Steps before installing video stream

The Encoding Service and Streaming Server are two separate components that work together with the Video Stream module installed into Social Sites. They are distributed within an installer that is separate from the Social Sites installer. Neither of these two components requires SharePoint to be installed on the same server.

It is advisable to install the Encoding Service on a server separate from the SharePoint farm. The Encoding Service has high CPU usage which could interrupt service to any other applications hosted on the same server.

The Streaming Server can be installed onto a dedicated streaming server or a SharePoint server.

Video Encoding service

The Encoding Service requires an input and output folder. See Video Stream Module Parameters in the previous section for more information. The folder reference to use in the Social Sites Installer varies depending on where the Encoding Service is installed.

If the SharePoint farm consists of only one server and the Encoding Service is installed on this same server, then a local file path can be used for the Encoding Server’s input and output folders.

However, in all other scenarios, the input and output folder must be a UNC style path (a Windows File Share).

The SharePoint farm account needs to have read/write access to the folders (and optional file shares). The account used by the Encoding Service also needs read/write access to the directories and have dbowner role on the Video Stream database.

It is best to have the server hosting the Encoding Server to also host the Encoding Service file shares. However, this is not a requirement.

At the moment Video Stream does not support multiple encoding servers.

If you have special encoding requirements, see Configuring the Video Stream Encoder.

Streaming service

The Streaming Service uses IIS Media Services to smooth stream video content to the SilverLight video player. The video content must be stored on a local folder on the server hosting the Streaming Service. The folder to reference in the Social Sites Installer varies depending on where the Streaming Service is installed.

If the SharePoint farm consists of only one server and the Streaming Service is installed on this same server, then a local file path can be used for the Streaming Server’s Streaming Directory (in the Social Sites installer).

However, in all other scenarios, the Streaming Directory must be a UNC style path (a Windows File Share) in the Social Sites installer.

The SharePoint farm account needs to have read/write access to the folder (and optional file share).