"Fake" DirectShow video capture device

Question

This is tangential to the last few questions I've asked.

I need to get video from an IP webcam (SNC-RZ25N) to Flash Media Server. I'd rather not have to use Windows, but if it makes things easier, I will. (Flash Media Live Encoder is a Windows only program.)

I've considered many different routes from point A to point B, but it seems like the easiest might be to just use Flash Media Live Encoder to publish to Flash Media Server. Then the only gap I have to bridge is getting a video source readable by Flash Media Live Encoder.

Of course, my source is on the network and FMLE looks for a "Microsoft DirectShow compatible video capture device". I have found a not-free SDK ( http://www.e2esoft.cn/vcam/vcamsdk.asp ) that should allow me to spoof such a device and hopefully send the camera stream to FMS.

Does anyone know of a different program or SDK I should be using? Am I making things more complicated than they need to be?

Answer 1

It's really not that hard to turn a DirectShow source filter into a capture device. You need to register the filter in the right category, and implement IKsProperty to report the right category on the output pin.

Take a look at Vivek's capture source filter example at http://tmhare.mvps.org/downloads.htm

G

Answer 2

Use the "vivek directshow capture filter". It is what you basically need. Of course this is a very basic sample code. In order your code to work with Flash Player, you need to implement all neccessary methods like SetFormat/SetMediaType and since DirectShow is rather non friendly interface, you'll spend some time on it.

Answer 3

Does anyone have a sample which implemented at least necessary SetFormat/SetMediaType properties so it works on Flash? Or any guide or help or starting point for implementing all SetFormat/SetMediaTypes?

Answer 4

You may also want to look at Wowza Media Server, as it is much friendlier with input devices (supports RTP/RTSP/MPEG-TS H.264/AAC ingest). http://www.wowzamedia.com