Chapter 2: Using RealProducer Plus

This chapter describes how to use RealProducer Plus to convert standard audio and video into streaming RealMedia. The entire conversion process is known as a "recording session." Here, you will learn how to create a recording session from a variety of input sources, how to record with SureStream, and how to monitor your recording session.

What is Streaming Media?

RealMedia clips created by RealProducer Plus are streaming audio and video presentations, also known separately as RealAudio and RealVideo. Prior to RealMedia, one had to wait for a media file to download in order to play it. When you create a streaming clip, users can play it almost instantly. Plus, you can stream live media, enabling you to send your content directly to your audience.

By streaming a clip, you are sending small packets of information over a connection. On the other end, the user receives the information and plays your media clip bit by bit. The process is almost invisible to the user, except for a small amount of initial buffering.

RealProducer Plus G2 is an integral part of the RealNetworks RealSystem G2. RealProducer Plus creates the clips, RealServer™ sends the clips, and RealPlayer™ shows the clips. You can also use an Internet server to stream files, but you need to use a RealServer to stream live content.

The RealProducer Plus Main Window

Before you begin to create RealMedia content, let's briefly tour the different components of the RealProducer Plus main window. This window is where you create, start, view, and stop a recording session.

The RealProducer Plus Main Window

The upper section of the window is where you monitor the recording process. "Viewers" show you the input video and the recorded output during a recording session. Meanwhile, an audio level indicator gives you a visual representation of the audio track.

The middle section lists all necessary information about the final RealMedia file. Details such as clip information, the target audience, and the type of stream being recorded are found here.

On the bottom are the recording controls. These controls allow you start, stop, and play the current recording session. Also located here are the publishing controls. They are explained in "Publishing to the Internet".

Creating Streaming Media

RealProducer Plus includes a number of simple wizards to guide you step-by-step through the recording process. These recording wizards are specifically designed to:

• convert existing audio and video files into RealMedia files

• record RealMedia files from media capture devices

• broadcast live, streaming content using a RealServer

If you are more familiar with the recording process, you can bypass the wizards and set up the recording process manually. This option is discussed later in this chapter.

Recording from Media Files

This section describes how to record a RealMedia file from different types of existing media files using the recording wizard.

Only the following audio and video formats can be converted into RealMedia clips using the RealProducer Plus:

• Audio (.au)

• Waveform audio (.wav)

• Video for Windows (.avi)

• QuickTime for Windows (.mov); requires DirectX 6.0

• MPEG-1, Moving Pictures Expert Group (.mpg); requires DirectX 6.0

  	Note
  	Currently, you cannot convert MPEG-2 files with RealProducer Plus.

To create a RealMedia file from an existing file using the recording wizard:

1. Select New Session from the File menu. (If the wizards are disabled you can select File>Recording Wizards>Record From File and go to step 3.)

   The New Session - Choose Recording Wizard dialog opens.

   

2. Select Record from File and click OK.

   The recording wizard opens to the Record From File introduction page.

   

3. Use the Browse button to locate the audio or video file that you will use as the source for your recording. Or, simply type in the path and file name for the source file.

4. Click Next.

   The RealMedia Clip Information page opens.

   

5. Enter the Title, Author, and Copyright information in the provided spaces.

   This information will appear in the viewer's RealPlayer when your clip is played. You may leave these fields blank.

6. Click Next.

   The File Type page opens.

   

7. Select the type of RealMedia file you want to create: SureStream or Single Rate. For more information on SureStream files, see "About SureStream".

8. Click Next.

   The Target Audience page opens.

   

9. Select the connection speed for your audience. You may make more than one selection if you are creating a SureStream file.

10. Click Next.

    The Audio Format page opens if your source file contains audio. If not, skip the next step.

    

11. Select the type of audio that your file consists of (if applicable), and click Next.

    	Note
    	You can only select the Stereo Music format if your input audio is in stereo.

    The Video Quality page opens if your source file contains video. If not, skip the next step.

    

12. Select the video quality for your output file (if applicable), and click Next.

    The Output File page opens.

    

13. Enter the name and directory of your final output file.

    The output file must have a .rm extension (for example, myfile.rm).

14. Click Next.

    The Prepare to Record Page opens.

    

15. Review all information regarding your file. If it is correct, click Finish. You can use the Back button to reverse through the wizard and change any information.

    After clicking Finish, you are returned to the RealProducer Plus main window. If you are recording video input, the Input Source viewer shows the first frame.

16. You can change any recording options at this point, or simply click Start to begin recording.

17. Click Stop to quit recording before the source file ends.

    A dialog box opens asking you to confirm ending the recording, but the session continues to record.

    

18. Click Yes to close the dialog box and stop the recording.

    	Tip
    	You can press the Shift key and click Stop together to stop recording instantly and bypass the confirmation dialog box. Press Ctrl+Shift and click Stop to quickly abort the recording with no output file saved.

    The Recording Complete dialog box opens. This dialog shows you final recording information about your RealMedia file.

    

19. Click Statistics to view complete information about your recording session. See "Monitoring Recording Statistics" for more information.

20. Click OK to return to the main window.

21. Click the Play button to open your RealPlayer and play the RealMedia file.

Recording from Media Devices

This section describes how to record a RealMedia file from different types of media devices using the recording wizard.

With RealProducer Plus, you can record from many types of media devices: live microphone input, live video camera input, audio tape, video tape, Digital Video Disks (DVD), or satellite feeds.

Before you begin the recording session, make sure that your media device is properly connected and is working correctly.

To create a RealMedia file from a media device using the recording wizard:

1. Select New Session from the File menu. (If the wizards are disabled you can select File>Recording Wizards>Record From Media Device and go to step 3.)

   The New Session - Choose Recording Wizard dialog opens.

2. Select Record from Media Device and click OK.

   The recording wizard opens to the Record From Media page.

   

3. Select the Input Source(s): audio or video.

4. If you select a video source, specify whether you are using a video capture card or a video camera connected directly to your computer's external port.

5. Click Next.

   The RealMedia Clip Information page opens.

6. Enter the Title, Author, and Copyright information in the provided spaces.

   This information will appear in the viewer's RealPlayer when your clip is played. You may leave these fields blank.

7. Click Next.

   The File Type page opens.

8. Select the type of RealMedia file you want to create: SureStream or Single Rate. For more information on SureStream files, see "About SureStream".

9. Click Next.

   The Target Audience page opens.

10. Select the connection speed for your audience. You may make more than one selection if you are creating a SureStream file.

11. Click Next.

    The Audio Format page opens if you selected an audio device. If not, skip the next step.

    	Note
    	You can only select the Stereo Music format if your input audio is in stereo.

12. Select the type of audio that your content consists of (if applicable).

13. Click Next.

    The Video Quality page opens if you selected a video device. If not, skip the next step.

14. Select the video quality for your output file (if applicable), and click Next.

    The Output File page opens.

15. Enter the name and directory of your final output file.

    The output file must have a .rm extension (for example, myfile.rm).

16. Click Next.

    The Prepare to Record Page opens.

17. Review all information regarding your file. If it is correct, click Finish.

    After clicking Finish, you are returned to the RealProducer Plus main window. If you are recording video input, the Input Source viewer shows the video source.

18. You can change any recording options at this point, or simply click Start to begin recording.

19. Monitor your audio and/or video input, and click Stop to quit recording.

    A dialog box opens asking you to confirm ending the recording, but the session continues to record.

20. Click Yes to close the dialog box and stop the recording.

    	Tip
    	You can press the Shift key and click Stop together to stop recording instantly and bypass the confirmation dialog box. Press Ctrl+Shift and click Stop to quickly abort the recording with no output file saved.

    The Recording Complete dialog box opens. This dialog shows you some information about your RealMedia file.

21. Click Statistics to view complete information about your recording session. See "Monitoring Recording Statistics" for more information.

22. Click OK to return to the main window.

23. Click the Play button to open your RealPlayer and play the RealMedia file.

Broadcasting Live Content

This section describes how to broadcast live from different types of media devices using the recording wizard.

In addition to creating RealMedia files from your media sources, you can use RealProducer Plus to broadcast your live content directly over the Internet or a corporate LAN. You must have access to a RealServer in order to use this feature.

To broadcast live content using the recording wizard:

1. Select New Session from the File menu. (If the wizards are disabled you can select File>Recording Wizards>Live Broadcast and go to step 3.)

   The New Session - Choose Recording Wizard dialog opens.

2. Select Live Broadcast and click OK.

   The recording wizard opens to the Live Broadcast page.

3. Select the Input Source(s): audio or video.

4. If you select a video source, specify whether you are using a video capture card or a video camera connected directly to your computer's external port.

5. Click Next.

   The Media Clip Information page opens.

6. Enter the Title, Author, and Copyright information in the provided spaces.

   This information will appear in the viewer's RealPlayer when your clip is played. You may leave these fields blank.

7. Click Next.

   The File Type page opens.

8. Select the type of RealMedia you want to create: SureStream or Single Rate. For more information on SureStream files, see "About SureStream".

9. Click Next.

   The Target Audience page opens.

10. Select the connection speed for your audience. You may make more than one selection if you are using SureStream.

11. Click Next.

    The Audio Format page opens if you selected an audio device. If not, skip the next step.

    	Note
    	You can only select the Stereo Music format if your input audio is in stereo.

12. Select the type of audio that your content consists of (if applicable).

13. Click Next.

    The Video Quality page opens if you selected a video device. If not, skip the next step.

14. Select the video quality for your output file (if applicable), and click Next.

    The RealServer Information page opens.

    

15. Enter the name, port, username, and password of the RealServer G2 that you will use for your broadcast. Plus, you must enter a filename that users will use to access the broadcast.

    You may also specify a filename and location for an archive of your broadcast. Select Archive Broadcast to File and enter a file name, or click the Save As button to browse for the archive file. The file must have a .rm extension (myfile.rm).

16. Click Next.

    The Prepare to Record Page opens.

17. Review all information regarding the broadcast. If it is correct, click Finish.

    After clicking Finish, you are returned to the RealProducer Plus main window. If you are recording video input, the Input Source viewer shows the video source.

18. You can change any recording options at this point, or simply click Start to begin broadcasting.

19. Monitor your audio and/or video input, and click Stop to finish the broadcast.

    A dialog box opens asking you to confirm ending the broadcast, but the session continues to record.

20. Click Yes to close the dialog box and stop the recording.

    	Tip
    	You can press the Shift key and click Stop together to stop recording instantly and bypass the confirmation dialog box. Press Ctrl+Shift and click Stop to quickly abort the recording.

    The Recording Complete dialog opens. This dialog recaps all information regarding your broadcast.

21. Click Statistics to view complete information about your recording session. See "Monitoring Recording Statistics" for more information.

22. Click OK to return to the main window.

Recording Without Wizards

Although using RealProducer Plus's recording wizards allow you to easily create RealMedia content, after time you'll likely be able to do without them. RealProducer Plus allows you to disable the RealMedia recording wizards and create a new recording session without using a wizard.

Disabling the Wizards

This section describe how to disable the wizards and shows you how to use the New Session dialog to create RealMedia files. You can also toggle the wizards on or off with the Preferences dialog. For more information, see "Recording Wizards".

To disable the recording wizards:

1. Choose New Session from the File menu.

   The New Session - Choose Recording Wizard dialog opens.

2. Select the Don't use Recording Wizards option.

3. Click OK.

   The New Session dialog opens. You can still run the recording wizards at any time by choosing File>Recording Wizards from the RealProducer Plus main window.

Using the New Session Dialog

The New Session dialog allows you to create a new recording session without using the recording wizards. You can still create the same types of RealMedia content:

• from a media file to a RealMedia file

• from a media device to a RealMedia file

• a live RealMedia broadcast

  

There are two main sections of this dialog: the Input Source area and the Output area. You specify the type of source you will record in the Input Source area. You specify the type of RealMedia recording (file or live broadcast) in the Output area.

The following procedure shows you how to use the New Session dialog and create RealMedia content.

To create RealMedia using the New Session dialog:

1. Click New Session from the File menu.

   The New Session dialog opens:

2. In the Input Source section, select the source for your recording session.

   Media Device - select the media devices that you will record from: audio and/or video. If you select a video source, specify whether you are using a video capture card or a video camera connected directly to your computer's external port.

   File - enter the directory and filename for the source file, or click the Browse button to locate the file.

3. In the Output section, select what type of recording you are creating.

   RealMedia File - enter the directory and filename for the recorded file, or click the Save As button to choose a directory and filename.

   Live Broadcast - enter the name, port, username, and password of the RealServer that you will use for your broadcast. Plus, you must enter a filename that users will use to access the broadcast.

   You may also specify a filename and location for an archive of your broadcast. Select Archive Broadcast to File, then enter a filename.

4. Click OK.

   The New Session dialog closes, returning to the RealProducer Plus main window.

5. Enter the Title, Author, and Copyright information for your output. These fields are optional.

6. Select the File Type, either Single Rate or SureStream. For more information, see "About SureStream".

7. In the Target Audience section, select the connection speed for your audience. You may select more than one target audience if you are recording with SureStream.

8. In the Audio Format section, select the type of audio contained in your source (if any).

   	Note
   	You can only select the Stereo Music format if your input audio is in stereo.

9. In the Video Quality section, select the type of video contained in your source (if any).

10. Click Start to begin the recording process.

11. Click Stop to end the recording.

    	Tip
    	You can press the Shift key and click Stop together to stop recording instantly and bypass the confirmation dialog box. Or, press Ctrl+Shift and click Stop to quickly abort the recording.

About Target Audiences

Whenever you create a RealMedia file or broadcast RealMedia content, you should always keep in mind the connection speed of your audience. Are they using lower-speed modems, or are they streaming your file over a high-speed network?

When you select a specific target audience, you are actually specifying a maximum bandwidth for your RealMedia stream at the selected target audience. Bandwidth, measured in kilobits per second (Kbps), is the amount of data that can be sent through an Internet or network connection during a set period of time. Standard modems are commonly referred to by the bandwidth they are able to receive--for example, 28.8 and 56 Kbps.

In addition to these standard audiences, you can record clips for connection speeds of 100 Kbps, 200 Kbps, or higher. These higher bandwidths, however, are generally more typical of corporate Local Area Networks (LANs) or entertainment-based Web sites.

Keep in mind that the maximum bandwidth a connection is capable of is greater than the average bandwidth carried across it. For that reason, 28 Kbps connections actually only use approximately 20 Kbps, while a 56 Kbps connection actually uses about 34 Kbps.

Normally, these constraints can affect your recording in many ways. Sometimes you have to compromise between reaching the largest audience (with the lowest-speed connections) and the quality of your work. Fortunately, RealProducer Plus enables you to record for a number of target audiences simultaneously using SureStream.

About SureStream

With SureStream recording you can reach the widest possible audience, and provide all users with the best listening and viewing experience optimized for their bandwidth.

There are several advantages to using SureStream. You can create:

• a single RealMedia clip recorded for multiple target audiences

• a clip that will automatically switch to a lower bandwidth during poor network conditions

• a clip that is compatible with an older version of RealPlayer

SureStream RealMedia files can combine several different streams that take advantage of any or all of these features.

For example, you can record a video clip for both 28 Kbps and 56 Kbps audiences, and RealPlayer G2 will automatically use the correct stream based on the user's connection speed. Meanwhile, a separate stream can exist for people who still own a RealPlayer 5.0 so that they can experience your clip. All streams are contained within a single RealMedia file.

Keep in mind that if you are broadcasting SureStream files, you must use a RealNetworks RealServer G2.

Monitoring Recording Statistics

The Statistics window is a useful tool that allows you to monitor the performance of your recording session.

You can watch general statistics, audio-only statistics, or video-only statistics. Plus, if you are using SureStream, statistics are shown for each stream that RealProducer Plus creates.

To monitor recording statistics:

1. After you have created a recording session, choose Statistics from the View menu.

   The Statistics window opens. You can return to the RealProducer Plus window without closing the Statistics window.

   

2. Start recording, noting the top section of the Statistics window. Here is where you will find basic information about your recording session such as:

   • type of input (file or media device)

   • where the output file or broadcast is located

   • audio format and video quality

   • type of the file (SureStream or Single Rate)

   You also find information that constantly changes, such as:

   • duration of the clip for live broadcasts

   • time remaining in the clip for static recording

   • real time performance

3. Also monitor the general, audio, and video information located at the bottom of the Statistics window. These statistics are described later in this section.

Monitoring Real Time Performance

A main feature of the statistics dialog is its ability to show the performance of your recording session.

This statistic compares the time it took to record your clip to the time it takes to play the input. For example, if your input is a 10 second video clip and it takes RealProducer Plus 5 seconds to process the clip, the Real Time Performance would be 50%.

Any value near or above 100% means that your computer may not be able to process data as fast as it is received, and the session may fail due to lack of computing resources. During live encoding, over 100% will fail. The error message you receive reads "not enough resources to maintain live stream."

If this is the case, you can solve the problem by selecting fewer target audiences, or possibly by reducing the bit rate of the output if you are recording for a high bit rate. See "Customizing Target Audience Settings" for more information.

General Statistics

These statistics give you information about each target audience selected during the creation of the recording session. If you are recording a Single Rate clip, only one stream appears. If you are using SureStream, all streams are listed for each target audience.

See the table below for more details about these statistics.

Audio Statistics

These statistics give you information about the audio codecs (compression/decompression algorithms) used to create the audio streams. More than one codec appears if you are using SureStream.

See the table below for more details about these statistics.

Video Statistics

These statistics give you information about the video codecs (compression/decompression algorithms) used to create the video streams. More than one codec appears if you are using SureStream.

See the table below for more details about these statistics.

Copyright © 1998 RealNetworks
For information on RealNetworks' technical support, click here.
This file last updated on 11/20/98 at 14:44:40.