Overview

The DVME is an advanced software application for your PC/Laptop, and is also available installed and tested on a high performance computer. In either case, DVME is the ultimate presentation tool and audio/video encoder for event-based broadcasting.

DVME can use your webcam for video -- but it supports any analog or digital video source via USB video adapter, so you can use your professional video mixer, VCR, DVD player, or virtually any video source.

Stream your live video, video + screen, or screen-only along with your audio to viewers via the public Internet. DVME includes web viewing pages for both your live and recorded video, making it very simple to use.

With DVME, you can record your presentation virtually anywhere, anytime, right on your laptop computer -- complete with video and full animation. Publish your recording to your streaming server automatically... or just give someone your recorded video file.

Want to broadcast live video from your laptop back to your studio or office? No problem.  As long as you have Internet access -- even cellular wireless -- you can instantly stream you live event to thousands of viewers or to one viewer. See Mobile Broadcasting.

Want to give a live presentation to 20,000 people in your enterprise without bandwidth worry? No problem, DVME sends your live video via IP multicast using H.264, MPEG-2, or multicasts WM via a Reflector.

Go Pro
DVME Pro includes MPEG-2 streaming and recording.  With DVME Pro, you can record a DVD-quality video in the field and upload it directly to your MPEG-2 compatible VoD server (e.g. Princeton Server).  Or stream your live MPEG-2 via multicast to existing enterprise players, set top boxes.

Why DVME Is Better - Instant, easy, live video streaming from anywhere

• Automatic setup (when using DV Streaming Account)
• Select Flash or WM streaming (or MPEG-2 in Pro version)
• For Presentations, no need to create, upload, and synchronize JPEG images
• Edit your video using conventional video edit tools without worry about sync issues
• Runs on your Windows computer (or MAC via Windows partition on VM)
• Stream anything on your computer screen, including video, movies, text, images, games, etc.
• Stream video-only at very high quality using H.264, Windows Media, Flash
• Capture live events in MPEG-2
• Compatible with Discover Video Transcoder
• Stream to Roku set top boxes

Features

• Flash, H.264, VC1 Windows Media, MPEG2
• Live, file capture, and both
• HD video
• Chroma Key
• Automatic streaming and Video On Demand
• Automatic archive upload
• Simultaneous capture in MPEG-2 and Flash or WMV
• Capture with different settings as the live stream
• Picture-In-Picture or any layout you desire - custom layout design
• Built-in watermark for your logo or other image
• Animated smooth layout transitions
• Use your webcam, or optional external analog video input
• External VGA input optional
• Supports external URL input
• Real time preview
• Optional built-in streaming account
• Stream live to Roku set top boxes

Optional Accessories

	USB-Live2 USB based video capture device for your Windows PC
	VGA-to-USB Adapter USB based VGA capture for DVME to include computer screen video from any source (PC, MAC, etc.)
	DVME Mini Computer DVME is available installed and read-to-go on a small, compact, rugged computer. At only 6.54" x 1.89" x 6.18", this little workhorse features an Intel I7 4M Cache, 2.66 GHz CPU. Windows 7 included.  Because DVME supports full local and web based remote control, this is a great package for live streaming from remote locations.  Coupled with the Soft Top Box, this is an ideal remote broadcasting kit.

Portable Power
Discover Video Nomad is a high performance portable video platform that provides up to High Definition live and on-demand video streaming with the ultimate in simplicity but with features professionals demand. Nomad supports multiple video streaming formats including H264, Adobe Flash, Microsoft Windows Media / VC1, and MPEG-2 allowing it to be used in virtually any environment. Nomad is much more than an "encoder" -- it is a live and on-demand video production and lecture capture system that streams and captures both live camera audio/video but also full motion desktop VGA from virtually any source.

On The Go
Nomad is the ideal portable system for live events. Bring Nomad with you using the included soft carrying case and conduct live event broadcasting from anywhere, anytime. Perfect for conference venues, seminars, or anywhere you need portable service. Nomad uses the powerful Intel I7, quad core CPU giving you the power you need for live HD streaming and for offline video processing.

Value
DVME software is the heart of Nomad and it provides a comprehensive array of built-in features. You can schedule captures, include titles, set background images, and you can create compelling videos using the built-in Chroma-key ("green screen") features. Thanks to the advanced video compression technology and delivery protocols, you can do live streaming from anywhere via WiFi and cellular networks. Nomad even includes MPEG-2, allowing you to stream and capture in web format while also making a broadcast-quality MPEG-2 video that you can put on a broadcast server or create a DVD. Using the optional low cost DV Streaming Service, you have one-click setup and instant live and video-on-demand publishing and viewing. And Nomad costs less than half of competing products.

Extras
Automatic streaming provisioning, event scheduling, and camera control are just a few of the included extras.

Features and Benefits

• Nomad encoder delivers live and on-demand video to viewers over the public Internet with no-hassle simplicity.
• Fully tested, burned-in
• Viewing compatible with virtually all desktops (IE, FireFox, Safari, PC, MAC)
• Live video delivery to mobile devices (iPhone™, iPad™, Blackberry, Android), optional
• Live and on-demand video to your own password-protected Discover Video Roku channel, optional
• Event-based streaming, or continuous broadcasting
• Live video streaming to existing enterprise or public video portals
• Remote control and scheduling
• Presentation viewing on YouTube and similar sites and on mobile devices, podcasts, etc.
• Watermark, backgrounds, chroma-key built in
• Affordable, less than half the price of competing systems

System Specifications

Advanced Multimedia Stream & Capture
Discover Video Spirit is a high performance video appliance platform that provides up to High Definition live and on-demand video streaming with the ultimate in simplicity but with features professionals demand. Spirit supports multiple video streaming formats including H264, Adobe Flash, Microsoft Windows Media / VC1, and MPEG-2 allowing it to be used in virtually any environment. Spirit is much more than an "encoder" -- it is a live and on-demand video production and lecture capture system that streams and captures both live camera audio/video but also full motion desktop VGA from virtually any source.

Quiet and Powerful
Very quiet operation makes Spirit ideal for corporate broadcasts, classrooms, boardrooms, and for both fixed and portable use. Stream your video 7 x 24 or conduct event-based broadcasting. Spirit uses the powerful Intel I7, quad core CPU giving you the power you need for live HD streaming and for offline video processing.

Value
The low cost DVME provides a comprehensive array of built-in features. You can schedule captures, include titles, set background images, and you can create compelling videos using the built-in Chromakey ("green screen") features. Thanks to the advanced video compression technology and delivery protocols, you can do live streaming from anywhere via WiFi and cellular networks. Spirit even includes MPEG-2, allowing you to stream and capture in web format while also making a broadcast-quality MPEG-2 video that you can put on a broadcast server or create a DVD. Using the optional low cost DV Streaming Service, you have one-click setup and instant live and video-on-demand publishing and viewing. And Spirit costs less than half of competing products.

Extras
Automatic streaming provisioning, event scheduling, and camera control are just a few of the included extras.

Features and Benefits

• Spirit encoder delivers live and on-demand video to viewers over
  the public Internet with no-hassle simplicity.
• Fully tested, burned-in
• Viewing compatible with virtually all desktops (IE, FireFox, Safari,
  PC, MAC)
• Live video deliver to mobile devices (iPhone™, iPad™, Blackberry,
  Android), optional
• Live and on-demand video to your own password-protected
• Discover Video Roku channel, optional
• Event-based streaming, or continuous broadcasting
• Live video streaming to existing enterprise or public video portals
• Remote control and scheduling
• Presentation viewing on YouTube and similar sites and on mobile
  devices, podcasts, etc.
• Watermark, backgrounds, chroma-key built in
• Affordable - less than half the price of competing system

System Specifications

Applications

• Entertainment -- stream your live video production to viewers worldwide.

• K-12, College & University -- stream and capture lectures to provide a complete classroom archive for review by students after the class session.  Publish to any video portal including private enterprise systems, web based systems, or public web portals (iTunes University, YouTube, etc.)

• Business -- conduct highly engaging live product demonstrations. Record product demos and post them to your web site.  Train your sales team. Create video reports for executives.

• Executive -- stream your live quarterly result report and discussion to your investors. Conduct regular CEO updates to employees.

• Government -- reach constituents to give regular, live updates. Create training videos anywhere, anytime.

• Cable / Broadcast -- transmit live video from anywhere back to your TV station and receive it using the Soft Top Box and Mobile Broadcasting applications.

Pricing

DVME Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I stream at one rate but record in another?
  • Yes. You have separate settings for streaming and file recording.
  • It is important to handle stream and file encoding differently.  For streaming, you are limited by your uplink bandwidth and/or by the bandwidth available to your viewers.  You would not want to create a poor archive of your event just because you have limited streaming bandwidth.
  • For DVME-Pro, you can also capture in MPEG-2 format, either Program Stream or Transport Stream. You can capture in MPEG-2 while you are also capturing in H264 (.mp4) or Windows Media/VC1 (.wmv) format.
  
  

• Does DVME High Definition Video?
  • Yes. Your HD video input may be via direct Firewire, or via s HDMI or HDSDI input.
  • You may use your own PCIe capture card, or use a complete packaged DVME hardware solution.
  • Naturally, HD video requires more CPU than lower resolution video.
  
  

• Does DVME support .flv files?
  • No.  The .flv file format is legacy, and all modern video servers, including FMS, Wowza, and all web servers support .mp4 (H264) format.
  • Flash player, Silverlight, QuickTime, VLC, Roku, and other players and devices support .mp4 and only the older Flash player supports the proprietary .flv format.
  • Basically, you can do virtually everything you could do with the old .flv format with .mp4, but in addition you can support Silverlight, QuickTime, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, IE, FireFox, Safari, etc.
  • It is possible that some people have not updated their Flash player since 2007...when Flash started supporting the new format. But we believe virtually everyone has modern players.
  
  

• If I do not have a Discover Video streaming account, can I still use DVME?
  • Of course.  You will have to manually set your streaming values (streaming publishing points, etc.)
  • DVME works with all known CDN's and media servers, including Akamai, Limelight, Highwinds, PowerStream, WMS, FLS, Wowza, Helix, Darwin, and others.
  • The DV Streaming account sets up all values for you automatically.
  • The DV Streaming account enabled automatic file upload, VoD publishing, and automated viewing pages.
  • Discover Video can set up the automation system using YOUR streaming account settings if desired (for a small fee).  This will enable the "Sever" and "Upload" functions in DVME to operate.  Contact us for more information.
  
  

• Should I use H.264 or Windows Media for my live streaming?
  • In many cases, it simply does not matter.  At any given bit rate, the quality is virtually the same. 
  • Windows Media has advantages over Flash (RTMP) in certain cases, especially over long delay satellite networks. You can view the live Windows Media on IE, FireFox, Safari, on both PC and MAC
  • H.264 has advantages over Windows Media for reaching mobile and other devices.
  • Because you may have access to a Discover Video live transcoder, you can stream in one format and distribute in both formats.
  
  

• Does DVME support adaptive bit rates?
  • No, not currently.  However, for live streaming the user typically has only enough uplink bandwidth to support one stream.  Live adaptive bit rate streaming still requires the sum total of all offered bit rates for the upload link, so if you wish to provide 1,000 Kbs and 300 Kbps, then you would required at least 1.3 Mbps upload speed.  Using the Discover Video live Transcoder (product or service), you can uplink your highest rate and the Transcoder can deliver multiple rates to your viewers (e.g. desktops get 1 Mbps, 3G mobile gets 200 Kbps).
  
  

• What is the difference between "Push" and "Pull"?
  • DVME supports both Push and Pull streaming.
  • If you wish to stream to the public Internet, a media distribution server ("Content Distribution Network" or "CDN") can contact the DVME and "pull" a stream from it.  But this requires that the computer hosting the DVME be on an "outside" IP address.  In other words, the DVME is acting as a "server".  This has some security concerns, but moreover, outside IP addresses are often hard to obtain.
  • Push streaming does not require an outside IP address.  The DVME contacts the media server and "pushes" a stream to it.  Thus, you can stream from anywhere at any time.
  • Pull Streaming is very handy, however, when you do not really need CDN services.  For example, place the DVME in location "A", and view its video directly from location "B" using the Soft Top Box or a player.
  • DVME support Pull streaming for WM type.
  
  

• Can DVME produce a multicast in an enterprise network?
  • Yes.  DVME supports multicast via H.264.  It automatically generates a .sdp file that you may use to view the multicast (or unicast) on an unlimited number of viewers using VLC, QuickTime, or other standards-based players.
  • DVME-Pro supports MPEG-2 multicast.  You may view the live video on an unlimited number of viewers using, and without using a .sdp file.  SteamPlayer, Haivsion Video Furnace, VBrick MCS/VEMS, and other video portals support live DVME multicast.  DVME does not currently support SAP but a free accessory tool is available to sends SAP's if desired.
  • Using multicast, you need no CDN or other product...just start streaming and thousands of viewers can tune in live without bandwidth concerns.
  • You can also send one WM stream to a WMS or an appliance reflector (available from Discover Video). The reflector will receive the live unicast (push or pull) and deliver a multicast stream.  This can be very handy to deliver live video to remote branch offices without the complexity of creating a multicast "tunnel" in a router.
  
  

• Can I control DVME via AMX, Crestron, or similar 3rd party controller?
  • Yes. DMVE supports a very simple API that virtually anyone can use.
  
  

• Can I schedule DVME?
  • Yes.  DVME has a built-in scheduler that allows you to start streaming, capture, or both at a future date and time.
  • A scheduling program is provided to DVME customers for free that allows you to schedule any number of DVME's, for example one in each classroom.  There is no limit on the number of schedules that may be created.  For example, you can capture the lecture in room 1, 2, 3 and 4 at 1:00 and 3:00, and capture the lectures in room 5, 6, 7 at 4:00.
  
  

• What is the quality of the video?
  • Excellent.
  • Do not confuse a "file transcoder" with a "live encoder".  A file transcoder may take an uncompressed video file and compress it by multi-pass encoding and other "tricks" to improve the quality.  The time it takes to compress such a file is often longer than the playing duration of the file.  A live encoder is, well, live...it must produce the streaming video in real time.  The DVME is a world-class, live encoder.  For file encoding, see DVT.
  
  

• Can I open a video file on my computer and play it to my audience?  Can I record it?
  • Yes.  DVME support full frame rate, full motion, high quality video from your computer screen.  If you open a video file and play it, or open a web page video and play it, you can stream and record it.
  • To support desktop audio (e.g. you want your computer's audio sound to be included in your DVME video), you will need to "jump" your PC headphone output to your PC audio input, and select it according.  For more sophisticated productions, you may wish to use an external audio mixer to include your microphone, telephone patch, PC audio, etc.
  
  

•  If I include my computer screen in a video, won't DVME itself appear?
  • Not if you don't want it to!  When capturing your screen, DVME can set to automatically hide. You may assign any keyboard keys to any function (e.g. Start=Alt-S, End=Alt-E, etc).
  
  

• How do I capture from an external VGA source, such as another PC or MAC?
  • Simply connect the VGA dongle via USB and select "Ext. VGA" on the DVME control panel.
  
  

• Can I have two different video inputs from two different cameras?
  • Yes. You can switch between them, show them side-by-side, or in any layout you desire.
  
  

• What video inputs are supported?
  • DVME has been tested with Hauppauge USB device, Osprey, and BlackMagic Intensity video capture technology.
  • For mobile, laptop use, we provide (sell) a Hauppauge USB video input dongle.  This provides composite,
  • SVideo, and line-level stereo or mono audio.
  • If your computer has Firewire, you may directly connect your Firewire camera and enjoy all digital video.
  • For StreamBreeze and other packages, we use a Black Magic Intensity card that provides HD via HDMI and  component, and SD via BlackMagic and/or Osprey cards.
  
  

• Does DVME work with Akamai and Limelight CDNs?
  • Yes.  Both of these CDNs have proprietary live streaming authorization methods, unique to them.  Both are available via dropdown box selection in DVME.
  • Other CDNs use non-proprietary authorization methods and DVME works well with all known CDNs.
  • "Watersheed" uses Akamai, but requires some XML disassembly to produce their publishing points.
  
  

• Can I remotely control DVME?
  • Yes.  You can locate DVME at a venue, let's say your office.  You can go home and log in to your Discover Video streaming account and start, stop, and even schedule DVME over the web.
  • Yes. You can locate DVME at a venue, let's say in a audio/video closet,  You can connect to it on the same LAN by entering its IP address and password in the free DVME Remote Control application.  You can remotely set the titles, text overlays, images, templates, and of course start and stop the streaming or capture, and you can upload the video when your capture is complete.
  
  

• Can I continue to stream while I start and stop the recording?
  • DVME can stream, stream-and-capture, or capture-only.  If you stop a stream-and-capture then you also stop the stream.  However, Discover Video offers a stream recorder that you may use to schedule your recordings from the network stream.  DVME is "unaware" that you are recording the stream. 
  
  

• What type of PC is required?
  • Windows XP/Vista/Win7.  Customers have successfully run DVME on a Intel MAC using WMware with a Windows partition.
  • The CPU requirements depend on exactly what you want to do.  Some people have reported success doing live streaming from a little "notebook" PC, but we don't recommend that.
  • HD streaming requires a dual-core CPU, Intel  I5 or I7 class preferred.
  • SD streaming requires a dual-core CPU, Intel I3 or I5 class preferred
  • In all cases, CPU load is dependent on your output resolution.  Virtually any modern computer can be used to stream 320x240, and most can do at least 640x480 without trouble.
  • External VGA uses less CPU than internal (screen capture).
  
  

• DVME comes with many built-in output resolutions.  The one I want is not listed.  Can it be added?
  • Yes, very simple.  You may edit the file "Output Resolutions.xml" to include virtually any resolution you desire.
  
  

• What are the viewing options?
  • Assuming you are using DVME with a DV Streaming account, you have the following options:
    • Silverlight Style 1
    • Silverlight Style 2
    • Windows Media Player
    • Flash Player Style 1
    • Flash Player Style 2
    • Set your title, description, logo, text color, background color, password
    • iPhone/iPad player
    • Blackberry player
    • Publish uploaded video
• Set expire date

• Is DVME an alternative to various free software encoders?
  • Perhaps.  DVME support multiple formats where Microsoft, Adobe, and others support only one (theirs).
  • DVME is not just an "encoder" -- it is a multimedia streaming and capture system -- but you can certainly use it as an "encoder" for live video sources.
  • DVME is NOT a file encoder.  It does not convert one file type into another (for this, you would use our Transcoder)
  
  

• Is DVME compatible with MPEG-2 "playout" servers, such as TelVue?
  • Yes.  You can stream directly to a TelVue server in MPEG-2 format.
  • Files recorded in MPEG-2 format can be added to the server immediately.
  
  

• How does Chroma-Key work?
  • Put a solid color behind you, typically a green or blue screen.
  • Select two video inputs.  For example, your screen with PowerPoint as video 1, and your camera as video 2
  • Select Video 2 and set the Chroma-Key to make the color behind you invisible.
  • Your output video now shows you in front of your PowerPoint (i.e. video 2 is an overlay on top of video 1, but with the selected color transparent).
  
  

• Can I use a background image and a watermark?
  • Yes. You can set a background image as desired.
  • You may insert your logo or other image and place it as desired in the output video
  
  

• Can I insert titles in my video stream on-the-fly?
  • Yes.
  
  

• Can I stream from my cellular "air card"?
  • Yes, this is a common use case.
  • For 3G carriers, you will typically see up to about 200 Kbps of uplink speed, allowing acceptable quality (especially when the alternative is to have nothing).
  • For 4G carriers, you will typically see up to about 800 Kbps or more, allowing broadcast quality.
  • You can conduct a live broadcast from a moving vehicle.  Please...be sure the driver is not distracted!
  
  

• Can I use DVME to just record a lecture and not stream it live?
  • Yes. Just select "Capture".
  • Your recording may be just your video (from a Webcam or other live video source", just your computer screen, or both.
  
  

• When I record video, what will be the file name?
  • DVME will automatically give you video file a name in the form YYYY-MM-DD-HH-SS.xxx where xxx is either .mp4 or .wmv.  You can manually enter a file name if you do not with to use this automatic file name feature.
  
  

• Does DVME create metadata for a recorded video?
  • Yes.  When a file is created, DVME also creates a file with the same name as the video but with .xml appended to the filename.  This is the metadata and includes your title, description, date, author, copyright, and other values.  It also includes video values such as duration, height, width, etc.
  • If using a DV Streaming account, this metadata is also uploaded to the system so that your recorded video is published with all your metadata values.
  • In the case of Windows Media live and files, the metadata is also inserted into the video stream and file.
  
  

• Is DVME an alternative to an expensive video appliance?
  • Some people think so.
  • An appliance is typically very reliable for 7x24 continuous broadcasting, while DVME more targets event-based broadcasting that has a beginning, middle, and end.  An appliance may be an expensive overkill for event-based broadcasting.
  • Many customers have deployed DVME for continuous broadcasting, and with the proper Operating System settings, have experienced no issues (e.g. disable Windows automatic updates, etc.)
  • The cost of DVME plus an appropriate computer is much less than a H.264, WM, or MPEG-2 video appliance, and you may already have an appropriate computer.
  
  

• I am considering deploying DVME at my University, but we have many classrooms. Is there a price break?
  • Yes. You may wish to consider a site license that allows you to deploy as many as you wish in one location. Contact us for further information.
  
  

• Can I use DVME my myself, or should I have an operator?
  • Either way.
  • DVME has been designed to support single-user operation where you are the "talent", or your cameras may be focused on some other event and you are the "producer".
  
  

• Can I use my own streaming server or service or must I use DV Service?
  • You may set up DVME with your own WM or Flash server
  • You may ask us to set up a special account with your service so that the simplicity features of DVME are retained
  • You may use DV Service, which includes not only live H.264/Flash and WM streaming and VoD, but an automatic viewing page, templates, VoD listings and more..
  
  

More questions? Just ask!