UofU Best Practices Guides & Resources for Media On Demand
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[edit] Overview
As part of a discussion regarding Media On Demand and the Best Practices associated with it, several groups on the University campus were asked to summarize their current use of digital video/audio and/or Media On Demand services to University students, faculty, staff, and administration. Seven Departmental Use Cases are reported here in order to familiarize ourselves with what is actively taking place on campus.
[edit] Departmental Use Cases of Media On Demand
[edit] Use Case #1: Marriott Library Student Computer Labs/Multimedia Center
The Marriott Library is engaged in a multi-stage process of delivering digital video and audio to its patrons (http://data.scl.utah.edu). Initial implementation is targeted for the Multimedia Centers within the Library, followed by the Computer Labs that they support. Ultimately, they hope to support the campus as a whole, as well as accommodate off-campus requests for media delivery. For a full discussion of the history and development of the project, link to http://data.scl.utah.edu/fmi/xsl/stream/about.xsl .
User access is managed by a customized media asset database, restricting access to media playback on the basis of Access Control Lists, or ACLs. These ACLs are based on IP, IP range or subnet (visible or hidden) or the University’s Network Identification (the uNID) to authenticate individual users or defined groups. Future authentications of group-based affiliates will be implemented through Lightweight Directory Access Protocols (LDAP).
Some examples of restricted access to media assets, based on intellectual property rights restrictions and other use agreements, include:
Limiting access to VHS and DVD playback (through QuickTime streaming) to users within the library’s Multimedia Center Lab. Limiting access to television streams (such as UTV) to Student Computing Labs in the Marriott Library, Student Union, and the Peterson & Sage labs. Limiting media access to staff presentations to library staff computers. An important security feature of their system is the random generation of the pathways to their video streams. These pathways are automatically regenerated on a daily basis, thus creating a constantly moving target for individuals who attempt to hack into their system.
The media asset database also gathers statistics on media utilizations. The system tracks the actual content that is viewed, as well as the time of viewing. IP addresses and domain names from the requesting computer are also logged.
The bandwidth connectivity to computers in their labs is 100 Megabits/second. The actual media servers are connected at 1Gigbit. Off-campus access to media files will require at least a “broadband level” speed (DSL, Cable Modem, Satellite) at no less than half-a-Megabit/second. Two levels of files are envisioned, one for slower broadband, another for high speed Internet connectivity, depending on the source of the file and its intended audience (library’s analog collection, computer managers meetings, short courses or live streaming, for example).
At the present time, the Library supports the MPEG-4 Part 2 media format, force played via the QuickTime architecture and player, within a unicast framework. Multicast capability is also enabled, and is currently being tested.
The Multimedia Center is in the process of converting its analog library holdings to digital and is working to improve its workflows, storage, and backup processes.
Posting media files for distribution is accomplished through a database front-end used by staff and consultants to dynamically generate QuickTime reference files and HTML embed tags/SMIL files (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language). The same database will be used in conjunction with the Marriott Library’s online cataloging system and the “CONTENTdm” digital asset management system in order to allow public search and media access to the Multimedia Center’s assets.
[edit] Use Case #2: Technology Assisted Curriculum Center, Marriott Library
The Technology Assisted Curriculum Center provides a number of media services to University instructors, including media streaming. They supply online media that is otherwise inconvenient or impractical to use in a traditional classroom experience. In most cases, these are media clips an instructor would normally show in class using a video cassette or DVD.
The media assets managed by the TAC Center have a number of uses and benefit both the fully online course format as well as the traditional classroom. Their Media-On-Demand philosophy is that of maximum accessibility through all connection speeds and client configurations.
Typically, media prepared at TACC will stream (RTSP) in QuickTime, Real and WindowsMedia, each at High, Medium and Low bit rates. Other special cases employ progressively downloadable media, usually of a larger size and quality, with one file format and a single, fixed bit rate to speed processing time or to accommodate a specific target audience.
Posting, delivering, tracking and assisting the end user are handled by a digital asset management system developed by TACC. This system includes several interfaces:
for instructors or TA's (who insert media assets into courses by providing clip URLs and by following online helps for their use) for students (where the system provides the media asset’s basic information, icon links to available formats, and simple, adaptive online help) for administrators and facilitators (who add media to the database) This system, though designed around the evolving needs of TACC, is efficient, flexible and easily extensible to accommodate any conceivable format or delivery method. It is designed with open technologies and is available for use by others.
To sample streaming media via various media architectures and Internet connection speeds, access this URL..
[edit] Use Case #3: Eccles Health Sciences Library
The Eccles Health Sciences Library provides a variety of video assets to two major types of end-users. The first type of user accesses library content from various points of presence with widely varying Internet connection speeds, both on-campus and off. For this group, the Library supplies RTSP video streaming files in both Real SureStream and WindowsMedia High/Medium/Low data rates.
The second type of user accesses content from higher speed Internet connections, usually from within the Library or via University networks. In addition to the RTSP video streams made available to the first type of user, the second group is able to access higher quality, larger data rate, larger screen size QuickTime and WindowsMedia files that can be downloaded and played.
The Eccles Library reports that the greater percentage of their users prefer to download the available video assets and fold them into lectures and presentations for later viewing in classes, seminars, or other group settings.
The variety of video assets provided include:
On-demand playback of previous, live webcast events Course lectures composed of a speaker and PowerPoint presentations or other computer-based visualizations Special one-off presentations or guest speakers Patient cases, which are typically streamed and made available for download Clips excerpted from existing media and converted for digital dissemination Original works that include edited media, skits, patient simulations and various promotional materials.
[edit] Use Case #4: Instructional Media Services
Instructional Media Services (http://www.ims.utah.edu) captures extensive numbers of lectures and presentations from numerous academic departments and courses across campus. Many are streamed live as well as recorded to digital videotape for later digitization and redistribution over the Internet for both on-campus and off-campus users (usually within 12-24 hours).
In some instances lectures are acquired and converted to MPEG-2 file formats for DVD-Video disc re-distribution.
Use of live RTSP streams to accommodate attendee overflows for lectures and presentations from an origination auditorium to other rooms is regularly scheduled, although no off-campus redistribution is provided.
Off line, many excerpts from programs or original source materials are converted to digital video files for incorporation into PowerPoint presentations or other multimedia modes. Cross-platform compatibility is of vital importance because these video assets are likely viewed on a variety of computers.
[edit] Use Case #5: Media Solutions, Office of Information Technology
Media Solutions (http://www.media.utah.edu) accommodates a variety of clients as they seek to acquire, edit, convert and distribute video and audio materials via multiple Consumption Profiles, including broadcast, DVD-Video disc, CD-ROMs, websites and Internet streaming and downloading, as well as individual files optimized for inclusion in presentation packages and multimedia authoring tools. Their clients may ask for digitization services alone, or require more fully packaged solutions (media fulfillment and replication) and consultations on digital media storage and deployment over intranets and the Internet. Media Solutions specializes in careful needs assessment in order to match client requirements or expectations with final deliverables.
A comprehensive set of websites used to explain many aspects of new media are maintained by Media Solutions:
- Digital Video for the Web
- http://stream.uen.org/medsol/digvid
- DVD-Videodisc Workshop
- http://stream.uen.org/medsol/dvd/home.html
- Update to the DVD Creation Workshop--The Medium as We've Known it
- http://www.media.utah.edu/dvdworkshop/
- Update to the DVD Creation Workshop--The Next Generation of DVDs (High Density HD & BluRay)
- http://www.media.utah.edu/dvdworkshop/
- The Introduction to MPEG-4 Workshop
- http://stream.uen.org/medsol/digvid/html/MPEG4Workshop/index.html
[edit] Use Case #6: Utah Education Network
- UEN Digitial Media Services
- http://www.uen.org/dms/
eMedia for Utah K-12 Educators and Students
- As part of its obligations and service to support K-12 education and educators, the Utah Education Network recently installed and is operating a digital asset management system, known as the eMedia service. It delivers full-length and segmented video acquisitions to Utah’s schools (http://www.uen.org/emedia). Other media types, including text articles and images, are slated for posting by early 2006, harvested from the original Utah Collections Multimedia Encyclopedia (UCME) project.
- Currently, QuickTime (as MPEG-4) and WindowsMedia files for High/Medium/Low data rates and Internet connectivity are supplied for downloading and re-purposing video assets.
- Utah State Core Curriculum standards and objectives are associated with appropriate media assets and are searchable based on these criteria. A comprehensive metadata scheme is in use to categorize the descriptive (subjective), technical (objective instantiations), and rights restrictions associated with individual assets or collections. Developed by Media Solutions, the metadata schema is known as UMAP, the Utah Metadata Application Profile, and conforms to the IMS Global Learning Consortium Learning Resource Meta-data
- Best Practice and Implementation Guide for the IEEE 1484.12.1-2002, Learning Object Metadata Standard: LOMV1.0 Base Schema plus Utah Localized Extensions (http://www.imsglobal.org/metadata/mdv1p3pd/imsmd_bestv1p3pd.html) .
CollegeMedia for Utah Faculty and Students
- CollegeMedia offers media appropriate for college students. Videos and other media include college telecourses, local documentaries and current affairs programs from KUED-7, national PBS programs, and additional media from UEN and other trusted education partners. Because of licensing restrictions, CollegeMedia is only available to faculty and students affiliated with schools in the Utah System of Higher Education.
UEN Media Hub for the General Public
- UEN offers general public access to local current affairs programs from KUED-7, media from special community events and additional media from UEN and other trusted education partners. This media is for non-profit private use only.
[edit] Use Case #7: Marriott Library Digital Technologies Division
The Digital Technologies Division leads the Marriott Library's digitization efforts by creating high-resolution digital facsimiles of selected collections, establishing standards and best practices, and serving the needs of the University of Utah's faculty, students, and other patrons (http://www.lib.utah.edu/digital/index.html). They also accept contract work from institutions and individuals outside the University.
Their current collections are clustered into several categories, including:
Art and Architecture Geography and Maps Historic Photographs Journals and Archives Memoirs and Manuscripts Of note are three premier collections the Division has either spearheaded or collaborated with other institutions:
- Mountain West Digital Library
- http://www.lib.utah.edu/digital/mwdl/
- Western Waters Digital Library
- http://westernwaters.org/
- Utah Digital Newspapers
- http://www.lib.utah.edu/digital/unews/index.html
[edit] Keep Informed... Media On Demand Forum/LIFT
The discussion topics, issues, opportunities, and IT infrastructures associated with the creation, publication, distribution, and maintenance of Media On Demand reources are broad and deep. The technology, services, and applications associated with Media On Demand change rapidly and frequently. Consequently, there is a need to provide a forum for the demonstration of new technologies and ideas, with provision for Q&A about implementations, costs, and availabilities.
The University of Utah already has numerous established forums and committees that meet regularly. A listing of such groups if available through the University of Utah Office of IT website under Committees & Groups. The URL link is http://www.it.utah.edu/leadership/committees/index.html. There you will find additional links for these groups...
- Information Technology Council (ITC)
- Information Technology Advisory Council (ITAC)
- IT Managers Forum
- Mac Managers
- Webmasters
- U Web Advisory Committee
- Network Research Forum
- Wireless Committee
Other entities across the campus also host information technology updates and sessions.
The Media On Demand Committee, rather than create an additional set of meetings to address MOD issues and opportunities, has opted to partner with the Library and Information Technology Forum--LIFT in order to keep the University community updated.
The purpose of the Library and Information Technology Forum is to inform the University of Utah community about electronic information resources, and current trends in the use of computers and online technologies for accessing these resources. The Forum is generally held the second Wednesday of each month between September and May, in the Health Sciences Education Building, Room 2680.
If you would like to suggest a Forum topic or Media On Demand demonstration or discussion, or if you need more information please contact Jeanne Le Ber, Forum Coordinator; phone 801-585-6744 or e-mail jeannele@lib.med.utah.edu.
The website for the LIFT and MOD Forums is available at this URL--
Past presentations are available on-demand as PowerPoints, PDFs, and RealMedia video streams via this URL link--
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- MODWiki Table of Contents (Main Page)
- ...go to The University of Utah Office of Information Technology website
- ...go to The University of Utah Media On Demand Committee Minutes & Reports
- A Quickie Wiki Guide to Editing Content
