Real Media LiveStream Quick-Start Guide

  (revised 11/21/2002 @ 4pm EDT)

Thank you for your interest in hosting your iFriends Video Chatroom through iFriends' new LiveStream technology. Please note: LiveStream only works well for chathosts who are using modern high-end equipment, in particular: Minimum 1.5ghz PC, minimum 128MB ram, and preferably a high-speed two-way internet connection (such as DSL, 2-way Cable, T1/T3, etc). If your environment falls short of these specifications, you may be disappointed with LiveStream. (Note: The "iFriends Pro" setting below requires even more horsepower from your PC and internet connection)

1. On the same PC where you would normally run iFriends' ifCam software, make sure your cam is plugged in and ready to go, just as if you were moments away from hosting a new iFriends videochat session. But there's one difference -- don't run ifCam ... you won't need it for iFriends LiveStream.

2. Download and install Real Networks' Helix Producer, version 9.0.1 Gold. (Click here for the free download.) While you may use the $200 "Plus" version if you already have it, the free "Basic" version is sufficient. We do NOT support any other version at this time. You must install the program once it is downloaded; choose the default options, but on the "Finishing Up" window that appears at the end of the installation, remove the checkmark next to "Launch Helix Producer Basic" before clicking "Finish":
   
   Do not run the Producer at this time. (Whenever you sign in a session and wish to use the Real Producer, it will be started for you; you will NOT start it manually from the Start menu.)
   

3. When you are ready to sign in your chathost session, go to the Chathost Console, as you usually would. On the same screen that you designate "All Audiences" or "Adults Only", you are also asked if you intend to host VideoChat using ifCam, Windows Media Encoder, or RealMedia Producer (iFriends supports all three options). Choose the RealMedia Producer, then click the "click here to proceed" button.

4. Once the session has been created you will be prompted to choose the Real Media Producer configuration that best describes your circumstances.

   • iFriends Modem For chathosts who access the internet through a conventional telephone line (i.e., modem), or who are using "slower" PCs more than two years old. Chathosts who experience difficulty with higher-speed configurations, such as "iFriends Regular" below, should try this setting.

   • iFriends Regular For chathosts who access the internet over higher-speed connections, such as Cable TV, DSL or a dedicated "T-1" or higher network connection. Note: If you are using an older PC with limited system resources, and/or experience difficulty with this setting, try iFriendsModem instead -- it's easier on your PC, and consumes less bandwidth.

   • iFriends Pro For chathosts using the fastest, most modern equipment (minimum 2ghz PC, minimum 256MB ram, high-speed hard disks, and preferably Windows 2000 or Windows XP), and who access the internet over ultra-high-speed connections such as "T-1" or higher network connections, and who are using high-quality cams/camcorders. Note: If you are using an older PC with limited system resources, and experience difficulty with this setting, try iFriends Regular or iFriendsModem instead. This option is only accessible from the Session Sign-in menu if iFriends Chathost Support has manually pre-approved you. For pre-approval, contact vchhelp@iFriends.net or call 1-561-963-5842, option #3.

5. Make sure ifCam is not running, then click "Start Encoding".

   (The following instructions and screen shots are taken from Windows XP. Other operating systems will be similar but slightly different.)

6. At this point, iFriends will run the RealProducer for you with all of the necessary settings to optimize your video for streaming on iFriends. To do this, it needs to run a simple program. Here's all you do...
   

   A box will appear asking you to either Open or Save a file you are downloading. Choose "Open". This box may appear twice; if so, choose "Open" both times.
   

7. If you've already done this step, you can skip this and proceed straight to the next step. Otherwise, you will see a message that Windows cannot open the file or cannot determine which program to use to open the file.
   • Choose the option to select a program to use. (Show ScreenShot)
   • Choose "Browse..." (Show ScreenShot)
   • Browse to "c:\program files\real\helix producer basic" and choose "Helix Producer Basic.exe" as the program to use. Again, you should only need to do this the first time you use Real Producer with iFriends. (Show ScreenShot)

8. Once Real Producer is running, you should see your camera's feed to the left and the a blue window to the right of the application window. Click the "Encode" button (Show ScreenShot) in the lower right corner of the Real Producer screen. You should see your live cam image where the blue window previously appeared. Look for the Status, just below the output window, that says "Broadcasting". Do you see it? If so, then your PC and cam are streaming on iFriends! (Show Full ScreenShot. If you have trouble reaching this point, consult the "Help" feature in Real Producer or check your cam configuration.)

9. Once you have successfully started brodcasting, your LiveStream video chatroom is live on iFriends! Switch back to your web browser window, click the "Click Here to Open Your Videochat Room" button, and off you go!

10. Things not working the way they should? Check the LiveStream FAQ (Frequently-Asked Questions) for additional information.