Multicasting Multi-Bitrate Only Transmits Highest Bitrate (289755)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Services 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows Media Services 4.1
This article was previously published under Q289755

SYMPTOMS

When you broadcast a Multicast stream with Windows Media Services, only the highest bitrate stream within the multi-bitrate stream is broadcast.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Multi-bitrate (MBR) streams can contain one audio track and several video tracks to allow clients with different connection speeds to best use the bandwidth available to them. The Windows Media Player client negotiates the best connection rate with the Windows Media server, and then streams the MBR bandwith that best fits this rate.

Because Multicast is a broadcast architecture and normally only sends data to a client without receiving any from a client, there is no way for the player and server to negotiate bandwith. Therefore, the server only transmits the highest bitrate stream from the MBR stream.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/3/2003
Keywords:kbpending kbprb KB289755
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.