Live Streaming server software
 

Some quick background -- my current host has just changed my bandwidth allowance for my account from 3000GB/month to 10mbit/s on the 95th percentile. Even though i only used 1250GB in june, i'm already getting overage costs because with the 95th they're billing me on the peaks instead of the average/totals for the month. since it's webcam bandwidth, sometimes there are hundreds of viewers pushing 30mbit+ , the rest of the time its only a dozen or two -- this used to average out to something affordable at the end of the month.. not anymore.

What this means to me is i need to change hosting. I set this server up in 2002 back when it made sense to use windows media as the format for my 24/7 live cam so it is a windows server.. now i have a chance to consider alternate formats. What is the best way to stream LIVE content currently? what software? best hosts (that charge by the GB, not 95th)?

I did some quick searching and came up with lots of info on red5, wowza, and lighttpd -- and lighttpd seems to be the choice, but always for video galleries, not live cams. Would that make sense for my situation?

all advice greatly appreciated

thank you!

Flash is pretty universal. WMV can be made to work with many things, but you're pretty much killing any phone market you may have had.

You're going to likely get/keep/want the 95th percentile, but renegotiate your bursts.

red5 is java based and not horribly stable at all times. Wowza works, and Light is usually used for streaming prerecords, not realtime. You have a few options with a windows platform.

I would talk to Robbie.

He is already doing something like this (live streaming) once a week on his CM site.

robbie! help!

Why not take a 100mbit unmetered port at FDC servers? You can't get over 100 mbit, since port is 100mbit, so there will never be any overcharge. $159 for a dual core server. As for streaming, I stream some things in WMP format as well. You can use VLC streaming server (free) for that. I have a programer specializing in VLC and he is very cheap. Hit me up and I will give you contact.

Also webair.com can probably make you a great deal and I can recommend them.

Pretty simple.

Free/Worse: Red5
Inexpensive/Best: Wowza ~75/Month
Expensive/Worse to deal with: Flash Live Media Server ~3500/one time

lighttpd and nginx work great for flv streaming and mp4 streaming with the correct modules AND if your mp4s/flvs have their index's keyed for the streaming. Wowza/FMS takes care of this automatically.

Thats the basics of it. We do VOD/tube hosting and live streaming/broadcasting for some small sporting events with ~2k viewers.

If you have any questions about anything or interest any hosting/managed solutions please feel free to contact me.

Red5 is free, but you get what you pay for. If money is tight go with the Wowza monthly payment plan.

I like the FDC idea, i think i could even get away with a VDS since im just hosting one webcam stream -- not planning to run any webpages or scripts from it. I've added the contact from there on my yahoo, so if anyone from FDS reads this, hit me up: web_seth on yim or my icq in sig

thanks!

I use Flash Media Server. And NOT the $3500 version. I use the $999 version

It works great! I use it to stream all the videos in our members area AND do our LIVE shows as well.

I host at Choopa by the way. GREAT prices and excellent support.

We are Wowza Media partners and as a few stated here is a great solution for what you are looking to do. Feel free to contact me and I will be happy to assist you with a server plan that best meets your needs. We can do per gig if you prefer as well.

Talk to Spudstr.