Q: I created an AVI file using the LEAD Professional H264 encoder, but it takes a long time to start streaming. Why?
A: AVI files are not suitable for video streaming or video on demand situations. In most cases, the complete AVI file is downloaded before the video starts playing. Convert the file to ASF or OGG using LEAD OGG splitter on the client to avoid this problem.

Q: Why don’t I just buy Capture and Convert and LEAD H.264 Encoder?
A: If all you need is to generate the files to put on the server, then that would probably be a viable solution. However, if you want to write some utilities or want to write a custom player, then we recommend you use the Multimedia engine. You get a price break by buying the Video Conferencing SDK as opposed to buying the LEAD Multimedia SDK and LEAD H.264 Professional Encoder.

Q: What are the differences between the LEAD H.264 Professional Encoder and LEAD H.264 Encoder?
A: The Professional H.264 encoder is more suitable for video-on-demand and web streaming situations because it allows you to compress your video more than if you use the LEAD H.264 Encoder. The LEAD H.264 Professional Encoder has the following extra features compared to LEAD H.264 Encoder:

• Rate-driven compression mode – you can specify the compression ratio using the target bitrate (in Bits/second)
• More control over the motion estimation, which gives you more compression: Enable
  • Rate Distortion
  • Inter Frame Search 16x8
  • Inter Frame Search 8x16
  • Inter Frame Search 8x8
  • Inter Frame Search 8x4
  • Inter Frame Search 4x8
  • Inter Frame Search 4x4
    This allows you to do motion estimation on blocks that are 16x8, 8x16, 8x8, etc, which gives you extra compression.

Q: What file formats do you recommend for web streaming?
A: We recommend you use OGG with the LEAD OGG splitter or Windows Media Format (extensions WMV or ASF).

Q: How do I use your tools with the Windows Media Server technologies?
A: Install the LEAD H.264 Professional Encoder (DMO) on the compression (encoding) station. Put a CAB file containing the H.264 DMO decoder on the web server.

Q: Where is the LEAD H.264 Professional Decoder? How do I decode data created with the LEAD H.264 Professional Encoder?
A: The LEAD H.264 Decoder can decode content created with both LEAD H.264 Encoder and LEAD H.264 Professional Decoder. There is no “Professional” version of the decoder.