BATC Forum

Hi

Anyone got any thoughts on the best configs when streaming on a 256k bit DSL up stream?

It may be useful for us to all share how we run the encoder for Bit rate, encoding mode etc...

73

Noel - G8GTZ

Hello Noel,

I remember watching the Film Archive movie on How the Streamer Works and it seemed to give a lot of hints about avoiding using the streamer with other computer functions at the same time. Seems the recommended approach is to use a dedicated computer for streaming and other computing to be done on different devices. I cannot remember the specifics but the stream can be slowed down by other processes on the computer, even antivirus or firewall software.

Hello, I am a DSL user and I commonly watch the live streaming over BATC.TV and participate in some live discussions with Skype. But, I do not send any streaming video except by webcam. Sometimes it gets retransmitted over the air and across BATC.TV by the recipients of my webcam.

I have had some trouble with getting a reliable connection to BATC.TV. I learned how to switch my DNS server preferences in my computer operating system and I also learned how to set entries in my HOSTS networking file. While primarily used for local host and local network entries, I had some success with inputting the BATC.ORG.UK and BATC.TV IP addresses into my hosts file. After switching DNS providers and inputting the data to my hosts file, I have experienced a more rapid connection and I feel more assured that I am getting routed faster to the BATC in general.

On the chance that anyone else may want to try the hosts file solution, here are my entries:

# [ BATC ]

78.129.148.68 batc.org.uk http://www.batc.org.uk
78.129.148.68 webmail.batc.org.uk
78.129.148.69 batc.tv http://www.batc.tv

#

Now I must constantly be on guard in the event that BATC decides to change an IP or repurpose the host and domain names in the registry! But I do like my results and I am prepared to change my data to follow BATC in the future.

Hello from America!

For those who may be interested, here are new entries (in modular form) that I placed in my HOSTS file to support viewing the BATC online from so far away.

# [ BATC ]

78.129.148.67 fms.batc.tv
78.129.148.68 batc.org.uk http://www.batc.org.uk
78.129.148.68 webmail.batc.org.uk
78.129.148.69 batc.tv http://www.batc.tv

# [ mod_batc.txt ]
#

# [ comgw ]

66.96.201.189 ns2.comgw.net
66.96.201.247 mx2.comgw.net
94.72.251.183 mx0.comgw.net
94.72.251.184 mx.comgw.net
94.72.251.184 ns0.comgw.net
94.72.251.188 comgw.net http://www.comgw.net

# [ mod_comgw.txt ]
#

# [ NIC UK ]

156.154.100.3 nsa.nic.uk
156.154.101.3 nsb.nic.uk
156.154.102.3 nsc.nic.uk
156.154.103.3 nsd.nic.uk
194.83.244.131 ns4.nic.uk
195.66.240.130 ns1.nic.uk
212.121.40.130 ns7.nic.uk
213.219.13.131 ns3.nic.uk
213.246.167.131 ns5.nic.uk
213.248.242.13 http://www.nic.uk
213.248.254.130 ns6.nic.uk
217.79.164.131 ns2.nic.uk

# [ mod_nic_uk.txt]
#

It looks promising so far. I was having a longer time reading the BATC before implementing these entries in my HOSTS file, so I am happy with the rapid connection. Of course, my connection speed may be due to other factors than these entries, but I don't have any additional information to consider yet. I have already done other things like changing my DNS provider and removing unwanted software in order to speed up my Internet experience.

While the Domain Name System is generally suitable for its users, I feel that preloading the BATC connection information in my HOSTS file will eliminate query delays to the DNS and remove me from competition with other DNS queries and customers. I therefore anticipate a steady and fast connection experience until my static HOSTS file conflicts with dynamic changes in the DNS.

I remain alert to changes that will require me to update my HOSTS file at any time, so as you can see I created module filenames to handle rapid updates. This enables me to make changes without corrupting the original HOSTS file if there is an error or mistake. I simply insert an updated module, delete the old module data, and save the new HOSTS file.

At the very least I remain informed as to the current host and domain names that relate back to the BATC and I am happy to stay involved with my computer Internet connections. It is a great learning experience.