Streaming Video
In addition to still images, Vizzion provides streaming video in some markets. Streaming-capable cameras are returned by methods such as GetCamerasInBox, or GetCamerasOnRoute, and can be identified by the inclusion of the StreamCoding and StreamContainer fields for each streaming-capable camera. A camera’s video stream can be requested using the GetCameraStream method.
Note: This page does not apply to the Drive streams, which return a collection of still images from a Drive, not a streaming video.
Stream Formats
A streaming-capable camera’s video stream format can be identified by the contents of the StreamCoding and StreamContainer fields. Some streaming-capable cameras support multiple video stream formats — these can be identified by the contents of the StreamCoding2, StreamContainer2, StreamCoding3, and StreamContainer3 fields, if available.
Vizzion provides the following video stream formats, playable in the recommended media player(s):
| Container | Coding | Recommended Media Player(s) |
|---|---|---|
| FLV | H264 | Strobe Media Playback |
| RTP | H264 | VLC |
| MP4 | H264 | VLC, Flowplayer |
| MPEG-TS | H264 | Flowplayer |
Note: For Strobe Media Playback and Flowplayer, contact support@vizzion.com for further information.
Other media players that support the specified video coding and container formats may be supported by GetCameraStream. Media player support may vary between markets.
Note: The intended media player must support 302 redirects. If the intended media player does not support redirects, contact support@vizzion.com for further information.
Loading Streams
Video streams require longer load time than still images, and should be preloaded where possible. This load time may vary between formats. Note that many workstations are easily overloaded by multiple simultaneous video streams, resulting in slower load times and poor playback. To prevent resources becoming overloaded, it is recommended to detect slowing load times in the application and warn or prevent the user from opening further streams.
Displaying Streams
To avoid image distortion and black bars, the display aspect ratio of a video stream must always match the requested aspect ratio of that stream. For example, if a requested video stream is 360x240, and the video stream is to be displayed as 600 pixels wide, then the video stream must be displayed as 400 pixels high.
Original stream
Stream displayed with distorted aspect ratio (not recommended)