macromedia flash flashcom: I will aplogize in advance. I hate to ask someone to hold my hand in the
process but I really need the help. I am currently using Windows Media Server
to stream my audio and video files. I like the idea of using Flash since it
has no problems streaming to Windows or Mac.

I have a fresh install of FCS 1.5. Here is what I want to do. Does anyone
know where I can find a step by step tutorial for this or would anyone care to
help me? I have no flash action script experience.

I want to store my audio and video files in on a drive array not in the
default install directory. The E: drive on my server is my drive array.

I want to be able to click a link on my website (seperate webserver) that
points to a particular audio or video file on my FCS. I want the audio or
video to play in a browser imbedded player.

So I need a player and need to know how to point that player to the streaming
server and file I want to play. I will have the file name available.

I need to know how to configure my Flash Com. Server to point to my drive
array and what ever action script I need to place in the FCS so that it knows
to stream the file when the player requests it if that is nessesary.

I am sure there is a lot to this task but I have no idea where to start. I am
sure this is something that is commonly done but I have no idea how to do this.

Any help would be appreciate.

I can be reached at mrortner@conwaycorp.net

Thanks

The thing about FMS is that without at least some actionscript knowlege, you're
really limited in what you can do, and you'll end up with applications that
aren't secure. FMS isn't an "out of the box" streaming server like Windows or
Real server, and there is no "click a link to play" way of doing things.

The connection to FMS has nothing to do with the browser. It's the Flash movie
that makes and manages the connection, and there is no prebuilt user end flash
"media player" to speak of (not like WMP or Quicktime that autimatically play
the media files).

You'll need to either build your own player (using flash), or you'll need to
use one of the prefab players out there (try flvplayer.com for a few listings).

If your video streaming application is going to be publicly accessible,
you're also going to want to consider security. FMS has no built in sort of
security features, so you'll want to be sure to protect your application from
abuse with your own server side actionscript. An unprotected application leaves
the door open for unauthorized use of your bandwidth and connections.

I'd suggest picking up a copy of "Programming Flash Communication Server"
(O'Reilly). It will help you get a grip on all of the basics you need to
understand.

Thanks so much for the help and suggestions. I am really trying to find a
solution that I can stream video and audio and there are no issue with Mac. I
could do real or quicktime but then there has to be a seperate install on most
PCs for the player. With Flash, pretty much everyone has it and it is easily
cross platform.

I think the player will be easy enough. Getting my server secured may be the
hard part. I will try and get my hands on a book. I really don't care about
doing anything else with FCS except to simply stream my audio and video files
to a browser so hopefully it won't be too hard.

Thank you very much for your response.

Mike