Streaming Media FAQ

Q. What is Streaming Media?
A. Streaming media is a process in which audio, video, and other multimedia can be delivered live or anytime, anywhere over the Internet or company intranet.

Q: Won't Streaming a live event over my local network suck up all my bandwidth?
A: Yes. Unless your local network or Intranet is Multicast enabled. A Multicast enabled network will create single data stream that all the viewers tap into. Unicast is how Streaming Media works on the Internet, where each viewer has a unique data stream, and uses a lot more bandwidth. Implex.net can help you to make sure your Intranet can handle a live event.

Q. What PC and equipment do I need to stream audio and video?
A. It all depends on your audience. Any PC can be equipped to stream media over the Internet, but it needs to be connected to an ISP that has the capacity to handle the bandwidth-intensive needs of Streaming Media.

Q: If I do a live event from New York, how do I assure viewers in California, Minnesota and Texas will get the same quality as those watching in New York?
A: Implex.net employs edge-servers for just that purpose. For larger events or more frequently accessed video clips, your media is "spread" to servers all over the country, or all over the world. As users access the media, they are directed to the media file nearest them.

Q: How much does it cost to leave a video clip on my web site that anyone can watch anytime?
A: Depends on the length of the video, how many people watch it, and at what bandwidth they are connected to the Internet. An audio-only clip can cost as little as 19 ¢ per minute. Give us a call at (612) 339-8255 ext. 207, and we can walk through some different possible scenarios for your situation.

Q. Do I need a high-speed connection to the Internet?
A. To watch Streaming Media? No, but it certainly helps. A DSL or Cable modem is preferred, but a dialup will work and in fact works very well for audio-only webcasts. If you wish to directly stream on the Internet from your location, then a lot more than a high-speed connection would be required. You need lots of capacity, or you will choke your Internet connection very quickly.

Q. Who can listen and watch an audio and/or video stream?
A. Anybody connected to the Internet can! Any PC or Macintosh with a media player can enjoy your event. The media player is software that allows your computer to play the media back. Implex.net supports the Windows Media Player, Real Networks and Quicktime!

Q. Where can I view some demos of Implex.net's Streaming Media solutions?
A: Implex has several Qwikcast demos you can access - just call us at 612.339.8255 x5 and we can direct you to their location.

Q. What are some practical applications for Streaming Media? A: The sky's the limit! Here are just a few of the applications we've provided for our clients:

• Marketing Seminars
• Corporate Communications
• Shareholder Meetings
• Sales Presentations
• Trade Shows
• Training
• Product Announcements
• Customer Seminars
• Panel Discussions
• Corporate Results Meetings
• Customer Service
• Product Updates
• Managers Meetings
• Continuing Education
• Product Instructions

Q: What is "webcasting"?
A: A webcast is a live, interactive program delivered on the internet or over your company's intranet. It has video and/or audio and allows the viewer to participate in the event. This is a real-time environment that allows people in multiple, distant locations to attend and participate in the event. It's video with a PowerPoint presentation synchronized to it. You can add a chat room or have live questions and answers to the speaker, and much more.

Q: Why is interest in webcasting increasing?
A: It's grown because people need to tell their story with immediacy. People want information faster. The news media wants to interact with business and vice versa. The SEC has required businesses to deliver more information to their investors. Companies want to train their employees and go to market faster than ever. And they want interaction and feedback right away.

Q: Some webcasts look awful, some are beautiful. Why?
A: Remember that you are compressing the signal extensively and so your production needs to be just right. A low quality original image can really look bad on the web. Cameras, lighting, audio - they all need to be engineered for web delivery. In preparing your information, you want to know what media player your audience has installed on their computer. You need to know or make an educated assumption about what kind of connection to the internet they have. You also need an experienced Streaming Media provider to make sure the connections are working well.

Q: A webcast is a snapshot in time - why should I bother?
A: One of the promises fulfilled -- time shift attendance. Your audience became familiar with this activity via the VHS machine, and now it's been updated with TiVO and Tvreplay. The archived, streamed version of your event allows the viewer to watch and even comment, ask questions, and make suggestions.

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