Case Study: Open Source Live Streaming to FLASH Player (via FFMpeg)

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• Author: open-player
• January 26, 2007
• Category: Technology

== 1. Concept ==

The text explains how to use open source MPEG production suite FFMpeg to create and serve FLASH (6+) compatible live streams.

Macromedia Flash MX package is the tool suggested by the manufacturer for live streaming. But the default procure is far from straightforward and user friendly, so very few dedicated Flash enthusiasts go that way. Not to forget that Flash Communication Server MX is not free in any meanining of the word “free” …

So we will briefly explain how to encode A/V input in Flash compatible stream, using open source tools.

== 2. Prerequisites ==

* Linux box with (BTTV compatible) video and audio capture cards. CPU power is not critical: example described here is assembled on 800 Mhz Pentium computer.

* FFMpeg ( http://ffmpeg.sourceforge.net ) installed. Main parts of the package are programs ffmpeg (encoder) and ffserver (server). Documentation is available on FFMpeg site.

== 3. Procedure ==

=== 3.1. Server Side: Encoder and Server ===

FFMpeg settings are controlled through ffserver.conf file. The following sections instruct ffmpeg to encode video into an example live Flash stream (SWF format):

Feed feed1.ffm Format swf VideoFrameRate 8 VideoBitRate 256 VideoSize 320x240 VideoGopSize 6 VideoCodec flv VideoIntraOnly AudioChannels 1 AudioSampleRate 44100 AudioBitRate 64

Then the address for the streams would be of the form:

http://the_address_of_the_server:ffserver_port/stream_name

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