Roku Developer Program

[Vistronic]

Hello,
I would like to build a Live streaming server for a Roku channel, we are a full power local Christian television channel.
We have build a live streaming computer (to a windows media server) for windows media. See here http://www.wtjrtv.org/archives/2176
It is my under standing that wmv stream will not work.
So I would like to build a windows box to feed direct to a roku channel. I am not interested in video on demand at this time. What I have is a video and audio feed from our master control room it already on 24/7.
Therefore I will get a windows computer install a capture card like the Viewcast Osprey cards and output what ever is needed.
So how do I feed my channel? with a flash encoder set to http? If I am not using a middle man server (for now) where do I point it? I understand it would be limited by my local bandwidth. Maybe a private channel?
Second is there any companies out there (free or cheap) that will take my windows (current) or future flash stream and package in there channels as a subchannel? That way they serve roku not me? (even if its in a channel pack hidden away) But I also would like to serve roku direct at first as a option point to point.

So any ideas thoughts would help.. Money is very limited such as for monthly bills.

I can start building a computer soon I have an empty case awaiting what ever mother board CPU and OS (windows I hope we are windows here). I need to order the osprey card, we have fiber so I can up the band width as needed I think we are 10/5 now am looking at 30/30 up down.

I am also willing to experiment with the roku developer Program I am looking at getting the Roku box with the lan port here for work.

I am looking for ideas, how to's and encouragement thanks.
Vis.

[bandal]

I can think of Wowza Developer Version of software and free up to 10 streams before a license is needed. Correct me if wrong. You can stream HLS out to Roku. Or the Adobe Media Streaming 5 in HLS will do the same. If 1 capture card most likely a PC with a 4 core at least & a I7 processor.
Roku supports HLS, ISM for live streams. Expression encoder is another software package to look at. Just my thoughts.
DA

[OddScott]

Using a Wowza EC2 instance is relatively inexpensive compared to setting up a local dedicated streaming server, and has the advantage of being scalable beyond the bandwidth limitations of a local server. Here's a walk-through about using Wowza on EC2 to generate a live stream for a Roku channel:
http://www.InstantRokuChannel.com/help/wowza
The Wowza HLS stream is usable with any Roku channel, not necessarily one built using Instant Roku Channel. For 24/7 use you probably should look at using a monthly Wowza license on an EC2 instance instead of the DevKey license that the walk-through talks about.

[Vistronic]

Thank you very much for the replies.
I shall investigate Wowza, also the Expression encoder and Adobe media streaming 5, I will still need to capture the live stream, and send it out so I want to make sure my computer I build, and the capture card works with what ever software I end up using.
I was wondering about Justin TV could I stream to them, and have it show up on Roku?
Just checking my options, though I dont see regular tv channels on Justin like us here, we are no profit so thats not the issue....

[RokuJoel]

Many people are using the free Adobe Flash Media Encoder with the MainConcepts AAC encoder ($180), for streaming to wowza.


- Joel

[Vistronic]

OK I now have my Roku box a Roku 2 xs.
I am ready to start building a streaming server.
I would like to stream direct to roku with no middleman. I have the bandwidth on both ends to do this. It will be a private channel.
So on one end I have a computer with osprey capture card (live audio and video) and expression or adobe software streaming, a nat fire wall, internet, nat firewall roku box. I want a private channel.
Can I stream direct to box? With only one viewer? 😄

[Vistronic]

Heres the deal so far I want to go from a media capture card like the osprey 100 or a tv tuner card, capture live audio and video in stream to roku.
Here is my research so far
Roku notes:

Complete Guide to Streaming Live Video to Roku (Part 1)

http://chris.kehayias.com/2011/07/10/co ... ku-part-1/

http://www.wowza.com/forums/showthread. ... u-No-Audio

http://www.pcworld.com/article/256058/s ... u_box.html


Plex media server
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/PlexIsThe ... ngFor.aspx

http://www.silicondust.com/
HD homerun tuner


http://www.playon.tv/supported-devices




It seems to me there should be an app that allows this? I will use the computer for nothing else but stream one video audio stream to roku. So install app windows box, install app or channel Roku... Bingo! But it is not seeming to be that easy.

[ethanthekiwi]

I'm afraid the idea of a one box live stream service isn't attainable at least if you are trying to host it yourself. The article you linked to from chris.kehayias.com is a good one and I have used that to build a Roku app. I think the best idea if you want to self host is to use Wowza media server http://www.wowza.com/ (You can put this on your own Windows server if The perpetual license is $1000, but you can get a 20% discount because you are non-profit. You will also need a media encoder, you could use Adobe's one, but I would recommend Telestream Wirecast ($500, but non-profit discount also available http://www.telestream.net/wirecast/). vailable). So you would have a box with say a Black Magic Decklink SDI http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/decklink card in it running Windows 7 with Telestream Wirecast. This box encodes your video to H.264 and sends it to your server which runs Wowza Media Services. From Wowza, you can send out live video to nearly anything you want to including a Roku (HLS), Flash player (RTMP), and Apple IOS devices (HLS). You could replace the Windows media player streaming with something like JW Palyer (Free non-commercial use http://www.longtailvideo.com/jw-player/) to play the live video in flash on your website. This is how our church is setup right now at least, and I am pretty happy with it. Altogether this system cost us around $2,500 for an encoder computer, the capture card, and all the software.

One other product that I have been interested in, but haven't tried is the Teradeck VidiU http://www.teradek.com/pages/vidiu, it is a small box about the size of a Roku that replaces your encoder computer and cost $700, wich is cheaper that buying a PC, cards, and software. It supports sending out RTMP stream which could be pulled into Wowza.

You could also look into an account with Livestream.com or Ustream.com. They have free and paid options depending on how much content you want to put out and how much control you want to have, but they take a lot of work out of it for you.