Streaming Media Bible. (Bible (Wiley)) [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

If you want to learn SMIL, this is the book to start with. I have been trying to learn it for some time (and have muddled through two other books on the subject) and no one comes close to explaining it as well as this author does. After reading the SMIL sections, I felt confident enough to author a graduate level distance ed. course.

The CD proved to be a valuable resource for the times when my code looked right - but didn't function as expected.

How often can you say you enjoyed reading a tech book? This book is written in a clear, concise, easy to understand format. You don't have to be a technology guru to understand what is being presented in this book. As a streaming media beginner, I didn't feel overwhelmed by this book. Instead of trying to impress people with his knowledge of technical jargon (as many tech. authors do), this author chose to make the book understandable.

If you are interested in streaming media, definitely check this book out!

THE CONTENTS:

Like all other books in the Bible series of books, "Streaming Media Bible" takes you all the way from ground zero/step one assuming no knowledge of the subject to advanced topics, all along building up your skill set. By the end of the book your knowledge and skill of the subject, in this case Streaming Media, is enough to start you off well on your way in the field. Overall, not only is it a great learning tool, but later as you progress in the field it can also be looked back at and referred to as a reference manual.

Here are the topics that Mack addresses:

1. Basics of Audio and Video

2. Tools for Production

3. How to record and edit

4. How to optimize your files

5. How to encode your files for the Internet

6. How to install and administer and maintain a streaming media server

7. Other data formats

8. SMIL

9. Broadcasting Live

THE ANALYSIS:

Overall, this book is your one-stop source for all things dealing with Streaming Media. You get an overview of the basics one video and audio production, an in-depth look at web and streaming media technologies, how to develop your content and how to deliver and maintain your content. The book looks at all aspects of the field. By the time you are done with the book you have a very clear picture on how you can go about developing and delivering your own content. The best thing about the Streaming Media Bible (and most of the books in the Bible series) is that not only is it in-depth, it is STILL very easy to read and follow.

EXTRAS AND GOODIES:

The companion CD contains trial versions and freeware of some cool tools for streaming media including: Video Factory, Batch Converter, Sound Forge, Peak VST, BBEdit, UltraEdit-32 and Adobe Premiere. All in all, not a bad bag of goodies.

THE VERDICT:

Overall, Mack does a fine job of covering the various technologies and issues that deal with streaming media. This book was used as a text for an e-commerce streaming media course I took during the Fall of 2002. Whether you are studying this subject independently, an instructor looking to use this book for your course, a novice looking into the field or even a weathered professional, Mack's "Streaming Media Bible" is a fine choice for your library.

Highest Recommendation