Chapter 3: Getting Started With Helix Producer

This chapter gives you a quick look at how to use Helix Producer to encode streaming media. It will introduce you to the Helix Producer interface, and then it will guide you step-by-step through some basic encoding tasks. You will learn the basics on encoding a RealMedia file from a source file, and you will learn the basics of capturing and encoding live RealMedia.

Note: The information in this chapter is intended for the beginning user of Helix Producer. It is not meant as a substantive guide to using the product, only a starting point that introduces you to the product and shows you the general steps involved in encoding streaming. The remainder of this manual will give you more details about the steps involved.

Before You Begin: Learning About Helix Producer

The first step in learning about a program is to start it and familiarize yourself with the interface. This section introduces you to the Helix Producer main window, describing each section. And it shows you how to open the various palettes that you will use when preparing to encode streaming media.

Starting Helix Producer

The first step is to open the product and familiarize yourself with the Helix Producer main window.

To open Helix Producer:

• From the Windows Start Menu, select Programs>Helix Producer.

The Helix Producer main window opens.

The Helix Producer Main Window

The main window is your "workspace." Here you will prepare to encode by adding inputs, outputs, and other settings, and you will also view the actual encoding of the RealMedia.

The following is a list of some of the important sections within the main window:

Input Audio/Video

This section of the main window includes an audio meter that allows you to view the audio gain (volume) from the input audio. Also, the Input video screen allows you to view the source video.

Output Audio/Video

This section of the main window includes an audio meter that shows the output audio gain. Also, the Output video screen allows you to see how the encoded video will look to your audience.

Input

This section of the main window is where you decide what the source for your input will be. You can select either an input file or an audio/video device.

For more information on setting up the input, see Chapter 5: Defining the Input for an Encoding Job.

Output

This section of the main window is where you decide where the encoded content will be sent. You can choose to create a RealMedia file and/or you can choose to send the content directly to a Helix Universal Server for a live broadcast. Each of the destinations that you set up will be listed in the Output Manager.

For more information on setting up the output, see Chapter 6: Defining the Output For an Encoding Job.

Job Manager

This section of the main window is where you can control the different encoding jobs that you have saved on your computer.

An encoding job is the container for all the settings you have selected for the encoding process: the source used for the input, the destinations used for the output, and other settings that determine how the RealMedia content is created.

You'll learn more about setting up jobs and the Job Manager in Chapter 4: Setting Up an Encoding Job.

Step by Step: Creating a RealMedia File

The following are the basic steps involved in creating a streaming RealMedia file that your audience can view on-demand:

Step 1: Start with a Media Source—File or Live Input

Step 2: Select a File Destination for the Output

Step 3: Encode Your Source into RealMedia

Step 4: Move Your Clip to a Server

Step 5: Play the Clip

Step 1: Start with a Media Source—File or Live Input

Helix Producer creates streaming media from two kinds of sources: files or devices. Either of these sources can contain audio-only content or video and audio content together. You use the Input section of the main window to choose the source for the input.

To select a source:

1. In the Input section of the main window, select either:

• Input File
• Devices

2. If you select a file for the input:

1. Enter the media file's full path and file name.
2. Or click Browse and find the media file.

3. If you select a device for the input:

1. Select an audio device for encoding the audio portion of your input.
2. Select a video device for encoding the video portion of your input, if you are encoding video.

You'll learn more about setting up a source in Chapter 5: Defining the Input for an Encoding Job.

Step 2: Select a File Destination for the Output

In this step you designate what the output RealMedia file will be named and where it will be located when the encoding is complete.

To select a File Destination:

1. In the Output section of the main window, click the File Destination button.
2. Change the directory to the location where you want the file to be saved.
3. Enter a name for the RealMedia file that will be created.

Note: If you selected a media file as your source, a default name will be created that you can keep or change.

4. Click Save.

You'll learn more about setting up a file as a destination in "Creating a RealMedia File".

Step 3: Encode Your Source into RealMedia

Now that the input and the output are set, you can encode the RealMedia file. The encoded file will be created using default settings.

To encode a RealMedia file:

1. Click the Encode button.

The encoded output video will appear in the Output video screen.

2. If you are encoding a file, you can wait for the file to finish encoding, or you can stop early by clicking the Stop button.
3. If you are encoding from a device, click the Stop button.

For more information on encoding, see "Starting an Encoding Job".

Step 4: Move Your Clip to a Server

You can now use a server to deliver your RealMedia file to your audience. You use a Helix Universal Server to stream your clip over the Internet (or to an Intranet). Helix Universal Server is a separate software product, created by RealNetworks, that allows you to stream live or recorded RealAudio and RealVideo files to anyone using a RealOne Player. The server can work with Web servers to stream media over the Internet or to users on a corporate Intranet.

To move your file to a server:

• Copy the ondemand.rm clip you created in the preceding step, from its current location to the Helix Universal Server Content directory.

On Windows NT, the path is C:\Program Files\Helix Server\Content.

On UNIX, the path is /usr/local/Helix Server/Content.

For more information on how you can obtain and use a Helix Universal Server, go to the RealNetworks Web site at http://www.realnetworks.com and look for the links to this product.

Step 5: Play the Clip

Once your audience has connected successfully to your server to view the streaming media content, they will use a player to view it. A RealOne Player is all they need. The RealNetworks Web site (http://www.realnetworks.com) has more information about each version and how to install and use them.

Step by Step: Creating a Live Broadcast

The following are the basic steps involved in creating and streaming a live RealMedia broadcast that your audience can view as it is being encoded:

Step 1: Start with a Media Source—File or Live Input

Step 2: Select a Server Destination for the Output

Step 3: Encode Your Source to a RealMedia Broadcast Stream

Step 4: Play the Clip

Step 1: Start with a Media Source—File or Live Input

Helix Producer creates streaming media from two kinds of sources: files or devices. Either of these sources can contain audio-only content or video and audio content together. And either source can be used for a live broadcast, even though usually live audio and video is captured for a live broadcast.

You use the Input section of the main window to choose the source for the input.

To select a source:

1. In the Input section of the main window, select either:

• Input File
• Devices

2. If you select a file for the input:

1. Enter the media file's full path and file name.
2. Or click Browse and find the media file.

3. If you select a device for the input:

1. Select an audio device for encoding the audio portion of your input.
2. Select a video device for encoding the video portion of your input, if you are encoding video.

You'll learn more about setting up a source in Chapter 5: Defining the Input for an Encoding Job.

Step 2: Select a Server Destination for the Output

You can only use a Helix Universal Server to stream a live broadcast with Helix Producer. In order to do this, you must create a Server Destination. Your system administrator will have all the information you need to create the Server Destination.

To create a Server Destination:

1. In the Output section, click the Server Destination button.

The Server Destination dialog opens. As mentioned above, these settings will have to be filled out with help from your system administrator.

2. Enter a name for the RealMedia file that will be used by the server.
3. Enter the name for the Server.
4. Enter settings that allow Helix Producer to connect to Helix Universal Server.
5. Click OK to save the destination.

You'll learn more about setting up a server as a destination in "Broadcasting Live to a Server".

Step 3: Encode Your Source to a RealMedia Broadcast Stream

Now that the input and the output are set, you can encode the RealMedia live broadcast. The encoded RealMedia content will be created using default settings.

To encode a RealMedia file:

1. Click the Encode button.

The encoded output video will appear in the Output Video Viewer.

2. If you are encoding a file, you can wait for the file to finish encoding, or you can stop early by clicking the Stop button.
3. If you are encoding from a device, click the Stop button.

For more information on encoding, see "Starting an Encoding Job".

Step 4: Play the Clip

Once your audience has connected successfully to your server to view the streaming media content, they will use a player to view it. A RealOne Player is all they need. The RealNetworks Web site (http://www.realnetworks.com) has more information about each version and how to install and use them.

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