With Microsoft Expression Encoder, you can encode videos that take advantage of Smooth Streaming technology. Smooth Streaming is the Microsoft implementation of adaptive streaming technology, which is a form of web-based audio/video content delivery that uses HTTP progressive download technology. Instead of delivering content by downloading, or in a Constant Bit Rate stream, the content is delivered to the client in a series of fragments.
The advantage of Smooth Streaming is that if while playing the fragments, the network conditions change; decrease in bandwidth, or compromised CPU power, then the client can request fragments from the server that are encoded at lower bit rates. Similarly, if playback conditions become better, the client can request playback fragments encoded at higher bit rates. This results in high-quality playback for users, with no interruptions in the stream.
You can encode a simple WMV file as an adaptive streaming file and benefit from the progressive download capabilities.
In Expression Encoder, you have a choice of creating two types of adaptive streaming files. You can create an IIS Smooth Streaming file or an IIS Smooth Streaming Single File.
The IIS Smooth Streaming output format creates several final files, whereas the IIS Smooth Streaming Single File produces just one file.
When you encode a media asset using either the IIS Smooth Streaming or IIS Smooth Streaming Single File output format, Expression Encoder creates the following file types:
- *.ismv: This is an MP4 file that contains both video and audio content. If you chose to encode an IIS Smooth Streaming file, Expression Encoder creates one .ismv per bit rate. For example, if you specified that you wanted your video encoded using four different bit rates, Expression Encoder creates four .ismv files. However, if you chose to encode an IIS Smooth Streaming Single File, Expression Encoder only creates one file that contains streams of each bit rate.
- *.ism: This is an XML file called a "server manifest file." It describes the relationships between media tracks, bit rates, and the files on disk. Only the IIS Smooth Streaming server uses this file.
- *.ismc: This is an XML file called a "client manifest file." It includes important information about the encoded file, such as the encoded bit rates, the codecs used, and other information. Only the Silverlight playback client uses this file.
Let’s see how to create IIS Smooth streaming Files. This is a very Basic example:
Open Microsoft Expresion Encoder. Import the media asset for which you wish to create Smooth Streaming Files.
Select IIS Smooth Streamimg Format as the Output Format. There are 8 predefined Bitratesfor the video . You can add Bitrates of your own choice as well. You can also change the audio settings.
Select the Output Location for your file.
The encoding job will be strated when you click Encode button from the bottom of the screen.
Your IIS Smmoth Streaming files of 8 bitrates are created and saved in the location specified by you.
This contains .ism file, .ismc file, Settings file and 8 .ismv files for respective bitrates.
