To study

1.C++
2.VC++
3.Image Processing
4.C#
5.Directshow
6.Direct3D, DirectDraw and Direct2D

Download MSDN subscription journals from net..
Key Features

Streaming for Video ConferencingCreate professional client/server video conference applications using the following comprehensive set of specialized audio and video components included with LEADTOOLS Video Streaming Module:

LEAD Network Multiplexer Filter

The Network Multiplexer filter multiplexes media in preparation to send it over a TCP/IP network. This filter theoretically accepts any DirectShow media type.
LEAD Network Sink FilterThe Network Sink filter is responsible for sending multiplexed media, output by the LEAD Network Multiplexer, over a TCP/IP network.
LEAD Network Source FilterThe Network Source Filter receives stream data, sent by the LEAD Network Sink Filter, on a TCP/IP network. It serves as a file reader filter in a DirectShow filter graph.

LEAD Network Demultiplexer Filter

The Network Demultiplexer filter is responsible for splitting multiplexed media, output from the LEAD Network Source. It serves as a splitter filter in a DirectShow filter graph.
LEAD Network Protocol Manager
The network protocol manager is responsible for handling the network connections. This filter is used by the Network sink and source to do the actual connection. It can also be used to implement the connection using user-defined connection protocols.

TCP/IP Streaming With LEADTOOLS Video Streaming Module

you have the option to stream media (stored or live) via a standard IIS web server or take advantage of additional features built into Microsoft Windows Media Server.
CAB file for HTML ReferenceLEADTOOLS Video Streaming Module ships with a CAB file that you can reference in your HTML pages. This CAB file contains: LEAD H.264 Decoder (DirectShow)LEAD H.264 Decoder (DMO) LEAD MPEG-4 Decoder LEAD Ogg splitter (required to play Ogg files in Media Player)LEAD Vorbis decoder (required to play Vorbis audio data)LEAD AAC Decoder
DirectShow FiltersLEADTOOLS Video Streaming Module includes the following DirectShow filters:
Frame Rate Control filter
De-interlace filter
Video Resize filter
Video Crop filter
Video Rotation filter.

Product DemosLEADTOOLS Video Streaming Module includes many demos with source code to help you get started with your own development project.
Video Conferencing Server
Video Conferencing Client
MPEG-2 Transport demo
RTP /RTSP transport stream
RTP filter

LEADTOOLS Multimedia SDK v.15

Includes API and COM interface for Win32 Create professional, high-quality multimedia applications with LEADTOOLS Multimedia SDK. Add multimedia functionality such as Capture, Play, and Edit, as well as the latest DirectShow filters and multimedia file support - load/convert to and from many multimedia formats (AVI, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, ISO (MP4, 3GPP, AAC, AVC1, MOV), XVID, ASF, WMV , WAV, WMA, OGG, etc). Get programmatic control over multimedia processors, compressors, video and audio inputs, types and sub-types; as well as increased camera control (brightness, contrast, zoom, etc); more flexible capturing options and much more.
Download Free Evaluation
Key Features
Multimedia CaptureCreate applications that can capture from WDM, native DirectShow including DV, Video for Windows capture devices, control DV devices, etc.
Multimedia PlaybackCreate applications that can play all formats supported by DirectShow. Get support for DVD navigation, saving player settings to files and streams, etc.
Multimedia Conversion and Compression Add features to your application so your users can convert to and from AVI, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, ISO (MP4, 3GPP, AAC, AVC1, MOV), XVID, ASF, WMV , WAV, WMA, OGG, select DV devices for output, etc.
Multimedia File FormatsAdd support for the most popular multimedia formats (AVI, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, ISO (MP4, 3GPP, AAC, AVC1, MOV), XVID, ASF, WMV , WAV, WMA, OGG, and more). Create and play files based on ISO media format (MP4, 3GPP, AAC, AVC1, MOV). These files are used by most common portable media players (like iPOD, PSP, ZEN, Zune, etc) and the new generation of mobile phones.
DirectShow Filters LEADTOOLS Multimedia includes DirectShow compliant filters for a wide variety tasks allowing you to develop powerful and versatile multimedia applications.
Processing Filters (See the full list here)
Text Overlay filter
Frame Rate Control filter
De-interlace filter
Video Resize filter
Video Crop filter
Video Callback filter
Video Rotation filter
DVD Filters (See the full list here)
DVD Writer (Create DVD Images)
DVD Burner
Network and Stream Filters (See the full list here)
LEAD MPEG-2 Transport UDP Source
Network source filter
Network Multiplexer filter
Network Demultiplexer filter
Network Sink Filter
Network protocol manager filter
Multiplexers / Demultiplexers (See the full list here)
LEAD ISO Demultiplexer
LEAD ISO Multiplexer
LEAD MPEG-2 Program Demultiplexer
LEAD MPEG-2 Transport Demultiplexer
LEAD OGG Multiplexer
Multimedia for Mobile Devices and MP3 PlayersLEADTOOLS iCompress Technology not only provides you with the latest codecs for creating high quality audio and video files playable on most mobile devices such as the iPod, PSP, Zune, ZEN, Mobile Phones, etc.
Product DemosLEADTOOLS Multimedia includes many demos with source code to help you get started with your own development project.
Audio Video Detection demo
Audio replace demo
MediaInfo demo
MPEG-2 Transport demo and more
Add-on Modules
LEADTOOLS DVD Module The LEADTOOLS DVD Module extends the LEADTOOLS Multimedia toolkit by adding functionality for programmatically burning, converting, playing and creating DVD images. Includes LEAD MPEG-2 Standard Video Codec (Encoder/Decoder), and several DirectShow filters. Download Free Evaluation
LEADTOOLS Video Streaming Module The LEADTOOLS Video Streaming Module is perfect for developers who need to serve Video on Demand across the Internet or via Intranets, or create custom video conferencing applications and utilities. The LEADTOOLS Video Streaming Module includes the LEAD H.264 Standard Encoder/Decoder and the MPEG-4 Standard Encoder/Decoder. All the tools you need to provide streaming multimedia content via the web. Download Free Evaluation
LEADTOOLS MPEG-2 Transport Demultiplexer Modules The MPEG-2 Transport Demultiplexer Modules have everything you need to create custom MPEG-2 transport stream applications and utilities. Perfect for developers who need to capture live streams from UDP sources such as surveillance cameras and hardware encoders. Download Free Evaluation
1.DirectX
2.OpenGL
3.DirectShow
4.Visual Computing
5.Visual Effects
6.Video Processing
7.Image processing


File Writing :
------------------------
1.AVI file writing
2.Mov file writing and all audio and video file writing
3.asf file writing
Implement Encoder :
1.windows media
2.quicktime
3. all open source encoders and H264
Filter developement:
------------------------------
1. Transform filter
2. Transform filter with more than one input pin
3. Transform filter with more than one output pin
4. Renderer filters
5. Source filters
6. Video Editing applications
7. Network source filters
8. IP camera filters
9.File Source Filters
10.Microsoft Unified Tuning Model
11.Stream Buffer Engine
12.Directshow editing services
13.Microsoft TV Technologies Application Interface
14.Video Mixing Renderer
15.DMO applications
16.DVD applications
17.Encoder and Decoder developement
18. Learn all the interfaces in DirectShow
Next learn DirectDraw and Direct2D and Direct3D
1.DirectX graphics
2.DirectInput
3.DirectPlay
4.DirectSetup
5.DirectSound
6.OpenGL
That's all

Cut down all the paths... Conventrate more on Directshow...
study VC++ and CSharp


Read MSDN documentation and MSDN samples..

formula used (by Windows) to convert LOGICAL points to DEVICE points:
where xD = the DEVICE coordinateand xL = the LOGICAL coordinate
xD = (xL - xWindowOrg)*(xViewportExt/xWindowExt) + xViewportOrg


Special Effects
Emboss Video Effect - Creates an embossed or raised effect.
Aging Video Effect - Adds random scratches and noise to the movie giving it the appearance of an old film.
Bump Map Video Effect - Applies a bump effect to the video stream.
Dizzy Video Effect - Applies an effect to the movie that simulates a dizzy feeling.
Fire Video Effect -Makes moving objects appear to be on fire.
Ghost Video Effect - Renders moving objects invisible.
Glass Tile Video Effect -Makes the video appear as if it is being viewed through glass tiles.
Hologram Video Effect - Draws a holographic-like shadow of moving objects.
Lens Video Effect - Adds a fish eye-like effect to the movie. Used to magnify an area in a video.
Lightning Video Effect - Draws lightning sparks around moving objects.
Maze Video Effect - Distorts the movie into a crystal maze.
Motion Blur Video Effect - Makes moving objects blurry. It gives the appearance of a random glow around the motion.
Motion Emboss Video Effect - Makes moving objects embossed.
Motion Mosaic Video Effect - Makes moving objects blocky.
Motion Scan Video Effect - Scans one line per frame and draws it to the destination (Radar effect), distorting the moving objects.
Particles Video Effect - Renders moving objects into small particles, joining the particles to reform the object when it stops moving.
Predator Video Effect - Renders moving objects invisible with the exception of the edges.
Rain Video Effect - Adds rain drop rings as if the video is a pool of water.
Streak Video Effect - Shows moving objects as they are traced in slow motion.
Wave Video Effect - Renders waves around moving objects.



Useful softwares to look on
1.FxCop
2.NUnit
3.Visual3D.NET
Look More on VLC media player in Sourceforge.net