Streaming Video
AHA now offers Streaming Video facilities!
Technical Information
Our system runs Apple's QuickTime Streaming server, which can stream QuickTime and MPEG4 format audio/video and MP3 format audio from stored files or live broadcast streams. We have found this platform to be the best choice to cater for both Mac and PC users.
Your Video
Videos are generally supplied to us as hinted QuickTime movies, although we also provide conversion services from video sources such as AVI files, DVD and VHS. Average industry costs for conversion are around $600 per full feature-length movie, however we offer the same service for around $150 and can convert small videos (e.g. 5 minutes) for around $80. Discounted prices for large orders are available upon request.
Your video can be encoded at a single quality, or multiple versions can be produced to accommodate different end user connection speeds.
Streaming Hosting Costs
The cost of Streaming Video services is based on the amount of bandwidth required to stream your videos. Just as your monthly Internet Account attracts extra charges when the kids download 55 music CDs and 2 movies, your video streaming costs increase with usage.
These costs are affected by:
- The encoding quality of your video
- The dimensions (viewing size) of your video
- The duration of your video
- The number of times your video is viewed
The encoding quality and dimensions are set when your video is converted, with high quality being suited to broadband connections and low quality for viewing over dial-up links.
Viewing costs generally run at around 10 cents per minute of video streamed. Live broadcasting costs generally run at an additional $1/minute of video streamed.
These costs can be controlled by:
- Setting a total maximum viewing time per month
- Password protection for registered users
- Restricting viewing time per user
- Emails sent to you when bandwidth/transfer reaches certain levels etc.