General Information
The Instructional Technologies
department maintains an external streaming media server for hosting
video clips that can be accessed on demand via the web. The streaming
server allows faculty and staff to make video available to a large
audience at once without the file being downloaded to user’s computers;
files can also be password protected to add further security to the
video.
Instructional Technologies can convert
videos in VHS, DVD, MiniDV, 8mm/Hi8, Digital8, or ¾” videotape formats
to Windows Media video, then upload the file to the streaming server.
The user will receive a link to the file, which will open in Windows
Media Player; html code to embed a player in a web page is available for
any video upon request. Turnaround time is normally 2 business days;
however, number of orders waiting, video length, and staffing may
lengthen turnaround time.
Streaming Media Server Policy
Eligibility: This service is currently only available to current faculty and staff.
Copyright Liability: The
requesting individual or department is responsible for holding the
copyright for the materials or getting authorization for any materials
posted to the server. The user MUST sign a copyright release stating
that they hold the copyright to the material, or have explicit
permission from the copyright holder to duplicate the
material. Instructional Technologies reserves the right to refuse
requests which IT identifies as likely violations of U.S. copyright law.
Cost: Conversions to Windows
Media format are billed at $35 per hour of labor (not running
time). Users are billed $5 for up to 300MB of server space per 6 month
period or portion thereof; storage space is reviewed and billed twice
per year, in January and August. Users exceeding this space will be
billed an additional $5 for the next additional 300MB per six month
period or portion thereof. Faculty and staff using this service for
academic or work-related purposes may have Instructional Technologies
bill their department through IDB.
Format: All videos are
converted to Windows Media format at 300kbs using high quality 2 pass
encoding, at a size of 320 x 240 pixels. This format is intended to be
viewed over the web and is not full resolution video appropriate for
editing or viewing on a television or other full resolution video
monitor. Please inquire about other media conversion options available
from Instructional Technologies.
File Management: In order to make best use of this service, files are managed by Instructional Technologies according to the following criteria:
1. Files
are reviewed twice each year, in January and February. The number of
hits each file has received, the size of each file, and the total space
occupied by each user will be noted.
2. Users
are billed in January and August for their file space for the previous
six months. At this time users may elect to remove their file(s ) if
they no longer require access to the file(s) to avoid paying for this
space usage for the upcoming six month period.
3. Users
are billed $5 for up to 300MB of storage space each semester; users
exceeding this space will be billed another $5 for each additional 300MB
increment needed.
4. Users
with file(s) that have received no hits during the last year are
notified, and have the option of having the file removed from the
streaming server without being billed during the next 6 month
increment. If the user wishes to leave the file in place on the server,
the user will continue to be billed normally.
5. File(s) placed on the streaming server will be archived locally by Instructional Technologies.
Password protection: Users may
request that their files be password protected; OTS Instructional
Technologies can place a username and password restriction on the file,
and supply it to the user. If this service is requested, the user is
responsible for supplying the username and password to any viewers. OTS
Instructional Technologies may require password protection be sued under
certain circumstances.
How to request this service: Users
should bring their VHS, DVD, MiniDV, 8mm/Hi8, Digital8, or ¾” videotape
that needs to be converted to the BC002 lab desk (located in the rear
of the lab) and fill out the request for conversion and upload,
including start & end dates and copyright release. Once the video
is converted to Windows Media format and uploaded to the server, the
user will be notified via email of the link to their file and will be
able to pick up the original media from the BC002 lab help desk.