Streaming Media @ UGA

Getting Started

1: What does streaming mean?

Streaming is a way of delivering data across a network so that the client computer can use it without downloading an entire file. For more information, see the Overview section of this web site.

2: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using streaming media?

The primary advantage of streaming is that you can view audio and video almost immediately, without having to download an entire file. In addition, streaming allows the delivery of live video over the Internet. The major disadvantage of streaming is that quality is limited by available bandwidth.

3: Can I use streaming for interactive video?

While you might be able to use streaming for interactive video, there is typically a 5-10 second delay when streaming, which would hamper communication. You would be better served by conferencing software such as iChat AV, AOL Instant Messenger, or NetMeeting.

4: Can users save streamed video files locally?

Not easily. One of the advantages of streaming is that it is more difficult to capture an incoming stream and save it. However, it is not impossible to do this, so streaming will not completely protect your media from users capturing and saving the data to use for their own purposes.

5: How long should my clips be?

There is no minimum or maximum length for your clips. However, your account space is initially limited to 250 MB, which will restrict how much you can deliver. If you find yourself wanting to serve longer clips, you may want to ask yourself whether streaming video is the most effective way to deliver the material.

6: How will I know about important changes to the service, or post my own questions with others on campus?

There are two listservs associated with the streaming service. When you request an account on the streaming server, you are automatically subscribed to streaming-users, which may be used for general announcements and discussion, and to stream-announce, which is used by EITS to send announcements out to account holders about the service.

7: Where can I find information about streaming copyrighted media?

Extensive information about copyright and educational fair use can be found at http://www.ctl.uga.edu/teaching_resources/copyright.html

8: Where can I get information about making my media ADA compliant?

Developers of online media at UGA should view the Web Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities page for suggested guidelines and more information regarding implications of Section 508 compliance. For assistance aking your UGA streamed media files accessible, visit the Disability Services website at http://www.dissvcs.uga.edu/.

Media Creation

9: How do I create a streamed file?

In order to create a streaming media file, you will need to be able to capture, edit, and encode your media. See question #10 for information on applications to help you do this. For more detailed information, see the documentation that came with your software.

10: What applications do I need to create files for streaming?

You will need software for capturing, editing, and encoding your media. In many cases, you can capture and edit your video using the same software. There are free options for doing this, such as iMovie or Windows Movie Maker, or you can go with a commercial product such as Final Cut Pro (or Express) or Adobe Premiere. Once your media is captured and edited, you will need to encode it. Here again, you have a number of options available, including iMovie, QuickTime Pro, RealProducer Basic (or Plus), Windows Media Encoder, Discreet Cleaner, or Compressor (bundled with Final Cut Pro).

11: How do I stream live video/audio?

In order to stream live audio or video, you will need a camera and/or microphone connected to your computer, either Producer or QuickTime Broadcaster, and an account on the UGA streaming server with live broadcasting enabled. For more information, see guides/tutorials on this web site.

12: The video and audio quality of my streaming media is poor. What can I do to make it look and sound better?

There are a number of factors that affect the audio and video quality of streamed files and a number of ways to improve their quality.First, always start with the highest-quality video possible. If your source material looks and sounds bad, so will your final encoded product. Second, try to minimize the amount of motion in your video, and only use simple cuts for transitions. This will help keep your encoded file small and quality high. Next, encode your clips at the highest quality level possible, while staying within the limits of your users' bandwidth. For example, if your students will be accessing the video exclusively from on-campus computers, you can encode at a much higher bandwidth and quality level than if they are accessing it from home. Finally, you may want to look at professional-level encoding software, such as Sorenson Squeeze or RealProducer Plus, which offer access to encoding features not available in QuickTime Pro or RealProducer Basic.

13: Can I edit my streamed media file?

While you may be able to edit a file encoded for streaming, we do not recommend it. Files encoded for streaming are highly compressed, and once you edit the file you would need to re-encode it. This double encoding can seriously degrade video and audio quality. If you want to edit a file, we recommend that you go back to an original, high-quality source.

14: Should I use QuickTime, Real, or Windows Media format?

The UGA Streaming Server supports on-demand streaming of all three types. However, the UGA Streaming Server only supports live streaming of QuickTime or RealMedia. You may use whichever format you prefer.

15: I want to stream in a way that doesn't require plug-ins or specific platforms. What is your advice?

While there are technologies available for streaming without plug-ins, they do not approach the quality you can get with QuickTime, RealMedia, or Windows Media. If you are concerned about reaching users who cannot view QuickTime, RealMedia, or Windows Media files (such as Linux users), you may want to provide your video for download in MPEG format, which should be playable on any platform.

16: What is a "reference movie," "metafile," and "playlist," and what do they do?

A reference movie is a movie file that contains one or more pointers to movie files or streams. Reference movies are a type of metafile. Playlists are also a type of metafile that allows you to point to several clips to play in a sequence. If you are going to embed your streaming movie in a web page, you should create a reference movie, and your HTML code will point to that file instead of the file on the streaming server. The reference movie can also direct users to different movie files, each targeting a different bandwidth level.

17: How do I create a "reference movie," metafile," or "playlist"?

To create reference movies:

QuickTime Linking/Embedding
- QuickTime/MakeRefMovie Tutorial (Tutorial on creating a reference movie for QuickTime with Apple's MakeRefMovie.)
RealMedia Linking/Embedding
WindowsMedia Linking/Embedding

To find out more about metafiles and playlists:

Account Management

18: How much space do I have on the server?

Accounts all start with 250MB of space.

19: Can I have more disk space on the streaming server?

If you need more disk space, you may request a quota increase through this web site. You will need to justify the reason for your increase.

20: Should I create a backup of my files on the server?

Yes. You should always back up your data and keep a local copy (on your computer) of all your streaming files.

21: What happens if I lose my password, my files, or have problems getting the files to work on the server?

For technical help, either contact the EITS Help Desk (706.542.3106), or submit a help request via the web form on this site. You may also contact CTL (706.542.1355) for assistance with streaming. For questions related to account access and quotas, contact EITS. For all other questions, you may contact either EITS or CTL.

22: Will my files remain on the server indefinitely?

Your files will remain on the server as long as your account is active.

23: Can students get an account on the streaming server?

Students are not eligible for individual accounts on the streaming server. However, students may access the server through a course account if their instructor has requested one, or through a "special" account for campus organizations on request from a faculty sponsor.

Publishing

24: How do I get (streaming) video into my WebCT course?

There are a couple different ways to get video into your WebCT course. The simplest way is to just provide a link to the video file. Another option is to upload a reference file to WebCT. Finally, you can create an HTML page with your video embedded in it, and upload the HTML file to WebCT. Please see our Tutorials section for more information linking and embedding.

The following are links to information on placing the following streaming formats into your WebCT Course:

25: How can I get my clip to play within a webpage?

You will need to use <EMBED> and <OBJECT> tags to embed your streaming media within a web page. For details, see the following sections of our website:

26: How do I protect my files so that no one else can take them or link to them?

Media files on the streaming server are somewhat protected already since they are only discoverable through links that you provide to viewers. If you want to keep the files private, you should link to your streamed media from password-protected environments such as WebCT. You may also protect your files with a username and password. Be aware, however, that none of these methods of protection are completely foolproof.

In terms of "taking" your files, simply by streaming the video you are making it more difficult for users to capture and save them. However, there are utilities available for capturing live streams, so this is also not foolproof.

For more information on restricting access/securing your media files please see the relevant information below.

UGA Resources

27: Are there facilities for developing streamed media on campus?

The CTL Instructional Development Lab (IDL) contains digital video and audio production facilities available to University of Georgia faculty, teaching assistants, and instructional support staff developing streaming media for instructional purposes. Both Mac and PC platforms are provided along with video and audio editing software. CTL staff are also available by appointment for consultation and training in the use of this equipment and software. The IDL is open from 8-5 Monday through Fridays and is located in the Instructional Plaza North. Please contact CTL at 542-1355 or ctl@uga.edu to schedule an appointment or to reserve the equipment. Please note that the equipment in the IDL is provided for instructors and teaching support staff and is not designated for student use.

28: Are there services available at UGA for producing streaming media?

CTL produces limited streaming media content for instructional projects. Call 542-1355 for more information about this service. CTL also has a self-serve facility that enables clients to produce their own streamed media. For more information, see question #25 Are there facilities on campus for developing streamed media for use in instruction?

29: How can my students upload media and get training and support?

Instructors are responsible for providing any training and support for students using course accounts. The EITS Helpdesk 542-3106 can also answer general student questions about streaming accounts.

30: Where can my students go on campus to view streaming media files?

Computers in the Student Learning Center are equipped with the Real, QuickTime, and Windows Media players necessary for viewing streamed files on the UGA server. Students who wish to listen to audio in the SLC must bring their own headphones. Software and equipment available in other EITS computer labs varies by location. For specific information about each EITS lab on campus see http://www.eits.uga.edu/sites/.