This is PeerStreamer, a P2P Media Streaming framework written in C.

Quick Start

Building

Run "make". A new folder will be created with the name PeerStreamer-. You will find all the executables in this folder.

If you want to distribute binaries, you can run "make pack" to create PeerStreamer-.tgz and PeerStreamer--stripped.tgz.

See the built-in help ("./streamer -h") for usage examples and options.

Running a source

To run a source, the only thing you need is a media stream.

If the stream is a video file, run is as e.g. ./source.sh -f video.avi

If the stream is "live", coming from a device with its own timing, run it with the "-l" parameter as e.g. ./source.sh -l -f /dev/dvb/adapter0/dvr0

For more options, see the help ./source.sh -h

Create a channels.conf file, distribute it to the users, and enjoy. As an alternative, you can also send the channels.conf to peerstreamer.org for inclusion in the channel list.

Running a peer

Start the player with

./player.sh

You can also use your custom channels.conf. In this case, copy the channels.conf in this folder, and run the player as follows:

./chunker_player

Detailed instructions

PeerStreamer can be compiled in several ways, e.g. in a simple configuration that creates only one binary. It can also be compiled in more complex versions that include a streamer linked with a number of external libraries, as well as a custom made player application.

Below we provide instructions for two versions, the simplest case and the most complex one. The first one is useful for developers to understand the system. The second one is more useful as an end-user version.

Building and running the simple version (GRAPES I/O)

Compilation

Create executables by running: make simple

Running the source

1, Start the source peer in one shell: Streamers/streamer-grapes -f ~/video/big_bunny_orig/big_buck_bunny_480p_stereo.avi -m 3 or ffmpeg -i ~/video/myvideo.avi -f nut -vcodec mpeg4 -b 500000 -o /dev/stdout | Streamers/streamer-grapes -f /dev/stdin -m 3

Running a peer

Building and running the complex version (chunkstream I/O)

The complex version contains a separate chunker and player application. It also integrates with a number of external libraries, providing additional functionalities and performance.

Compilation

Create executables by running: make

Running the source

The easiest way to start a source is to use the provided wrapper script: source.sh. See the Quick Start instructions for examples.

If more control is needed, follow this procedure:

1, Start the source peer in one shell: Streamers/streamer-ml-monl-chunkstream-static -f tcp://127.0.0.1:7777 -m 3

2, In another shell, go to the Chunker's folder cd ChunkerPlayer/chunker_streamer

3, Start the chunker (after the source peer has been started!): ./chunker_streamer -i ~/video/big_bunny_orig/big_buck_bunny_480p_stereo.avi -a 128000 -v 500000 or ./chunker_streamer -i /dev/stdin -l -a 128000 -v 500000

Running a peer

The only think a peers needs to run is a channel list. This can either come from peerstreamer.org, or you can create and use your own.

In the first case, just start the included wrapper script: ./player.sh This will download the most recent channel list and start playing.

You can also create your own channel list (see the provided example channels.conf), and distribute it with the player. In this case, start the player with the following command: ./chunker_player