Determining the content type

Specify what type of content you are going to stream from your publishing point. You have the following content type options available when creating a new publishing point using the Add Publishing Point Wizard:

• Encoder (a live stream). Select this option to have your server connect to an encoding computer and broadcast the stream created by the encoder. This content is commonly called a live stream because it is not a Windows Media file. However, the content that the encoder is creating can originate from a videotape, a DVD, an .avi file, or a live source such as a camera or microphone.

• Playlist (a mix of files and/or live streams that you can combine into a continuous stream). Select this option to use your publishing point to stream a sequence of content that has been specified in a playlist.

• One file (useful for a broadcast of an archived file). Select this option to use the publishing point to stream a single file. Windows Media Services can stream files with the following file name extensions by default: .wma, .wmv, .asf, .wsx, and .mp3.

• Files (digital media or playlists) in a directory (useful for providing access for on-demand playback through a single publishing point). Select this option to enable your publishing point to stream multiple pieces of content. All of the files in the specified folder will be accessible to clients. You can request a single file by including the file name in the URL, or you can stream all of the files in the directory in a sequence.