17 Replies Latest reply: Sep 14, 2010 1:28 PM by rshin RSS

    HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS

    ingramre Community Member

      We are beginning a large project involving a multi-state consortium of state agencies.  We are creating lots of great looking HD and obviously want to show the vids to their fullest extent.  We are also thrilled with the recent release of the HTTP Dynamic Streaming and OSFMPlayer with everything running on a standard HTTP server (Windows/Apache 2.2) via the File Packager and HTTP Origin Module.

       

      However, it looks like most in this forum are using one of Flash Media Server flavors, not a standard HTTP server.  Have any of you used/installed the File Packager/HTTP Origin Module/OSFM solution on HTTP servers?  If so, do you have any install/use tips?

       

      Thank for any and all advice.

        • 1. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
          Apoorva Arora Community Member

          Hi,

           

          Http Dynamic Streaming can be supported either by installing Flash Media Server and configuring the Apache shipped with the installation for the use of http streaming or you can directly install Apache 2.2 and use it.

           

          You can get complete information about the installation, use and  delivery of content using Http Dynamic Streaming here.

           

          The page explains both the methods of installation very well. You can refer to the topic Tutorial: On-demand HTTP Dynamic Streaming for a clear understanding.

           

          Let us know if this not does work for you.

           

          Thanks.

          • 2. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
            ingramre Community Member

            Thanks for pointing me in the direction of the install directions.  That got me off to a good start (eg, Apache 2.2 installed OK).  However, I've hit a snag in configuring the HTTP Origin Module. for Apache.  FYI - The install directions I am using are at:

            http://help.adobe.com/en_US/HTTPStreaming/1.0/Using/WS8d6ed60bd880807c48597a9e1265edd6cc0- 8000.html

             

            When I modify the conf files as noted in steps 3d (a-e) and then attempt to restart Apache (running as service), I receive an error "Windows could not start Apache 2.2 on local computer."   It throws an error code of 1 (contact vendor since not Microsoft).  It looks like Windows Module installer has stopped too, but I don't know if this is chicken or egg.  FYI - Apache is installed on the D: drive along with IIS; ports are 8080 and 80 respectively.

             

            Any ideas?

            • 3. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
              rshin Community Member

              Have you installed Apache 2.2 as a standalone or the one came with FMS3.8?

              If you have installed Apache as a standalone, we may want to check if Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package and the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package have been installed, which is on the steps 1 of  the help page.

               

              Another thing we could check is to stop IIS and run Apache to see if that runs. You may change the port to 80 temporarily for this try.

               

              Ryan

              • 4. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                ingramre Community Member

                Hi Ryan,

                 

                Thank you for the reply.  Yes, we installed both the 2005 and 2008 C++ packages.  Apache 2.2 installed OK; changed port to 8080.  We suspect that IIS and Apache cannot co-exist, but we just don't start IIS (don't need) it and Apache seems happy.

                 

                One trick we found (well, Ben found) - has to be verified - is that if IIS is installed (even if not running), the Apache conf to the listening port needs to be not 'Listen 8080' as noted in directions but rather 'Listen localhost:8080'.  Took a while to figure that out.

                 

                We have packaged a few vids and are now testing.  Can't get them to load yet.  Any ideas are welcome.

                 

                Rich

                • 5. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                  rshin Community Member

                  It sounds a bit odd if IIS and Apache can't run together even if the port is not shared.

                  Anyhow,  were there any http streaming sample f4f f4m files came with your FMS installation? If so, can you try to run first before running your own packaged files? What do you see after you run your packaged file? Is it 404 or do you see anything in the log file?  Make sure your url is correct by following the url convention.    In order for us to advise, we may need more information from you...

                   

                  Ryan

                  • 6. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                    ingramre Community Member

                    Hi Ryan,

                     

                    This is not FMS, but just Apache 2.2 on Win Server 2008.  So, no sample files.  I've copied in Ben Shirkey who is working on this too.  Do you have a pristine-proven f4f/f4m file or two that we could use to make sure that's not one of the issues?

                     

                    As to 404, one of the issues is that this is not currently a public-facing server.  So, I can't give you a link that you could hit.  But, syntax for URL is, eg,

                    http://134.126.118.104:8080/vod/end_800.mov

                     

                    Does that look right (excluding perhaps the .mov instead of say,  f4v.

                     

                    We also have a test vid in mp4, flv, and f4v format; they don't work either.  FYI - The f4fpackager seemed to work OK, but I'm not sure if it throws exceptions or not.

                     

                    Thanks.

                     

                    Rich

                    • 7. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                      rshin Community Member

                      I see, you are running from http server.  Assume that you know that only supports VOD case, not LIVE or DVR http sreaming feature.

                       

                       

                      First, the url should be I think http://yourserver:port/vod(or whatever your files are)/xxx.f4m  All http streaming files are recommended in f4m, fact that the packager will create a f4m for you to use. F4M is a manifest file that has points to your metadata, bootstrap info of your f4f file.

                       

                      I think the steps are clear in the doce noted above.

                      Doucle check if these are correct.

                       

                      1. On Windows, download and install Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package and Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package.  --> You've done this.

                         

                      2. Install the HTTP Origin Module.

                        On Windows, copy the following files to the Apache \modules folder: mod_f4fhttp.so, adbe_F4V.dll, and libexpat.dll. --> Assume that you've done with this.

                         

                      3. Create a “vod” folder in the Apache DocumentRoot folder. The vod folder will hold the packaged media files.

                        On Windows, the default location is C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\htdocs\vod.

                         

                      4. To configure the HTTP Origin Module, do the following:--> You should do this. Assume you did.

                        1. Open the Apache \conf\httpd.conf file in a text editor.

                        2. Locate the LoadModule section and add the following line:

                          LoadModule f4fhttp_module modules/mod_f4fhttp.so
                          Note: If there isn’t a LoadModule section, add the line anywhere in the file.
                        3. Locate the <Location> section and add the following:--> This should be done, point to whereever you place your packaged file

                          <Location /vod> 
                              HttpStreamingEnabled true
                              HttpStreamingContentPath "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\htdocs\vod"
                          </Location>

                       

                       

                      Ryan

                      • 8. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                        ingramre Community Member

                        Hi Ryan,

                         

                        Yes, these steps are straight from the instructions.  We completed them all, including packaging the manifest files (.f4m) etc.  The only wrinkle we found was that, in the conf file, the specification that was listed as 'Listen 8080' actually had to be set as 'Listen localhost:8080'

                         

                        Not sure what next steps are.  We're thinking about wiping it all and starting all over.  Ideas?

                         

                        Thanks.

                         

                        Rich

                        • 9. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                          rshin Community Member

                          Rich,

                           

                          You mentioned from the previous post, you run a mov file.  You should run a f4m file from your packaged file. Is that what you did?

                           

                          Ryan

                          • 10. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                            ingramre Community Member

                            Hi Ryan,

                             

                            Yes, I am trying to hit the f4m (manifest) for each vid - packaged via f4fpackager.  Thinking it might be a codec isses, I have packaged and tried:

                             

                            mov (H.264/AICC)

                            mp4 (H.264)

                            flv (Flash 8)

                            f4v (Flash 9)

                             

                            Ideas?

                             

                            Thanks.

                             

                            Rich

                            • 11. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                              ingramre Community Member

                              Hi again Ryan,

                               

                              I can hit the f4m file via URL, but when I do, the manifest diplays, not the vid.  See result below.

                               

                              fwiw - my test vids are compressed at 24 fps and I think the f4fpackager default is 29.97 fps.  Would that prevent the vid from displaying?

                               

                              Rich

                               

                              MANIFEST (SHOWS IN BROWSER WHEN HIT F4M FILE)

                               

                               

                                </manifest

                              • 12. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                                ingramre Community Member

                                It's alive!

                                 

                                http://134.126.118.104:8080/OSMFPlayer.html?url=http://134.126.118.104:8080/vod/f4v.f4m

                                 

                                Ryan - Is the URL syntax above the preferred way to hit the vids?

                                 

                                FYI - Y0ou won't be able to see this until the server is exposed to teh internet.  I hav that request in; will let you know.

                                 

                                Rich

                                • 13. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                                  ingramre Community Member

                                  If you prefer for testing purposes, you can access the OSMF Player directly and then load in the strings needed.  To enter a new string, click on the eject button at the bottom of the player.

                                   

                                  See:

                                  http://134.126.118.104:8080/OSMFPlayer.html

                                   

                                  Rich

                                  • 14. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                                    ingramre Community Member

                                    Hi Ryan,

                                    This computer has just been exposed to the inet; you should be able to hit it.  Let me know how it goes.

                                    Rich

                                    • 15. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                                      rshin Community Member

                                      Yeah. works!  Though, stream not found at 1:10 sec  (10sec before the end of content) though.  Looks like the particular fragment is not found.

                                       

                                      Ryan

                                      • 16. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                                        ingramre Community Member

                                        Hi Ryan,

                                         

                                        As you know, we have out HTTP Dynamic Streaming Testbed up and running.  Now we are beginning to prepare (compress) vids for the packager.  Do you have any advice/tips on the best compression setting when working with packager/Dynamic Streaming?  We are using Episode to compress MP4 and FL9 vids (we want to see if there is any difference between the two).  Lots of questions re: optimal setting, for .MP4, what bitrate control type would be best (VRV, VBR, CBR)?

                                         

                                        Thanks for any and all insight.

                                         

                                        Rich

                                        • 17. Re: HTTP Dynamic Streaming for VOD without FMS
                                          rshin Community Member

                                          Hi,

                                           

                                          I don't have particular much experience on compressing various types of contents, but we do have experts within the group and has a white paper tofr best practices on the area.

                                           

                                          Please refer to this site (cookbook).  I was told that this will be updated within 2 weeks for a lot more coverage.

                                           

                                          www.eventsadobe.com/cookbook

                                           

                                           

                                          Ryan