Streaming Windows Media
Virginia Commonwealth University supports the use of streaming Window Media. This include file with the extensions .asf, .wmv, and .wma. This page describes what you need to do to make your Windows Audio/Media available to a web browser.
How it works
The following diagram shows that there are three files involved in displaying a streaming media file: an HTML Page stored on a web server (e.g. www.vcu.edu), an ASX page stored on a web server, and the Windows Media file (.asf, .wmv, or .wma) stored on the Video Server. The web browser displays a web (HTML) page, which contains a link to a special meta file (ASX file) (explained below). The ASX file contains the links to the .asf, .wmv or .wma file.
Step 1: Transfer the Media Files to the Video Server
First you need to upload your Windows Audio/Media file (.asf, .wmv, or .wma) to the video server (video.vcu.edu) using SSH (Secure Shell) software. You can obtain the SSH software for Windows 95/98/2000/NT for free. To learn how to transfer files to the server see the SSH Instructions. Please note that the video server does not act as a web server and a web server account is needed to link to your video files.
Step 2a: Create a link to the video using a mount point
To easily stream Windows Media you can use a feature of the server called "asxgen." This is a simple url that points to your file.
http://video.vcu.edu/asxgen/accountid/filename
For example, if Joe User had an account of the video server of 'juser' and had ftp'd a Windows Media file called 'chapter1.wmv' to the video server, then the link to the streaming video file would be:
http://video.vcu.edu/asxgen/juser/chapter1.wmv
Step 2b: Create the meta file
Or you can create a meta file to have more control over the stream. The meta file is what enables the file to be streamed from the website as opposed to having your computer try to download the whole thing. This file only contains the address of your .asf, .wmv, or .wma file which directs the windows medial player to stream from that address. The meta file is a simple text file that links the HTML Page to the Real Media file. The extensions on the meta file pertain to the type of media being referenced.
| Media type | Meta file extension |
| .asf (and .wmv) | .asx |
| .wmv | .wvx |
| .wma | .wax |
Use Notepad to create this file and save it with the appropriate extension. If the .txt extension does not dissapper then you can rename the file when you upload it using your FTP program. To edit this file you should right-click the file and slect "open with" then select notepad.
The meta file usually contains these lines of data:
<asx version = "3.0">
<entry>
<ref href = "mms://video.vcu.edu/userID/file_name" />
<ref href = "http://video.vcu.edu/userID/file_name" />
</entry>
</asx>
For example, if Joe User had an account of the video server of 'juser' and had ftp'd a Windows Media file called 'chapter1.wmv' to the video server, then his .asx file would be
<asx version = "3.0">
<entry>
<ref href = "mms://video.vcu.edu/juser/chapter1.wmv" />
<ref href = "http://video.vcu.edu/juser/chapter1.wmv" />
</entry>
</asx>
As you can see, there are two links to the same file. The mms protocol improves the streaming process by delivering higher quality audio and video to audiences and by providing content creators with greater flexibility. However not all browsers are able to handle this protocol, so the second option is included to make sure everyone will be able to view the media.
Step 3: Create the link to the meta file
Linking to a meta file is virtually the same as linking to any other file or web site. (This method will not work in Netscape or Mozilla)
<a href="fileURL">Link Name</a>
For example, if the meta file is called 'chp1.asx' and is in the same directory as the HTML page, then the link would be
<a href="chp1.asx">View Chapter 1 Video</a>
Embedding Windows Media into a webpage
You can include a movie or an audio file in your web page. This makes the movie play when the page loads. The Windows media player program does not come up on the screen. The code necessary to embed a windows movie is:
Click here for the text file with the code for embedded video.
Click here for the text file with the code for embedded audio.
Click here for an example of an embedded movie: Embedded Windows Media or Embedded Audio.
