Network Camera Systems vs. Streaming Media
EarthCam receives many requests for solutions that will allow people to provide video content to audiences on the Internet. There are as many different specific solutions as there are applications, but still the most common methods use some type of "frame grabbing" system. The system, known as a Webcaster, produces a rapid series of video frame snapshots, also known as "streaming video". Images are transferred to the client via server push technology, ActiveX, Java, or FTP. Under the right circumstances, real-time video can be achieved - 30 frames per second (fps).

To reach a large audience with high frame rates (15-30 fps) or incorporate audio, an MPEG4 based solution may be required. MPEG4 technology is the basis for popular streaming media formats like Windows Media, Real Media, and QuickTime.

Streaming media, as opposed to streaming video, requires several integrated components: an encoder for generating the appropriate compressed video format, a streaming server for distribution, and client-side browser software (Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, etc.) for viewing the stream. High quality MPEG4 streams require more bandwidth than a Webcaster based system, not only for the encoder, but also for the server. It can become very costly to set up and produce this type of "streaming" content, especially for a large viewing audience.

WebCamStore offers the EarthCam Streaming MediaCaster 300K and the EarthCam Streaming MediaCaster 800K, as well as custom systems, to meet your streaming media needs. Learn more about our Streaming Video Hosting and Serving Service.

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