When Windows Media Player 9 Series connects to a server running Windows Media Services 9 Series, broadband users can benefit from the Fast Streaming technologies of Windows Media 9 Series providing an instant-on/always on playback experience. Windows Media 9 Series Fast Streaming consists of three (3) new technologies:
Fast Start - Fast Start delivers eliminates buffering time whether playing a single piece of content, or switching seamlessly between on-demand clips or broadcast channels to deliver to users an instant-on playback experience.
Fast Cache - Communicating with the Windows Media 9 Series server, Windows Media Player caches the stream as far in advance as the network connection will allow, reducing the likelihood of an interruption in play caused by network issues.
Fast Reconnect - Windows Media Player 9 Series automatically restores live or on-demand connections if it is disconnected during a broadcast instead of simply displaying an error and quitting. Combined with the Fast Cache technology, most users will not even know their player was disconnected from the server.
What is required to webcast live audio/video from my system?
Windows Media Encoder - Primcast Windows Media Broadcasting plan - High speed Internet access (T1, ISDN, DSL, etc). Dial-up connections are not recommended for broadcasting. - Audio/Video capture cards.
Are the licensing fees included in the price for the Windows Media Streaming Server?
By using a media player compatible with streaming MP3 audio. Recommended players are: Windows Media Player for Windows. Audion for Mac. XMMS for Linux/X Windows.
