Streaming format for members area - wmv or flash in 2008?
 

I've always been in favour of wmv for download because of the quality vs download time ratio and the fact that pretty much everyone can play it. The other format I like is mpg but I don't think it makes sense to offer both of them.

Yet, apart from the fact that nowadays pretty much anyone can be ripping your videos to stream on their site all night long I also do have a feeling that streaming standards has changed.

Is it wiser to consider flash for streaming instead of wmv because it's more versatile and bandwith effective these days?

Let's hear your thoughts

I'm now using h264 encrypted streaming in the members area. It's better looking than .wmv, you can move to anyplace in the movie during the stream (sort of like fast forward and rewind by using a cursor) So it looks better, has better functions. I lost about 5% of my members initially who were pissed that they couldn't download. I'm starting to think they were the ones stealing everything and uploading it to begin with. Sales are on the increase. Rebills too. They have to stay a member if they want to see the content. Plus, of course, intereact with CM via email and the members forum and the live cam shows that we stream ourselves exclusively for our members. (not on any cam "network")

I stream in flash and download in wmv, everyones happy

Same here, stream in flash and download in wmv.

I'm about to start converting to Flash for our new site (DCupMilfs.com), hope I do a good job :)
I'll be using Moyea

for our new project we will be doing VC-1 streaming

Same story here.

Are you guys using h264 on cave creek?

If you offer a slick streaming flash vs a downloadable wmv, and you auto play the flash (vs offering them a choice first) the people will watch the streaming flash.

If you do it this way, "then" ask your members in a poll what format they like best, flash will kill the downloadable options. But if you offer them as equal links, click here for the streaming fla vs a download link, they will grab the wmv and vote that way too.

Offer both I would say, but definitely offer a high quality original in WMV or whatever that's downloadable. I know of one sponsor who had only flash videos in their members area, and are now replacing them all with high quality originals :)

How much is it increasing the bw usage?

Flash baby

Isnt' VC-1 for cable? I thought you could use something else for Silverlight?

vc-1 works fine for streaming as well and ensures you can use all silverlight functionalities. plus microsoft DRM if you like

I bought flash server and put it on my own box. Kicks ass and so far has been "bullet proof" I had to up my ram to 4 gigs. And I may go up further in time. My box has a max of 8 gigs of ram. Flash Server is pretty damn sweet.

If you ever get sick of managing the boxes and want to speed up those streams let me know.

Thanks Brian. I know you guys kick major ass. Right now I'm doing alright. A 400+ meg file starts streaming in about 3 seconds with an encoded variable bit rate of 2 to 6 mbs I have a "low speed" version that runs about 1200kbs that loads like lightning...of course it's not "perfect" like the bad ass high speed version.

Fair enough , we are seeing very good performance on files as high as 1.5Mbps bit rates. If you are interested in testing it out at some point we are still doing free trials. I personally am just glad to see more people realizing that streaming is the way to go and moving away from downloads. With the security in the new flash player that allows streams to be encrypted using RTMPE it really seems like a no brainer to me.

offer both. more options is a good thing.

Brian can you hit me up on icq when you get a moment. What you on a long lunch today? :winkwink::upsidedow

I have been here, just computer has been flaky.