Tag: #cloud

Career, Employment, Mentoring, Moving Forward, Technology

Pathways to Innovation: Innovative Video Technology with FFMpeg & Frameworks

FFmpeg is a command-line based open-source multimedia framework that includes a set of tools to process, convert, combine and stream audio and video files. FFmpeg works by taking input from a file or a capture device (such as a webcam), then applying filters and encoding the data to a new format as output.

Here are some key components of how FFmpeg works:

1. Input: FFmpeg can take input from a variety of sources: video files, audio files, image sequences, capture devices, etc.

2. Decoding: Once the input source is defined, FFmpeg decodes the data from its original format (e.g., H.264 video codec) into an uncompressed, linear format, which is easier to process and manipulate.

3. Filters: FFmpeg has a vast set of filters that can be applied to the data, including scaling, cropping, color correction, noise removal, and more.

4. Encoding: After filtering, FFmpeg compresses the data back into a new format (e.g., MPEG4 video codec), using one of many built-in or external codecs. FFmpeg has support for dozens of codecs, containers, and formats.

5. Output: Finally, FFmpeg saves the newly encoded data to a file, streaming server, or other output device, typically in a format such as MP4, AVI, or FLV.

FFmpeg provides a flexible and powerful way to manipulate multimedia content on a wide range of platforms and operating systems. Its command-line interface allows for fine-grained control over every aspect of the processing pipeline, making it a popular choice for integrating into larger workflows and pipelines.

Buckle up, we’re about to dive into the world of frameworks.

In computer programming, a framework is a pre-existing software infrastructure that provides a set of guidelines, pre-made code libraries, and tools to help developers build and deploy applications more efficiently. 

A framework generally consists of a collection of libraries, modules, functions, and other pre-written code that serves as a foundation upon which developers can build their applications. A framework often includes a set of conventions and best practices for developing applications in a specific programming language or domain.

The goal of a framework is to provide a standardized approach to building applications that reduces development time and minimizes the possibility of errors. Frameworks can help developers implement common features like authentication, routing, and database access more easily, allowing them to focus on the unique aspects of their application.

Different types of frameworks are available for different purposes, such as web application frameworks, mobile application frameworks, software testing frameworks, and more. Some popular examples of frameworks include Ruby on Rails, Django, Laravel, React, and Angular.

Please feel free and add to this article.

Career, Employment, HLS Streaming, Mentoring, Moving Forward, Technology

HLS STREAM Tips: Formats, Encoding, Creation, Software, & Syntax Mastery for Broadcasting

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) is an adaptive streaming protocol developed by Apple for delivering media content over the internet. To create an HLS stream, certain audio and video formats are required for compatibility with the protocol. Here are the audio and video formats required for HLS:

1. Audio Formats: HLS requires audio to be encoded in either AAC-LC (Advanced Audio Coding Low Complexity) or MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III) format. However, AAC-LC is recommended because it provides better audio quality at lower bitrates.

2. Video Formats: HLS requires video to be encoded in either H.264 (also known as AVC, Advanced Video Coding) or HEVC (also known as H.265, High-Efficiency Video Coding) format. H.264 is the most widely used video codec for HLS, but HEVC provides better video quality at lower bitrates and is recommended for higher resolution and frame rate streams.

In addition to these audio and video formats, HLS also requires that the media files be segmented into small chunks of equal duration, typically between 2 and 10 seconds. These segments are then delivered to the client using a manifest file (usually an m3u8 file) that contains information about the segments and their URLs.

Overall, HLS is compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms, including iOS and Android devices, web browsers, and streaming media players. By following the recommended audio and video formats, it ensures that the media streams can be played seamlessly across all these platforms.

ENCODING HLS STREAMS

To encode an HLS stream, you need to follow these general steps:

1. Prepare your source media: Before encoding, you need to have your source media in a compatible format (see previous answer for required formats), and you need to segment it into small chunks of equal duration.

2. Choose an encoding software: There are several encoding software tools available such as FFmpeg, Elemental Live, Wowza Streaming Engine, and more. Choose one that fits your needs and supports HLS output.

3. Configure the encoding software: Configure the encoding software by specifying the input format, segment duration, output format (HLS), and other settings.

4. Set up a web server: Set up a web server for hosting your HLS manifest file and media segments. You can use a dedicated web server or a cloud-based one.

5. Encode the media: Use the encoding software to transcode the media into the required HLS format and segment it into small chunks. The software will create an HLS manifest file (.m3u8) that includes information about the segments and their URLs.

6. Upload the output files to the web server: After encoding, upload the manifest file and media segments to the web server.

7. Test the HLS stream: Test the HLS stream on different devices and streaming players to ensure it’s playable and doesn’t have any issues.

Overall, encoding an HLS stream requires specialized software and knowledge of encoding settings and web servers. It’s recommended to follow best practices and reference the documentation provided by your encoding software and web server provider.

How To Create an HLS Stream

To create an HLS stream, you need specialized software called an encoder, which can take your source media and transcode it into the required HLS format. There are several encoding software options available, offering various features and pricing models. Some of the popular encoding software tools for creating HLS streams include:

HLS SOFTWARE & HARDWARE

1. FFmpeg: FFmpeg is a free open-source software that can convert audio and video files into different formats, including HLS output.

2. Elemental Live: Elemental Live is a hardware and software solution that supports real-time video transcoding and streaming with features like ad insertion, scalable live streaming, and more.

3. Wowza Streaming Engine: Wowza is a software-based media server that provides live and on-demand streaming with features like transcoding, live stream recording, and more.

4. Adobe Media Encoder: Adobe Media Encoder is a media processing software that can ingest and output audio and video files in different formats, including HLS.

5. Telestream Vantage: Telestream Vantage is a transcoding software that provides multiplatform content creation and delivery, including support for HLS output.

These tools can help you transcode and segment your media files into the required HLS format and generate the necessary HLS manifest file (.m3u8) that contains information about the segments and their URLs. However, the specific software you choose may depend on your budget, workflow, and other requirements, so it’s important to research and evaluate your options carefully.

HLS SYNTAX

Here are ten examples of the correct syntax for an HLS stream using M3U8 playlist format:

1. #EXTM3U – declares the file as an M3U8 playlist file.

2. #EXT-X-VERSION:3 – specifies the version of the HLS protocol used.

3. #EXT-X-TARGETDURATION:10 – sets the maximum duration of each segment to 10 seconds.

4. #EXT-X-MEDIA-SEQUENCE:0 – indicates the starting number of media segments.

5. #EXT-X-PLAYLIST-TYPE:VOD – specifies that the playlist represents a video-on-demand stream.

6. #EXT-X-ALLOW-CACHE:YES – allows the client to cache the media segments.

7. #EXT-X-DISCONTINUITY – indicates a discontinuity in the media stream, such as a change from one bitrate to another.

8. #EXT-X-STREAM-INF:BANDWIDTH=2000000 – specifies the bitrate and resolution of the video stream.

9. #EXT-X-ENDLIST – indicates that no more segments will be added to the playlist (for live streams, this should be omitted)

10. #EXT-X-MAP:URI=”init.mp4″ – specifies a separate initialization segment for the media stream.

Note that some of these tags are optional, and the syntax may vary depending on the media server and player used. It’s always a good idea to test your playlist with different players and devices to make sure it works well.

Career, Mentoring, Moving Forward, Technology

Broadcasting Standards Info Track – SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, & Dev Ops

SaaS (Software as a Service) is a cloud computing model where software is provided as a service over the internet, without the need for the user to install or manage the software themselves. With SaaS, users can access software applications through a web browser or mobile app, and the provider takes care of the infrastructure, maintenance, and security of the software.

When using a SaaS application, the user typically pays a subscription fee on a monthly or annual basis. The provider hosts the software on their servers and manages the infrastructure, storage, and security. The user can access the application from anywhere with an internet connection, and can use the application on a pay-as-you-go basis.

VMware is a company that provides virtualization software and cloud computing services. VMware’s flagship product is vSphere, a virtualization platform that allows businesses to manage their data center infrastructure more efficiently by virtualizing their physical servers and creating virtual machines (VMs). VMware also provides cloud computing services through its VMware Cloud platform, which allows businesses to run their applications in the cloud, either on their own infrastructure or in public clouds like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure. VMware’s offerings include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model where a provider offers virtualized computing resources, such as servers, storage, and networking, over the internet. With IaaS, a user can rent these resources on a pay-per-use basis and can scale up or down as needed without having to manage the underlying infrastructure. Examples of IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model where a provider offers a platform for developing, deploying, and managing applications over the internet. With PaaS, a user can develop and deploy applications without having to manage the underlying infrastructure, which includes servers, storage, and networking. The PaaS provider takes care of these tasks, allowing the user to focus on developing and deploying their application. Examples of PaaS providers include Heroku, Google App Engine, and Microsoft Azure.

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud computing model where an application is provided as a service over the internet. With SaaS, a user can access the application through a web browser or mobile app, without having to install or manage the software themselves. The application is hosted on the provider’s servers, and the provider takes care of maintenance, updates, and security. The user typically pays a subscription fee on a monthly or annual basis. Examples of SaaS applications include Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, and Salesforce.

DevOps is a software development approach that emphasizes collaboration, communication, and integration between software developers and operations teams to deliver high-quality software applications. The following is a step-by-step breakdown of the DevOps process:

1. Planning: The first stage of the DevOps process is planning. This involves defining the project requirements, establishing goals, and creating a timeline for the project.

2. Development: In the second stage, the application is developed by a team of software developers using an agile development approach. The code is stored in a version control system and automated builds are triggered when changes are made.

3. Testing: Once the application is developed, it is thoroughly tested to ensure it meets the requirements and is free of bugs. Testing is automated as much as possible, and any issues found are immediately reported to the developers for fixing.

4. Deployment: In the deployment stage, the application is packaged into a container or executable and deployed to the testing and production environments. Deployment is automated to minimize the risk of errors and improve the speed of the release cycle.

5. Monitoring: Once the application is deployed, it is constantly monitored to ensure it is performing optimally and any issues are promptly identified and resolved. This includes monitoring the infrastructure, the application, and customer feedback.

6. Feedback: Finally, feedback is gathered from users and stakeholders, and the results are used to inform future development projects. The feedback is collected continuously throughout the DevOps process, allowing the team to make informed decisions and continuously improve the application.

Cloud Providers, Life Choices, Mentoring, Technology

Info – Overview: Cloud Providers & What They Do

Here are some popular cloud service providers:

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

2. Microsoft Azure

3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

4. IBM Cloud

5. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)

6. Alibaba Cloud

7. DigitalOcean

8. VMware Cloud

9. Rackspace

10. Salesforce Cloud

Here’s a brief explanation of what

each of the cloud providers do:

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS): A comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings. AWS offers a wide range of services, including computing, storage, database, analytics, machine learning, networking, and security.

2. Microsoft Azure: A cloud computing platform that provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings. Azure offers services for computing, storage, database, security, analytics, AI, and IoT. It also provides integration with Microsoft’s other products, such as Office 365 and Dynamics 365.

3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP): A cloud computing platform that provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings. GCP offers services for computing, storage, database, analytics, machine learning, networking, and security. It also provides integration with Google’s other products, such as Google Workspace and Android.

4. IBM Cloud: A cloud computing platform that provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings. IBM Cloud offers services for computing, storage, database, analytics, AI, and IoT. It also provides integration with IBM’s other products, such as Watson and Red Hat.

5. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): A cloud computing platform that provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings. OCI offers services for computing, storage, database, analytics, security, and application development. It also provides integration with Oracle’s other products, such as Oracle Database and Oracle Fusion Middleware.

6. Alibaba Cloud: A cloud computing platform that provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings. Alibaba Cloud offers services for computing, storage, database, security, networking, and big data analytics. It is mainly focused on serving customers in Asia.

7. DigitalOcean: A cloud computing platform that provides IaaS offerings, particularly for developers and small businesses. It offers services for computing, storage, networking, and security, with a focus on simplicity and affordability.

8. VMware Cloud: A cloud computing platform that provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings. VMware Cloud offers services for computing, storage, networking, security, and application development. It is particularly focused on providing hybrid cloud solutions that integrate with on-premises infrastructure.

9. Rackspace: A cloud computing platform that provides managed hosting and cloud services. Rackspace offers services for computing, storage, networking, security, and application support, with a focus on customer support and expertise.

10. Salesforce Cloud: A cloud computing platform that provides SaaS offerings focused on customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise applications. Salesforce Cloud offers services for sales, marketing, customer service, analytics, and app development, with a focus on helping businesses grow and succeed.

Please reply and add anyone I missed.