The Auvidea RTPVideoSender is an integrated application, which can operate either as an encoder (sender) or decoder (receiver). The configuration parameters are defined in a simple text file (sender.conf). When the sender is started, it creates an SDP file, which stores all streaming parameters. The receiver reads this file, to configure itself appropriately. The sender can produce a unicast or multicast video stream. In a multicast capable corporate network the video may directly be distributed to many clients. In other networks the sender sends the video to a server (e.g. Darwin streaming server), which in turn distributes it to the clients.

Features of the sender

• Video size: up to 640x480 (NTSC) or 768x576 (PAL)
• Frame rate: up to 30 fps (NTSC) or 25 fps (PAL)
• Bit rate: up to 15 MBit/s
• Video codecs: MPEG-4, H.263, and H.264
• Audio codecs: MPEG-4 AAC, and AMR
• Key frame period: quantity of I, P, and B frames fully programmable
• Mirroring: video may be horizontally or vertically flipped
• Buffer size: fully programmable in ms
• Preview size: seperately adjustable for reduced preview
• # of streams: multiple streams per system (depending on CPU performance and capture cards)
• Protocols: various incl. ISMA and 3GPP (RTP or RTSP)
• Latency: less than 100 ms for low latency applications, higher for Internet applications

Requirements of the sender

• Windows 2000 or Windows XP
• DirectX 9
• Capture card with DirectShow drivers

SDP file
The SDP file is created by the sender and stores all stream relevant parameters such as source and destination IP address and port, video size and codec and many more. This file is read by the Auvidea RTPVideoSender (in receive mode) as well many standard video applications such as the Apple Darwin streaming server or the Apple Quicktime player.

Performance requirements
A single Athlon or Pentium-4 processor can live encode a single stream at full D1 resolution, or multiple streams at reduced resolution. A dual Xeon system can live encode up to 3 or 4 streams at full D1 resolution. A single system can encode up to 12 to 20 streams at reduced resolution, just limited by the CPU performance and the number of PCI slots. With the Videum 4400 capture card, four audio and video streams may be encoded just using one PCI slot.

Custom implementation
The Auvidea RTPVideoSender is build with DirectShow filters and may be customized to include other codecs or features. Please ask for a quotation.