Welcome to the RealSystem G2 SDK, which RealNetworks has created for developers working with the RealSystem G2 media streaming platform. RealSystem G2 provides the most sophisticated system for streaming multimedia files across a network. This manual will help you use the SDK to produce server-side and client-side plug-ins, as well as media clients based on the RealPlayer engine.
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Please be sure to read the SDK license agreement in full. See "RealSystem G2 SDK Agreement". |
Because RealSystem is based on the COM binary standard, you can develop RealSystem components using virtually any programming language. Using the SDK sample files, however, requires using C++. It is important to familiarize yourself with COM before you begin developing RealSystem components. Note, however, that RealSystem diverges from the COM standard to simplify cross-platform development.
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See "Chapter 4: Development Framework" for details. |
The RealSystem header files define the RealSystem interfaces. When you are ready to begin developing RealSystem components, refer to the header files along with this documentation. The header files contain information about function variables and return values not listed in the documentation.
You can use the sample files included with this SDK as templates for building your own RealSystem components. Using the sample code requires a knowledge of C or C++. Except for interfaces that interact with file systems explicitly, all sample code is platform-independent.
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Additional Information |
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RealNetworks recommends using specific compilers for compiling code based on the sample files. For more information, see " Compiling a Plug- In". |
Use RealServer G2 to test your RealSystem components. RealServer binaries are not included with this SDK, but free downloads of the basic RealServer are available at http://www.real.com/products/.
The commercial version of RealPlayer G2 is available at http://www.real.com/products. If RealPlayer is not available for your platform, you can use TestPlay.
This SDK includes TestPlay, which implements core RealPlayer functionality without a graphical user interface. You can test your plug-ins with TestPlay, or use the utility as a basis for building your own RealSystem client.
The following table explains the conventions used in this manual.
In addition to this manual, you may need the following RealNetworks resources, available at http://service.real.com/help/library/index.html:
This manual explains the basics of creating a streaming multimedia presentation. It tells how to do the following:
Refer to RealSystem G2 Production Guide for basic information on creating all your RealSystem G2 content.
With RealPix you can create streaming slide shows from still images, incorporating special effects such as fades and zooms. RealPix Authoring Guide explains the RealPix mark-up. You'll also need RealSystem G2 Production Guide for information on using SMIL to combine RealPix with another media type such as RealAudio.
RealText lets you stream text to create a live stock ticker, for example, or add subtitles to a video. RealText Authoring Guide describes the RealText mark-up. You'll also need RealSystem G2 Production Guide for information on using SMIL to combine RealText with another media type such as RealVideo.
The basic reference for the RealServer administrator, this manual explains how to set up, configure, and run RealServer to stream multimedia. You need this manual only if you are running RealServer yourself.
This guide supplements RealSystem G2 Production Guide. It explains how to use JavaScript or VBScript to control RealPlayer functions for a presentation embedded in a Web page.
RealNetworks tools let you encode RealAudio and RealVideo files, as well as broadcast content live. Read RealSystem G2 Production Guide for background on recording high quality source files. Then follow the instructions provided with your encoding tool to convert the source file to RealAudio or RealVideo.
For technical support with the RealSystem G2 SDK, please e-mail:
For general information about RealNetworks' technical support, visit: