MojoHost announces Wowza Flash Media Server Version 2.0! (GREAT educational read!!)

[Brad Mitchell]

Hello Everyone!

As you know, we here at MojoHost are dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest technology to help you grow your business and we are proud to announce that we are the first adult hosting provider to fully support Wowza Advanced Media Server 2. As a lot of you know, Wowza media server is the industry standard for true flash streaming (as opposed to Lighttpd's psuedo-streaming). With capabilities that include stream authentication, advanced secure token anti-leech protection, live video chat, and of course the ability to seek in flash videos without adding meta-data, Wowza is a hard product to beat. Their latest release makes it stand out even more from its open source competitors.

The mobile segment of our industry is booming as you all know and Wowza's new list of features is geared towards providing streaming services to this new type of surfer. In addition to the features mentioned previously, Wowza Advanced Media Server 2 provides the following benefits:

* Streaming live video as well as VOD H.264/AAC/MP3 content
directly to the iPhone over HTTP

* Multiple bitrate streaming depending on connection speed

* Streaming to the Microsoft Silverlight player, aka Smooth
Streaming

* Streaming RTSP/RTP to non flash based devices (ie, other mobile
devices)

* Dynamic Flash Streaming

* Streaming to set top boxes (Television)

The most interesting aspect of this product is the mobile streaming service with multiple bitrate streaming. This means you can setup multiple forms of your content to stream depending on the connection speed. An example of this would be if you have one client connecting on a 3g network and another on WiFi. You can simultaneously stream a low or medium quality to the 3g user and a high quality stream to the WiFi user. This gives the surfer the best end user experience possible and keeps them rebillling month after month.

Wowza Advanced Media Server 2 in combination with our high quality bandwidth, superior datacenter, and our award winning support will help you provide the best product out there and put you one step ahead of your competition. If you have any questions about this product or any of the other services we provide, please don't hesitate to contact me or anyone on our team with questions. More information on Wowza Advanced Media Server 2 is available here:

http://www.wowzamedia.com/advanced.php

MojoHost has a rich history with Wowza Media. I recognized the value and importance of their software in March of 2007 and worked closely with the owner to develop and subsequently beta test a licensing strategy which would allow all businesses small and large to enjoy this rich feature set at a fraction of what Adobe Flash Server costs. Today, we are proud to still be offering Wowza month-to-month at a per server licensing fee of $50. The software cost is otherwise $995 or now offered at $60 monthly by many competing web hosts.

BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE!

Flash Streaming on your server is no good without using the best embedded player on the market. After reaching an agreement with Wowza Media many years ago, MojoHost identified the popular JW Player by LongTail Video as being the best on the market. A license has always been available free for non-commercial use and upon discovering that most webmasters were simply pirating this I reached out to them. MojoHost has an enterprise level agreement with LongTail Video which allows us to give all customers a FREE commercial license to use any version of JW Player hosted on the MojoHost network. This includes their FLV Player and WMV Player. This is a value of $150 Euros or more, depending on how many sites you have!


THE BOTTOM LINE: MojoHost's award winning support team is leading the market with quality, value and technology to help it's clients succeed. MojoHost customers can add Wowza Media Server 2 for $50 monthly and couple this with a commercial licensing of JW Player.

MojoHost is home to more than 350 adult companies on over 1300 servers. We do fully managed hosting for companies of all sizes and excel at delivery. The big boys, the new kids on the block and mom and pop all host with Mojo. The secret is out. MojoHost is located in one of the world's finest Tier IV data centers, the Terremark NAP of the Americas. MojoHost uses the finest hardware from Dell. MojoHost has the most sophisticated network routing platform for optimizing performance and reliability, the Internap FCP-10GX. MojoHost takes thoughtful care of it's customers in good times and bad. MojoHost has a relentless satisfaction guarantee.

You are unique, so is your business. Let me put together a custom hosting proposal tailored specifically to exceed your goals. I appreciate your patience in advance... MojoHost is a highly staffed technical organization and not just a bunch of sales malarky so a response may take several days to a week on new inquiries. Please E-MAIL Brad Mitchell at brad@mojohost.com for quickest response. We're worth the wait on the way in, let me show you why.

Best wishes to all for a very Happy Holiday Season!

Very Truly Yours,

Brad Mitchell

[DannyCox]

as Brad knows, we've been discussing the WOWZA stuff with them for a while now and are almost set up on our side. I think it will be a big plus for us as well as for everyone else on Mojo that is into streaming video.

Free license for the JW Player?! I have been use that player for quite a while on our sites, and it works great. I wonder if Jeroen will give me a refund on the commercial license I bought a couple of years ago??

[MikeSouth]

I have experience with WOWZA and honestly I was less than thrilled.

My problem was securing the streaming behind a members area, my hosting provider couldnt help me and the guys at Wowza wouldnt help me. It required custom programming that was beyond my desire to do.

If this has changed or if Mojo can set it up for me I might consider it.

If anyone can do it, let me know I dont necessarily have to have Wowza either, Id be fine with Red5

[softball]

I will be talking to Mojo on Monday re: Wowza. Brad discussed it with me a few months back, but my less than technical brain couldn't get wrapped around the concept. But I think I need it now if it is not a huge hassle.

[MikeSouth]

I need a media server as well but I want it to be simple to set up for a members site, it should have an admin front end that does it for you and last I looked Wowza does NOT.

Im doing http streaming until this issue can be resolved.

One thing I have looked at is a program called visichat they will install their chat software along with Red5 in a secure environment for 250 bucks. even if you dont use the video chat software getting a secured Red5 install for 250.00 (Red 5 is free to use) seems like a bargain.

Anyone else?

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

I need a media server as well but I want it to be simple to set up for a members site, it should have an admin front end that does it for you and last I looked Wowza does NOT.

Im doing http streaming until this issue can be resolved.

One thing I have looked at is a program called visichat they will install their chat software along with Red5 in a secure environment for 250 bucks. even if you dont use the video chat software getting a secured Red5 install for 250.00 (Red 5 is free to use) seems like a bargain.

Anyone else?

Does this mean you didnt hire the self proclaimed streaming video security[and all other things like car restoration,landscape photoography,blogs,google analytics] expert on your board with the impressive technical background of being parts store clerk and night shift manager at McDonalds?

[JFK]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Does this mean you didnt hire the self proclaimed streaming video security[and all other things like car restoration,landscape photoography,blogs,google analytics] expert on your board with the impressive technical background of being parts store clerk and night shift manager at McDonalds?

shouldnt that be night shift associate ?

[softball]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Does this mean you didnt hire the self proclaimed streaming video security[and all other things like car restoration,landscape photoography,blogs,google analytics] expert on your board with the impressive technical background of being parts store clerk and night shift manager at McDonalds?

That is quite an impressive resume. That kind of talent is hard to find nowadays.

[MikeSouth]

Im willing to pay someone to set up red5 for me any takers?

[Brad Mitchell]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

I will be talking to Mojo on Monday re: Wowza. Brad discussed it with me a few months back, but my less than technical brain couldn't get wrapped around the concept. But I think I need it now if it is not a huge hassle.

Hey hon - just call in and talk to the guys in support. They can explain how implementation would work on your specific setup and answer your technical questions easily My part is simple, I just add to the bill.

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

I have experience with WOWZA and honestly I was less than thrilled.

My problem was securing the streaming behind a members area, my hosting provider couldnt help me and the guys at Wowza wouldnt help me. It required custom programming that was beyond my desire to do.

If this has changed or if Mojo can set it up for me I might consider it.

If anyone can do it, let me know I dont necessarily have to have Wowza either, Id be fine with Red5

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

I need a media server as well but I want it to be simple to set up for a members site, it should have an admin front end that does it for you and last I looked Wowza does NOT.

Im doing http streaming until this issue can be resolved.

One thing I have looked at is a program called visichat they will install their chat software along with Red5 in a secure environment for 250 bucks. even if you dont use the video chat software getting a secured Red5 install for 250.00 (Red 5 is free to use) seems like a bargain.

Anyone else?

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

Im willing to pay someone to set up red5 for me any takers?

If you want to send me an email I'll setup a phone call with our support team. There are pros and cons to all of the options out there but basically it sounds either like you had the wrong host or perhaps wrong expectations. There is no administration panel for Wowza nor the necessity for one I don't think. It sounds like what you are trying to achieve requires integrating a few different products if you want authenticated live streaming and a chat application to coincide with it. Feel free to reach out to me anytime by phone or email and I'll help to get you the information you need with regard to a complete solution and also the differences between Red5 and Wowza.

Cheers,

Brad

[MikeSouth]

I dont need live streaming or a chat it is a nice extra but i likely wouldnt use it
all I wanted to do was stream H.264 video behind a members section, encrypted streaming would be nice.

The key is I want to do it without having to write a bunch of code (Im fine with the rtmp type coding necessary to pass the stream to the player) apparently that isnt/wasnt possible

[Brad Mitchell]

Out of the box Wowza does RTMPE and this encrypts the stream but doesn't actually provide any level of protection (sort of like viewing a page in http vs https). Of course we all know how to protect a members area. Let me know if you want to flush your idea out with a technician.

Cheers,

Brad

[MikeSouth]

actually we dont all know how to protect a members area being that wowza doesnt use .htaccess htaccess is an apache thing.

Thats the problem I kept running into that nobody could solve outside of telkling me I had to code it, and I dont mean html code I mean passing file handles and all sorts of stuff that I am NOT going to go back and learn just to do this, I will wait till someone can simplify it.

[softball]

I am just getting a new site up and running with Wowza. I will let you know how it goes.

[Brad Mitchell]

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

actually we dont all know how to protect a members area being that wowza doesnt use .htaccess htaccess is an apache thing.

Thats the problem I kept running into that nobody could solve outside of telkling me I had to code it, and I dont mean html code I mean passing file handles and all sorts of stuff that I am NOT going to go back and learn just to do this, I will wait till someone can simplify it.

If your members area authenticated against a mySQL database we do have a solution for you. If you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to call in and discuss with Greg at x803.

Cheers,

Brad

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by Brad Mitchell

If your members area authenticated against a mySQL database we do have a solution for you. If you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to call in and discuss with Greg at x803.

Cheers,

Brad

You will have made Mikes day when he reads this and Im pretty sure several others will follow.

[MikeSouth]

I have one members area right now Im trying to make word with mysql authentication (via wordpress) so far that isnt going well either

I thought we were the innovators in this sort of thing...apparently we have lost our edge

[MikeSouth]

I will call ya prolly later in the week Brad I think we got stuff to talk about...thanks man

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

I have one members area right now Im trying to make word with mysql authentication (via wordpress) so far that isnt going well either

I thought we were the innovators in this sort of thing...apparently we have lost our edge

Hey, speak for yourself....I'm still edgy

[softball]

Originally Posted by EmporerEJ

Hey, speak for yourself....I'm still edgy

You know you can get pills for that.

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by WabeCesk73

i didnt read this....I will at work tomorrow, but will this make me feel like a douche for buying a bunch of AIG stock last week?

So, this isn't even a GOOD spambot.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by EmporerEJ

So, this isn't even a GOOD spambot.

Just miserable.

[DWB]

I just got set up with Mojo and Wowza. Excellent support team, super fast. I'll let ya'll know how it pans out with Wowza.

[TheEnforcer]

Originally Posted by Dirty White Boy

I just got set up with Mojo and Wowza. Excellent support team, super fast. I'll let ya'll know how it pans out with Wowza.

Good to hear. I have no doubt it will go great as Brad has a first class operation and will do everything he can to ensure it does. :>))

[Brad Mitchell]

Welcome aboard!! Just let us know how we can help if you need more assistance

Cheers,

Brad

[AdultWebmaster]

To MikeSouth and other who is interested. Hereafter I tried to give answers to all Mike's concerns.

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

I have experience with WOWZA and honestly I was less than thrilled.

My problem was securing the streaming behind a members area, my hosting provider couldnt help me and the guys at Wowza wouldnt help me. It required custom programming that was beyond my desire to do.

If this has changed or if Mojo can set it up for me I might consider it.

If anyone can do it, let me know I dont necessarily have to have Wowza either, Id be fine with Red5

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

I need a media server as well but I want it to be simple to set up for a members site, it should have an admin front end that does it for you and last I looked Wowza does NOT.

Im doing http streaming until this issue can be resolved.

One thing I have looked at is a program called visichat they will install their chat software along with Red5 in a secure environment for 250 bucks. even if you dont use the video chat software getting a secured Red5 install for 250.00 (Red 5 is free to use) seems like a bargain.

Anyone else?

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

Im willing to pay someone to set up red5 for me any takers?

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

I dont need live streaming or a chat it is a nice extra but i likely wouldnt use it
all I wanted to do was stream H.264 video behind a members section, encrypted streaming would be nice.

The key is I want to do it without having to write a bunch of code (Im fine with the rtmp type coding necessary to pass the stream to the player) apparently that isnt/wasnt possible

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

actually we dont all know how to protect a members area being that wowza doesnt use .htaccess htaccess is an apache thing.

Thats the problem I kept running into that nobody could solve outside of telkling me I had to code it, and I dont mean html code I mean passing file handles and all sorts of stuff that I am NOT going to go back and learn just to do this, I will wait till someone can simplify it.

1. First of all - there are no simple solution. Media server doesn't know anything about your site's authorization, security model, etc. You can't tell the server which user has access to which channel without programming at all. On the other hand, the programming doesn't seem to be tricky so you could easily otsource it.

2. WOWZA is based on Red5. Generally it's better, but Red5 is free and open source, so it could give its benefits.

3. The other option is to use Adobe FMS. It still requires programming (see point 1), but it has very powerful security features included.

4. Another interesting question. Do you need media server at all? As I understand, you need to show videos from files. In this case it seems more convinient to just read the file from server through HTTPS. In this case you'll have much lower server load. You could have 10-20 more simultaneous connections per server.

On the other hand, this approach will require custom flash player and some server-side programming to reach the same level of protection as protected stream does. The maximum level of protection is "easier to save video by screen capture than by hacking".

That's how I see it at a first glance.

Have a good day guys

[MikeSouth]

I think you pretty well got that right

from my experience in helping DWB Wowza is unable to stream h.264 content and neither wowza or mojo seems to be able to understand why, as usual with wowza they just say well the encoding is wrong, but since GSpot shows it as H.264 I dont see how its wrong.

and to top it off they dont seem able to tell you what parameters DO work.

I know that the media server doesnt know what should be protected and what shouldnt and therein lies the problem, It shouldnt be left to me to write code to make it work. until someone can put that front end or whatever on it this product isnt ready for a protected environment

Sorry Brad but I cant go this route until someone can make it much easier to implement.

should i ever start a tube site wowza would be wonderful.

[AdultWebmaster]

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

I know that the media server doesnt know what should be protected and what shouldnt and therein lies the problem, It shouldnt be left to me to write code to make it work. until someone can put that front end or whatever on it this product isnt ready for a protected environment

Sorry Brad but I cant go this route until someone can make it much easier to implement.

Mike, I suppose I know who can make better your's lot. Hit me up on my email or icq with your concerns. I think we even can establish a phone call between us for better understanding.

Seeya

[Brad Mitchell]

Normally we use the current authentication for the members area and restrict the members stream so that it may _only_ be streamed to the domain that the members area resides on. This makes it impossible for the stream to be used on any other domain and allows the content to be protected by apache (by protecting the player/swf). As for the encoding, we are willing and able to help get server side encoding setup but it is not feasible to be able to apply these settings to the wide array of desktop based encoders. FFMpeg is the industry standard for content encoding and we are able to help you come up with an encoding line that meets your needs using that package.

Brad

[AdultWebmaster]

Originally Posted by Brad Mitchell

Normally we use the current authentication for the members area and restrict the members stream so that it may _only_ be streamed to the domain that the members area resides on. This makes it impossible for the stream to be used on any other domain and allows the content to be protected by apache (by protecting the player/swf). As for the encoding, we are willing and able to help get server side encoding setup but it is not feasible to be able to apply these settings to the wide array of desktop based encoders. FFMpeg is the industry standard for content encoding and we are able to help you come up with an encoding line that meets your needs using that package.

Brad

Hmmm, thats interesting.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but media stream is played on user's computer (user's browser first downloads the flash player and then the player connects to media stream from user's IP). So simple IP limitations for stream view will lead to users unable to see the stream at all.

Also, I think there is some ambiguity about "encoding" term. In the context encoding doesn't mean changing media codec (for which FFMpeg is used). It means "encryption".