AUCTIONEERS FAQ 

1.)  First you need to download the free Adobe Flash Media Encoder 2.5  http://www.adobe.com/products/flashmediaserver/flashmediaencoder/

2.)  Once you have installed the software on the computer that you will use  for live streaming you have to make sure to have a video device available that is capable of streaming video. 

This might be a we bcam, a video encoding card to attach a video camera or might be a video camera that has a firewire or usb cable and allows live streaming  through drivers that you have installed. Please note, do not use built in realtek HD audio cards.  There or sound or video cards that do not work well with the Adobe Flash Media Encoder or are not suitable for real time audio and video streaming.

3.)  Once you have this set up, you need to activate the account for
audio/video streaming as described in the CR.
- log in as super admin
- go to manage accounts
- select an account
- activate audio/video streaming and save the account

4.) 
- Then log in as sub domain administrator on the sub domain back end
and prepare your auction.
- On the edit auction screen there is a drop down that allows to
select from "Virtual Auction", "Audio/ Video" or "Audio" only if this
account was activated for streaming
- Once selected and saved there are two fields with "Stream Server"
and "Stream Name" you need to copy these and enter on your encoding
computer in Flash Media Encoder under FMS URL and Stream.
- Uncheck "Save To File" since that will flood your hard drive
- Then click "connect"
- on the right select video and set
Format: VP6
Bit Rate: 100kbps
Size: 320x240
fps: 12
for audio set
Format: mp3
Sample Rate: 11025
Bitrate: 20kbps

5.)  If everything is set up correctly you should see a preview of the  video stream and a volume meter.
Underneath these controls there is a "start" button to start the  audio/video or just audio stream
If you do an audio only auction you would uncheck the video section on the left.

Now you should be all set up to run your auction.

Open a bidder client or the Admin console and you will see the results.

WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I BUY FOR STREAMING VIDEO?

LEVEL 1:  SMALL BUSINESS:  We reccomend using a webcam either imbedded in your computer or attached externally through a USB cord.

LEVEL 2:  MID-SIZED AUCTONEER:  We reccomend the Sony Mini DV handy cam DCRHC52 which can be best buy for around $250.
Using firewire connection it easily plugs into any PC.  This is ideal for items that you want to record in the same location.  Please note, it does not have to be hooked up to the same PC as your clerk

LEVEL 3:  CORPORATE:  We reccomend purchasing a network camera.  These are a bit more expensive, but since they are wireless through a router they can move around the auction floor.

Below are other reccomended cameras and video cards tested by adobe.

Flash® Media® Live Encoder 3
Device Compatibility Matrix - 01/12/2009
These are the devices that Adobe has specifically tested, but Flash Media Live Encoder 3 is designed to work with any Microsoft DirectShow compliant device or driver.
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of compatible devices, but one of devices that have been tested in-house. Refer to the Flash Media Live Encoder forum for more compatibility info from the Flash Media Live Encoder community: http://www.adobe.com/go/fmle_forum
Webcams
Creative Webcam Vista Plus
Logitech QuickCam Fusion
Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000
Logitech QuickCam Express
Logitech QuickCam Easy
Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000
Capture Cards
FireWire, PCI IEEE 1394
Osprey 100
Osprey 440
Osprey 450e
Osprey 230
Osprey 240e
Osprey 530
Osprey 560
Osprey 700 HDe*
Digital Rapids DRC 500
Digital Rapids DRC-1600
Pinnacle PCTV Pro PCI
Epiphan VGA2USB LR
Epiphan VGA2USB Pro
Other Devices
Canopus ADVC 1000
Sony DCR - HC38E MiniDV Handycam
DV Camera
Sony DCR PC350
Sony DCR HC96E
Canon NTSC DC20
Panasonic NV-GS35
JVC GR-D770 High-Band
Canon HV 10
USB Audio
Logitech Stereo USB Headset 250
Plantronics - Multimedia Headphone - Audio 350
Plantronics - Multimedia Headset - Audio 320
*Following are the known limitations with Osprey 700 HDe
1. Fast Video input from card at higher size say 1920x1080, shows horizontal lines at dynamic scene changes
2. Card gives distorted video when SDI input source is stopped and started. Audio output also stops on restarting the source. Workaround is to reinsert the SDI cable into the card

HOW DO I SETUP MY CAMERA?

1.)  Install Flash Live Media Encoder on the computer you want to use for encoding.

2.)  You will also need a video camera that can do live streaming to USB OR use a video capture device to plug between their camera and the
computer: 

Please reference the following link  http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=%22video+capture%22+USB+%22real+time%22+%22h.264%22&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

3.)  The audio can come from the camera or a microphone or headset from the
auctioneer.

4.) Once camera and microphone are connected with the computer they can
- open Flash Live Media Encoder,
- connect to the server as listed in the auction details page
- uncheck the save to disk since that will take up a lot of HD space
- select the video device,
- select the audio device (depending on where the microphone was plugged in)
- set up video and audio format:
320x240px, 12fps, 100-200kbps, h.264, 22kHz, 32kbps
- start streaming