Web Developer.com(r) Guide to Streaming Multimedia

By Jose Alvear

A total hands-on guide to quickly delivering live audio and video to a Web site, this book shows how to add streaming multimedia capacity to make the site more interactive than ever. It explains how streaming works, weighs the advantages and disadvantages of different streaming technologies, and helps Web developers choose and implement the right strategy and hardware/software for their sites. Demo copies of RealPlayer and other popular multimedia plug-in programs that enable readers to practice editing and converting files. * A gallery of best-in-class multimedia samples.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471248223
• ISBN13: 9780471248224
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
• Length: 430 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.3" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Best on the Basics of Streaming Multimedia

This book covers all forms of streaming multimedia, including audio and video. Starting with a comprehensive review of the basics of streaming multimedia, the author discusses the differences between traditional, downloadable multimedia and streaming audio, video, and animation. The largest portion of the book is devoted to a wide range of product offerings from many different streaming multimedia providers. The basic steps for using each product is discussed and an excellent discussion of the suitability of each under various situations is provided. The book ends with the author's views of the future that includes an excellent overview of some of the factors that are impacting the success of streaming multimedia. The book includes a CD-ROM with a selection of streaming multimedia-related software. The author, Jose Alvear, is a free-lance writer who specializes in web multimedia. He's written for a number of Internet-related magazines and is a frequent contributor to streaming media newsletters and mailing lists. Part the WebDeveloper.com series, the book is not meant for those new to the Internet. The target audience ranges from the web hobbyist with a personal homepage to a professional web developer such as might be found at a major corporation. While well written, the book was published in May of 1998 and covers what are now older versions of most of the streaming products -- a reflection of extraordinary pace this corner of the Internet is undergoing. This makes the discussion of the capabilities of various products of limited value. However, the review of the basics of streaming multimedia is among the best I've read. The author's thoughts and comments about the future of streaming multimedia are outstanding reflect his deep knowledge and understanding of this up and coming means of communication. I currently recommend this book for anyone thinking of adding streaming audio or video to their web page. Review by Mike Powers, Radideo.com Guide, July 1999

Outstanding Guide to Streaming Multimedia

This book covers all forms of streaming multimedia, including audio and video. It reviews a variety of product offerings from many different streaming multimedia providers. The basic steps for using each product is discussed and an excellent discussion of the suitability of each under various sitautions is provided. Published in May of 1998, the book covers older versions of many of the streaming products -- a reflection of extraordinary pace this corner of the Internet is undergoing.  The book includes CD-ROM with a selection of streaming multimedia related software.  I currently recommend this book for anyone thinking of adding streaming audio or video to their web page.

Simply fantastic

Jose Alvear writes clearly and concisely while explaining the ins and outs of providing multimedia content on the Internet. The content is technical enough for techies, but written clearly enough for non-techies.An overview of products available to create and deliver multimedia (audio/video)via the net is provided...from free to mildly expensive...it's all covered.The issues of interoperability are addressed without condemning any one or any company.The book is well-worth having on your bookshelf.