Need input on OTA video website idea...

CharredPC · Thread Author #1 03-24-2010, 11:06 PM

Years back, I used to run a pretty popular 24/7 live streaming website. I did everything from the design, php code, schedule, video encoding, and running the stream server. It was a lot of fun, a lot of work, and nowadays pretty obsolete in the computer world.

However, I might be able to put my experience to some good use. With my knowledge of video encoding, I've been tinkering with OTA video viewing with my Bold 9700. The tough part, of course, is proper webspace to house it... but setting that aside, how would everyone feel about the idea? No computer needed, no memory cards, no megaupload; just links to click, a little buffering, and video playing on your BlackBerry.

To get an idea of what I'm talking about, visit my website here and click the test link. Either 3G or Wifi is recommended currently. I welcome any feedback. Right now it's just a pet project, unless an existing site owner wants to take me on and create an OTA section

appliancejunk · #2 03-24-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

No computer needed, no memory cards, no megaupload; just links to click, a little buffering, and video playing on your BlackBerry.

So how is this different then how I view videos on my BB now?

CharredPC · Thread Author #3 03-25-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appliancejunk

So how is this different then how I view videos on my BB now?

I wasn't aware there was any websites for OTA movie / TV viewing. All the links I've seen posted here are for downloading on a pc, transferring to a memory card, and playing them locally. I was suggesting a totally website-based system. Yeah, there's YouTube, but you're not going to find movies or TV shows on there.

CharredPC · Thread Author #4 03-25-2010, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBRVOWNER

i honestly dont think you can stream a whole movie ota due the memory it will take on the phone to stream a 300mb file. and plus the line will have to be some super t1 connection i think for the movies to play flawssley, gonna need a vps for the project and not to mention then you stepping into the realm of piracy you become the actual person people have disclaimer about on their site for lol......

No one's talking about a 300MB file. I'm very aware of how this process works, as I explained in my first post. The sample I posted is a full ~12 minute TV episode, and it comes to just over 11MB total. If you do the math on that, that's well within the range of 3G or any wifi connection. Judge the quality for yourself. I've also been working with a two hour movie and have the results quite acceptable at under 128MB. I've watched both samples streaming from my personal web space to my 9700 with less than a minute of initial buffering. They played through without a problem or hiccup.

Of course the piracy question is a real issue, but that doesn't seem to stop anyone here...

Jonny Bigtime · #5 03-25-2010, 12:29 PM

Very cool man...I tried video test #4 with NPH and it was very solid. The video was a little grainy, but not really that bad considering that it didn't need to stop and buffer at all...it was smooth playing the whole way through on my wi-fi connection...it played as if the video was saved on my sd card.

I'm using an 8900 with OS 5.0.0.509 if that makes any difference.

After checking it out over over my wi-fi connection, I decided to turn off wi-fi and see how the quality was. I only get about 2 or 3 signal bars where I am, but it took about 40 seconds or so for the video to load and needed to buffer about every 20 seconds or so, but only for 3 or 4 seconds. So, definitely better over a wi-fi connection...my phone doesn't have 3G capability, but maybe someone else can check that out.

That cartoon you listed as test #1 was pretty funny...lol...and was very good quality taking up the whole screen...

Pretty good work though...I like what you're doing...be cool to watch a movie or TV show OTA...

CharredPC · Thread Author #6 03-25-2010, 12:38 PM

Jonny- Thanks so much for the feedback! That's actually very helpful. It sounds like with a bit more tweaking, this system might stream OTA to Edge users, not just the 3G / Wifi crowd. It's hard to judge here, being out in the sticks with lousy signal. Also glad that someone else sees the point to my experiments

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Jonny Bigtime · #7 03-25-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharredPC

Jonny- Thanks so much for the feedback! That's actually very helpful. It sounds like with a bit more tweaking, this system might stream OTA to Edge users, not just the 3G / Wifi crowd. It's hard to judge here, being out in the sticks with lousy signal. Also glad that someone else sees the point to my experiments

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

I'm sure that if I had a good solid 4 bars that it would play with even less buffering over EDGE. I'm also in the sticks somewhat...but I'll be out and about later on this afternoon where I usually get full signal strength...I'll try it out then and let you know how it plays....'cause I'm sure it will be better.

But like I said...over wi-fi it was flawless...didn't even buffer at all.

Thanks for doing this...I'll post back later and let you know how it does with a better signal.

acecommander · #8 03-25-2010, 08:33 PM

Wow. Just checked Test 3 and 4. I'm using a 9000 running 5.0.0.411.

I've got great 3G coverage at home, as well as wi-fi, and both videos started after about 4 seconds. Didn't have any issues with buffering, except after I started Test 4, I fast forwarded to 10 minutes, and it buffered for about 6 or 7 seconds before starting. I also noticed that the video and audio was still in sync after fast forwarding.

The audio was as good as it will get using the Bold, which is actually louder than necessary. The video was not grainy on either videos.

Don't know what else to tell you other than good job. Keep us up to date on what develops.

Thanks.

CharredPC · Thread Author #9 03-25-2010, 10:31 PM

Acecommander- Thank you for the feedback! Quick question: were you just on 3G at the time, or also wifi? Trying to establish if the current results are good enough for 3G people on the go, or if Wifi is still needed. If this turns into a service, I imagine it would be most helpful to people on a bus, or in a waiting room, etc where Wifi isn't available. I'm debating separate HQ (3G) / LQ (Edge) versions instead of lowering the quality any further...

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

CharredPC · Thread Author #10 03-26-2010, 09:54 AM

Quick update:

Not sure how it'll turn out, but I've come up with a BB-friendly site design, legal operating plan, and plenty of source material. Doing the coding / encoding now. I'll leave the current temp page up and welcome continued feedback on the samples. This should be a fun little project for me

Oakley30 · #11 03-26-2010, 06:05 PM

Why does it only allow me to download the file. Tried BB browser and Opera 5. If I say open, it gives me unsupported format. I have a storm 9530.

CharredPC · Thread Author #12 03-26-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakley30

Why does it only allow me to download the file. Tried BB browser and Opera 5. If I say open, it gives me unsupported format. I have a storm 9530.

I'm not sure, that's strange. Choosing "Open" in the BB browser always works for me (and the others that have posted here). Does it do that on all the test clips? What OS are you running?

jimstratus · #13 03-27-2010, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharredPC

I'm not sure, that's strange. Choosing "Open" in the BB browser always works for me (and the others that have posted here). Does it do that on all the test clips? What OS are you running?

I also tried all 4 test clips with same result. Running .328 official VZW 9530 Storm

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

tfmoffat · #14 03-27-2010, 06:14 AM

They all looked ok on my 8900 using wifi

CharredPC · Thread Author #15 03-27-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimstratus

I also tried all 4 test clips with same result. Running .328 official VZW 9530 Storm

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

I think I've figured it out.

The Bold 9700, Curve 8900 / 8520, and almost all other BB's support Level 45 H.263 MP4 encoding; even the old Curve's and Pearls, which can't manage H.264 (which is why I'm not using it). However, for some reason the Tour 9630, Storm2 9520 / 9550, and Storm 9500 / 9530 only support Level 30 encoding. This tiny detail is probably what is making the "unsupported format" error come up. I'll look at my settings and tweak them to encompass all BB models.

Thank you jimstratus and Oakley30! Your feedback helped solve this glitch

I'll try and get some new sample videos up shortly to verify the problem's solved. Hopefully the change won't degrade quality too much.