The NetStream 2000 fully supports the Windows Media Player and
DirectShow. The Windows Media Player is an application which can
play a variety of digital video, animation and audio files, including
MPEG-1and MPEG-2 video, by using a mechanism called
DirectShow. The Windows Media Player can run as a standalone
application, or it can be embedded as an ActiveX control, and used
inside of web pages or other Windows programs. Windows Media
Player will automatically select and use the NetStream 2000 to play
back MPEG-1 and -2 files on your computer.
Windows Media Player and DirectShow work in all 32-bit versions
of Windows, including Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 and 2000. For best
results, you should download and install the newest version of
Windows Media Player from the Microsoft website. To do this, visit
www.microsoft.com, click "Search" and enter the phrase "Windows
Media Player." This will lead you to the download pages, as well as
other pages which describe how to write HTML, Visual Basic and C
programs which can control the Windows Media Player.
Note: Some versions of Windows, such as Windows 95 and NT 4.0,
shipped with an outdated Media Player. For this reason, you should
always download and install the latest version of the Windows
Media Player from the Microsoft website.
DirectShow and the Windows Media Player are used with the
NetStream 2000 to support streaming video playback from video
server products from many companies. For a detailed compatibility
list, please visit us on the web at www.sigmadesigns.com. Each
NetStream 2000 video server product has its own unique client soft-
ware. This client software is available from the company which
makes the video server.
Streaming MPEG video over a network is accomplished using many
different types of techniques, which have different advantages,
depending upon what goals you are trying to accomplish. The design
of a streaming video server for 10,000 simultaneous users is differ-
ent than a video server for 50 users. In addition, playing MPEG over
a network can make substantial drains on the network's resources,
which might require upgrading. Because MPEG video consumes 1
to 8 Mbits per second of sustained bandwidth, it is easy to saturate a
100 Mbit/sec (100BaseT) network. Using high quality network
adapters and Ethernet switches is essential for good streaming video.
One technique which reduces the strain on the network is called
"multicasting." Instead of each person on the network watching his
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Chapter 5: Windows Media Player DirectShow Support
Chapter 5. Windows Media Player &
DirectShow Support
NetStream 2000 Manual 6.6.2000 6/6/00 2:47 PM Page 37
