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Common technical questions



Can you describe the MediaCAST architecture? 

There are four primary components that make up a MediaCAST solution:

  • Hardware  An optimized, distributed server architecture running Windows 2003 Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition Server

  • MediaCAST On-Demand Learning Platform, which manages digital content, metadata, digital rights and streaming delivery

  • MediaCAST software and hardware expansion components, which we call SIMs—Seamlessly Integrated Modules

  • Internet Bandwidth may be available locally.  MediaCAST Express hosted bandwidth is available should you need it to support your online learning and training initiatives

SIMs—Seamlessly Integrated Modules can be added to enable new features and support new technologies as they become available.  Our most popular SIMs include MediaCAST Construct for online course creation and management, UltraCAST for thin-client application streaming, Kiosk Central for digital bulletin board and signage, Plug&Play for digital video content bundles, e-Portfolio for student digital portfolios, IPContact for videoconferencing, IP Audio for VoIP conferencing and Desktop Share for screen broadcasting.

What are the core components of every MediaCAST solution? 

MediaCAST Master Controller  is a Windows 2003 Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition Server and runs the core MediaCAST application, ColdFusion or BlueDragon-based Web server and SQL-based database.  The Web server enables the software and all the features to be accessible from a Web-browser and from outside the LAN/WAN from any Internet enabled computer.  This system holds the user and group accounts or can be enabled to talk to the client’s LDAP, Active Directory or Novell e-Directory for user authentication.  It also takes care of the licensing and content protection policies. It is designed in a fault-tolerant architecture to limit failure and maximize uptime.  This server plugs into the existing Ethernet network with 100 MB or 1GB port(s).

MediaCAST Media Appliance  is a digital content storage and delivery server.  It runs Windows 2003 Standard or Enterprise version along with several Inventive software components enabling it to communicate with the MediaCAST Master Controller.  The base configuration is as a Windows media server for streaming of video and audio content in Windows Media format and including HTTP streaming of Flash, QuickTime, Real and MPEG formats.  They are also available in configurations including Flash streaming server, Real Helix server and Apple Darwin-QuickTime server to meet client requirements. Media Appliances store and deliver other digital file formats in addition to video and audio.  It is designed in a fault-tolerant architecture to limit failure and maximize uptime.  It is also designed to support industry standards and is nonproprietary, making it easy to upgrade to higher- performance processors and hardware over time.  As technology changes, the operating system and other software can be upgraded to support new features without having to replace the entire system or make it obsolete.  These servers plug into the existing Ethernet network with 100 MB and more commonly dual 1GB ports.

MediaCAST MediaBroadcaster, OnLocation Carts and MediaCreator are encoding and live broadcasting stations.  Depending on the configuration some are meant for a rack-mount installation within a head-end room (MediaBroadcaster), to be mobile units (OnLocation Carts) or for a cabinet design like in a media center (MediaCreator).  These are high-performance, hardware-based encoding stations that can be equipped with one or more industry-standard encoding cards and encoding software and other options including dual-layer DVD burner, Firewire inputs, mounted cameras, video editing software and more.  MediaCAST Web Control and Scheduling software allows any encoder station to be controlled remotely through its web-interface. The built-in scheduling makes it easy for an administrator to define future dates and times encoders should broadcast a live event or start and stop an encoding session.  This is great for capturing or broadcasting a drama club performance taking place in the evening or over the weekend.  Encoding stations are plugged into 100 MB or 1GB Ethernet ports anywhere on the network.  Almost any video source (Camcorder, VCR, DVD player, audio cassette player, etc.) can be plugged into the media encoders for broadcasting live or encoding to streaming format.  Predefined templates make it easy for nontechnical staff to encode and or broadcast materials.

Client Access Stations - The power of MediaCAST is that most any PC or Macintosh running a Web browser, connected to the network or Internet, can access MediaCAST.  No dedicated proprietary players or costly decoder devices and cabling are required like in the older traditional systems.  The MediaCAST Viewer is available as a set-top decoding unit for those locations where no PC is available or is not compatible with the installation location or environment.  

What type of network do I need to support IP-based on-demand video? 

Today’s switched networks provide the necessary infrastructure for streaming high-quality, video on-demand from hundreds to thousands of concurrent users.  A majority of network equipment have multiple GB backbones, allowing each connection adequate bandwidth to stream VHS, DVD and even HD quality video simultaneously.  

What are the advantages of newer streaming video formats vs. AVI, MPEG1 and MPEG2 formats. 

MediaCAST is nonproprietary when it comes to video and audio formats and can support a wide range of formats including Windows Media streaming (.WMV, .ASF), MPEG 1, 2 and 4, Flash streaming (.FLV), .AVI, QuickTime (.MOV), Real streaming (.RM, .RA).  A typical system is configured to utilize Windows Media streaming format (.WMV for video and .WMA for audio) as the primary format but will support the delivery of the other formats as necessary.  The Windows Media format provides substantial bandwidth savings at the same viewing quality as MPEG 1 at VHS quality and much less bandwidth for DVD quality compared to MPEG 2.  VHS video quality at full-screen resolution 30 fps can be achieved at 768 kb/s to 1 Mb/s with this system compared to 1.5 to 2 Mb/s or higher required with MPEG1.  DVD quality is achieved at 1.5 Mb/s compared to MPEG 2 at 4 Mb/s to 6 Mb/s.  This system also has less impact on the network since it is designed specifically for IP-based streaming delivery unlike MPEG 1 and MPEG 2 which are not designed to stream efficiently.  This system includes features like read-ahead buffering, stream error correction, multi-bitrate delivery, instant-on and other features that give superior results and thus offers more flexibility in the type of computer that can view the resources and provide access from outside the school (if desired) over slower Internet connections.

What are the supported limits for: number of titles, users, groups, and hours of digital storage?
The system has no hard limit on the number of titles that can be cataloged and can support tens of thousands of records. The numbers of user accounts that can be created in the system will be based on the license levels purchased. The number of hours of digital content that can be stored is determined by the size or quantity of Media Appliances.  Various models of Media Appliances are available from to store from 400 hours to 2,000 hours of DVD-quality video. Our MediaMonster Archiver 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 for large back-up archival of digital content.

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 unique portable and fully wireless live broadcaster including hardshell backpack.  Our encoders utilize an open-architecture to support the full range of industry-standard formats.  They come in a variety of configurations including support for encoding to Windows Media, Flash streaming, Real Helix 9 and 10, QuickTime and MPEG 1, 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.

What is your recommendation for providing redundancy and failover for digitized content?

Let's discuss redundancy and failover on two levels, first for an implementation within smaller sites followed by an enterprise- or district-wide implementation.  It is not typically cost-effective to have multiple redundant servers in a small building-level implementation or to back up content utilizing tape.  To help with redundancy the Media Appliances are configured in a RAID 5 disk array reducing the potential for a failed hard drive causing content to be lost.  Additionally, they have dual redundant power supplies to reduce the risk of power failure causing server downtime.  An adequate UPS should maintain system power with fluctuations in power or in short-term power outages.  To protect the data on the main system it is configured to automatically copy the core system and database files which change regularly to a secure location on the network or off-site as a standard procedure.  Additionally if more than one site is installed it is likely they will have similar content requirements.  The system can be configured to replicate new content titles added automatically to all site  Media Appliances.  It is recommended that all content considered permanent be burned to CD or DVD as data files for permanent archival after it has been encoded.

It is also recommended that for an additional level of redundancy and failover in mission-critical implementations one or more MediaMonster Archivers be utilized.  Converting and uploading digital content will be done to populate the digital content library.  This valuable investment in time and resources should be protected to the fullest extent. MediaCAST is designed to help automate the replication and management of content to help protect your investments.

How is content managed and distributed across multiple sites throughout local buildings and around the world? 

MediaCAST utilizes a centrally managed architecture which supports the best of both worlds, a hybrid model of centrally delivered content as well as locally delivered.  Sites that are connected with high-speed fiber of 100 MB to 1GB bandwidth can access content on-demand from the Media Appliances.  Sites that are limited in bandwidth or where it is desired to have the content reside locally on the LAN can have their own Media Appliances.  The power of MediaCAST is in the management tools provided to organization personnel.  Through the systems Web-interface a media resource can be added to the system from any client station on the network or even over the Internet.  The content title’s description information is entered by the user and creates the database record on the main district system.  The actual file is then selected and uploaded through the Web-interface.  Once the file is uploaded a menu allows the user to select other locations where that content should also reside.  Users will be presented with a list of sites and Media Appliances and can check off the locations desired.  The system will automatically replicate the content to all desired sites immediately or on a specific time schedule (typically in off hours).  A content replication queue allows a system administrator to monitor/change/pause/delete replication files.

The MediaCAST method of handling content is preferred over content caching for video content because caching can create network traffic that is not anticipated.  No one ever knows what content will be required that day, week or month.  Since new streaming technologies reduce the demand for storage space the entire appropriate content library is available on-demand, whenever and wherever the learner or instructor needs the materials.  They don’t have to anticipate needing a specific title because it is always available on-demand.

Can content caching, replication or store and forward functions be scheduled (for example: during network off-peak hours)? 

Yes, content replication of new titles being added can be done immediately or scheduled to be done at predetermined times in off-peak hours. A system administrator can start, stop or pause an active replication function if an issue on the network requires full bandwidth or a suspension in network activity.  Bandwidth limits allow restrictions to be set when replicating new content across a WAN or over the Internet to remote sites.