Link to the Files from a Web Page
Once you have uploaded your streaming media files on the streaming server, you will need to link to them from your web page.
Technically speaking, the link from your web page links to an intermediate file that contains the URL to the streaming file. This intermediate file can be transferred to Blackboard, placed on a web site and linked to, or sent by email.
RealNetworks files
There are two ways to link to a Real streaming file. The first uses what is called a RAMGEN link. This method assures that the streaming media link will reside in the HTML for the page. This is generally the easiest way to work with web pages.
The second method involves creating a file with a text editor (creating a .RAM file). This technique is useful when the video won't be associated with a web page, for example, when you'd like to send a link through email.
A. First method: using a RAMGEN link in a web page
Syntax for a RamGen link: http://streaming1.video.cornell.edu:8080/ramgen/courses/
foldername/myvideo.rm
The HTML code will look similar to this:
<a href="http://streaming1.video.cornell.edu:8080/ramgen/courses/ foldername/myvideo.rm">Link to streaming file</a>
Where folder name is the name of your folder on the streaming server, and myvideo.rm is the name of the streaming file.
B. Second method: creating a .RAM file
When the file is double-clicked, it should open the RealPlayer and call the streaming file.
Syntax for a .ram file: rtsp://streaming1.video.cornell.edu/courses/foldername/myvideo.rm
If the .ram file is uploaded to a web server, a link can be made to it as you would to any other kind of web file, and it will call the stream. The advantage of using the first method when linking from web pages is that it makes the web page more portable and decreases the number of files used.
Quicktime files
Quicktime streams are linked to using reference movies (pointer movies). There are two ways to make reference movies.
A. Quicktime Pro
This method requires that you purchase the Pro version of Quicktime (about $30), which is done online. When the appropriate serial number is entered into the Quicktime Registration, the free version unlocks the needed additional features.
The file that is created will be several kilobytes (about 4k) in size. The file resembles your media file, but it is not the media file. Therefore, you can upload this file to a web site and link to it, send it in email, embed in Powerpoint, or use it in many other ways that you can not use your media file.
B. Using a free utility
MakeRefMovie is a free utility from Apple (http://developer.apple.com/quicktime/quicktimeintro/tools/) for Macintosh and Windows that creates reference movies. It also allows you to set other parameters, and to create a single file that contains moves of mulitple bandwidths.
Follow the instructions on the Apple site to use this utility.
Windows Media Files
Windows Media uses reference movies to call the streams. These are created in a text editor and use suffixes of .WVX for video files and .WAX for audio files.
You can upload this file to a web site and link to it, send it in email, embed in Powerpoint, or use it in many other ways.
Any regular system maintenance and server restarts for any of our services will be scheduled weekdays between 5:00 am and 7:00 am. All users should be aware that a system may become unavailable during this maintenance time.
ATC-L is an e-mail list to discuss teaching and learning with technology.
Join our List
