Hi, my name is han.
I just joined this site after searching google for web hosting. great reads and lots of info on this board!!!

anyway, I have few questions to you net gurus.
if i want to have a video site that streams hq videos like (youtube or vimeo) what is the requirement to make a such site like this?
what would be the most cost effective? I am also looking at the long terms, as the member grows i am aware that i need to upgrade. in that case, having multiple server+transcoding service sounds make sense.

need your 2cents!!

My best suggestion is to try a cloud hosting service for this, as you can build your server with a cloud as you go, as that would be your best option as you said you are 100% right about the growing matter, as you can start off small with a cloud and then grow bigger.

But if your just looking to obtain a dedicated server a strong core.

But the best place I could suggest, as that type of service is a bandwidth seeker, you should check out a place like www.100tb.com they would best suit your needs for the services your looking for as they provide a good amount of bandwidth, support is great, the servers are strong, and reliable, and you can always work your way as you need with upgrades.

For cloud hosting, I suggest SoftLayer

http://www.softlayer.com/cloudlayer/build-your-own-cloud/

You build your own cloud, to your exact requirements you think you will need to start, and you can easily upgrade, and launch / add other services from your cloud panel instantly, and they also have options for different locations with choosing them you have the power to setup another server/cloud with your panel as you said you might be interested in to getting another one.

I actually recommend the cloud, as if you know how, and know what u are doing it can be the best deal, but it can also be a pocket muncher. With the service though its great. I have a buddy whos running a video stream site, and a music streaming site/download site for music and he uses the cloud system with softlayer.

Check it out :)

You can always look in the offer sections also for cloud hosting, and dedicated server sections to see which one takes ur requirements