Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I need to be able to stream?
Q: What type of equipment do I need?
Q: How fast must my connection speed be to encode video?
Q: Do my files reside on my web site?
Q: Do I have access to my files after they are placed on
your server?
Q: How do I send my files to the server?
Q: How will I know my site is accessed?
Q: How will I know my files are secure?
Q: What about back up copies?
Q: Can I encode through my firewall?
Q: What do I need to be able to stream?
A: To be streamed, media needs to be in a digitally encoded format. STREAMTOYOU provides multi-format encoding services for those needing it. For those who have their own capabilities, the customer can encode the data and upload the files to us. We support RealPlayer, Windows Media, AVI, MPEG2, MPEG4 QuickTime and the MP3 formats.
Q: What type of equipment do I need?
A: The type of equipment required depends on what the customer wants to do and accomplish. Digitizing and encoding media is not a terribly sophisticated task to those accustomed to working with it, but it does require specific technical "know-how" and an ability to edit in that environment. Digitizing and encoding media puts a strain on any computer's processing, so the equipment needs to be up to the task. Two key equipment parameters depend almost exclusively on whether the streaming must be LIVE or ON-DEMAND. We consider the minimum system requirements to be: Computer (ON-DEMAND) Pentium 400 MHz (800 MHz preferred) Ram: 128 MB (256 MB or 512 MB) Computer (LIVE) Pentium 800 MHz (1+ GHz preferred) Ram: 256 MB (512 MB preferred) Hard Drive: 10 GB (30-40 GB or even multiple drives preferred, depending on the type of events streamed) Color Display: 24-bit (true color) Sound Card: Sound Blaster Live Value Video Capture Card: Viewcast Osprey 150 or 200 (not necessary if audio only) Operating System: Microsoft Windows (98 minimum, NT 4.0 Service Pack 6, 2000, or XP preferred)
Q: How fast must my connection speed be to encode video?
A: For LIVE video feeds STREAMTOYOU recommends at least an ISDN connection. For LIVE audio feeds, a dedicated 56k connection is required. If uploading ON-DEMAND files, any connection will do, as long as the customer is patient during the upload process.
Q: Do my files reside on my web site?
A: No, your files will reside on our data center secure streaming servers. Unless your website is hosted at STREAMTOYOU, there is no guarantee that your hosting provider will have the necessary software and bandwidth to be able to stream your data. If your site is not hosted by STREAMTOYOU, you will have access to all your files, but they must be linked to STREAMTOYOU's servers. This is not the optimal configuration, because it places the interface of your data to a party other than STREAMTOYOU. In the best (most convenient and hassle-free) of worlds, STREAMTOYOU would design, manage, and host your website, thus enabling us to create the best organized and intuitive interface to your audio and video stream presentations.
Q: Do I have access to my files after they are placed on your server?
A: You always have complete access to your files 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. STREAMTOYOU will allow you complete file management.
Q: How do I send my files to the server?
A: A STREAMTOYOU client receives the necessary information to upload files through a File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and then hyperlinks them to your website. If you do not already have an FTP application, one can be downloaded from the Internet. STREAMTOYOU will be pleased to provide you recommendations.
Q: How will I know my site is accessed?
A: STREAMTOYOU has a comprehensive statistical package which is used to furnish clients a weekly report showing the number of "hits" and "unique hits" received by their grid.
Q: How will I know my files are secure?
A: STREAMTOYOU maintains firewall capabilities protecting some of the most demanding client's and their unique security needs.
Q: What about back up copies?
A: STREAMTOYOU is able to provide data backup services, whether "hard copies," or digital backups are required.
Q: Can I encode through my firewall?
A: Preferably not. Although some firewalls can open ports, most firewalls will either completely stop the stream, or degrade it to a point that it is not viewable. Our experience evidences the best solution, if possible, is to check with your network administrator and obtain an IP address that resides outside the firewall. This address can then be used while the data is encoded switching back after it the task is completed.