RealServer(cid:226)(cid:226)
`Administration
`and
`Content Creation Guide
`Version 4.0
`
`Progressive Networks, Inc.
`
`BTN0005991
`
`BTN0005991
`
`1
`
`NEULION 1011
`
`

`

`Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Companies, names, and
`data used in examples herein are fictitious unless otherwise noted. No part of this document
`may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
`for any purpose, without the express written permission of Progressive Networks, Inc.
`
` 1995-1997 Progressive Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.
`
`RealAudio and RealAudio logo are registered trademarks of Progressive Networks, Inc.
`RealVideo and the Real logo are trademarks of Progressive Networks, Inc.
`PowerPC are trademarks of IBM Corporation.
`Adobe Premiere is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.
`Apple and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
`DolbyNet is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
`Dolby Digital AC-3 audio system manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories
`Licensing Corporation.
`Macromedia is a registered trademark and Shockwave is a trademark of Macromedia, Inc.
`Netscape Netsite is a trademark of Netscape Communications Corp.
`O’Reilly Website NT is a trademark of O’Reilly Associates, Inc.
`Sonic Foundry and Sound Forge are trademarks of Sonic Foundry, Inc.
`SunOS and Solaris are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
`UNIX is a registered trade mark of X/Open Company Limited.
`Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
`SE100 is a trademark of Creative Labs
`Wakeboard Multimedia Pro is a trademark of Digital Video Arts
`CD30 is a trademark of Miro
`Bravado 1000 is a trademark of Truevision
`Osprey 1000 is a trademark of Multimedia Access
`Seagate AV drives is a trademark of Seagate
`Sipro is a trademark of Sipro Lab Telecom, Inc.
`
`Progressive Networks, Inc.
`1111 Third Avenue, Suite 2900
`Seattle, WA 98101 USA
`www.real.com
`
`Printed in the United States of America.
`
`Part #: xxxxx
`
`BTN0005992
`
`BTN0005992
`
`2
`
`(cid:211)
`

`

`Contents
`
`Section 1: Introduction
`Introduction......................................................................................................................... 7
`Using this Guide .............................................................................................................. 8
`
`Overview............................................................................................................................13
`New Features ..................................................................................................................13
`RealVideo and RealAudio Clips......................................................................................14
`Components of a RealServer System...............................................................................15
`RealVideo and RealAudio Files and Metafiles ................................................................16
`Delivering a RealVideo or RealAudio Clip .....................................................................17
`Delivering Synchronized Multimedia..............................................................................18
`Image Maps ....................................................................................................................20
`Title, Author, and Copyright ...........................................................................................20
`Updating RealVideo and RealAudio Clips ......................................................................21
`Live Encoding and Live Broadcasting.............................................................................21
`
`System Requirements .........................................................................................................22
`RealServer Requirements................................................................................................22
`RealVideo Encoder Requirements...................................................................................25
`RealAudio Encoder Requirements...................................................................................28
`
`Installation on Windows Platforms .....................................................................................31
`Installing RealPlayer.......................................................................................................31
`Installing RealServer.......................................................................................................32
`Testing RealServer..........................................................................................................33
`Using RealServer as a Service.........................................................................................35
`RealServer Directories and Files .....................................................................................37
`Upgrading RealServer from a Previous Version ..............................................................39
`Installing the System Manager ........................................................................................41
`Installing RealVideo Encoder..........................................................................................43
`Installing RealAudio Encoder .........................................................................................45
`
`Installation on UNIX Platforms ..........................................................................................48
`Installing RealPlayer.......................................................................................................48
`Installing RealServer.......................................................................................................49
`Testing RealServer..........................................................................................................55
`RealServer Directories and Files .....................................................................................57
`
`iii
`
`BTN0005993
`
`BTN0005993
`
`3
`
`

`

`RealServer Administration and Content Creation Guide
`
`Upgrading RealServer from a Previous Version ..............................................................61
`Starting and Testing the System Manager .......................................................................63
`Installing RealAudio Encoder .........................................................................................64
`Section 2: Administration
`Configuration File ..............................................................................................................67
`Editing the Configuration File.........................................................................................70
`
`Configuring Basic Server Settings ......................................................................................77
`General Settings..............................................................................................................78
`Configuring RealServer for Smart Networking................................................................89
`Configuring Access and Error Logging ...........................................................................91
`Configuring E-mail and Usage Thresholds ......................................................................95
`Limiting Server Bandwidth and the Number of Simultaneous Connections ...................102
`Security.........................................................................................................................104
`System Manager Settings ..............................................................................................107
`
`Configuring Web Servers to Work with RealServer..........................................................109
`
`Configuring Advanced Server Settings .............................................................................115
`Splitting ........................................................................................................................115
`Configuring Remote Licensing .....................................................................................125
`Configuring for ISP Hosting..........................................................................................129
`Configuring for Intranets...............................................................................................134
`
`Problem Solving ...............................................................................................................136
`Using the Access and Error Log Files ...........................................................................136
`
`Access and Error Log Messages .......................................................................................138
`RealServer Access Log .................................................................................................138
`RealServer Error Log ....................................................................................................144
`Troubleshooting RealServer..........................................................................................151
`Section 3: Server Operation
`Server Operation...............................................................................................................153
`Starting RealServer .......................................................................................................153
`Stopping RealServer .....................................................................................................158
`Monitoring Performance ...............................................................................................160
`Command Reference.....................................................................................................164
`Section 4: RealVideo Content Creation
`Encoding RealVideo Clips................................................................................................179
`System Requirements....................................................................................................179
`Source Files ..................................................................................................................179
`
`iv
`
`BTN0005994
`
`BTN0005994
`
`4
`
`

`

`Contents
`
`Encoding Templates......................................................................................................185
`RealVideo Encoder Plug-in for Adobe Premiere ...........................................................188
`Using RealVideo Encoder for Windows and Macintosh ................................................191
`Creating Templates .......................................................................................................198
`
`Editing Video Files...........................................................................................................202
`Editing Input Files ........................................................................................................202
`Editing RealVideo Files in Windows ............................................................................202
`Command Line Editing of RealVideo Files...................................................................210
`Image Maps ..................................................................................................................218
`Modifying RealVideo File Descriptions ........................................................................222
`Bandwidth Negotiation .................................................................................................223
`RealVideo Content Creation for Internet Appliances and Set-top Boxes........................227
`Section 5: RealAudio Content Creation
`Encoding RealAudio Clips ...............................................................................................229
`System Requirements....................................................................................................229
`Source Files ..................................................................................................................230
`Choosing an Encoding Algorithm .................................................................................232
`Encoding RealAudio files with Sound Forge.................................................................234
`Using RealAudio Encoder for Windows........................................................................244
`Using the Encoder for Macintosh ..................................................................................250
`Using RealAudio Encoder for UNIX.............................................................................258
`RealAudio Batch Encoding ...........................................................................................261
`
`Editing Audio Files...........................................................................................................262
`Editing Input Files ........................................................................................................262
`Editing RealAudio Files................................................................................................262
`Modifying RealAudio File Descriptions ........................................................................268
`Bandwidth Negotiation .................................................................................................271
`Section 6: Live Broadcasting
`Live Broadcasting.............................................................................................................278
`Advertising Your Live Event ........................................................................................279
`
`Delivering Live Content ...................................................................................................281
`Setting Up RealServer...................................................................................................281
`EncoderPassword ..........................................................................................................282
`EncoderTimeout ...........................................................................................................283
`RealVideo Live Broadcasts ...........................................................................................283
`RealAudio Live Broadcasts...........................................................................................295
`
`Archiving Live Broadcasts ...............................................................................................304
`
`v
`
`BTN0005995
`
`BTN0005995
`
`5
`
`

`

`RealServer Administration and Content Creation Guide
`
`LiveFilePassword..........................................................................................................306
`LiveFileSize..................................................................................................................306
`LiveFileTarget ..............................................................................................................307
`LiveFileTime ................................................................................................................308
`URL..............................................................................................................................308
`BandwidthEncoding......................................................................................................309
`LiveFileBandwidthNegotiation .....................................................................................310
`
`Simulating a Live Broadcast.............................................................................................311
`Simulated Live Broadcast .............................................................................................311
`InputFile .......................................................................................................................312
`OutputFile.....................................................................................................................312
`ServerHost ....................................................................................................................313
`ServerPassword.............................................................................................................313
`ServerPort .....................................................................................................................314
`Section 7: Multicasting
`Multicasting .....................................................................................................................315
`Overview ......................................................................................................................315
`Configuring RealPlayer for Multicast Reception ...........................................................318
`Configuring RealServer for Multicast Broadcasting ......................................................319
`Section 8: Configuring Your Web Site
`Configuring Your Web Site ..............................................................................................326
`Making the Most of Your Content.................................................................................326
`Metafiles.......................................................................................................................327
`HTTP Streaming ...........................................................................................................331
`Custom Controls for RealAudio and RealVideo ............................................................332
`
`Synchronized Multimedia.................................................................................................349
`Creating a RealVideo Events File .................................................................................350
`Creating a RealAudio Events File .................................................................................352
`Using Synchronized Multimedia with Bandwidth Negotiation ......................................355
`Frames: The Basics .......................................................................................................355
`
`Index ................................................................................................................................359
`
`vi
`
`BTN0005996
`
`BTN0005996
`
`6
`
`

`

`Introduction
`
`Introduction
`
`RealServer(cid:226)
` is today’s most powerful solution for streaming real-time live and
`on-demand video and audio over the Internet and corporate intranets. With the
`award-winning RealVideo and RealAudio applications, RealServer provides a
`proven, reliable platform for multimedia streaming that allows you to scale up
`and grow as your network and use expands.
`
`Real-time delivery means that you do not have to wait while a file downloads;
`the clip plays as it is delivered. You have complete control over the clip; you
`can pause, move forward and back, and start or stop at any time.
`
`RealVideo formats are optimized for low- to medium-speed connections
`including 14.4 and 28.8 Kbps modems, ISDN, T1 and LAN. You can also view
`RealVideo files stored locally on your computer.
`
`RealAudio formats are optimized for low- to medium-speed connections
`including 14.4 and 28.8 Kbps modems and ISDN. You can also listen to
`RealAudio files stored on your local computer.
`
`This guide explains how to configure and operate RealServer and how to
`create and manage content for RealVideo and RealAudio systems. The content
`includes all of the clips and multimedia presentations delivered by RealVideo
`and RealAudio systems, and the support files that make it all work smoothly.
`
`7
`
`BTN0005997
`
`BTN0005997
`
`7
`
`

`

`RealServer Administration and Content Creation Guide
`
`Using this Guide
`
`RealServer Administration and Content Creation Guide is intended for IS
`managers, server administrators, Web masters and others providing Web pages
`for the Internet and intranet.
`
`Organization
`This manual is organized in eight sections as follows:
`
`Section 1: Introduction
`
`Explains system requirements and installation of RealServer, RealAudio
`Encoder, and RealVideo Encoder.
`Overview: Provides an overview of RealServer including new features, and a
`description of the components of a RealServer system.
`
`System Requirements: Explains the system requirements for RealServer,
`RealAudio Encoder, and RealVideo Encoder on Windows 95, and Windows
`NT, and UNIX platforms.
`
`Installation Instructions: Describes installation procedures for RealPlayer,
`RealServer, RealAudio Encoder, and RealVideo Encoder on Windows 95,
`Windows NT, and UNIX platforms.
`
`Section 2: Administration
`
`Explains how to administer RealServer.
`
`Editing the Configuration File: Introduces the server configuration file and
`describes how to edit the file using a text editor or the System Manager.
`
`Configuring Basic Server Settings: Describes the settings in the server
`configuration file that control the basic operation of RealServer.
`
`Configuring Web Servers to Work with RealServer: Describes how to set
`the correct MIME type to make the user’s web browser play the contents of a
`media file with RealAudio or RealPlayer.
`
`8
`
`BTN0005998
`
`BTN0005998
`
`8
`
`

`

`Introduction
`
`Configuring Advanced Server Settings: Describes the settings in the server
`configuration file that control more advanced server features. These features
`are not included in the basic RealServer License.
`
`Problem Solving: Provides troubleshooting information including using the
`access and error log files.
`
`Section 3: Server Operation
`
`Describes how to start and stop RealServer and how to monitor performance.
`
`Starting RealServer: Describes how to start RealServer both manually and
`automatically.
`
`Stopping RealServer: Describes how to stop RealServer.
`
`Monitoring Performance: Describes how you can monitor a Server running
`on any platform.
`
`Command Reference: Provides reference information for commands used
`with RealServer.
`
`Section 4: RealVideo Content Creation
`
`Explains how to create and manage video and multimedia content for delivery
`by RealServer and a Web server. The chapters are:
`
`Encoding RealVideo Files: Information about how to prepare files for
`encoding, which encoding algorithm to use and how to encode a static file
`using RealVideo Encoder or Adobe Premiere.
`
`Editing RealVideo Files: Explains how to use the editing tools to change the
`static information in a file, alter the data, and examine the contents of a file.
`
`9
`
`BTN0005999
`
`BTN0005999
`
`9
`
`

`

`RealServer Administration and Content Creation Guide
`
`Section 5: RealAudio Content Creation
`
`Explains how to create and manage audio content for delivery by RealServer
`and a Web server.
`
`Encoding RealAudio files: Information about how to prepare files for
`encoding, which encoding algorithm to use and how to encode a static file
`using RealAudio Encoder or Sound Forge.
`
`Editing Audio Files: Explains how to edit encoded files using the Racut,
`Rapaste and Rax utility programs.
`
`Bandwidth Negotiation: Detailed instructions and examples of how to use
`bandwidth negotiation
`
`Section 6: Live Broadcasting
`
`Live Broadcasting: Provides an overview of live broadcasting, information on
`how to advertise your live event.
`
`Delivering Live Content: Explains how to set up RealServer to deliver live
`content, and how to connect to the encoder.
`
`RealVideo Live Broadcasts: Explains how to deliver live video, including setting
`up RealServer and advertising your event on Timecast: RealMedia Guide.
`
`RealAudio Live Broadcasts: Explains how to deliver live audio, including
`setting up the RealServer and advertising your event on Timecast: the
`RealAudio Guide.
`
`Archiving Live Broadcasts: Describes how to save a live broadcast on the
`service for re-broadcast later.
`
`Simulating a Live Broadcast: Describes how to play a recorded media file as
`if it were being broadcast live.
`
`10
`
`BTN0006000
`
`BTN0006000
`
`10
`
`

`

`Introduction
`
`Section 7: Multicasting
`
`Provides a brief overview of multicasting and describes how to configure
`RealServer and RealPlayer for multicasting.
`
`Configuring RealPlayer for Multicast Reception: Describes how to
`configure RealPlayer so clients can receive a multicast broadcast.
`
`Configuring RealServer for Multicast Broadcasting: Describes how to
`configure RealServer so clients can receive a multicast broadcast.
`
`Section 8: Configuring Your Web Site
`
`Explains the many ways you can deliver RealVideo and RealAudio from your
`Web site; including metafiles, HTTP streaming, ActiveX object and
`JavaScript.
`
`Making the Most of Your Content: Describes how you can get the most out
`of your RealAudio and RealVideo content, and educate your Web site’s
`visitors about RealAudio and RealVideo.
`
`Metafiles: Explains how to create metafiles which contain information needed
`to establish a connection between your RealServer and your listener’s
`RealPlayer and to initiate playback.
`
`HTTP Streaming: Explains how to stream RealAudio and RealVideo clips
`from a World Wide Web server to provide short RealAudio and RealVideo
`content to a limited number of users.
`
`Custom Controls for RealVideo and RealAudio: Describes how you can
`place individual interactive components, such as a play button or image
`window, anywhere on your page.
`
`Synchronized Multimedia: Discusses how to create a synchronized
`multimedia presentation.
`
`11
`
`BTN0006001
`
`BTN0006001
`
`11
`
`

`

`RealServer Administration and Content Creation Guide
`
`Conventions
`
`This manual uses the following conventions:
`Command
`
`Monospace font represents commands to be typed or
`information displayed on the screen.
`
`<file name>
`
`[ ]
`
`Bold
`
`Angle brackets show where to insert information, such
`as the name and location of a file.
`
`Square brackets show optional command arguments.
`
`Bold font is used for names of files, directories,
`commands, and options.
`
`12
`
`BTN0006002
`
`BTN0006002
`
`12
`
`

`

`System Requirements
`
`Overview
`
`Superb audio and video quality, high transmission reliability, great broadcast
`scaleability, and flexible modes of delivery have made the RealServer the
`market leader for professional live and on-demand streaming media on the
`Internet or your intranet. RealServer 4.0 provides on award-winning RealVideo
`and RealAudio technology and offers many exciting new features.
`
`New Features
`
`• Video
`RealServer 4.0 support video streaming .
`• Smart Networking
`RealServer 4.0 provides support for Smart Networking. This feature
`allows a server to send content via uni-cast or multi-cast and use either
`UDP, TCP, or HTTP depending on current network conditions and the
`presence of firewalls or firewall proxies. Content is now available to all
`users and will be sent using the most efficient means possible.
`• Multiple IP Support
`RealServer 4.0 provides support for binding to multiple IP addresses. This
`allows the server to be configured to transmit on multiple IP addresses
`and/or use multiple network interfaces. It can also be used to provide
`support for Smart Networking on machines running Web servers.
`• UDP-Based Splitting
`RealServer 4.0 now supports a new more robust splitting mechanism. This
`allows a live stream to be broadcast to multiple servers over the Internet.
`This version of splitting differs from the 3.0 implementation by using UDP
`and being driven by the server configuration rather than player request.
`• Stream Thinning
`This feature allows RealServer to dynamically adjust the video data rate to
`match the client’s current throughput. This allows continuous, un-
`
`13
`
`BTN0006003
`
`BTN0006003
`
`13
`
`

`

`RealServer Administration and Content Creation Guide
`
`interrupted playback over bad connections. RealServer automatically
`decreases the amount of data being streamed to the Player. This feature
`insures the highest quality video at a given bandwidth.
`• New and Improved Server Control Application and Installer
`RealServer 4.0 now features a new improved installer and a graphical
`server control application (NT only).
`• RMTools
`RealServer 4.0 includes RMTools. RMTools allows you to edit, cut and
`paste RealVideo and RealAudio files. It also allows you to edit the title,
`author, copyright fields, and gives you the ability to change audio tracks.
`
`RealVideo and RealAudio Clips
`
`A RealVideo clip is a file or live broadcast containing sound and video
`encoded in RealVideo formats. A RealAudio clip is a file or live broadcast
`containing sound encoded in one of the RealAudio formats. These formats are
`highly compressed to deliver the best possible sound and video over a limited-
`bandwidth connection.
`
`Because there is no single best format for delivering audio and video,
`RealServer system provides several formats that are optimized differently for
`different kinds of content. You can choose to provide a clip in one or more
`formats based on the type of content and the available bandwidth. For
`example, you would use a different format to deliver speech over a 14.4 Kbps
`modem than you would to deliver a music video over an ISDN connection.
`
`14
`
`BTN0006004
`
`BTN0006004
`
`14
`
`

`

`System Requirements
`
`Components of a RealServer System
`
`RealServer System is a client-server system. The server provides the content to
`the client over a network. The basic components of a RealServer system are:
`
`RealPlayer - The client program that enables users to see and listen to
`RealVideo and RealAudio clips. Special purpose player components enable
`ActiveX and Netscape Plug-in capabilities.
`
`RealVideo Encoder - The program that creates RealVideo clips. The input to
`this program can be a digitized audio clip, a live audio signal, a digitized video
`clip or a live video signal.
`
`RealAudio Encoder - The program that creates RealAudio clips. The input to
`this program can be a digitized audio file or a live audio signal.
`
`RealVideo Tools - The tools programs that can be used to modify RealVideo
`and RealAudio clips, including RMTools, RMMerge, RMEdit, RMPaste, RAx,
`and RACut.
`
`RealServer - The server program that delivers RealVideo and RealAudio clips
`over a network. One RealServer can deliver clips to many Players at the same
`time.
`
`Web Browser - The client program that enables users to find most RealVideo
`and RealAudio clips. The Web browser is also used to display the visual part
`of Synchronized Multimedia presentations. RealVideo system works with all
`popular Web browsers.
`
`Web Server - The server program that delivers Web pages. Typically,
`RealVideo and RealAudio clips are accessed by clicking a link on a Web page.
`The Web server also delivers the visual part of Synchronized Multimedia
`presentations. HTTP streaming of RealVideo and RealAudio files enables
`content providers to stream RealVideo and RealAudio clips from a World
`Wide Web server. While this method is not as robust, it provides a reasonable
`method for providing short RealVideo and RealAudio content to a limited
`number of users. RealServer System works with all popular Web servers.
`
`15
`
`BTN0006005
`
`BTN0006005
`
`15
`
`

`

`RealServer Administration and Content Creation Guide
`
`RealVideo and RealAudio Files and
`Metafiles
`
`RealServer System uses several file types, each identified by a specific file
`extension. The files and their file extensions are:
`
`RealVideo clip (.rm) - Audio and video encoded to RealVideo format. This
`file is created with RealVideo Encoder and delivered by RealServer. The .rm
`files can contain multiple streams, including audio, video, image maps, and
`events.
`
`RealVideo or RealAudio metafile (.ram) - The file that connects a Web page
`to one or more RealVideo or RealAudio clips. The metafile is located on a
`Web server and is linked by a Web page. The metafile contains the URL of
`one or more clips located on a RealServer.
`
`RealPlayer Plug-in metafile (.rpm) - The same as a metafile, but used with
`RealPlayer Plug-in for Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer 3.0 and later.
`
`RealAudio clip (.ra) - Audio encoded to RealAudio format. This file is
`created with RealAudio Encoders and works with RealPlayer, RealAudio
`Player, and RealServer.
`
`16
`
`BTN0006006
`
`BTN0006006
`
`16
`
`

`

`System Requirements
`
`Delivering a RealVideo or RealAudio Clip
`
`The following figure shows the components of RealServer system used to
`deliver a typical RealVideo or RealAudio clip. The numbers in the figure
`match the numbered steps following the figure.
`
`Client
`
`Server
`
`17
`
`Web
`Server
`
`1
`
`3
`
`RealServer
`
`6
`
`21
`
`3
`
`5
`
`6
`
`Web
`Browser
`
`4
`
`RealPlayer
`
`RealServer Delivery System
`
`BTN0006007
`
`BTN0006007
`
`17
`
`

`

`RealServer Administration and Content Creation Guide
`
`1. The Web browser displays a Web page that contains a link to a metafile.
`
`2. The user clicks the link. The Web browser requests the metafile from the
`Web Server.
`
`3. The Web server delivers a metafile to the Web browser. Based on the .ram
`file extension, the Web server sets the MIME type of the file to audio/x-
`pn-RealAudio. For files with a .rpm file extension (RealPlayer Plug-in),
`the Web server sets the MIME type of the file to video/x-pn