Real Streaming Tools; A new encoding suite from RealNetworks
makes publishing streaming media easier than ever.
Ozer, Jan
04/21/98
PC Magazine
Page 64
RealNetworks ' new encoding suite removes most technical barriers
from publishing streaming media. At the core is RealPublisher 5.1
($49.99 list), which automates encoding, HTML creation, and FTP
uploading. New Microsoft PowerPoint 97 and Adobe Premiere plug-ins
($39.99 and $99.99 list, respectively) automate publishing from those
programs while creating new mediums for RealNetworks ' technology.
Combined, these new tools make RealMedia both easier to use and more
useful.
RealNetworks recently made two changes to entice new developers.
First, it stopped charging for certain product configurations, letting any
company install basic audio and video streaming for free. Second, it
enabled its products to work without a dedicated server, simplifying
deployment for companies without Web servers.
Although significant, these moves didn't make it easier to encode or
publish RealMedia files. This is a key issue addressed by the new
products (which don't upgrade the core audio-video compression
technology). Another issue involves expanding the range of media types
that RealSystem comprehends.
RealPublisher
RealPublisher 5.1 is a polished tool that delivers advanced functionality
while hiding technical details. A wizard asks you several questions to
derive encoding parameters such as frame rate, audio codec, and total
bandwidth. When finished, you end up at the main program window,
where you can change any parameter.
After encoding, you can either e-mail a file using any MAPI-enabled
program or publish on the Web via an HTML-creation wizard that
produces both the HTML page and the required token file. Finally, a
publishing wizard uploads the page by using FTP. This strips directory
information so that file pointers match your Web site.
The program is not without its limitations, though. RealPublisher offers no
general design options, so you'll have to use your HTML editor to make
your pages conform in appearance. In addition, RealPublisher uploads all
files to the Web root; you can't set a target directory. This approach may
not work for many developers.
Still, the default values are ideal for novices who simply want video on
their Web sites, and advanced developers can copy the relevant HTML
code into their own pages and manually set file pointers. The net result is
an easier production job for developers at all levels.
PowerPoint Plug-in
The new RealPresenter plug-in for PowerPoint 97 introduces
RealNetworks ' ability to convert PowerPoint slides and audio into
RealVideo files. You create your presentation and import narration tracks
using standard PowerPoint controls, and then you run the plug-in from the
tools menu.
A wizard asks you some simple questions in order to configure your
output, and then it exports each slide as a JPEG frame, encodes the
audio, and interleaves the two into a synchronized stream. You can then
access the same e-mail and Web publishing functions available with
RealPublisher.
We tested the PowerPoint plug-in with files from our recent roundup of
Web-based multimedia presentation programs ("A Medium for Your
Message," March 10, 1998), testing proficiency with both text- and
image-based presentations. RealPresenter proved very easy to use and
produced great audio quality.
Our only complaint concerned the slight JPEG artifacts we noticed in the
text. But Microsoft NetShow Presenter (the only streaming alternative)
suffered the same artifacts, and RealNetworks ' audio quality was much
better. Anyone with a yen to place PowerPoint presentations on the Web
will find this new plug-in to be an exciting alternative.
Premiere plug-in
The Adobe Premiere plug-in has the same publishing options as
RealPublisher, but its key feature is that it lets you create slide shows
from videos and select the frames for the final video. This is important,
because automatic conversions from 15 fps to 1 frame every 4 or 5
seconds invariably catch the subject with eyes closed or as otherwise less
than photogenic.
You mark the keeper frames using standard controls in Premiere's clip
window. You then access the plug-in from the export menu and select
Slide Show Frames, which converts all marked frames to JPEG format,
encodes the audio, and interleaves the two into a synchronized stream. Of
course, you can also encode normally, with complete access to all
encoding options.
RealNetworks ' new tools extend a cushy welcome mat to new
streaming-media developers and can serve as inexpensive time-savers for
current RealSystem customers. They also dramatically extend
RealNetworks ' lead when it comes to these products' closest
competitor, Microsoft NetShow--especially now that RealNetworks
has acquired VivoActive, the chief developer of NetShow tools. Until
Microsoft makes NetShow more usable, RealNetworks will remain the
only clear choice.
RealPublisher 5.1. List price: $49.99. RealPresenter Plug-in for
PowerPoint 97. List price: $39.99. RealPublisher Plug-in for Premiere.
List price: $99.99. Each requires: Microsoft Windows 95 or NT, 486/66
DX2, 8MB RAM, 4MB hard disk space, 16-bit color display, 16-bit
sound card. RealNetworks , Seattle, WA; 800-444-8011,
206-674-2700; www.real.com. Choose 401 at
www.pcmag.com/infolink.
POST IT: After encoding your RealVideo files, RealPublisher 5.1 walks
you through some simple configuration options and then creates and
publishes the HTML file.
NOW SHOWING: RealNetworks ' Premiere plug-in lets you encode
and publish from within Adobe Premiere and create custom slide shows
from your video files.
Another TMF Stinky find. |
