How to Multicast a Live Stream by Using Windows Media Encoder 7.x or Later (269073)

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How to Generate a Stream Format File

If you are multicasting a Windows Media-based stream, you must generate a stream format file because it contains information that Microsoft Windows Media Player uses to decode and play the stream, for example, the types of media contained in the stream (audio, video, scripts), the bitrate, and the codecs used to encode it. The stream format file has an .asf file name extension.

To generate a stream format file, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu in Windows Media Encoder 7.x or later, click Generate Stream Format File.
2. In the File Name text box, type the name and location for the file, and then click Save.
3. Copy the file to your Windows Media server, or verify that the file is accessible by using the MMS protocol.

NOTE: If you change any of the settings in the Encoder configuration, you must regenerate the stream format file, remove the current Windows Media stream format file from the station on your Windows Media server, and then add the new stream format file.

How to Create a Station That Points to a Version 7.x or Later Encoder

In the Windows Media Administrator on the Windows Media Services 4.1 Server, do the following:

1. Click to select Multicast Stations.
2. Click Stations, and then click New.
3. As you step through the wizard, click Create a new station, and then click Next.
4. Type a name and a description for the station, click to select the distribution mode, and then click Next.
5. Set the Program Name and the Stream Name. Click to clear the Start Program when station is finished check box because you have to change some configuration settings when the wizard has completed. Click Next.
6. Click to select Advanced Streaming Format File as the source for the station, and then click Next.
7. For the source URL, specify mms://Server Name/StreamFormatFileName.asf; however, the ultimate source of this station will be an encoder.
8. For the stream format source, specify the local path to the file, for example, C:\Asf Root\StreamFormatFileName.asf.
9. Specify the output names for the NSC file, and then complete the steps of the wizard.
10. When the wizard is complete, click to select the program, and then double-click the station that you created in the previous steps.
11. On the Source/Destination tab of the Properties dialog box, change Source URL to the URL that is specified on the Connections tab of the Encoder.
12. Click OK until the dialog box closes. While the Encoder is broadcasting, click Start Program. The station status changes to Playing. This verifies that the station is properly configured.