Allowing remote users option to save wmv file to disk for playback

[steverossiter]

Hi,

I have some wmv video files of about 60 MB on a fast Proliant server
and with a dual pipe feed. A couple of users need to view these using
their DSL and cable broadband connections at home, but if network
traffic is heavy I would like them to have the option of saving the
file locally to disk for viewing rather than streaming it off the
server.

When a video for viewing is ready I will send out an email with a link
to the file as I have dome previously with audio files, however when
clicking on mp3 audio links I am given the option to Save or Open the
file whereas with wmv files it simply starts up Windows Media Player,
fills the buffer to some amount and then starts play. Is Media Player
actually downloading the entire file and then playing it or just some
portion? If it is just a portion then this could present problems for
users once the buffer is emptied and then they are dependant on
variable quality download speeds for short but high quality (2 MB/sec)
video segments.

Is there a way to allow end users the option to save the entire file to
their local disk for playback?

Thank you everyone, Steve.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Steve,

Have any of them tried right clicking the link and using "save target as"?

What's happening now is that a portion of the file is being downloaded to a
temp folder. When a sufficient amount is present the media player will begin
playing while still downloading the rest of the file. So yes, the streaming
factor could potentially cause interuptions.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[steverossiter]

Hi,

The link comes to them in an email which in Outlook only provides a
left-click to open option.