RTMP spec available. What does it mean?

June 23rd, 2009

The backbone protocol for realtime Flash applications - Adobe RTMP (Real-time messaging protocol) has been finally published.

There has been lot of articles about RTMP Specification in last week. Still I wanted to write down this thoughts, which might be for someone obvious, but for others good inspiration.

Personally - I think - this is huge step in realtime/streaming/collaboration world of Flash.

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion based on my previous work experience during last 5 years (IPTV, online streaming business). This is not Adobe statement.

My ideas:

1. Connect 3rd party software with Flash Media Server
- having RTMP open means, that you can build your own connector that delivers stream to FMS and these streams are then redistributed by FMS to Flash Player

2. Huge step for TV/online streaming companies
- restreaming/transcoding a stream from a digital signal or IPTV Transport Stream to FMS

3. Better current RTMP servers (3rd party)
- official specification is always better knowledge source, than reversed engineered one
- improved stability and better RTMP support

4. New RTMP streaming servers to pop-up soon
- I am 100% sure, that there will come new RTMP servers soon, which might be focused just on particular features (like only live streaming, static streaming, or just RTMP text data)
- lightweight easy-to-embed RTMP servers (maybe?)

5. IP cameras to support RTMP
- another good idea to be done
- adding little RTMP server to IP cam chip, so you would be able to connect from Flash Player or FMS directly to IP cam

6. VoIP telephony
- SIP/RTP RTMP connectors for PBX with FMS
- Videochat in Flash communicating with e.g. Cisco phone on your table - sounds cool, right?

7. Flash Platform openess
- opensource Flex SDK + open RTMP + Open Screen Project prove that Adobe takes open-source seriously

8. I want it now, stable, tested and official!
- in this case, you can get a license for RTMP SDK (C++) from Adobe
- write an e-mail to FMSOEMinquiries@adobe.com

List of available RTMP servers:

Where to go from here:
Kevin Towes: RTMP Specification Now Available
http://blogs.adobe.com/ktowes/2009/06/rtmp_specification_now_availab.html

Stefan Richter: RTMP Specs Spark Debate on the FlashMedia List
http://www.flashcomguru.com/index.cfm/2009/6/17/flashmedialist
+ RTMP Specs Nows Public
http://www.flashcomguru.com/index.cfm/2009/6/15/rtmp-public

Ryan Stewart: The RTMP Spec is Released, Published, and Available
http://blog.digitalbackcountry.com/2009/06/the-rtmp-spec-is-released-published-and-available/

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