Chapter TWO (continued) STREAMING SERVER TECHNOLOGIES — QUICKTIME SERVER

Chapter TWO (continued)
STREAMING SERVER TECHNOLOGIES
Apple QuickTime Server Technology
QuickTime (QT) is a multimedia format originally developed by Apple for its MAC OS as a file transfer tool, but has evolved into a premium technology for the creating, playing, and delivering (streaming) of digital media over the Internet.  QuickTime Streaming Server 5 is currently included as part of the Mac OS X Server v10.3 Software from Apple.  It is also compatible with the Darwin open source project, which offers ready-made versions of Darwin Streaming Server available for the Linux, Windows, and Solaris platforms, based on code like the QT server.
>> QuickTime Streaming Server still currently ships with  ships with Mac OS X Server, the upgraded version of which is called the “Lion”  Server.  More information is available from this link:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/server/
Apple QuickTime Streaming Server – the standards-based streaming media server included with the “LION” version of Apple’s server,  is now listed as version 5.5, and can be downloaded separately.  It can be downloaded at the following link:
http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Network-Admin/Apple-QuickTime-Streaming-Server.shtml  <<
The QuickTime technology differs slightly from the technologies previously discussed.  The encoding process involves two pieces of software that will be discussed within the Authoring Chapter.  Encoded audio files will carry a .mov file type (movie file), which has remained the file type since the early days when QT was used primarily for visual content.  The streaming audio is either pre-recorded in the QT movie format for on-demand storage, or streamed as a live feed.
After the encoding computer has captured the sound in the QT format and processed it with Sorenson Broadcaster to establish compression and output options, the stream is sent to the QuickTime Streaming Server than can be operated on a variety of server platforms, and is not proprietary to just the MAC operating system.
QuickTime Streaming Server delivers hinted QuickTime (.mov), hinted MPEG-4 (.mp4), and hinted 3GPP (.3gp) files in real-time over the Internet via the Real-time Transport Protocol/Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTP/RTSP).  It can also deliver MP3 files via Icecast-compatible protocols.  It delivers both video on demand (VoD) and, when combined with broadcasting software, live streams.  It is perfect for serving live events over the web, when partnered with broadcaster software, or for creating a 24×7 video or radio station with the included Playlist Broadcaster, or delivering long-form media.  It is also perfect for those concerned with customers downloading files locally; real-time streaming means the data is “consumed” as it is delivered, leaving no file to play back locally.[i]
As with the other systems discussed, the QT Streaming Server technology accepts streams encoded into the format, and then processes them for delivery to a third-party client resident on a listener computer.  It represents the ideal way to reach Macintosh users, as it is native to their operating system, as the QT player is pre-installed in all recent Mac computers sold.  In addition, there is a version of the player available for Windows users, extending the system’s cross-platform capability all the way to the desktop.
The Helix server from RealNetworks, already discussed, offers compatibility with QT streams, so this format can be implemented in concert with the other proprietary formats discussed.  While implementation of all the features and functionality of QT Streaming Server (QTSS) will require dedication of a server to the MAC OS X v 10.3 platform, QT format compatibility can be achieved through the use of the free Darwin Server technology, or implemented through the Helix server.  Because of QT’s superior performance characteristics and compatibility with advanced video (MPEG-4) and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) and MP3 formats, compatibility of the webcaster with this format should not be overlooked.
>> Here is an update on the features and benefits of the QT Streaming Server from the download site.   see link above to access download site<<
(Downloaded 01/24/12)
“Using the open standard, QuickTime Streaming Server lets you deliver live or prerecorded content in realtime over the Internet. With Instant-On, Apple’s patent-pending innovative streaming technology, your content begins to play as soon its link is clicked; there’s no waiting for the file to download.
Here are some key features of “Apple QuickTime Streaming Server”:
�· H.264 Stunning video quality from 3G to HD.
�· MPEG-4 The digital media standard.
�· AAC Audio Small files. Large sounds.
�· Streaming Your media in real-time.
�· Mobile Creation, delivery and playback. Worldwide.
�· Interactivity Gives your movies the smarts.
�· QuickTime VR Takes media for a spin.
�· Media Skins Not just another pretty face.
�· Automation Makes your content for you.
�· Supported streaming formats
�· QuickTime Movie (.MOV)
�· MPEG-4 (.MP4)
�· 3GPP (.3GP)
�· Streaming Protocols
�· RTSP over TCP
�· RTP over UDP
�· RTP over Apple’s Reliable UDP
�· RTSP/RTP in HTTP (tunneled)
�· RTP over RTSP (RTP over TCP)
�· Icecast via HTTP (MP3 only)
�· Standards-compliance
�· RFC 2326, Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)
�· RFC 1889, Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP)
�· RFC 2327, Session Description Protocol (SDP)
�· 3GPP Release 5 (TS 26.234 v5.6)
�· Performance (Simultaneous streams)
�· Live streams
�· 20 kbps (AAC audio) – 10,000
�· 64 kbps (MPEG-4 video & AAC audio) – 2,500
�· 300 kbps (MPEG-4 video & AAC audio) – 1,500
�· On-Demand Streams
�· 20 kbps (AAC Audio) – 8,000
�· 64 kbps (MPEG-4 video & AAC audio) – 2,000
�· 300 kbps (MPEG-4 video & AAC audio) – 1,000.”
A detailed guide for the deployment of the QuickTime Streaming Server is available from the QTSS Admin Guide available at:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Mac_OS_X_Server_v10.4_Getting_Started.pdf