On-demand uni-cast streaming: what can I do better?

[MikeInMass]

I need to stream video+audio from one fixed location to a single fixed client over the Internet.

The client is on a crappy consumer DSL connection, 768 kbps down.
The server is on a slightly-less-crappy consumer cable connection, 768 kbps up.

In order to avoid bringing down the wrath of the crappy cable ISP, I'd like to use the upload bandwidth only when the client is connected.

To do this, right now I am using Windows Media Player at the client, and the following at the server:

Code: Select all

vlc dshow:// :dshow-vdev="Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II Capture" :dshow-adev="none" :sout="#transcode{vcodec=DIV3,vb=320,vt=32,ab=32,scale=1, \ acodec=mp3,channels=1,deinterlace} \ :standard{access=mmsh,mux=asf,dst=:8080}"

I'm getting so-so quality at this bit rate, but can't go much faster without saturating the download pipe.

Is there a change I can make to my streaming configuration to get better quality at the same bit rate?

I don't mind switching the client or server OS if necessary.

But, I would like the server not to consume network bandwidth until the client connects.

Thanks for any suggestions!