By kdecapite on

I have a large project coming up that requires the use of a streaming video broadcast to persist across all site pages. My client is currently using frames to accomplish this but they are aware of the pitfalls and would like the redesign to NOT incorporate frames if at all possible.

However, it is their core business model (i.e. an absolute requirement) that this streaming video display not only on the homepage, but continuously and without interruption across all other pages within the site as well. Obviously, this can be accomplished with frames, but I'm wondering if the wonderful world of standards-compliant CSS/XHTML and possibly the use of Ajax might be able to do the same thing. Quite honestly, I'm an "old-timer" still using the table-based method of constructing web pages since the late 90's so although I use CSS for basic text formatting and simple layout elements (margins, padding, borders), I'm not too familiar with its in's and out's. Additionally, I have zero experience with Ajax.

Here is a link to view a wireframe diagram of what I'm trying to accomplish:
http://stage.creationsite.com/Wireframe_01.png

Many thanks in advance for any help you can give. I tried some searching on this site but couldn't find a solution that way.

- Kevin

⋅ Categories: Drupal 4.7.x

Comments

Fusion_Sushi’s picture

Fusion_Sushi commented

Perhaps an Ajax expert will give you a definitive answer on that technology but I'm pretty sure that frames are your only answer. Or to open a player window or to output directly to a users desktop player.

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"You can always find the storm by listening for the Thunder."

kdecapite’s picture

kdecapite commented

I've already suggested to my client your idea of opening a popup window, but popup blockers become a concern there. (Again, it is imperative to their business model that EVERYONE see the video stream when browsing their site.)

I don't believe I've suggested opening the stream directly in the media player to him, however. From a usability standpoint, I think that's annoying to have a separate window or application automatically open every time I visit a website. Not that frames are the epitome of favored usability, but I'd rather visit a frames-based website than one which constantly opens up a popup of some kind.

Thanks for your reply! I'll keep looking...

- Kevin

kdecapite’s picture

kdecapite commented

With the little research I've done, it appears that Ajax won't be much better than frames when it comes to search engine indexing and crawling. A quick "view source" on some simple Ajax pages reveals that the content isn't stored on the page itself (check out the examples on http://code.google.com/webtoolkit/ to see what I mean).

Additionally, creating genuine URL's that reference the actual page content currently in view requires some hacking and/or work-arounds. Add to that the fact that an Ajax-based website requires Javascript in order to even function at all, and I'm not so sure frames sound too bad in the end.

I'm open to further input or additional suggestions, however.

- Kevin

Fusion_Sushi’s picture

Fusion_Sushi commented

If you build a frontend all in Flash you could do that. The video would stream. Flash can look like anything, even a regular HTML/PHP page and everyone has the player and your video will still play as you navigate through the information. You could even use Drupal as a backend. I could build something like that, I did infact a couple times but.. it's a lot of work..

just thought you should know.

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"You can always find the storm by listening for the Thunder."

kdecapite’s picture

kdecapite commented

I hadn't actually considered that but to be honest, it may be a decent solution. The biggest problem is simply that the ENTIRE website would need to be in Flash (with sub-sections as separate SWF's loaded dynamically into the main movie) so I'm back to search engine issues along with hacking the URL to make pages bookmark-able.

Not only that, but as you said it's a lot of work! I usually charge 2x my regular rate when developing Flash sites/applications due to the headaches it brings. It's definitely a consideration I'll bring up to my client, though. Thanks for the suggestion!

- Kevin

Fusion_Sushi’s picture

Fusion_Sushi commented

You could make a killer site like that, just focus on simple and reuse the data, less interactive and more dynamic.

Good luck.

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"You can always find the storm by listening for the Thunder."

Designer Dude’s picture

Designer Dude commented

hi Kevin,

Did you make any progress with your idea?

I'm looking for a similar solution.

jaydj’s picture

jaydj commented

I'd be interested to know of any updates on the project. I may have a client who wants a dedicated portion of the site (all pages) to stream their internet tv. The stream has its own code so it just needs to be injected/embedded on the page. But refreshing/reloading the page would make it stop and reload too so the only solution I'm looking at now is to use frames.

I've never used frames for Drupal though which is why I'm still open to any other possible solutions there are.

Thanks!

hebhansen’s picture

hebhansen commented

Subscribe,

Looking for solution with emfield module

johndp’s picture

johndp commented

But I recently needed a solution for a photographer's website (they love continuous music / flash sites). I found this pretty sweet solution:

http://scmplayer.net/

see it in action here: www.jolieconnorphotography.com

Hope this helps someone.

/**********/

Edit: Just realized this post was about video. But anyway, it's useful for people requiring continuous music on a site.

jamix’s picture

jamix commented

For Drupal 7, check out my Ajax pages sandbox project. It loads full page content via Ajax with the possibility of putting a player in a "persistent" region that stays intact.