Azure Live Media Services - Integrating Expression Encoder 4 with Channels and Programs.
(Note: Expression Encoder 4 Pro (which I am using) has gone end of life but I still find it a great piece of software for live smooth streaming, using H.264 and AAC audio. If anyone knows of a good equivalent software based streaming SDK, please do let me know.)
In my attempt to get Expression Encoder 4 Pro working with Azure Live Media Services, with great pains, I have managed to do just that. Here are some tips to make your life just that bit easier.
Tip 1
When changing the preset in anyway between streaming sessions, always reset the channel, both the new and old portal have a reset channel option.
Tip 2
In my implementation of a video producer which integrated with IIS Media Services 4.1, I had always set the event id to remove any ghosting that may happen between old and new video streams. If you have the same event id set in the SmoothStream PublishingPoint when using AMLS, the video stream will just not work at all. I have no rational for this, but trust me leave it blank.
Tip 3
You can also leave the username and password fields for the SmoothStreaming PublishingPoint object empty, security of the inguest endpoint is implemented via IP blocking.
Tip 4
Always start and stop a program before and after you stream for your desired length of time. This allows the archive content to be made available in Azure Video On demand Media Service via the "traditional" locators.
Tip 5
Absolutely always, turn off your Channel when not using it. Resources are provisioned whether or not a stream is going it. There is a default 8 hour time out but that get costly if not turned off nonetheless.
Tip 6
If your budget allows, get at least 1 provisioned capacity streaming endpoint. You'll get the dedicated 200Mbps for your live and on demand streams but you also get dynamic repackaging for when the archive is made available after the live show.
If you guys have any other tips or tricks, do let me know and I'll add them to the list.