Can this be done? Does it work like Real media? I know with real it can be done without having real server, but can it be done with Windows media?

Thanks for the help. I am quite lost here :)

To http stream (not really streaming, but watch while downloading) all you have to do is create a file with an .asx extension. Then, open up notepad and type in the URL for the .asf file (i.e. http://domain.com/stream.asf) and then just point people to the .asx file.

Hope that helps!

Thanks RackMy, but still don't understand what you mean by "not really streaming, but watch while downloading" ???

Isn't it the same as creating a ram file that points to the rm file with real media?

Yep, but doing it that way is not really streaming. You are just doing an HTTP download of the file.

With streaming, you are not doing a straight download, but streaming the file which gives you added benifits (the ability to start in the middle of the clip, offer variable bandwidth rates, etc.) In order to do this, you will need the streaming engine (MS does not offer non MS OS based ASF server software)

Does that make better sense?

Got it! Just like with having Real Server software.

Thanks very much for your help!! :)

Originally posted by RackMy.com
Yep, but doing it that way is not really streaming. You are just doing an HTTP download of the file.

With streaming, you are not doing a straight download, but streaming the file which gives you added benifits (the ability to start in the middle of the clip, offer variable bandwidth rates, etc.) In order to do this, you will need the streaming engine (MS does not offer non MS OS based ASF server software)

Does that make better sense?

I bet the people writing the windows media player plugin could use byte serving to start the file in the middle when using HTTP streaming. Someone get them MS people off of their butts and get to work on it.

all you have to do is create a file with an .asx extension. Then, open up notepad and type in the URL for the .asf file (i.e. http://domain.com/stream.asf) and then just point people to the .asx file.

Can you explain this more in detail ?
What will be in the asx file ? For what extensions will this work ?

Sorry i know nothing of this type of thing but get a lot of questions about it (like the customer that wants to play a wma file but it downloads first the total 2.5 meg :( ).

Thanks !

Dutchie,

All you need to do is open up notepad, put the absolute URL to the .asf file (the one that has the actual media click) and then save the file with a .asx extension. You then need to call the file from the html document.

I just found this, this will be helpful to you:
http://csu.colstate.edu/webdevelop/streamingmedia/

Are there any 3rd party streaming servers that can stream windows media files? Even ones that run only on Windows? Is it even possible to create a competing 3rd party product?

As for Linux, it is technically possible, take a look at http://techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/stories/main/0,14179,2664804,00.html. However the media server itself is not available as separate product. :(