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October 25, 2010
Question

FMIS vs Wowza...what are the differences aside from price?

  • October 25, 2010
  • 1 reply
  • 2262 views

Hello all,

This question might be best posed to Graeme Bull, but anyone in the know, please share some info if you please.

I see Wowza's top-tier server version is just under $1K. FMIS Runs $3500 more. Is this version of Wowza more like FMSS?

I'm curious to know what Wowza offers that is different than FMIS.

Many thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

wordman

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    1 reply

    October 25, 2010

    Wowza only has one version. There are different licenses, but all result in the same functionality.

    In terms of server side programming, wowza does everything FMIS does, but the language is different. Instead of javascript and C++ (FMIS), Wowza is programmed using Java.

    Wowza offers multiprotol streaming (RTSP, HLS, mpeg-2) where FMIS does not. FMIS offers RTMFP, where wowza does not.

    Some of what I like better about FMIS:

    1, Process isolation and resource usage. With FMIS, you can spread apps/instances/vhosts across multiple server processes, and you don't have to take the whole server down to change or restart an applicaiton. With Wowza, the entire server runs in a single Java VM, and if you make code changes, you often have to restart the wowza service to get the new code running

    2. FMIS supports DNS translation, wowza does not. If you want multiple vhosts in wowza, each has to bind to a unique IP

    3. FMS is a bit more mature, and has fewer updates

    some of hat I like better about Wowza:

    1. Multiprotocol streaming: Supports HLS (Apple devices) RTSP (other mobile devices), and mpeg-ts (set top boxes)

    2. Java. Server side actionscript (javascript) is very limited. With wowza, you get the Java VM, which means you have the entire java language at your disposal.

    October 25, 2010

    Jay,

    Thanks, as always for the great answer! I think I'm going to stick with FMIS, but naturally, when I saw the lower pricetag, it made me wonder. Also, does it offer the same or a similar level of security for streaming video as FMIS?

    Again, many thanks!

    Sincerely,

    wordman

    Graeme Bull
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 25, 2010

    What are your needs and what made you stay with FMIS? Agreed on all of Jay's points, definitely a pain to have to shut the service down when making any changes to any apps on the server side coding. Biggest pet peeve of Wowza right there.

    I've put together a couple of articles recently on the topic:

    http://www.fmsguru.com/showarticle.cfm?articleID=44

    http://www.fmsguru.com/showarticle.cfm?articleID=45