securing video content

ICW · #1 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 12:23 AM

Hello there,
i am new to this board.
Does anyone know how to secure video content. What i mean is can i configure video clips (wmv files) so that users can view them but not download them. Is there maybe someway to disable the right-click and download option?

TIA

Iain

rooney · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 06:02 AM

Iain, the only way to secure video content is to use a streaming media server to stream them to the user. That way they only get a couple of seconds to minutes of the video. But what ever they do get is stored in temp files and memory so it is very very hard to save the full content.

ICW · #3 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 06:26 AM

So if I wanted to create a website with video tutorials and charge a monthly subscription for access, it probably wouldn't work because users would download all the content within the first month? Is that right does anyone know of any websites that offer this kind of monthly subs access? How do they manage it?
PS - thanks for your help rooney:

rooney · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 06:45 AM

Nooo, each time a user views a video it is streamed back to there computer. They cant save it or edit it. To watch it again it they would have to go back to the page and stream it back again.

I have done this before for a company I used to work for. Have a look here http://www.citycentrehotels.com/Dubl...?section=video the video at the bottom is streamed via Flash Media Server. You download it into a temp folder and it means you cant save or edit the video. With this option you can then build a members area around it and secure it for member only access.

To use .wmv you will find there are alot more cost involed. There is a heavy price tag with using .wmv, have a look at using .flv its alot cheaper.

ICW · #5 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 07:55 AM

I looked at the citycentre hotel website. The video looked great.

1. Is it a .flv (i've not heard of this format before)
2. Whats the file size?
3. What do you mean by "Cost" re- wmv?
4. How do you get it to stream, do you need to use a special tool for this?
Hope you don't mind the questions

Cheers
Iain

rooney · #6 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 08:09 AM

Here's the answers....
1. So that video is streamed? Yes, from a Flash Media Server.

2. Is it a .flv (i've not heard of this format before)? Yes those files are .FLV and everyone has heard of .FLV you just might not have noticed it. YouTube videos are all .FLV who use progressive download. The city center hotel videos are streamed.

3. Whats the filed size? The file sizes differ as I used a script to work out the users internet connection speed and serve the right version. Sizes are between 3mb and 18 mbs. 3mb for 56k connection, and the 18mb for broadband

4. How do you get it to stream, do you need to use a special tool for this? You need a special sever application called Flash Media Server for streaming or there is free applications for progressive streaming (thats where you downlaod a bit, then another bit so it progressively downloads. With this option is very easy to steal the videos)

There is free tools for converting the videos to .flv or you can buy a copy of Flash pro off Adobe. Flash Video (.flv) is an Adobe video platform.

rooney · #7 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 08:12 AM

Sorry I ment to add, Flash Videos are a more common platform for displaying videos. Mac, Windows, iPhone, etc can all display .FLV where with .WMV mostly Windows only so you would restrict your members.

ICW · #8 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 08:23 AM

Oh, i see a flv is a Flash video. I have Camtasia (which has an option to create flash files)
Where do you get the Flash media server from ? and how much?

I promise to not keep pertering you after this one;o)

Cheers
Iain

rooney · #9 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 08:34 AM

You can download a developers copy for free here http://www.adobe.com/products/flashmediaserver/

or for flash video hosting I use http://www.influxis.com/

ICW · #10 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 08:47 AM

Thanks a lot for your help rooney.

Looks like you've been promoted to a MASTER BABBLER during our conversation, i'm sure you were a Regular babbler (or something like that) earlier.

ICW · #11 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 10:13 AM

Sorry I have thought of just 2 more questions (before you start to invoice me for consultancy!)
1. re- the influxis site would you host the whole web solution (files and pages etc) with them or just the files that you want to stream and your website points to the influxis servers.
2. I have looked for streaming hosting plans with ISP's and can't seem to find much on offer (apart from big sites like REAL, or Quicktime) Do you know of any other value for money hosting providers that provide this service ?

Thanks again, your help has been really useful!!

rooney · #12 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 10:26 AM

Influxis only host the .flv and the flash script files. You then host the flash player on your site. The flash player connects to influxis and streams the video and sound back.

Streaming media is very very expensive and requires top spec servers, everyone now is moving to Flv because it is cheaper and more common on computers. Quicktime and Realplayer will require people to download or update before you can watch a video. And those files can be huge! Flash comes as standard on most browsers. Windows Media, Quicktime and Real Player hosting is very hard to find, I dont know of any hosts that do it. Take windows for example, nothing windows give out is cheap!

ICW · #13 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 10:39 AM

oh no,
I am really confused now!
I thought i was talking about the same thing as you.
Streaming media is different from using flash media server???

rooney · #14 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 02:43 PM

Well flash media server can handle chat rooms & webcam chat as well as video. So yea it would be different.

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