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Streaming Media

Common Questions

What is Streaming Media?

How do I get an account and what is involved?

Producing Media for Streaming

Delivering Streaming Media

What is Streaming Media?

Streaming media is a technology that enables you to include audio, video and other multimedia elements into your websites in a more seamless and efficient way than was possible in the past. Visitors to your website will be able to listen to or view media files AS they are downloaded in real time. Media typically consist of audio only, video with audio or any combination of audio, illustrated audio, video, synchronized graphics or animation.
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How does it work?
Audio, video and other media files are specially formatted and placed on a streaming server. Web pages can call these media files as hyperlinks. When users click a media link on a web page the contents of the media file begins to flow across the internet in a gradual and continuous stream from the streaming server to the user’s browser. After about a 5 to 10 second delay, audio and video files begin to play either in a pop up window or embedded into the web page. Users can pause, rewind and fast-forward media clips using a VCR type control panel.
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What is needed to use streaming media?
Those who want to add streaming media to their web sites will need access to a streaming server and special production software for creating specially formatted media files. Streaming media services can provide both streaming server access and producition and formatting assistance. Students or users will need to have a plug-in or player installed as part of their web browser. Users can download the plug-ins for free if they are not included as part of the browser or the computer’s operating system.
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Why and how would I use it in my course?
If used appropriately, the addition of audio and/or video to your course web site can have a positive affect on student learning. You can use streaming media to illustrate concepts, show examples or provide additional background information to material covered in class. Streaming media content material can be incorporated into your course web site in dozens of ways. A few examples include:

  • Audio recordings of lectures, talks, interviews or presentations
  • Powerpoint presentations with narration
  • Excerpts from video tape programs
  • Photographs or images with narration

Some of the examples that are presented on this web site’s showcase illustrate how other faculty members have used streaming technology. DoIT consultants can also give you advice on ways to effectively incorporate streaming into your web site.
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Is streaming media difficult to produce and use?
It depends on what media you want to stream and how much needs to be produced. If you have high quality audio and video tape recordings then converting them to a digital streaming format and placing them on a streaming server is not very difficult. However, if you have to produce your material from scratch then it will be more complicated and take longer. You may choose to produce the media yourself or hire a production service to produce it for you. Whichever option you choose, the production of the media is the most important piece of a good streaming presentation.

A good place to start is the on-line tutorial that is included in the Getting Started section of this website. DoIT also has consultants that can help you with the technology so that you will be able to get your media on your websites easily.
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What is the quality like?
The quality of streamed audio and video files will depend a lot on what type of internet connection your users have. If your users access your online materials on our LAN then the quality will be very good. Audio rocks on the web and your recordings will be nearly as good as FM radio. Streaming motion video is a little more challenging. In most cases you will not be able to get full-screen video at 30 frames per second like you see on your television screen at home. If you choose video, you should be aware that you will loose quality if it is streamed over a modem line as opposed to a network or direct internet connection. We have prepared a comparison of the different technologies, formats and how they look over the various connections to give you a good idea of what your users will see or hear when they access your site.
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What are the most common types of content material to stream?
There are three primary ways that you can stream content material. They are audio, illustrated audio and video. Which way you choose will depend on the needs of your course and the capabilities of your users. For example, if most of your users will be accessing your presentation over a modem connection, you may decide that audio or illustrated audio will be more effective for your user group. On the other hand if your course requirements dictate that your users must see what is happening (a surgical technique for example) then you would choose video as the preferred model.
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Where are some examples?
There are many examples of streaming media included in this website. We have a streaming showcase site including many examples of online streaming applications created at UW Madison. There is also a side-by-side comparison of the different streaming technologies that DoIT supports, just click on the "Go" link in the right-hand sidebar.
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Are there different types of streaming technologies that I can use?
There are several different types of streaming technologies that you can choose from. The most popular are RealMedia, QuickTime, and Windows Media Player. The reasons for their popularity are their reliability, quality, ease of use and overall availability of the players. DoIT supports all of these formats in the server hosting services that they provide. There are many factors that could affect the decision as to which streaming technology will work best for your course. Some of these factors include the required quality, the user base and if there is a platform preference. A DoIT consultant will be happy to help you assess your needs and match those needs with the technology that will work best for your course.
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Can I use Streaming Media Services for video conferencing?
Streaming Media Services generally does not handle video conferencing and similar applications that connect people to each other. We focus on on-demand video and live event coverage. There is a video conferencing product available to all system campuses called Breeze. More information is available at ExtendLMS@ICS. The UW also has facilities for conferencing at the Pyle Center with staff dedicated to UW Madison video conferencing needs.
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How do I get an account and what is involved?
First you have determine if you are eligible for a streaming media account. If you are eligible all that is required is filling out a short application form. Although we do recommend reviewing our online documentation to better understand the technologies available prior to requesting an account.
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Who can use DoIT’s streaming services?
Streaming media services are available only to individuals who are affiliated with a UW System institution. Each UW institution has a representative who you may contact to set up an account. Non affliated institutions, agencies or individuals are not eligible for the service. For information about streaming technologies a good resource is http://streaming.wisconsin.edu.
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How do I get started?
Your first step should be to go through the on-line streaming media tutorial included in the Getting Started section of this web site. This will give you a better understanding of what streaming media is and how it works. It will take about 15 – 20 minutes and can be taken in sections. The next step would be to contact a DoIT consultant to talk about your proposed project. You can do this by either filling out the account/consulting request form on this website or calling the individual that you would like to speak with directly. The names and contact information for each of the DoIT consultants as well as the application form is included in the contact us section of this website.
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What will all of this cost me?
UW-Madison academic staff who will be using streaming technology as part of a timetable course are eligible to receive a subsidized package that includes one hour of consulting services as well as a basic account on the streaming hosting server. They also will be eligible to attend certain Streaming Media courses offered by DoIT for no charge. Staff members on campus will receive one hour of consulting services without charge as well as access to the DoIT sponsored training, but the hosting services are not subsidized and the basic account charges at a fee of $50 per month ($600 annually) as well as any training related course fees.

All other services including additional consulting and production services will be provided on a contract basis.

DoIT’s current rates
Basic Account Academic 1gb Subsidized
Basic Account Administrative 1gb $50 per month
Extra Disk Space 1-5 gb $25 per month
Extra Disk Space 5-15gb $50 per month
Extra Disk Space 15-50gb $75 per month
Extra Disk Space 50+gb Contact us for a quote
Consultation $63 per hour
Advanced Support $63 per hour
Live Event Streaming Contact us for a quote


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What is included with a streaming server hosting account?
Each account includes 1GB of storage space. You will be able to stream files in any one of the 3 formats supported by DoIT. The currently available formats are Windows Media, Quicktime & Real Media. You also have the capability to use Apple file sharing, Windows file sharing (via Madison campus LAN or WiscVPN), or WebDAV files to your account and make any adjustments to these files as necessary. All accounts are password protected so only you will have access to the files. The streaming hosting servers are housed on the DoIT Platform in a production environment and are supported by DoIT 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The servers are new and have an extremely high performance rating. These machines are very reliable, but should a failure of any kind occur, DoIT has procedures in place to get them up and running as quickly as possible.
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Producing media for streaming on the web

What’s involved in the production process?
First you will need to obtain source material or media content. Once you have your source material, you will need to convert this material into the proper digital format on a computer. The final quality of your streaming audio, video or graphics will depend a lot on how you acquire and work with your source material. For further information and tips on how to successfully complete these two steps, please review the on-line tutorial in the Getting Started section of this website.
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What knowledge and skills do I need? (Do I have to be a technical person?)
You will need experience playing sound and video files on your computer, the ability to locate and access these files from your harddrive or CD ROM drive and an understanding of the different media file formats. If you will be doing using video or editing existing material you may want to consider having a campus production facility assist you. If you are unsure, a good place to get started is the on-line tutorial on streaming media that is included with this website. You can access the tutorial under the Getting Started section of this website.
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Are there places on campus that have production tools and facilities?

There are several entities on campus that can assist you with the Production process. Below are the names and contact information for each of these facilities:

How do copyright provisions affect my streamed material?
The responsibility for adhering to the copyright laws and provisions remains with the owner of the website where the media will be accessed. If you have questions in regards to your specific situation, you should contact University Legal Services.
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How much time will this process take?

This depends on factors such as:

  1. Is media already produced?
  2. What type of media do you want to stream? (video, audio only, animation, Illustrated audio, etc.)
  3. Editing of media

A DoIT consultant will be able to give you an estimate of the amount of time that will be required for your project.
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What are some pitfalls and problems to watch out for?
The two most common problems are using poor quality original media and using motion video when another format will work as well.

The importance of using high quality original media cannot be overstated. As media is compressed to allow it to stream over the network the quality degrades from the original. If the original media is not high quality you may find that the end product that streams to your users is unacceptable.

Thinking that you must use full motion video instead of other formats can also cause you problems. There are many presentations that will be more effective using Illustrated Audio techniques or simply audio. Audio and Illustrated Audio are much more useable when your audience will be accessing your site using modem connections. It is important to look at all factors before you determine that you need to use full motion video. There are instances where nothing else will do, and as mentioned above you want to make sure that your original media is very high quality.
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Delivering Streaming Media

Do I need to use a streaming server?
You will need to use a streaming server that has the server software for the streaming format you have chosen to use. DoIT has servers that are equipped with Real, QuickTime, and Windows Media. Our consultants would be happy to help you determine which format will best suit your requirements.
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Can I set up my own server?
As with any type of technology, you can always choose to do it yourself. There are advantages and disadvantages to setting up your own server. Our goal is to make our DoIT Streaming services so easy to use and so cost effective that you will not need to embark on the route of self support.
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What are the associated costs for hosting services?
If you are using these services for classroom instruction, then DoIT will cover the cost of the hosting services and you will be given an account free of charge. If you will be using these services for work related areas other than instruction, then there is a nominal fee of $50 per month ($600 annually) for a 1GB account and an unlimited number of streams.
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How will my students access streaming media files?
To access your streaming media files, once your students have a player installed, all they will have to do is go to your designated website and click on the media clips. Once they have done this, the media files will begin streaming to their computer and will begin playing in a matter or seconds.
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Who will the students call if they have problems or questions?
If your students have problems accessing your media clip but have not had problems accessing your website, then they should call the DoIT Help Desk at 264-4357. If the problem is associated with the DoIT hosting server, then a case will be opened and escalated to the appropriate technologist for resolution.

If the problem is with the plug-in or installation, the Help Desk will be able to help with basic problems and questions, but for issues that the Help Desk cannot resolve, the student will be referred to the vendor of the plug-in that they are having problems with for support.
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How reliable are the Streaming Media services?
The streaming hosting servers are housed on the DoIT Platform in a production environment and are supported by DoIT 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The servers are new and have an extremely high performance rating. These machines are very reliable, but should a failure of any kind occur, DoIT has procedures in place to get them up and running as quickly as possible.
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What file back-up and recovery services are available?
We have multiple redundancies and are well protected against server failure. In a worst case scenario of catastrophic failure we can not 100% guarantee file recovery. For mission critical material we recommend clients keep multiple backups of all media files both locally and archived on a durable media. For those with advance backup needs DoIT offers the Bucky Backup service.

Your data is safe because we mirror all data frequently but files that are erased by users may be deleted on the mirrors the next time the mirrors are updated leaving little time for file recovery. In the case of accidental deletion of files Streaming Media Services provides backup in a best effort capacity with no guarantee of file recovery.
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What do my students need to do?
Many of your students will already have had experience accessing streaming media of some sort whether audio or video or images. Because of this they will most likely have a player currently installed on the machine that they are using. All of the computers in the INFO Labs on campus have the players installed for RealMedia, QuickTime, and Windows Media.

If your students do not have a player installed on their system they can download a player for free over the internet by visiting the site of the vendor. Once a student has a player installed on their computer, all they need to do is access your website and click on the media clip. The clip will then begin to stream to their computer and start to play in a matter of seconds.
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