xmoov-php is a HTTP pseudo-streaming script and our effort to unlock some of the advantages of a streaming video system and make them available in a cost effective progressive environment. The first building block for xmoov-php was inspired by the efforts of Stefan Richter and can be found on his blog. Since then many other experiments have been launched, some of which can be found under Resources.
Due to the popularity of the Adobe Flash player, it has become the standard of choice for Internet Video publishers. Publishers can choose between three methods of delivering video content.
Progressive Download - Requires no special server based software.
Streaming - Requires Streaming software such as Adobe's Flash Media Server to be installed on the server.
HTTP pseudo-streaming - Progressive Download using server side scripting to allow random access to parts of the video that have not yet loaded.
Choosing which method is better for you depends on your application, target audience, capabilities of your server and lastly your pocketbook.
HTTP pseudo-streaming is not just for the "little guy" and can be used in most applications and deployment environments. Video blogs, Online product presentations, E learning, Movie trailers, Web Tv and many more can benefit from this method of deployment. The most important factor to know is the number of simultaneous PHP connections your web-server allows.
Internet video publishers wanting to broadcast live streams or serve thousands of simultaneous connections must rely on streaming server systems such as Adobe's Flash Media Server.
xmoov-php is a HTTP pseudo-streaming script and our effort to unlock some of the advantages of a streaming video system and make them available in a cost effective progressive environment.
The first building block for xmoov-php was inspired by the efforts of Stefan Richter and can be found on his blog. Since then many other experiments have been launched, some of which can be found under Resources.
Random Access: Allow viewers immediate random access parts of the video that have not yet loaded.
Bandwidth Throttling: Optionally configure a fixed bandwidth throttle or control bandwidth throttling dynamically allowing you or even your viewers choose between 3 presets (low, mid or high).
Cache Control: Prohibit or allow caching of video files on the viewers local system.
Quick Deployment: Easy 15 minute setup and deployment. Change the setting in the commented configuration section to meet your needs.
Webserver: xmoov-php requires a web-server running PHP 4 or above It would also be important to know how many simultaneous PHP connections your web-server allows.
Metadata: In order to use the random access feature, videos must be injected with flv metadata.
xmoov-php has been tested with Buraks FLV Metadata Injector for windows and Yamdi for Linux and Mac OS X.
FLV Player: xmoov-php will work with most Flash video players. Special routines must be coded into the player in order to take advantage of the random access feature. Find some compatible freeware players under Resources and the modified flashcomguru FLA here.