Streaming video in either Real Video or Windows Media format can be encoded for deployment over the Net or corporate Intranets using either individually encoded streams or a single adaptive rate stream. The purpose of this information and accompanying table below is to provide you with a comparative analysis between these two methods of deploying streaming video so that you can select which method is right for you and your particular application. First we'll examine just the basics of each streaming video encoding and deployment method and then compare them. We can encode your video using either method.

Individually Encoded Single Bit Rate Streaming Video - Using this method of encoding and deployment, each different speed version of a video is encoded as a separate streaming video file using different bit rates per second of video. If you want your video to look its best for users connected to the Net at a variety of different speeds, you would normally order 3 to 5 different speed versions of your video clip. On your web page, you would have several links or buttons for your viewers to select from to watch your video based on the speed they're connected to the Net at. For example, you might have one link to your video for 56k modem users, a second for slow network users and a third for users connected to the Net through their higher speed corporate networks, DSL or cable. This is the preferred method for most companies.

Surestream or Adaptive Rate Streaming Video - Using this method of encoding and deployment, each different speed version of your video is encoded as part of a single, larger multi bit rate video file. The larger video file may contain 3, 5, 7 or as many different speed versions as you'd like. On your web page, you would place a single link to the video file. It is then the job of the video server software to determine the connection speed of the user initially and throughout the entire video, and to serve up the appropriate speed version of your video to the viewer. Depending upon the length of the video and the amount of network congestion, the viewer may see a dozen or more changes of the audio and video stream during playback. This means the quality of the video will constantly be changing to accommodate network conditions. Video server software is often over-sensitive to network conditions, and as a result will stream a lower quality version to the user than need be streamed. Surestream is the name given to this process by the folks at Real Video. Adaptive rate streaming is the terminology being used by Microsoft in their Windows Media Player.

Comparing Streaming Video Quality - There is no inherent quality advantage to using adaptive rate encoding versus individually encoded files. Under each scenario, there are only so many bits and bytes available to encode with for each given speed. In actuality, we have a greater amount of control over video quality when each separate version can be optimized in the areas of frames per second, screen size, clarity and audio for the speed its being encoded and delivered at. When you compare streaming video samples from one producer to the next, be careful not to compare individually encoded files to adaptive rate video files. It is next to impossible for you to be able to monitor an adaptive rate streaming video presentation and be aware of which bandwidth version you're actually watching. This problem is compounded if you are watching from a high speed connection as you will be unable to compare what the 56K modem version of the video looks like. You will only see the very highest speed versions of the video.

Regardless of which method you feel is right for you, we will work with your video until we achieve the highest quality results that solve your streaming video communication needs.

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Comparison Of Surestream Or Adaptive Rate Streaming Video Versus Individual Bit Rate Streaming Video
Issue	Surestream and Adaptive Rate Streaming Video	Individually Encoded Single Bit Rate Streaming Video
Deployment requirements	Video must always be deployed using video server software. This means your ISP must have the correct video server software or you'll need to pay extra for hosting elsewhere.	Video can be deployed either from your existing web server or optionally from a video server.
Network congestion	The video server software monitors each connection and will automatically switch to a lower bandwidth speed to prevent the video from pausing to re-buffer.	The video will pause temporarily allowing the video to re-buffer on the client side. After a few seconds, the video will continue playing at its normal quality.
File space required	The file storage requirements are greater than for individually encoded streams.	The file storage requirements are less than encoding using Surestream or adaptive rate streaming.
Web page integration	Only a single play button or link is required on the web page.	Individual play buttons or links are required for each speed version.
Physical size of video on screen	The physical dimensions of the video must remain constant throughout the entire video. Individual speed versions can not be optimized and made larger to take advantage of higher bandwidth stream versions.	Each individual speed version can be optimized so that higher speed versions can be presented in larger screen sizes.
Audio considerations	The same audio settings must be used for each version to avoid noticeable and unwelcome changes in audio quality as the video server changes which bandwidth version the viewer is watching.	The audio segment can be specifically tailored to the content and delivery speed of each version allowing for higher quality audio at higher speeds.
Portability and compatibility	The videos must always be streamed from the appropriate video server software.	Video files are totally portable and can be moved to any web server or video server when you change ISP's.

Most experienced customers prefer encoding their streaming video as individual streams as a much higher level of quality control can be achieved. Additionally, most people feel that the resulting video experience for the viewer is better under most circumstances. Moreover, many people consider Surestream or adaptive rate encoding to be a solution in search of a problem. If you'd like to discuss the particulars of your project in further detail, please call us at 630-690-2141 or e-mail us at media@cybertechmedia.com.

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