VideoWhisper Live Video Streaming Integration
- This extension requires registration to download.
This software was designed for 1 to many video streaming so there are 3 different interfaces:
1. Live Broadcast (for publisher)
2. Live Video Watch (for active viewers, discuss online)
3. Live Video Streaming (for passive viewers, simple live video)
Joomla integration for this video streaming software is based on a joomla component and a joomla module.
The joomla module lists active broadcaster channels & show names and a link to broadcast. If user is not logged a clickable message is shown to return to the website and login.
Component is developed using MVC (model view controller) for Joomla 1.5 . It's a Joomla 1.5 Native component.
We are developing this for all of you that want to build sites with features like on justin tv, ustream tv, mogulus, stickam, blog tv or their clones and just need the right plugin to provide this video broadcasting functionality.
All PHP integration source code is provided under GPL.
INSTALLATION:
Full details about the integration component and installation here:
http://www.videowhisper.com/?p=Joomla+Live+Streaming
REQUIREMENTS:
This advanced software requires 2 types of hosting: a regular php&mysql web hosting plan for the regular website features (you probably have that if you have joomla installed) and a special plan (usually on a different special server) for video streaming and other instant communication required between chat clients. You need 1 of these to run the interactive and streaming part of the software: FMIS or Red5. See the software requirements page on our site for more details. Red5 is free and open source but you need a VPS or Dedicated Server with root access to install it. If you're not very technical you can also find this type of hosting with management services on our site or from other providers.
Installation was fine with some assistance from our hosting company and the stream works.
However, this product is not "white label". It is sold with developers branding which really sucks.
We didn't see the fine print at the time of purchase and could have used alternative FREE online mod instead, but since we were looking for a private solution we purchased this instead.
Also, the products stream quality is far from FREE online versions which is even more of a disappointment.
Overall we would have been fine with the product even at $250 but having to carry their brand at that cost is ridiculous especially since there are a number of free online version and as well as joomla extensions available that would have saved us the trouble of upgrading to dedicated hosting and installation time.
Software is the same for free and licensed mode, except when licensed all limitations (users per room) and intrusive ads are removed. All licensing upgrade options and costs are listed on the investment page.
Streaming quality depends on installation settings, hosting and client internet connections.
Video quality depends on allocated bandwidth per stream from settings (must be in the limits of the connection upload speed for broadcaster and download speed for watcher).
Higher video bandwidth setting will reduce required compression level and pixelation on movements but will require users to have higher connection or will cause massive frame loss, interruptions, big latency.
Latency depends on buffering settings (set 0.1 for flash minimum) and client-server connection latency that is independent of settings. Less buffering means less latency and is recommended for live chats. For 1 to many live streaming more buffering is recommended as fluency is more important.
Do a upload speed test of your home connection to your a location near your streaming server (rtmp) using ie speedtest.net or another tool. Note than on ADSL upload speed (required for broadcasting) is much lower than download speed.
Then configure application streaming options (camBandwidth) to match your connection capabilities if you consider most users will have similar connections.
Also you can change camMaxBandwidth that will allow changing bandwidth allocation at runtime (by clicking webcam preview panel). With that you can apply different broadcasting settings at runtime while previewing playback on a different computer or browser tab.
Best low latency results are obtained with P2P between the 2 clients if rtmfp address is configured. Using P2P, latency is independent of server and only depends on client connections.
Red5 is an open source solution so i installed it on my server to found that is a good streaming server with a lot of application that run "out of box".
With the free version for joomla of these product, the test MUST be done.
It's very simply to instal, few option for configurate (realy just one preferences setting) and one module for display the application.
Red5 configuration also is simple.
The graphic style is poor but customizable (but editing php code) and an interface for setting the player color or for use an external player is a need for not expert joomla user.
Waiting for the next step, i thing that is one of the few "live broadcasting" component for joomla at moment.