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Streaming video intervals using VLM

Posted: 12 Mar 2007 11:55
by Cheata
Hi, I've been trying out the VLM for a while now and I was wondering, is it possible to use VoD to stream an interval of a certain video.

For example, is it possible to stream from 1:30 to 3:56 in a 5 minute video without the user being able to view the other parts?

I have seen a similar option in the user interface (Partial Extract in the wizard), but I can't find if this option is also available in VLM.

Posted: 12 Mar 2007 15:07
by lukas23
Using the seek command you can make your stream start at any point, but I don't think there's a way to stop it automatically as you want to (at least, I don't know how to do it :wink:)

Here you have a basic example of a vlm config file to start your 5 min stream from min 1

Code: Select all

> new Test broadcast enabled > setup Test input "/path/to/file.ext" > setup Test output #transcode{vcodec=X,vb=X}:duplicate{dst=std{access=X,mux=X,port=X:X}} > setup control seek 20 > setup control play
Write your output preferences where Xs are

Hope this helps

Posted: 12 Mar 2007 15:52
by Cheata
Thanks for the reply!

I already found and used the seek function, but in this case the intervals 0:00 to 1:00 and 3:57 to 5:00 can still be seen (in VoD). I wanted to stop that, without having to break up the video file manually.

The idea I'm trying to realize is a tagging system for video fragments. For example, I have a video file of a newscast, which consists of several news items. Some users want to see the entire newscast, so I stream the entire video file. Other users might want to see only certain items, so I stream only those fragments.

Is this possible using VLM?

Posted: 15 Mar 2007 11:44
by lukas23
With VLM itself I don't know, because I'm a VLC's newbie and I don't know what can and what cannot be done with it (you should ask to some VLC administrator).

However, you can programmaticaly design a simple application to control the timings you want and send the VLM orders to the VLC through a telnet connection (with some telnet scripting tool).

That's what I did after a while, as it's the easiest way of working with VLM commands (play, pause and stop) in real time.

Posted: 15 Mar 2007 12:11
by Cheata
The problem is, scheduling works great with broadcast streams, but I need to use Video on Demand. This would mean that, If a user seeks ahead (or back) in a video, my timing would be off.

That's why I would like to stream partial video's, ensuring the integrity of the video fragments.

Posted: 26 Mar 2007 12:00
by Cheata
So, I take it it's not possible? :(

Posted: 29 Mar 2007 11:23
by Cheata
OK, after some experimentation I got the following commands to work:

Code: Select all

new Test vod enabled setup Test input "some.avi" setup Test option start-time=60 setup Test option stop-time=120
This does show the correct fragment from 1:00 to 2:00, but the interface (slider) lets a user check the entire video, which I do not want. Does anyone know how to fix that? (Preferably without 'do not show the slider' :) )

Posted: 30 Mar 2007 00:11
by dionoea
It's not possible without creating a smaller video file containing only the needed video fragment.

Posted: 31 Mar 2007 18:45
by Cheata
Oh well, then I'll have to find another way. Thanks for the help anyway.