A   S t r e a m i n g   M e d i a   P r i m e r :  

H O W   D O   I   M A K E   ( G O O D )   S T R E A M I N G   M E D I A ?

Shoot

THE STREAMING MEDIA WORKFLOW

The fi rst stages of the streaming media workfl ow are, essentially, identical to those used for creating any 

type of digital video production. To learn more about digital video, check out the Adobe Digital Video 

Primer that can be found on the Adobe Web site.

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There are some special considerations to bear in mind as you plan, shoot, and edit video specifi cally 

for the Web considerations that can mean the difference between  Compelling!   Classy!  and  Way 

Capture

cool!  versus  I wouldn't waste my time watching that.  This section covers some of the basics, and 

provides some tips to enhance the quality of your streaming media productions.

Pre production

Production

Post production

Plan the 

Create/Gather

Capture/

Create/

Assemble/

Output and

Project

Raw Material

Import

Composite

Edit

Distribute

   Outline

  Shoot raw   

  Digitize analog

   Motion 

   Develop a

   Output to a 

Edit

video/stills

video

graphics

rough cut

   variety of 

   Script

   media:

  Procure stock 

  Import DV

   Visual effects

   Perform non 

   Storyboard

footage

linear editing 

      Video

  Import elements

   Sophisticated, 

   Budget/Finance

  Create elements 

multi layered 

(NLE) 

      Film

  Import audio

   Cast

such as 2D/3d 

compositions

   Author multi 

      CD ROM

   Costumes

animations 

media and 

      DVD

and titles

Web content

   Sets/Props

      The Web

   Record/

   Mix audio

   Locations

procure audio

   Output an edit 

   Logistics

Encode

decision list 

(EDL)

The chart above shows the steps in the digital video workfl ow. These steps are fully detailed in the 

Adobe Digital Video Primer. In this primer, we will only cover considerations that are critical to creating 

good quality streaming media.

 The chart below expands the workfl ow that happens in the last box in the chart above. It shows greater 

Integrate

detail in regard to publishing and serving your streams, integrating your streaming media content into 

the Web visitor experience, and managing your Web site and your streaming media content, monitoring 

usage and adjusting accordingly. 

Prepare

Distribute

Output

Manage

Assess/Plan  

Pre process

Encode

Publish

Integrate

Manage

Serve

   Assess target

  Pre process 

  For an Internet 

   Post encoded

  Develop Web 

   Monitor Web

   audience re:

live feeds 

audience, out 

files to media

navigation and 

site traffic 

   > platform 

put for multiple 

  Perform any pre 

server (if 

UI support

   > connection

formats at multi 

for streams

   Manage content

processing not 

available in 

       speeds

ple bit rates

completed in post 

house, or work 

   Create inter 

   Select parameters    production get 

  For a homogenous 

with hosting 

active UI ele 

   including: 

proper image 

intranet audience, 

outsource)

ments needed to 

   > target bit rate      parameters, 

output in selected

namic Medianamic Media

   > balancing audio/   adjust color and 

format at optimal

   Test streams on 

access and aug 

yy

       video bit rates 

brightness, filter 

bit rate

minimum system 

ment streaming  

   > image size 

and enhance 

you plan to 

content

  Don't forget 

   > frame rate,   

  audio, etc.

to test

support

   Assemble Web

Play Back

   > keyframes

  Test early, 

pages incorp 

test often

orating inter 

obe Dobe D

activity and

dd

links to 

AA

streaming 

content

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22  Adobe Digital Video Primer, PDF available for download at http://www.adobe.com/motion/main.html