You can add video to your Web site at a fraction of the cost of true streaming using a method called simple, or HTTP, streaming.
Simple streaming opens a connection from the user’s Internet browser to the server, continuously updating the content displayed on the user’s screen. To end users, this looks like true video streaming since they do not have to wait for the entire file to download before beginning to view the video.
What You Need to Stream Video
Your more technologically savvy Web visitors probably already have Windows Media Player, RealPlayer or both installed on their desktops. Adding media to your Web site that plays in these two programs is simple.
Step 1:
Create a media file and save it in a streaming media format.
- RealPlayer formats include these file extensions: .ra, .ram, .rm and .rpm.
- For Windows Media, use: .asf, .avi, .aif, .aifc, .aiff, .au, .cda, .dvr-ms, .m1v, .mid, .midi, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .mpe, .mpeg, .mpg, .rmi, .snd, .vob, .wav, .wma and .wmv.
Step 2:
Upload the file to the Web server where your Web site resides.
Step 3:
Create a hyperlink to your file or embed it in your Web page.
Simple streaming gives you a bold new medium for communicating your message at a price you can afford. Most Web hosting plans include everything you need to get started.