The Streaming Media Handbook [Paperback]

Eyal Menin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 2002

An increasingly wide range of Web sites are discovering the compelling advantages of streaming media. But delivering high-performance, reliable, cost-effective media across the Internet can be extremely challenging, especially for Web professionals who have never done it before. Now, Eyan Menin -- who has run webcasts for U2, the Rolling Stones, and a wide array of enterprise clients -- walks you through every aspect of streaming media development Menin introduces every key streaming media technology and platform, helping you identify the best tools and technologies for both live webcasts and media-on-demand applications, and solutions for both public Web delivery and private corporate intranets. You'll learn how to configure both encoding workstations and streaming media servers; identify cost-effective sources for content; troubleshoot problems with performance, reliability, and efficiency; even stream media to wireless and mobile devices. The book's many examples encompass all three leading media formats -- Real, Windows Media, and Quicktime. Also included: detailed corporate examples, practical guidance on marketing your streaming content, and a complete streaming media glossary.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

• Practical solutions for webcasts, media-on-demand, and private corporate intranet applications
• Covers streaming infrastructure, production, coding, and delivery
• Presents extensive examples using QuickTime, Windows Media, and Real
• Includes three detailed corporate case studies
• By the producer of webcasts for U2 and The Rolling Stones

The real-world guide to delivering streaming media—no experience needed!

More and more Web sites are discovering the compelling advantages of streaming media. But delivering high-performance, reliable, cost-effective media across the Internet can be extremely challenging?especially for Web professionals who've never done it before. Now, you can master streaming media step by step, with guidance from an expert who has produced webcasts for U2, The Rolling Stones, and dozens of enterprise clients. Eyal Menin covers every facet of streaming video infrastructure, production, coding, and delivery, including:

• Choosing optimal technologies for webcasts, media-on-demand, public Web delivery, and private corporate intranet applications
• Understanding how streaming media works with your network and firewalls
• Configuring encoding workstations and streaming media servers
• Identifying cost-effective content sources
• Troubleshooting performance, reliability, and efficiency
• Streaming media to wireless and mobile devices.
• Marketing your streaming content

The book's many examples encompass all three leading media formats—Real, Windows Media, and QuickTime. Also included: practical guidance on measuring the success of your streaming media initiative, plus three detailed corporate case studies.

About the Author

EYAL MENIN, a veteran of the streaming media industry, has produced more than 50 entertainment and corporate webcasts, including webcasts for U2, Diana Ross, and the Rolling Stones. Currently a partner in UVision, Inc., a technology consulting firm, he designs streaming media networks and develops interactive multimedia applications. Menin served for two years as President of the New York Chapter of the International Television Association.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (July 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130358134
• ISBN-13: 978-0130358134
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #961,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good...I guess, May 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Streaming Media Handbook (Paperback)

I had very high expectations when I began to read this book, and I dont feel like they were fulfilled. It is a nice introduction for beginners to the world of advanced computing. However, for anyone who has been toying around with streaming media, this is probably not the book for you. Actually, I'm not sure that there is a book for you (at least I haven't found it yet). This book is extremely general, which I can excuse because of the nature of the subject matter. The author does use some wierd names for devices, though. For example, he calls a power supply a "power housing". Errors in terminology aside, the book did not seem to have any kind of definite experience level. The author considers advanced network topology and server placement and explains how to install a simple program and how to add RAM. This is a bit odd. Also, with regards to wireless standards, the author writes with a clear bias against the WAP Consortium. At times, the single purpose of the chapter was to attack the standard and those who created it. I cannot entertain the inclusion of a political agenda in a technical reference book. The book does have its advantages. Namely, the fact that it is an introduction for business people who are interested in deploying streaming technology but do not have a wealth of technical knowledge. For the rest of us techies, stay away from this book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done !!!, August 7, 2002

By 

"jeewiz" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Streaming Media Handbook (Paperback)

Finally a book that explains how to start streaming. No walk around, no sophisticated language. Straight step by step explanation of how to configure a workstation or a media server. many other books that talk about streaming media concentrate on the development of web pages, or emphasize the production process. The Streaming Media Handbook covers in short the production process, but just as an overview. It covers how to prepare web pages to display streaming content, but just as a tool to test your streams. And what is more important then learning how to start streaming. How to connect a video source to your capture card, adjust your encoding tool, and configure your media server to receive a streaming signal? I definitely recommend it! I found helpful charts and product comparison, and a detail break down of software and hardware, showing the pros and cons of each streaming technology. Well done !!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely informative! Don't leave home without it!!, August 6, 2002

By 

Sanjiv Mody (CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Streaming Media Handbook (Paperback)

I find my self constantly refering to this book...it has helped me tremendously in optimizing my internal network for streaming. The book covers the basics of video on the web for beginers as well as advanced topics for experienced streaming professionals.