Multimedia Services

Live Broadcasting | Capturing Audio Video | Converting AVI File

Setting an Encoding Session

Before encoding content, you must set up an encoding session. The easiest way to set up an encoding session is to use the New Session Wizard that is available from the Welcome screen that is displayed when you first open the encoder application, or from the Session menu in the main encoder window. As you run the New Session Wizard, you are asked to:

• Specify the kind of encoding to do. The three options available are: broadcast a live event, capture content from an attached device, or convert an existing file to Windows Media Format.

• Specify source types and source groups. Possible source types are audio (always selected), video, and script. You can also create up to four source groups for a broadcast encoding session, for example, live, welcome, intermission, and goodbye source groups. All source groups in a session must have the same combination of source types.

• Configure input devices (optional). After selecting the input devices, you can set the properties for each one. You can set some properties to apply to all source groups and others to apply to an individual source group.

• Add descriptive information (optional). You can add descriptive information about the encoded content (title, author, copyright, rating, and description). This information is displayed when the stream is viewed in Windows Media Player.

• Choose a profile. Select an existing profile or use Profile Manager to create a profile that better matches the encoding requirements of your encoding session. Only profiles that match the source types (audio, video, and script) selected for your current session are available.

• Choose the distribution method. Select whether to broadcast the content or encode it to a file. If you choose to broadcast the content, specify the port through which a connection can be established. You can also choose to archive a copy of the broadcast for later use.

To set up a live broadcast using the New Session Wizard

1. Open New Session Wizard, and then click Broadcast a live event from attached devices or computer screen. If you want encoding to start after you complete the wizard, select the Begin broadcasting when this wizard finishes check box, and then click Next.

   

2. If you want to encode video, select the Video check box, and then click the arrow to select from the list of capture devices.

   

3. In Audio, click the arrow to select from the list of capture devices, and then click Next. Audio is always selected.

4. Specify a port for broadcasting or click Find Free Port, and then click Next.

   

   Note: A Windows Media server connects with the encoder through Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) , which is based on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). HTTP enables content to stream through firewalls.

   Windows Media Encoder no longer supports the Media Stream Broadcast Distribution (MSBD) protocol. If you configured your Windows Media server to use MSBD, you must reconfigure it to use HTTP.

5. Select an existing profile that is best suited to your content; use the profile description to help you decide.

   -or-

   Click Create and Manage Profiles to create a profile.

   See: Creating Session Profiles

   

   Note: Click Editto change the settings of an existing profile.

6. To create an archive file of the broadcast, select the Archive a copy of the broadcast check box, and then enter a file name and location for the file. Click Next.

   

7. Do one of the following, and then click Next.

   • To broadcast the main event without additional content, select the No, I want to broadcast from my selected devices only check box, and then proceed to step 8.

   • To broadcast the main event with additional content, select the Yes, I want to add welcome, intermission, and goodbye video files check box.

   

8. Enter the name and location of the video files you want to include, and then click Next.

9. (Optional) In Title, Author, Copyright, Rating, and Description, enter information about the content, and then click Next. The information you add is displayed in Windows Media Player when the content is viewed.

   

10. Review the summary of your selections, and then do one of the following:

• Click Back to modify a session.

• Click Finish to complete the session configuration.

To capture audio or video from devices to a file using the New Session Wizard

1. Open the New Session Wizard, and then click Capture audio or video from attached devices or computer screen . If you want start encoding after you complete the wizard, select the Begin capturing when this wizard finishes check box, and then click Next.

   

2. If you want to encode video, select the Video check box, and then click the arrow to select from the list of capture devices.

3. In Audio , click the arrow to select from the list of capture devices, and then click Next. Audio is always selected.

   

4. In Windows Media file to create, enter the file name and location that you want to create, and then click Next.

   

5. Select how you want to distribute the file (through a Windows Media server, Web server, or locally on a computer), and then click Next .

   

6. Select an existing profile that is best suited to your content; use the profile description to help you decide.

   -or -

   Click Create and Manage Profiles to create a profile.
   See: Creating Session Profiles

   

   Note: Click Editor change the settings of an existing profile.

7. (Optional) In Title, Author, Copyright, Rating, and Description, enter information about the file, and then click Next. The information you add is displayed in Windows Media Player when the content is viewed.

   

8. Review the summary of your selections, and then do one of the following:

• Click Back to modify a session.

-or -

• Click Finish to complete the session configuration.

To convert a file using the New Session Wizard

1. Open the New Session Wizard , and then click Convert an audio or video file into a Windows Media file . If you want start encoding after you complete the wizard, select the Begin converting when this wizard finishes check box, and then click Next .

   

2. In File to convert, enter the name of the file you want to convert.

3. In File to create, enter the name of the Windows Media file you want to create, and then click Next .

   

4. Select how you want to distribute the file (through a Windows Media server, Web server, or locally on a computer), and then click Next .

   

5. Select an existing profile that is best suited to your content; use the profile description to help you decide. Click Next .

   -or-

   Click Create and Manage Profiles to create a new profile, and then click Next.
   See: Creating Session Profiles

   

   Note: Click Edit to change the settings of an existing profile.

6. (Optional) In Title, Author, Copyright, Rating, and Description, enter information about the file, and then click Next. The information you add is displayed in Windows Media Player when the content is viewed.

   

7. Review the summary of your selections, and then do one of the following:

• Click Back to modify a session.

• Click Finish to complete the session configuration.

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