Setting up an encoding session
Before encoding content, you must set up an encoding session. The easiest way to set up an encoding session is to use the New Session Wizard. The wizard is available from the Welcome screen (if enabled) that is displayed when you first open the encoder application, or from the Session menu in the main encoder window. As you run the New Session Wizard, you are asked to:
- Specify the kind of encoding to do. The three options available are: broadcast a live event, capture content from an attached device, or convert an existing file to Windows Media Format.
- Specify source types and source groups. Possible source types are audio (always selected), video, and script. You can also create up to four source groups for a broadcast encoding session, for example, live, welcome, intermission, and goodbye source groups. All source groups in a session must have the same combination of source types.
- Configure input devices (optional). After selecting the input devices, you can set the properties for each one. You can set some properties to apply to all source groups and others to apply to an individual source group.
- Add descriptive information (optional). You can add descriptive information about the encoded content (title, author, copyright, rating, and description). This information is displayed when the stream is viewed in Windows Media Player.
- Choose a profile. Select an existing profile or use Profile Manager to create a profile that better matches the encoding requirements of your encoding session. Only profiles that match the source types (audio, video, and script) selected for your current session are available.
- Choose the distribution method. Select whether to broadcast the content or encode it to a file. If you choose to broadcast the content, specify the port through which a connection can be established. You can also choose to archive a copy of the broadcast for later use.
Once your encoding session is set up, you are ready to encode content. You can save session settings to a configuration file either before or after you encode, and then load the session at a later date to reuse the settings. Session files are saved with a .wme extension. Windows Media Encoder no longer supports .asd files. If you attempt to load an .asd file, you will be asked to create a .wme file.
Note Another way to set up an encoding session is using the New option on the Session menu. As a minimum, you must provide the source type, input device, profile, and output information.
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