AS Series Media Processor: Smooth Streaming Quick Start Guide

Introduction

This document provides information to help you get started quickly with Cisco AS Series Media Processor (formerly Spinnaker) Smooth Streaming.

Prerequisites

Requirements

There are no specific requirements for this document.

Components Used

This document is not restricted to specific software and hardware versions.

Conventions

Refer to Cisco Technical Tips Conventions for more information on document conventions.

Smooth Streaming Workflow

Hooking up the Hardware

Spinnaker needs just three connections: power, Ethernet, and a video source.

• Power—Need to connect power, turn on rear power switch, and then press the switch on the front of the Spinnaker.

• Ethernet—There are 3 available Ethernet ports; you can use any one you want:

  • LAN 1 and LAN 2 are GbE (10/100/1000) ports.

  • Mgmt port is 10/100.

IP Address

Once the Spinnaker boots up, it should receive an IP address by DHCP if available. This will be displayed on the front panel.

While you can configure Spinnaker via the front panel, the easiest method is to use the default IP address to access the Spinnaker web GUI.

Use a network connected PC and navigate to:

https://<ip_address>/encadmin

For this Spinnaker, you would use: https://192.168.3.35/encadmin

Presets Tab

1. Select a preset from the list that comes close to your desired settings.

   For example, Smooth 4 streams 720p source is a recent preset utilizing an HD source.

   A preview of the preset is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

   This one has 4 streams ranging from 2500 kbps to 512 kbps.

2. Click Apply to make this preset active.

Input Tab

• Spinnaker will automatically detect your video source format.

• Ensure the settings match the detected format.

• To verify your input settings are correct, after clicking Apply, click Start for a preview of the source video.

Significant Customization

Lots of customizable options, but you can start by using the preset defaults.

VC-1 Output Settings

• Enter the IP address of your IIS server.

• Publishing point is your IIS pub point, and a stream name with a unique indentifier.

• Aux Server allows simultaneous publishing to a backup IIS server.

Review

Go back to the Summary tab, and verify all the Stream settings are correct.

IIS Smooth Streaming Setup

• Microsoft’s website that explains how to set up Smooth Streaming:

  http://learn.iis.net/page.aspx/620/live-smooth-streaming-for-iis-70---getting-started/

• You can skip the section on Deploying the Big Buck Bunny sample file, but make sure you install the Smooth Streaming player development kit that is listed right below it.

Setting up the IIS Server

1. Start with a server running Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.

2. Install IIS Live Smooth Streaming.

3. Open IIS Manager.

   

4. Add a publishing point.

   

5. Use the Silverlight test player (default.html) that was provided with the Microsoft Live Smooth Streaming Player development kit.

6. Update the default.html file to point to the publishing point that was created.

Start Event

Click Start to start the encoder.

Output Option - Streaming to CDN

• Inlet has worked closely with the leading CDNs to provide a scalable option. You can stream directly from the Spinnaker to the CDN removing the need for an onsite IIS server.

• Successful Smooth events streamed with Akamai and Level 3.

• Use the server URL and publishing point provided by your CDN.

Hooking up Multiple Spinnakers

• Inlet Spinnakers provide multi-encoder synchronization.

• You can utilize 2 or 3 Spinnakers on the same event in order to stream 8 – 12 different streams. (See the workflow on the second foil for an example.)

• This can be used to provide additional bitrates, or multiple camera angles.

• The Spinnakers will be frame accurate on transitions between bitrates, even if changing from a bit rate on Spinnaker 1 to a bit rate on Spinnaker 2.

• Spinnaker Management Console can automate the setup of Multiple Spinnakers for Smooth Streaming events.

PlayReady DRM

• Integrated Support for PlayReady DRM for Smooth.

• Contact your DRM provider to establish an account.

• Spinnaker can dynamically retrieve the PlayReady key from supported providers.

• Or the information can be manually entered.

Smooth Streaming Experience

• Inlet has partnered closely with Microsoft to be the leading encoding provider for Smooth Streaming.

• Mix 2009 – Inlet was the first to demonstrate Smooth Streaming with Microsoft.

• Major Smooth Streaming events using Inlet encoders over the last 9 months:

  • French Open (Roland Garros)

  • FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009

  • Wimbledon 2009

  • Sunday Night Football

  • HD Premium Television for TV2, largest Broadcaster in Norway

Related Information

• Technical Support & Documentation - Cisco Systems