The Panix Web servers have built-in HTTP streaming capability for multimedia files. Different types of media require different setups on the server.
Many media types (Real Audio/Video, MP3, Windows Media) require a separate file, called a metafile, to tell the server "send this as streaming media, don't just start a download." Metafiles are sometimes also called playlists.
MPEG video files (.mpg, .mpeg, .mpa) stream themselves by default, without the need for a metafile. This doesn't give you the ability to set up playlists, however. There's a new metafile spec (.mxu) for MPEG video playlists; it's not very widely supported, but you can give it a try if you like. Syntax is the same as for .m3u audio metafiles.
If you're using Real Audio/Video format and expect a substantial amount of traffic, you can pay for the use of our Real Server instead of plain HTTP. We include the syntax for using the Real Server here, but you won't be able to make the "rtsp:" thing work if you've purchased our Real Server service.
Please note that while the Real Audio Tutorial on content delivery gives an option of calling the Real Audio Server via http with "ramgen" listed as a directory to avoid creating a ram file manually, that mode isn't supported on Panix for security reasons. Also note that streaming Quicktime isn't currently supported on Panix's servers, although we are working to remedy this.
| Method | Server Type | Code | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM File (Real Audio streaming format) | On a Real Audio server | In sample1.ram: rtsp://ra2.panix.com/tutorial/sample.ra HTML of the link: <A HREF="sample1.ram">Streaming Sample</A> |
Streaming Sample |
| The Real Audio Server is a corporate service
for sophisticated sites that expect a large amount of streaming
traffic and need to take advantage of the Real Audio Server's
special features, like modem speed detection.
If you don't need the performance enhancements of a Real Server, you can stream RAM files over plain HTTP without paying extra for the Real Server access. |
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| On an HTTP (plain Web) server | In sample2.ram: http://www.panix.com/web/faq/multimedia/sample.ra HTML of the link: <A HREF="sample2.ram">Streaming Sample</A> |
Streaming Sample | |
| To make multiple-clip playlists, just put the links to your files on separate lines in the RAM file. | |||
| Method | Server Type | Code | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Media Metafiles (ASX, WAX, WVX) | On the HTTP server | In sample.wax: <ASX version = "3.0"> <Entry> <ref HREF="http://www.panix.com/web/faq/multimedia/sample.wma"/> </Entry> </ASX> HTML of the link: <A HREF="sample.wax">Streaming Sample</A> |
Streaming Sample |
There are 3 types of Windows Media metafile extensions:
For more information about Windows Media Metafiles, you can visit the MSDN article on the subject. |
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| Method | Server Type | Code | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP3 Playlists: M3U Metafile | On the HTTP server | In sample.m3u: http://www.panix.com/web/faq/multimedia/sample.mp3 HTML of the link: <A HREF="sample.m3u">Streaming Sample</A> |
Streaming Sample |
| For multi-song playlists, just put one link address on each line of the M3U file. | |||
| Method | Server Type | Code | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP3 PLS (WinAmp style) metafile | On the HTTP server | In sample.pls: [Playlist] NumberOfEntries=1 File1=http://www.panix.com/web/faq/multimedia/sample.mp3 Title1=Bird Song Length1=21 Version=2 HTML of the link: <A HREF="sample.pls">Streaming Sample</A> |
Streaming Sample |
| A Note On The PLS Format: The pls format is highly proprietary and is only recognized by Winamp and few other players. Specifically, Windows Media Player does not support it, and MusicMatch Jukebox only plays the first song on the list. If you want to ensure that your playlist reaches the widest possible audience, an m3u metafile is the way to go. While the PLS format has extra features like "Title", you can adjust these properties in the MP3 file's tag anyway. |
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