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Rendering as a RealMedia file


    Use the RealMedia Output Plug-in to generate RealMedia files that can then be embedded in Web pages for both streaming and downloading. This plug-in supports RealVideo®, RealAudio®, and RealVideo with audio.

To render as a RealMedia file:

  1. Place the item to be rendered into the render queue. For information on placing items in the render queue, see Working in the Render Queue window.
  2. In the Output Module Settings dialog box, choose RealMedia from the Format menu.
  3. In the Video Output section, click the Format Options button.
  4. Set the pertinent options in the RealMedia Output Options dialog according to the following descriptions and click OK:
  5. RealMedia Clip Settings

    Indicates how the RealMedia file is optimized according to the content of the file and the intended playback quality.

    Video Quality

    Specifies the image and playback quality of the file. Choose Normal Motion Video for clips that contain mixed-format video. This choice creates the largest file in most cases. Choose Smoothest Motion Video for clips that contain high action. Choose Sharpest Image Video for limited-motion clips. Choose Slideshow for video that appears as a series of still photos. This choice creates the smallest file in most cases.

    Audio Content

    Specifies the type of audio in the file. Choose Voice Only for movies that contain only speech. Choose Voice with Background Music for clips that contain both voice and music audio. Choose Music for monophonic music-only clips. Choose Stereo Music if your original clip is in stereo.

    Target Audience Settings

    Specifies the bandwidths for which the exported RealMedia file is optimized. Select the box that corresponds to the intended bandwidths. Targeting the file to multiple bandwidths activates a feature called SureStream, which allows the playback device to dynamically choose the most appropriate stream based on the user's available bandwidth.

    Note: To minimize the final file size, choose no more than four bandwidths.

    RealAudio and RealVideo buttons

    Click either of these buttons to open the respective Target Settings dialog boxes to select detailed options for audio and video tracks. The RealAudio Target Settings and RealVideo Target Settings dialog boxes both contain menus for choosing target audience and audio content bit rates. The audio frequency response, measured in kilohertz (kHz), is shown to the right of the audio bit-rate menus. The RealVideo dialog box adds options for Maximum Video Frame Rate and Total Target Bitrate. Click the Restore Defaults buttons within the respective dialog boxes to reset all settings to default.

    Note: The settings in the RealAudio Target Settings dialog box apply only if you are encoding an audio-only file.

    More Options

    Click this button to access the following menus and choices:

    RealMedia File Properties

    Specifies certain features to be included with the file. Make sure that the corresponding box is checked to activate the feature. Activate Allow Recording to enable the file to be copied when played in Real Player. Activate Allow Download to give the users the option to download your RealMedia clip. Activate File Should Not Be Indexed by Search Engines to prevent search engines from pointing users to your clip. Choose an item from the Audience Rating menu to assign a rating to your clip.

    SureStream and Video Codec Options

    Specify various details about the encoded file. Make sure that the check box for the appropriate option is checked, choose an item from a menu, or type a number into the pertinent text box according to the below guidelines:

    Emphasize Audio (Downgrade Video Before Audio)

    Gives priority to audio over video during periods of poor bandwidth.

    Video Codec

    RealVideo G2 creates files that are compatible with RealPlayer versions from G2 and higher. RealVideo G2 with SVT creates files that are compatible with RealPlayer versions 6.0.6 and above. RealVideo 8.0 provides the best-quality output for all bit rates.

    Variable Bit Rate Encoding

    Enables the video codec to vary the bit rate throughout the clip, depending on the type of the content being encoded.

    Loss Protection

    Ensures that the streaming video data is not lost during transition from the server to the user.

    VBR Maximum Startup Latency

    Specifies the maximum amount of time that latency will occur before the clip begins. Use this option if Variable Bit Rate encoding is active.

    Maximum Time Between Keyframes

    Specifies how frequently the video images are reset during encoding.

    Clip Information

    Indicates specific metadata about the file. Type the categorical information into the text box.

  6. Set the pertinent options in the render queue and render the file. For information on setting render queue options, see Changing render settings and Changing output module settings.