Flash Media Server Article

Flash Media Server 2 Components

Flash Media Server automatically includes a number of drag-and-drop components to build standard communication applications quickly and easily. Modify components to match your site design and add custom logos, backgrounds, and other design elements with the easy-to-use visual design tools in the Flash authoring tool. Then customize component source code to create an even wider variety of applications.

Download the components:

• fms2_components.zip (871K)

1. AudioConference
   The AudioConference component allows you to create a multiplexed application that provides simultaneous audio streaming from multiple users. AudioConference includes a UI for listing users currently logged into the application, and a Talk button that allows users to join the conversation.
2. Cursor
   The Cursor component shows a mouse pointer (cursor) for each user connected to an application. As users move their mouse within the communication application, that movement is reflected on all user screens. User names appear next to their own pointer, whose color they can specify.
3. PresentationSWF
   The PresentationSWF component allows you to create a presentation by showing a shared version of another SWF file. PresentationSWF functions in two modes: In speaker mode the user is the presenter and controls the SWF file so all users see the same frame simultaneously; in default mode users are viewers and can navigate the SWF file by using the Next and Back buttons to view the file asynchronously, but cannot progress past the point in the presentation that the speaker has reached.
4. PresentationText
   With the PresentationText component, you can create a shared text presentation. Like the PresentationSWF component, PresentationText can act in speaker mode or default mode. Speaker mode allows users to edit text slides in real-time, change the current slide, and add or remove slides. Default mode allows users to view the presentation but not progress past the point the speaker has reached.
5. RoomList
   The RoomList component is an advanced feature that lets users create, join, and delete rooms used for chat, meetings, or other types of applications. RoomList is integral to applications that require a lobby or that need to manage user access to applications. Users can then create, join, or delete rooms.
6. VideoConference
   The VideoConference component lets multiple users interact with each other using audio and video by means of the AVPresence component.
7. Whiteboard
   The Whiteboard component lets you create and edit text, boxes, and lines in a real-time shared environment. To create a shape, you select a tool and click the Whiteboard area; you can also drag the shape to a new position or edit the text. When you press the Delete key, all actively selected items are deleted.
8. SimpleConnect
   The SimpleConnect component handles all your communication object connections. SimpleConnect also provides an interface for users to log in to your application.
9. PeopleList
   The PeopleList component is standard in most communication applications, and provides a list of currently logged-in users.
10. ConnectionLight
    The ConnectionLight component provides visual feedback on the state of the client connection. The light turns green when connected, red when disconnected, and yellow if the latency (the time it takes to send data across the network connection to and from the server) of the connection is too high. The light doubles as a button that toggles a display box, providing detailed information about the connection (data latency rate and instantaneous upload and download rates).
11. UserColor
    The UserColor component lets users change their selected colors for components within Macromedia Flash Media Server applications. When users select a color from the pull-down menu, other components that show color (such as Chat components) change color accordingly.
12. Chat
    You can use the Chat component to create a chatroom application or as a component within a larger application, as described below:
    1. Regular chatroom: use the Chat component with the UserColor, PeopleList, and SimpleConnect components to create a chatroom.
    2. Useful in every application: having a Chat component in all your communication applications is useful. Text communication is efficient and can provide a backup if audio/video communication is inconvenient (for example, if a user's computer has slow connections).
13. SetBandwidth
    The simple—and powerful—SetBandwidth component automatically adjusts the quality of microphones and cameras that are published to match the available upload bandwidth. You can use SetBandwidth in all applications that publish live audio and video.
14. AVPresence
    The AVPresence component is a versatile communication component and can be used to create a virtual presence for users. The following list describes two ways that you can use AVPresence:
    1. Panel discussions: a group of people can converse before an audience and create an ongoing debate or presentation.
    2. Video phone: by using two AVPresence components in one application, you can create a video phone application.
15. VideoPlayback
    The VideoPlayback component lets you control the playback of a buffered audio-video stream. You can pause or play the stream, jump to any position by dragging the playhead, and adjust the audio level setting.
16. VideoRecord
    The VideoRecord component records a buffered stream to the server. The camera and microphone output is recorded.

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