Media Streaming - Not Really

[windwebguy]

When I signed up for my reseller account, I read that one of the services provided was audio and video streaming (http://www.hostgator.com/shared.shtml). However, after researching the streaming "service" that HostGator offers, I see that it isn't true audio and video streaming, but rather streaming over http. I'm a tad disappointed in that HostGator says they support audio and video streaming as a service, yet doesn't (http streaming isn't audio and video streaming). Or perhaps I am wrong and somewhere deep in the docs there are instructions on setting up audio and video streaming that isn't over http. If not, does HostGator have any plans to offer dedicated streaming services?

[Serra]

They offer http streaming. Which of course requires them to do nothing to offer it. However, I have to point out that it is fairly clear if you read what they offer that it is http streaming. In fact, it clearly states, "We support Windows Media, Quicktime, and Real Media player allowing you to run streaming audio and video." All of those formats are http steaming.

The knowledge base says, "Many people have questions about media steaming support for their sites. Hostgator supports only "Http Streaming" which is real player, quicktime, and windows media player. Below is a "How to" for those who need it to work from their sites."

That puts it fairly clearly, if you missed it in the first one.

It took me all of 20 seconds to dig those up for you, so I can't say the information was hidden.

If you are interested in another type of stream, you can purchase a streaming account some place else or a dedicated server here.

[windwebguy]

Thanks for your post Serra. Yes, I did dig up that information as well, which is why I posted the original note above. The sales doc says they offer streaming video and music, but the support docs clarify that it is streaming media over http.

You are correct that Windows Media, Quicktime and RealMedia will stream over http (with added network conjestion, buffering and artifacting), but http is not the correct protocol for delivering dedicated streaming media. RTP/RTSP/RTCP are the protocols that should be used for streaming media. I would suggest to Hostgator that they clarify this point in their sales information - that they offer http streaming, not RTP/RTSP/RTCP streaming as a true media server (like Helix) would provide.

The service Hostgator provides is called progressive download, not streaming media.

[Serra]

It seems to be a fairly widely fact that hosting companies offer "Streaming" meaning "http streaming" and that company that offer "streaming" that isn't of the http type, CLEARLY indicate that they offer a much better version of streaming. (and the price is also much higher, normally)

[cjnoyes]

Originally Posted by windwebguy

You are correct that Windows Media, Quicktime and RealMedia will stream over http (with added network conjestion, buffering and artifacting), but http is not the correct protocol for delivering dedicated streaming media. RTP/RTSP/RTCP are the protocols that should be used for streaming media. I would suggest to Hostgator that they clarify this point in their sales information - that they offer http streaming, not RTP/RTSP/RTCP streaming as a true media server (like Helix) would provide.

I checked out Real's site and one would need to buy their server to use it seriously to run a Helix server and what it costs depends on how many streams you run, if you get a dedi, you could buy it and run it on your server, or get your client to be willing to pay you enough to get a dedi and buy the server you need to run on it.

[Serra]

I suspect that the $3000.00 price tag would be a problem for most people. I'm guessing that is why HG's servers are half the price of Streaming Media servers.

[windwebguy]

Originally Posted by Serra

I suspect that the $3000.00 price tag would be a problem for most people. I'm guessing that is why HG's servers are half the price of Streaming Media servers.

Apple has an O/S streaming media server (http://developer.apple.com/darwin/projects/streaming/)

[Serra]

Good link, I'd read about that before. It does seem like a nice alternative.