JMU Online Video

Collection

JMU Online Video

CollectionBackground and Technical Processes for

the VIVA Multimedia Collections Task Force

Jeff Clark, Grover SaundersJames Madison University

Background and Technical Processes for the VIVA Multimedia Collections Task

Force

Jeff Clark, Grover SaundersJames Madison University

JMU Project• GOAL: Provide high-value, high-

use online video programming in decent quality for classroom or desktop viewing.

• “No more check-out”

– Inspired by OhioLINK project.

Project Implementation

• Initial task force included all campus technology partners

– Library– Media Resources– Classroom Technology– Center for Instructional Technology– Information Technology– Computing Support

Task Force Recommendations

Campus infrastructure adequate

MPEG-4 format

Streaming options for high/low bandwidth

Download option for faculty if possible

Task Force Recommendations

QuickTime player for standard support

User access and authentication through existing Madison Digital Image Database

Add links to library catalog records

Small pilot project first

The ProcessThe Process

The Cataloging

• DVDs are received from the vendor.

• Cataloging info is collected and organized in an Excel spreadsheet

• DVDs are sent to CIT for encoding.

The Ripping

• DVDs are copied to the hard drive and encoded in groups of ten using Handbrake.– Free & Open Source– Archive quality .mp4– Archive stored for

future revisions to project.

The Ripping

MPEG-4 chosen as archive format to facilitate ease of future encoding.

This is the most time consuming aspect of the process mostly due to

dead time between DVDs.

The EncodingArchives are encodedfor delivery usingSorenson Squeeze– Streaming• 300k for off-

campus• 500k for on-

campus– Download• VBR suitable for

viewing full screen in class

The Encoding

“Watch Folder” allows us to automaticallyprocess files after they are ripped.

MPEG-4 Video with AAC Audio

300k - 480x360, 256k,15fps, 32k audio 500k - 512x384, 512k, 30fps, 64k audioVBR - 512x384, 1Mb, 30fps, 128k audio

Archive - 720x480, 2Mb, 30fps, 256k audio

The Ripping & Encoding Hardware

• Dual 2.3 Ghz G5 from Apple– Wide range of video tools available for OS

X.– Eventually 3 dedicated machines for this

task.– Processors and HD space most important

criteria for any purchase.

The Cataloging Part II

• MDID– Restricts access to

JMU community and manages rights to individual files.

LEO– JMU’s online library catalog. This ties the physical resources with the online version. Promotes service.

Upload files to the server

Updates to catalogs made from spreadsheet

The Streaming Server

• Apple Xserve with Xraid– Dual 1.8 Ghz G5– 1.1 TB of storage in RAID 5• Expandable to 4.6 TB by just adding

modules– Chosen for price and ease of administration.– 919 Titles (460GB) and 453 Archives (314GB)

The Viewer

• MDID determines access to individual files.

• Users must use Quicktime player to view streams.

• When vendor allows it, faculty also can choose to download the video ahead of time for in class viewing.