From what I know, I would need:
-web host/web server (that's the same thing right?)
-bandwidth costs

Is there anything I'm missing? Is there a seperate server that converts video files to flash (to stream?)

Thanks in advance.


PS- from my last topic about the costs... apparently youtube pauys approximately $500,000 total to operate/month...
Receiving 25 petabyte/month... crazy!

Youtube is a very very popular website. Not only do they store a tremendous amount of data, but they receive huge huge traffic. I wouldn't go in and buy exactly what Google has, just because you don't have the popularity to utilize as many resources as they do.

Just for now, I would go with a regular shared host. Make sure they don't oversell, as you'll run into problems if you do (With a site like a youtube, the resources really have to be promised to you).

The host should take care of the rest.

thanks for the reply!

so basically what i need is:
1) web host that has ffmpeg (for streaming videos)
2) (anything else?)

is a webserver the same thing as a webhost?

once i get about 10-50,000 users... i would need to order more bandwidth, but that is just something that i deal with the host about correct?


I know I don't have the traffic that youtube has but i plan on getting there one day (wish me luck! : ) )

Fmpeg
FFmpeg-PHP
Mplayer + Mencoder
flvtool2
LAME MP3 Encoder

All of those are usual requirements for a site like youtube.(I may be missing one).

is a webserver the same thing as a webhost?

A Web server is the thing that allows you to have files on the internet, viewable through a browser. It's basically what gives life to the internet. A Web Host is the thing that gives hosting to it's customers. A Web Host requires a web server in order to create accounts, and allow their users to have access to them. The end customer does not have access to the web server itself, except through a limited control panel. A web server's settings are managed through the host alone.

once i get about 10-50,000 users... i would need to order more bandwidth, but that is just something that i deal with the host about correct?

Notice how youtube allows you to upload 100mb videos. This means that each visitor might upload a video. This means that you'll not only need bandwidth, but also a lot of disk space. You might need to upgrade to a dedicated server pretty quickly ... however, shared web hosting is good for now.

I know I don't have the traffic that youtube has but i plan on getting there one day (wish me luck! : ) )

I'm sure you'll pull it off! Good Luck!

Originally Posted by andrei155

Fmpeg
FFmpeg-PHP
Mplayer + Mencoder
flvtool2
LAME MP3 Encoder

All of those are usual requirements for a site like youtube.(I may be missing one).


A Web server is the thing that allows you to have files on the internet, viewable through a browser. It's basically what gives life to the internet. A Web Host is the thing that gives hosting to it's customers. A Web Host requires a web server in order to create accounts, and allow their users to have access to them. The end customer does not have access to the web server itself, except through a limited control panel. A web server's settings are managed through the host alone.



Notice how youtube allows you to upload 100mb videos. This means that each visitor might upload a video. This means that you'll not only need bandwidth, but also a lot of disk space. You might need to upgrade to a dedicated server pretty quickly ... however, shared web hosting is good for now.

I'm sure you'll pull it off! Good Luck!

wow. so helpful! thank you!
would a site like hostgator.com provide everything that i need? it says under features that it allows streaming video, but doesn't list anything that you've listed.

thanks once again

Besides all the audios and videos encoder, it is advisable you choose a high bandwidth web hosting packages.

Using dedicated server will reduce the traffic congestion on your site to the minimum levels.

My comment to the hosting aspect of this question:

You need a dedicated server (or maybe a VPS for the first time) with unmetered bandwidth or at least very large amount of it, if you expect popularity, because you would have to pay for bandwidth overusage every month extra money.

For recommendation of where you can get it I can name downtownhost.com. I have had a good experience with them.

I think that first time you fo not need something huge. Lots of web hosting companies do allow to host ffmpeg on the shared acounts for the less then $10 per month. I think that you do understand that. Al;so I would like to say that VPS is the next level and will your web site be youtube only or other content will be present as well?

If your planning to get a site like youtube, I would recommend that you get your own dedicated server.

Also, this site can hook you up with the software needed to create your own "youtube." http://www.phpmotion.com/

Originally Posted by xpiamchris

From what I know, I would need:
-web host/web server (that's the same thing right?)
-bandwidth costs

Generally those are the same thing. The server is the software (and often considered as the hardware) your web site runs on. Your web host is generally the company that you lease this stuff from.

However, for your goals, one physical server (that's the machine) will not be enough. 10 won't be enough.

While you can start with shared hosting, your aim should be to afford more advanced hosting solutions as soon as possible. Another thing you need to properly prepare for are copyright issues, if you allow members to upload content.

Maintain backups! Your site would be nothing if it suddenly lost its months and years of collected content.

Totally agree with Idcdc! I think its better to start with a shared hosting plan. Find one of the best web hosts out there that offers unlimited bandwidth, space, etc and start small. When you get the traffic you desire and your hosting plan's too small for your needs, upgrade to a VPS or dedicated server. Most of the top web hosts are offering competitive hosting plans at less than $10 per month! good luck!

Originally Posted by angel13

Totally agree with Idcdc! I think its better to start with a shared hosting plan. Find one of the best web hosts out there that offers unlimited bandwidth, space, etc and start small. When you get the traffic you desire and your hosting plan's too small for your needs, upgrade to a VPS or dedicated server. Most of the top web hosts are offering competitive hosting plans at less than $10 per month! good luck!

Actually, it would be wise to stay away from hosts offering "unlimited" anything, in any situation, especially this one. Often, hosts offering such things are overselling. Being a customer whom would utilize most of the resources purchased, he'll run into a lot of problems.

Here's an article I wrote explaining overselling. http://www.bldhosting.net/blog/?p=4

Often, hosts offering such things are overselling.

Any host offering unlimited bandwidth is overselling. It doesn't mean that service will be bad, but one can only expect $10 worth of resources (CPU, memory, etc) when paying $8. No, infinite bandwidth will not be provided.

Yes but if you're looking to be as big as youtube ... you're obviously going to be using all the resources you purchase until they max out, at which point you'd change plans.

Often hosts that oversell don't let you even scratch the surface of what you purchase, and as a result, the service will be crappy.

You possibly need just to buy something like this, proposed by downtownhost.com. They provide all necessary for hosting and streaming videos.

I believe you have to look up what is used for this, then look up what is proposed from hosts, and then decide.

Good luck

Carlos most of companies do... But you are happy on the small power and once you are grow you will definitely need to move on somathing bigger.

You will have not simply to move to something bigger, you will actually have to setup a distributed system with lots of servers, database clustering and load balancing. Of cource you will only have to do this if you intend to have any sufficient money from it. If you want to leave this as an hobby or as an skill improving task, the single dedicated server will be quite enough.

Considering unlimited bandwidth: yes, it exists and it can be bought for reasonable money. At iweb.com where I rent my dedicated servers there are unmetered plans. 10mbit unmetered allow you to pass approximately 3200 Gb per month or aproximately 100Gb daily. Basic hardware with 10mbit unmetered will cost something like 150 USD/month. My frind hosts a site with adult flash games on such a server. Average filesize of his files is 4Mb. He has something like 35k visitors daily and his 10mbit are maxed out. It means that some guy on 10mbit ADSL sits and waits 5-10 minutes for 4Mb file to load, because hundreds of such guys are downloading files of same size through the single 10mbit port. The larger the average filesize is, the less visitors will max out your unmetered bandwidth.

100mbit unmetered costs about 1500 USD/month. It will be maxed out with 100k visitors daily and average filesize of 15Mb, if your disk space will not end earlier.

This information is for you to imagine the scale of what you are trying to do. If your service will become popular enough, you will have to extend your hardware capabilities VERY quickly, and you will NOT be able to avoid database clustering and data distribution in this case.

Also I can say that downtownhosts' prices are quite unreasonable. The dualcore server with 1G ram, two 120G drives and 3200G traffic cannot cost 240 USD. At iweb the 10mbit unmetered with C2D 2.4, 2G ram and 320G drive is only 199 USD, and this is real unmetered bandwidth, while DTH says 1600G in + 1600G out. I'd keep aware of this company.