Whats the server software out there?

[training88]

Hello All!

I've been looking to buy some server software for webcams. I checked out firecracker but it seemed too much for too little. I went to Flirt4Free's site and like how the video was so fast. Does anyone know what software that they are using?

Does anyone have a good handle on what is a great server software that would work great for this type of service? I'm lost!

Thanks again!
Training88

[juggernaut]

You have no entered into the twilight zone. There is so much you can choose from. Windows media streaming server. Macromedia. java the list goes on. If you are looking for a full admin interface, IE a place to manage models and pay and customers and models rooms. You really really need to look around. most software like this will cost you upwards over 15k and most of the time thats only a rental agreement. if you want to buy something outright expect to spend more, alot more almost twice the price. then you have to deal with server issues, IE renting or buying. if you are going to buy one then you will need the pipe for it. and the software also, which and be very costly at the end of the month. if you are going to rent the fact is i would recommend that you buy a small old server as you dont need some super powerhouse for running software lke this and then go with a co-lo service, most is offered threw telcom companies like MCI. in some places you can rent a server (full control over the box) from the telcom company in one of there racks along with the pipe can cost you up to 1600 a month but in the ned might be worth it as some of the hosting companies bandwitdh priceing can be hard to figure out and in the end you can be paying twice the price of a co-lo only thing with the co-lo is you have to do all the work, IE loading and purchasing all the software. then there are companies that offer a full service turn-key solution. Be carful and look around before you start to do anything with these companies you can find some really go info here on companies that offer services like this. I would recommend that if you are going to use one that you do some searchs on that company to see if there are any nightmare stories about them that you dont know about. look at your BBB or consumer affiars and see if they have any complaints against them. but most of all reseach is your strongest weapon. be prepaired to go at this for the long haul with many failures. I only started this about 6 months ago and the experaince has been both rewarding and draining. its great to see lots of money come into a site over a weekend but thats when the headaches really start. you need to do payroll. paybills on everything else, get a creditcard processor etc etc. this is truly something that can easliy take up a 40 hour work week. you will need to advertise the site and also get the models. the models are easy to get but if you dont pay them one time you are lost. most of the time the word gets around and they will leave your site. word of mouth is everything in this business. anyway look around here you will find many things that you will need to learn.

[training88]

I understand whats out there but read a lot of horror stories with almost all of them. So what does a person do?! Money an equipment is NOT an issue, but on the other hand I don't want to throw it away either. I was thinking on getting a 2 lic. from firecracker, get everthing setup and go for the unlimited version. Only to read bad things about the company. I was also checking out xbliveware.com but again not sure. I have the resources to blow away a lot of these sites but don't want to make a mistake. THis is why I'm trying to fine others that went through this already that could say, I went with this software package and it works great, no problems at all. Thanks for the reply!!!

Training88

[juggernaut]

No problem I wish you luck. I cant really recommend any software, I used a site but will not post about that here as there is enough on that subject. I have decided coding my own is the best bet. If it takes some time thats ok in the end it will be better for me. You are doing the right thing here with looking around. One thing I would like to tell you is not to rush. The internet will always be here and this is streaming cams is somewhat new and always getting better, its only about 4 years old. So you are still on the starting front in respects to say a 10 year old business. Just dont rush. Plan your business model very carefully. My personal opinion is that the hardest thing to get is customers. We can all have the best site in the world but without the customer we really have nothing. I wish you luck and we at this forum are here to help with questions when we can. Jugg..

[AWSP]

If money and equipment is not an Issue i can suggest a custom built software .. or prebuilt software. Contact me for more information.

Hey Jugg how goes your business? I hope you got over the problems you were having ..

[training88]

[Katwomanvid]

[kevsh]

[Katwomanvid]

It's a good point Kev, and one that we are actually looking at. The thing is we have a HUGE clientelle on dialup (actually still larger than highspeed at the moment) so we want to make VERY sure that we are able to support both reliably!

Kat

[secret]

[Dr.MIke]

If anyone is interested, I still have the last remaining licence for StreamBeanServer VLCD ( software used by Streamray ). I was the original developer and retained this license when I sold the streambean productline to HelloNetwork ( now defunct ).

[training88]

[Dr.MIke]

This is the streaming video/chat software:
The video server,
The Java chat applet
The backend interface
The chathost client software.
The server management tool.
The file encoder ( Adobe Premiere plugin )

It does not include backend things like referal programs, creditcard processing, etc.

The customizable interface DLL is what talks to the backend. Usually via the database.

There is source for the interface DLL.
There is sample source to build the Java chat applet.
There MAY be source for the management app. ( need to look )
The remaining source is no longer available.
Even without source some modifications are possible becuase it is broken up into DLLs. Which can be swapped out. ( and I remember the exports )
Almost everything is customizable via the registry/resource editor.
If I HAD to I could white-sheet-rebuild any of the components using the existing DLLs

Version 2.50 was the final build of the software. I'll have to check the build date. But it is probably 1 year old.

The database interface DLL ( full source ) is what connects the video server in to your backend. It has calls you fill in to validate users, track credits, etc. Builds with Microsoft C++ 6.0

Requires Windows NT/2000/XP
MS SQLServer 6.5 or later

SOMEWHWERE around here, I have the list of features. Mostly it is what you see on the streamray sites. They have some propriatary extensions. But, strangely enough, they dont use most of them. Go figure ... They also do not use several of the standard features. ( Higher framerates, 2-way audio, web based virtual pan/tilt/zoom, region blocking, etc. )


Price ? Good question.
Probably best cash offer over $5000
( + some training. There is only one other person alive who knows how to configure one of these servers )

Maybe i should put it on ebay

[juggernaut]

I will say that is a great price if anyone is looking. I was looking till started out on my own with a programer. From what I have learned everthing is there but the back end which can be made with php or a good coder. most of those types of scripts you can find out there on the web. some of them free. But great price for fully owned software. I did not hear anything about licenses for streams so i take it that its unlimited being you are offering everything. if thats the case then really really strong CHEAP price. Hell just look at honys site for what others are offering most are 15k to 30k price and you dont own anything other then licenses for x # of streams.

[Dr.MIke]

Yes all the back end stuff is usualy done in php or asp. That keeps everything flexible. Even the inerface DLL can be setup to make http calls for all of its database functions like checking user passwords and such. That is how I would set it up.

As for capacity, there is a stated capacity of 100 hosts and 2000 viewers, i think. But, in reality, it is only limited by the hardware and network connectivity. I have seen 1 server box handle 5,000 viewers in a test lab. Then the 155mb network was maxed out. Host logins are limited by available memory. 200 hosts require about 1G of ram on the server. This isnt as big a deal as it used to be

I hadnt gotten as far as checking competitive pricing. This is more an issue of cleaning up my books here. But if it hits 30k, i guess i can throw in the training and maybe an interface dll build to support http php/asp database calls.