MediaCAST frequently asked questions
Can MediaCAST benefit our organization?
Organizations that use on-demand learning are shown to increase achievement and make their students and workers more competitive and productive compared to those who experience only traditional means. MediaCAST is configurable to meet a variety of goals—make your learning more interactive, more collaborative and more effective.
What type of network do I need to support on-demand video streaming?
Today’s local area networks (LANs) provide the necessary infrastructure for streaming high-quality, video on-demand to thousands of concurrent users. Most network switches have multiple GB backbones, allowing each connection on the switch adequate bandwidth to stream VHS, DVD and even HD-quality video simultaneously. To deploy high-quality video between buildings or over the Internet we recommend a bandwidth and network consultation session with our staff. We can assist in determining the capabilities and design of a system based on network and bandwidth limitations. MediaCAST is designed to offer the same high-quality experience for all users. Whether centralized deployment, network edge storage and streaming, or downloadable protected content is needed, we have the right solution.
How much bandwidth does it take for video?
MediaCAST uses the latest streaming formats and can deliver a VHS-quality stream at 768 KB/s to 1Mb/s, DVD-quality at 1.5 Mb/s to 2 Mb/s and HD-quality at 5 Mb/s-8 Mb/s. Quality online streaming over the Internet can be done over broadband connections from 128 KB/s to 384 KB/s (DSL and Cable modem). Content is viewable from within a browser on PC and Macintosh computers without special client software players or proprietary hardware cards.
How many people can view video at a time?
MediaCAST is designed around a scalable architecture allowing support for an initial phase of deployment up to a full-scale, enterprisewide solution to hundreds of thousands of users. The number of on-demand streams that can be delivered depends on how many Media Appliances are deployed for storage and streaming. Multiple units can be load-balanced and strategically located on the network with the integrated Enterprise Management toolset. A typical Media Appliance supports up to 200 concurrent on-demand streams of DVD-quality video. In a live video broadcast scenario, the system supports multicasting with minimum limitation on concurrent viewers. Each person viewing an on-demand stream can start, stop and pause at their own pace and sequence. The second thing to consider regarding the question of how many people can view a digital resource is licensing. The system has built-in digital rights management with copyright Fair Use and The TEACH Act tools to help protect and limit distribution according to your content providers guidelines and audience. This includes digital rights management to protect against unauthorized access and distribution.
What do I need in place to use MediaCAST?
No special proprietary wiring or decoder boxes are required. You need an IP-based Ethernet network and Windows or Macintosh computers for client access stations (or MediaCAST Viewer set-tops) and a projector or LCD/TV for display in classrooms. There are power, rack-space and UPS requirements for installing equipment in a data center. These guidelines will be outlined in detail in your specific configuration proposal. Our staff will provide installation, technical training and professional development sessions for your staff as well as ongoing user and technical support.
How digital libraries are managed, including: content searching, cataloging standards support (e.g. MARC), cataloging of custom content, integration with third-party content providers?
MediaCAST's core functionality is the digital repository or digital library feature. The digital repository allows a fully cross-referenced library of on-demand resources to be cataloged and managed through the Web-interface. The system allows a learner, instructor or other user to search for content by several criteria, including keywords, subject, author, publisher, grade range, ISBN, call number, bar code, Dewey decimal reference and the type of media. Results can be limited to 10, 20, 50 or all results shown on a page; the results can be quickly filtered by keyword or type of resource to find appropriate materials as the library grows. The user can click on found resources and view that material on-demand. The resources are cross-referenced so, for example, if one searches and locates a video from National Geographic you can quickly locate all the other resources by the same publisher or about the same subject.
The content for the digital media library can be built in multiple ways. First is the easy-to-use four-step wizard that allows you to upload new media resources directly through the Web-interface. You can enter the appropriate metadata like title, description, publisher, etc., as well as set the digital rights settings for copyright and Fair Use compliance. The final step is to select the file by browsing your computer, the network, CD or DVD and upload the file. The naming convention, permissions and other critical items are taken care of behind the scenes to allow nontechnical people to populate the media library.
The second method for populating the library is to use the built-in import function. This allows a tab-delimited file to be imported using standard MARC record identifiers for the metadata and even supports XML formatted import. The import allows the administrator to preview the file, as well as import multiple files. The import routine checks to see if a record already exists for a title and updates the record with current information or creates a new record if one does not exist.
The third method of building an on-demand digital library is to purchase content from third-party content providers. Inventive Technology has relationships with digital content providers and can supply the content you may require. Thousands of titles can be individually selected or chosen in bundles from our Plug&Play Digital Content library. The Plug&Play library eliminates the need to convert VHS tapes or to create database records manually. All of these titles are already in digital format and licensed in various ways to allow for things like multiple simultaneous users. The power of MediaCAST is that all types of 3rd party content in addition to content from our publisher partners can be added and managed within the system. Many companies offer libraries of content which can easily be incorporated with the tools provided within MediaCAST. An important aspect of using third-party content of any sort is to ensure you are complying with the copyright and Fair Use guidelines. As explained earlier, MediaCAST can help you take the necessary steps towards compliance.
What are the reservation and scheduling capabilities for digital content and controlling encoders and a/v equipment?
The digital repository allows for on-demand access of media resources and the built in reservation system allows advance scheduling by date and time. The reservations tie into the licensing of content so a maximum number of reservations can be set for a given resource based on a client's licenses purchased from the publisher. Users can manage their reservations including viewing pending reservations, editing and deleting a reservation. Through the web-based encoder control authorized personnel can schedule when an encoder records a program to the digital library for later viewing. The scheduling allows a program to be recorded even if it is in off-hours, on weekends and supports recurring scheduled program. Encoders have built-in support for RS-232 and IR to control tuners, demodulators, digital receivers, VHS decks, DVD decks and other A/V equipment for a fully-automated, turnkey solution.
What are the supported limits for: number of titles, users, groups, and hours of digital storage?
The system has no specific limit on the number of titles that can be cataloged with support for tens of thousands of records or more. The number of user accounts that can be created in the system is based on the license level purchased. The number of hours of digital content that can be stored is determined by the size and quantity of Media Appliances. Various models of Media Appliances are available to store from 400 hours to 2,000 hours of DVD-quality video (more hours for lower quality). Our Media Monster can be configured to house from 2,400 hours to 4,800 hours of DVD-quality video in a small 3U form-factor. The system also supports utilization of SAN and NAS storage arrays for large back-up archive of digital content libraries.
What video formats are supported?
We offer a range of media encoders which are configured to provide flexibility and a choice of encoding formats and quality levels. MediaBroadcasters are designed for head-end room installations in a 19” wide rack and are configured for single-channel or dual-channel encoding. We offer a desktop encoder as well as OnLocation Carts for mobility. Our SportsCAST is a portable and fully-wireless, live encoder. Our encoders utilize an open-architecture to support the full range of industry-standard formats. They are upgradeable as technology changes by supporting swap-out encoder cards. This offers clients the most cost-effective, long-term solution. Our encoding hardware comes in a variety of configurations including support for Windows Media, Flash Streaming, Real Helix 9 and 10, QuickTime and MPEG1, 2 and 4. MediaBroadcasters can also be utilized to convert or transcode from one digital file format into one of the streaming formats for on-demand distribution.
If you have additional questions please feel free to ask. You may contact us by phone at 800 474-5128 or by email at info@inventivetec.com