Macromedia Flash Media Live Encoder - 3.0 Instruction Manual

Using

ADOBE

®

FLASH® MEDIA LIVE ENCODER 3

Copyright

© 2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Using Adobe® Flash® Media Live Encoder 3 for Windows®

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Contents

Chapter 1: Getting started

Flash Media Live Encoder basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Encoding and streaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chapter 2: Configuration and automation

Configuring encoding options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Automating startup tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Configuring Flash Media Server authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Chapter 3: Working with timecode

About timecode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Configuring Flash Media Live Encoder for timecode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Using ActionScript to get timecode information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Index ................................................................................................................ 29

iii

Chapter 1: Getting started

Adobe® Flash® Media Live Encoder is a software program for capturing, encoding, and streaming audio and video to
Adobe® Flash® Media Server or the Adobe® Flash® Video Streaming Service.

Flash Media Live Encoder is designed for technical audio/video producers who seek a convenient and simplified
workflow. It provides a unified interface to audio and video capture devices, basic editing tools, fine control over
encoding parameters, and live broadcast using Flash Media Server or Flash Video Streaming Service providers. Flash
Media Live Encoder can also be run from a command-line interface, making it possible to set up continuously running
encoding sessions and integrate them with existing automated systems.

For more information about Flash Media Live Encoder and related products and services, see the following sites:

Flash Media Live Encoder www.adobe.com/go/learn_fme_main_en

Flash Media Server www.adobe.com/go/fms

Flash Media Solution Provider Program www.adobe.com/go/fmsp

Flash Video Streaming Service www.adobe.com/go/fvss

1

Flash Media Live Encoder basics

What’ s new in Flash Media Live Encoder 3

Flash Media Live Encoder 3 includes the following new features:

Multi-bit rate encoding Encode up to three streams at multiple bit rates and multiple output video sizes

simultaneously. Multi-bit rate encoding is applicable for video streams, with or without audio.

Digital video recording Lets you start and stop media recording on the server within the encoding environment.

When media recording is performed on the server, users can seek and pause within a live video stream. Digital video
recording requires Flash Media Interactive Server 3.5. For more information, see the Flash Media Server Developer
Guide.

Auto Adjust > Degrade quality The previous version of Flash Media Live Encoder, Flash Media Encoder 2.5, included

a frame dropping capability to ensure optimal delivery of bits, even under suboptimal network conditions. In Flash
Media Live Encoder 3, you can automatically adjust encoding quality by degrading quality or by dropping frames.

Embed system time Embed the system time as timecode. This feature is useful if you use a capture device that does not

generate timecode information.

Use parameters in filenames and stream names Include parameters, such as bit rate and others, to generate

meaningful stream names and filenames.

Chunking of output files Save an encoded media stream in chunks, instead of a single large file. You can create chunks

by limiting the size and duration of output files.

New presets New presets for multi-bit rate encoding.

Support for new devices For a list of supported devices, see www.adobe.com/go/FMLE_DeviceMatrix.

Multi-core processing for VP6 Encoding is shared on all available processors on your encoding computer, which

enables faster multi-bit rate encoding of VP6.

USING FLASH MEDIA LIVE ENCODER 3

Getting started

2

Updated user interface

The user interface has been streamlined and updated to make it easier and more intuitive to use.

About GUI and command-line modes

You can run Flash Media Live Encoder from the graphical user interface (GUI) or from the command line. Some
operations are available in only one of the two modes, and some are available in both modes.

Start the Flash Media Live Encoder GUI

❖ Do any one of the following:

• Select Start > All Programs > Adobe > Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder 3.

• From a command prompt in your Flash Media Live Encoder installation directory (typically C:\Program

Files\Adobe\Flash Media Live Encoder 3), enter the following:

FMLEcmd /g [/p [path\]profile.xml]

The /g parameter starts Flash Media Live Encoder in GUI mode. For information on the optional /p parameter,

“Start Flash Media Live Encoder in command-line mode” on page 4.

see

About the Flash Media Live Encoder GUI

The Flash Media Live Encoder GUI includes a preview of input video, output video, and the audio level. Before
encoding, you can select the input/output size to view in the Video Preview window. During encoding, if you are
encoding multiple streams simultaneously, you can also select which stream to view, using the Output Preview control
below the output window. The control panel in the GUI is where you configure encoding options, view and configure
encoding logs, and start and stop encoding sessions.

USING FLASH MEDIA LIVE ENCODER 3

Getting started

3

Flash Media Live Encoder 3 GUI, before encoding begins.

Previewing video and audio

The Preview panel in the Flash Media Live Encoder GUI includes the following:

• An audio level meter, indicating input audio volume, and a mute button

• An Input display of the video currently being captured

• An Output display, which reflects current video encoding settings. If you are encoding multiple streams

simultaneously, you can select the desired stream to view. This control appears below the output window during
encoding.

Note: Before encoding starts, the Output display reflects only crop and resize settings.

By default, the Preview panel is active and appears at actual output size.

Show or hide input video, output video, and audio

❖ Select or deselect the following Preview options:

• Input Video

• Output Video

• Audio

Mute or unmute the audio

❖ Click the speaker icon below the audio level meter.

USING FLASH MEDIA LIVE ENCODER 3

Getting started

Adjust the zoom level

❖ Select a percentage from the pop-up menu on the upper right of either the Input or Output preview.

Note: Zoom level does not affect encoding or the stream that viewers see.

Show or hide the control panel

❖ Click the triangle next to the Encoding Options tab.

Start Flash Media Live Encoder in command-line mode

❖ From a command prompt in your Flash Media Live Encoder installation directory, enter the following:

FMLEcmd [/p [path\]profile.xml] [/l [path\]log_file] [/ap userID:password]
[/ab userID:password] [/t dd:hh:mm] [/r] /d [/s fmle_uid] [/u fmle_uid]

[/dvrstart[fmle_uid]| /dvrstop fmle_uid | /dvrstate fmle_uid]

Parameter Description

/h Shows a list of all parameters and their usages.

4

/p [path\profile.xml] (Optional) Specifies the path and filename of an XML profile to use. If you do not use this parameter, Flash

/g Starts Flash Media Live Encoder in GUI mode. This option cannot be used with any parameters except for

/l (Optional) Specifies the path and filename of an encoding log file. The settings in the log file override the

/ap userID:password (Required if the primary server requires authentication) Specifies an authenticating user ID and password

/ab userID:password (Required if the backup server requires authentication) Specifies an authenticating user ID and password

/t dd:hh:mm (Optional) Instructs Flash Media Live Encoder to restart after the time interval specified by dd:hh:mm. For

/r (Optional) Registers the encoding session to restart at an operating system relaunch after a system closure

/d (Recommended) Validate the encoding profile and, if any values are invalid, use the default values instead.

/s fmle_uid Stops the Flash Media Live Encoder session (instance) specified by the identifier fmle_uid. Prints a list of all

/u fmle_uid Un-register the Flash Media Live Encoder session (instance) specified by the identifier fmle_uid.

Media Live Encoder uses the default profile, startup.xml. For more information, see

profiles” on page 20.

/p.

settings specified in the currently loaded profile. For more information, see
page 6.

for the primary server. Because the password is shown in plain text, take care when entering your
password.

for the backup server. Because the password is shown in plain text, take care when entering your
password.

more information, see

or crash. For more information, see
page 23.

running sessions if the identifier is invalid or unspecified.

Unregistered sessions do not start automatically when the operating system is launched. Prints a list of all
registered sessions if the identifier is invalid or unspecified.

“Scheduling automated maintenance restarts” on page 22.

“Configuring Flash Media Live Encoder to launch at system startup” on

“Saving encoding

“Using the Encoding Log” on

/dvrstart [fmle_uid]

/dvrstop fmle_uid

/dvrstate fmle_uid

Controls recording during streaming. For more information on these options, see “Start or stop digital

video recording from the command line” on page 6.

Flash Media Live Encoder launches without displaying the GUI and immediately starts an encoding session.

USING FLASH MEDIA LIVE ENCODER 3

Getting started

Encoding and streaming

Start and stop encoding from the GUI

1 To start Digital Video Recording as soon as encoding begins, select DVR Auto Record, next to the Start/Stop

buttons at the bottom of the window.

2 Click the Start button in the Flash Media Live Encoder window.

Note: If both the Stream To Flash Media Server and Save To File options in the Encoding Options tabbed panel are
deselected, the Start button is unavailable.

3 If an authentication dialog box appears, enter your user ID and password.

4 To start Digital Video Recording manually, click Record.

5 To stop encoding, click Stop.

Note: Although the encoding stops, the server connection persists until you click Disconnect. For information on
connecting to and disconnecting from the server, see

Starting and stopping encoding sessions from the command line

When you start Flash Media Live Encoder from the command line, it automatically starts encoding at the same time.
For encoding sessions that were started from the command line, you can show a list of any running sessions and stop
an encoding session.

“Connect and disconnect” on page 17.

5

Show a list of encoding sessions that were started from the command line

❖ From a command prompt in your Flash Media Live Encoder installation directory, enter the following:

FMLEcmd /s

Stop an encoding session that was started from the command line

❖ From a command prompt in your Flash Media Live Encoder installation directory, enter the following:

FMLEcmd /s fmle_UID

When the session is streaming to a server, use the format fms_URL+stream_name for fmle_UID. For example, to
stop an encoding session that is running on the server fms.myserver.com with the application named live, and the
stream named livestream, you would enter the following:

FMLEcmd /s rtmp://fms.myserver.com/live+livestream

Note: When using the /s parameter, the stream_name portion of fmle_UID cannot contain a plus sign (+), because
+ is used as a delimiter in

When the session is being saved to file but is not streaming to a server, use the filepath and filename for fmle_UID.
For example:

FMLEcmd /s "C:\Documents and Settings\abc\My Documents\My Videos\sample.flv"

Note: When encoding multiple streams, use the first stream name or filename for the stream name or filename portion
of fmle_uid.

fmle_UID.

USING FLASH MEDIA LIVE ENCODER 3

Getting started

Start or stop digital video recording from the command line

Flash Media Interactive Server 3.5 and later supports DVR media players. When a publisher and server-side DVR
application exist, DVR media players let users rewind and pause a live stream and resume playback from the paused
location. Flash Media Live Encoder supports this functionality by letting you start and stop recording within the
encoding environment. To enable DVR functionality, record the live stream to the server as it streams.

To manage recording from the command-line, use the options in the following table. The fmle_uid parameter specifies
the encoding session streaming to a Flash Media Server instance. The value of fmle_uid is
example, an encoding session that is running on the server fms.myserver.com with the application named
the stream named

Option Description

/dvrstart [fmle_uid] Immediately starts recording of the encoding session specified by the fmle_uid parameter.

/dvrstop fmle_uid Immediately stops recording of the encoding session specified by the fmle_uid parameter.

livestream has the following fmle_uid: rtmp://fms.myserver.com/live+livestream.

The fmle_uid parameter is optional. When fmle_uid is not used, a new encoding session is launched. Recording
begins as soon as encoding begins.

When fmle_uid is used, Flash Media Live Encoder issues the start command to the specified session, which starts
recording on the Flash Media Server.If an invalid fmle_uid value is used, Flash Media Live Encoder displays all
registerd sessions.

If an invalid or no fmle_uid is used, Flash Media Live Encoder displays all registered sessions.

fms_URL+stream_name. For

live and

6

/dvrstate fmle_uid Returns the state of the encoding session specified by fmle_uid. The state consists of whether recording is on or

off and the duration of the recording.

If an invalid or no fmle_uid is used, Flash Media Live Encoder displays all registered sessions.

DVR functionality is applicable only when streaming media to Flash Media Interactive Server 3.5 and later. DVR
operations are performed on both primary and backup (if applicable) servers and for all streams in multi-bit rate
encoding.

Using the Encoding Log

The Encoding Log provides detailed information on encoding sessions and is an essential tool for troubleshooting. If
you are trying to resolve an issue with Flash Media Live Encoder, support personnel may request that you examine the
screen log or submit a log file. With the Encoding Log, you can view and save logs of encoding sessions and view status
information about sessions.

In the GUI, the Encoding Log tab appears automatically when encoding starts. During encoding, logged events and
encoding status messages appear in real time.

The log section on the left side of the panel lists important encoding events, file system events, and error messages as
they occur. Each event and message includes a time stamp.

The Statistics section on the right side of the panel shows information on what the video and audio encoders are
actually achieving, given the current settings and encoding environment. On the Encoding tab, you can see the current
(for the last 1 second) encoding time, actual bit rates and frame rates, and whether any video frames are being dropped.
You can also view the averages achieved for the current encoding session. This information can help you refine your
encoding settings for best results. The Publishing tab shows information about the bandwidth at which Flash Media
Live Encoder is publishing to the server, the RTMP buffer length, and the number of frames dropped by automatic
adjustment (if the Auto Adjust option is enabled).

Note: To set the limit for the RTMP buffer at which point auto adjustment is triggered, see the Auto Adjust option under
“Configure video encoding options” on page 9.

USING FLASH MEDIA LIVE ENCODER 3

Getting started

Enable logging from the GUI

1 Click the Encoding Log tab.

2 Select Log To File.

3 By default, logs are saved in your My Documents\My Videos folder. To save the log in a different folder, click Log

Directory and select a folder or create a new one.

When logging is enabled, Flash Media Live Encoder creates a new log file each time you start encoding. The log
filename has the following format:

fmle_session_yyyymmdd_hhmmss.log

The date and time are the local system date and time. For example, the name of a log file for a Flash Media Live
Encoder session that began at 10:30 on 5 November 2009 would be as follows:

fmle_session_20091105_103000.log

Enable logging from the command line

❖ From a command prompt in your Flash Media Live Encoder installation directory, start Flash Media Live Encoder

using the

FMLEcmd /l [path\]log_file

/l parameter in the following format:

7

Here path (optional) and log_file are the path and filename of the log file you want to create. If path is not specified,
the log file is saved in your My Documents\My Videos folder.

For example:

FMLEcmd /p c:\Profiles\my_profile.xml /l c:\Logs\my_log.txt

Note: If you include the /l parameter, the log you specify overrides the log preference specified in the XML profile. For
more information on XML profiles, see

“Saving encoding profiles” on page 20.

Resources

Flash Media Live Encoder product site This site, at www.adobe.com/go/learn_fme_main_en, provides information

about system requirements, contains links to release notes, and lets you download Flash Media Live Encoder.

Flash Media Live Encoder Forums This site, at www.adobe.com/go/fme_forum, provides forums for Flash Media Live

Encoder users to share information and ideas.

Flash Media Server Support Center This site, at www.adobe.com/go/flashmediaserver_support_en, provides Tech

Notes and the latest information about Adobe® Flash® Media Server.

Flash Media Server Developer Center This site, at www.adobe.com/go/flashmediaserver_desdev_en, provides articles,

tips, and samples for creating Flash Media Server applications.

Flash Developer Center This site, at www.adobe.com/go/learn_flv_devnet_en, provides articles, tips, and samples for

working with video in Flash.

Feature Request/Bug Report Form This site, at www.adobe.com/go/wish, provides a form to request new features or

suggest modifications to existing features, including reports of bugs.