Does Flash Encoding Slow Down the Computer?

Chris Pirillo — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:28:26 +0000

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Dimitri just sent me an email, saying that he’s really happy we inspired him to live stream. However, he’s having an issue that he isn’t sure what to do to fix it.

For some reason, my CPU load keeps going to 140% and up when I stream video and audio using the flash player. It doesn’t seem to be a Ustream problem, because I have the same issue streaming via BlogTV, and all the other broadcasting websites.

After surfing the net for solutions, I found that a lot of people share this problem. It seems to happen to those who try to stream using a MacBook (Pro). It also doesn’t matter if I try it via Safari or Firefox; the problem is always the same. The funny thing is that when I disable audio streaming, the CPU load gets cut in half. So… only video broadcasting will produce a 70% CPU load on the browser, while broadcasting both runs it up to 140% or higher.

I think I’ve heard you say that you also stream via a Mac system. Maybe there is a difference between using an iMac and a MacBook, or maybe you are using some other version of flash then the rest of us.Anyways, it has been driving me nuts for weeks, and I’m ready to throw in the towel. So you are basically the last straw. Does my problem seem familiar? If not, could you ask around to see if you can get some sort of answer concerning this issue?

You are right… I have the exact same problem. I am pretty much running at 100% on my Mac Mini, which is what powers the live video stream. It literally pushes my CPU to its limits. However, it’s been doing this pretty much daily for a year now, and it’s still running great.

When you’re using Flash to stream out video and especially audio, then yes.. your CPU is going to max itself out. The only way to decrease the load is to use better software to stream. Right now, all the services only offer better streaming software for Windows users. If you’re using a Mac, you’re pretty much stuck with what you have now. Hopefully soon, we’ll have something better we can use.

I will note that Adobe has just announced that they are about to release the newest version of Adobe Flash for Beta download. Adobe ‘Astro’ introduces new expressive features and visual performance improvements that allow interactive designers and developers to build the richest and most immersing Web experiences. These new capabilities also empower the community to extend Flash Player and to take creativity and interactivity to a new level.

Adobe Flash CS3 – Crash Course

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FOXDA 6603 128MB MP3 Player w/ Direct CD Encoding, FM Tuner, Digital Voice Recorder & USB Storage

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Does Flash Encoding Slow Down the Computer?

Chris Pirillo » encoding

Does Flash Encoding Slow Down the Computer?