FLASH-BASED ON-LINE SIMULATION VIDEOTron Compton-Engle

Case Western Reserve University

June 19th, 2009

Impetus

Library tired of cataloging, storing, and checking out VHS tapes and DVDs

Students tired of checking out VHS tapes and DVDs; wanted “electronic” access

Limited use of simulation video by students due to inconvenience

Very limited use of simulation video by faculty due to inconvenience

Faculty Requirements

Students cannot download video Password protected: students cannot see

anyone else’s video until they have been recorded their own

Very easy to use Ability to comment on video Live, password protected remote viewing

by faculty

My Requirements

System could not be significantly more burdensome to AV staff than VHS

Platform neutral (Mac/PC compatible)

Contenders- MediaNotes

Pros Free Robust commenting

Cons Learning curve for software Students have easy access to video files

(“to post on YouTube”) Not web-based Permissions management not built into

system

Contenders - CommuniCoach Pros

Very robust commenting Course management approach to video Permissions management built-in Web-based

Cons Time consuming to set up course structure Faculty learning curve At the time, not Mac compatible or AD

integrated Not free

Contenders - Windows Media Server Pros

No additional cost Able to disable caching, downloading

videos Cons

Permissions management Poor cross-platform compatibility

Decision – InternallyDeveloped IIS/Flash Site Pros

True cross-platform compatibility, web-based Easy permissions management (web-based,

AD/NTFS integrated) Ability to disable right-click downloads Very little learning curve for faculty and

students Relatively easy for AV

Cons No commenting (yet) Some performance issues with Flash player Video is cached locally (progressive download;

not streamed)

Demo

http://lawvideo.case.edu

Posting ProcessVersion 1.0

Technical DetailsVersion 1.0 Camcorder: Samsung SC-MX10

(generates AVI’s with proprietary codec) “Batchable” conversion software: Alive

Video Converter and Alive Video to Flash Converter

Web site: IIS 6.0 with Longtail’s JW FLV Player and progressive download FLV files

Version 1.0 Pros and Cons

Pros Can convert virtually any video file type

Cons Have to use precise file names Large initial file sizes (slow transfers) Poor post-conversion video quality Complicated requirements and directions

Posting ProcessVersion 2.0

Technical DetailsVersion 2.0 Camcorder: Sanyo VPC-CG9 (generates

“web friendly” MP4s with non-proprietary H.264 codec; no conversion necessary)

Web site: IIS 6.0 with Longtail’s JW FLV Player and progressive download FLV files

“Parts List”

Sanyo VPC-CG9 Tripod (standard) VAR-A2 accessory VAR-G8 accessory SD card JW FLV Player license

VAR-A2

VAR-G8

Version 2.0 Pros and Cons

Pros No file conversion: can drag and drop directly to web

server; no need for batch files and precise file names Better quality video (because of no conversion) Smaller video sizes for much faster transfers from camera

to web server Much faster posting of videos (hourly playlist scheduled

task) Faculty can self-manage process from recording to posting Much less complicated requirements and directions

Cons Must use camcorder which records natively in Flash

compliant file type (FLV or H.264 MP4 with progressive download support)

Sanyo camcorder does not come with AC power supply or external microphone option

Feedback

Both faculty and students watched more videos

Faculty reviewed videos to refresh memory when writing formal notes, grading, or justifying grade given

More faculty are now requesting that their classes be recorded

Lead faculty members could easily review adjuncts’ sessions

Ability to skip around in video allowed greater efficiency

Clinic is now using camcorders for off-site interviews, crime scene filming, etc.

Outstanding Issues

Can we incorporate a commenting feature? Should this be the solution for recording our

large lecture classes due to video/audio quality? Are there other camcorders with “web friendly”

H.264/progressive download files (and ideally an AC adapter and an external microphone option)?

If not, how long will we be able to acquire the Sanyo VPC-CG9 with necessary accessories?

What should we name the system (OMRI)?

Other Thoughts

Could you use Adobe Connect for faculty to view and comment remotely, record the meeting and then post on the site?

Using v. 1.0 system, you could record the classroom screen and audio with software like CaptureWiz or Camtasia, convert to FLV and post

You could check out camcorders in the library for student-only assignments

You could give camcorders to students, faculty, librarians, etc. for vlogs with easy self-posting (abroad programs, student recruitment, training, etc.)

Could security cameras with remote control capabilities and scheduling features be tied into this system?

Q and A

Questions?