wavelet-Fractal Transforms 77
Image Compression Segmentation and Edge Detection 78
Motion Compensation DWT 78
Compression-Decompression (codec) Standards 79
Video Compression Methods 81
Streaming Video Codecs 81
Authoring Tools 83
Conclusion 84

CHAPTER 5 RealNetworks and SMIL 85

Background on RealNetworksi RealSystem G2 86
RealAudio Characteristics 88
RealVideo Characteristics 89
How to Encode Using RealProducer 89
How to Create the RealMedia Clip 90
How to Create a Web Page Example 95
How to Publish a Web Page Example 97
What is SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language)? 98
SMIL General Rules 101
Our How To Example 115
Inserting Ads with SMIL 125
Using RealPix for Ads 128
Conclusion 128

CHAPTER 6 Windows Media, QuickTime, and Other Formats 129

Windows Media 130
Converting Existing Digital Video to ASF 131
How to Publish a Web Page Example 133
Embedded Windows Media Files in Both Internet Explorer and Netscape 135
Start the Streaming Media Presentation in the Stand-alone Player 136
Put Your Streaming Media Files into Media Services Server 137
Windows Media T.A.G. Author 138
Comparison of Formats 139
Microsoft TV Platform Adaptation Kit (TVPAK) 140
QuickTime 140
QuickTime Compression 141
StreamWorks 143
VDOlive 143
Emblaze 143
Inetcam 144
Conclusion 145

CHAPTER 7 MPEG Streaming 147

Standards 148
Broadband Applications 151
TV over Copper 152
A How-To Example for Streaming MPEG 153
How to Compress to MPEG 153
Conclusion 156

PART IV Video Delivery 157

CHAPTER 8 High-Speed Networks Prepare for Video 159

Building Bandwidth 160
ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) 163
Quality of Service 164
Switching 164
SONET Networks 166
Ethernet Networks 166
Multiplexors 167
Signals 168
Satellites 169
Expanding the Internet 169
New Bandwidth Economics 171
Integrating Separate Networks within the Optical Domain 172
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing 173
Lightpath Switching 174
Video Networks 175
Internet Transfer Protocols 175
Unicast and Multicast 179
Multicast 181
Models of IP over ATM 183
IPv6 and IP Integrated Services over ATM 183
Developing Intelligent Networks 185
"Caching-in" on the Edge of the Internet 187
Conclusion 188

CHAPTER 9 Server Requirements for Video Delivery 191

Background 192
Serverless or Server-Based Video Streaming 192
Projected Video Server Loading 193
Streaming Video Servers 193
Computer Hardware 194
Platform Operating Systems 195
Video Server Performance 196
Video Server Software for RealVideo 196
A How-To Example 198
Video server Software for QuickTime 199
Video server Software for Microsoft 200
Caching Servers 201
Conclusion 203

CHAPTER 10 Live Webcasts 205

Webcasts 206
Live Broadcasts 206
RealNetworksi RealProducer Broadcast Example 207
A How-To Example Delivering Live Unicast with Windows Media 210
A How-To Example Delivering Live Multicast with Windows Media 211
Conclusion 211

CHAPTER 11 Future Strategies for Video 213

Cable Leads the Way toward Broadband Delivery 214
Scaling RealNetworks and Microsoft Codecs for Broadband 216
HDTV over the Internet 217
Building Bridges between the Standards 218
Conclusion 220

Appendices 223

Appendix A: Our Web Site and CD-ROM 223
Appendix B: Standard Organizations 227
Appendix C: TV and Tape Standards 231
Appendix D: Telephone Standards 239
Appendix E: Internet Transfer Protocols 245
Appendix F: Compression Standards 249
Appendix G: XML and SMIL Standards 253
Appendix H: Wireless Standards 265
Appendix I: Cable Standards 267

Glossary 271
Index 283