All things related to multicast

[Frank Fulchiero <>]

On Mar 27, 2007, at 11:49 AM, Dan Oachs wrote:

> Thanks for the information.  It is always good to hear that it was  
> not something I did that is keeping it from working :)
> If there is anything we can do to help test it, just let me know.   
> We really appreciate having these channels available.
>
>    Thanks again,
>       Dan Oachs
>       Gustavus Adolphus College


Sorry for the late response (I've been buried), but this is the  
situation we find ourselves in also, I believe. And possibly others.
The UCTV channels are a great asset, and George is doing the  
educational community a big service by streaming them.
However, he is doing this as an unpaid volunteer, with limited  
resources of equipment and time. On the other hand, when you have a  
usable asset, it is even more useful when you have some level of  
reliability and predictability. We are not yet at the stage, of  
course, when any technology is 100% reliable.

I suggested that we take up discussion of UCTV and similar  
initiatives at the recent Research Channel Working Group (Internet2)  
meeting at the SURA-ViDe Conference on March 27 in Atlanta, GA, USA.  
It was agreed to give the topic of "Multicast Streaming of  
International Channels" 10 minutes at the meeting, as there were many  
other valuable topics to discuss. Dave Deveraux-Weber graciously  
agreed to moderate the discussion, and did a great job at introducing  
attendees to the concept of multicast streaming video, and what UCTV  
is doing. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to get into the  
issues of how to help support and keep this initiative going, even  
after going over our alloted time.

Here was the message I sent out to the WG-RC mailing list before the  
meeting, to prep folks for the session. I don't speak for George, or  
represent him, but he agreed to it and provided valuable feedback:

<snip>

1. Are any institutions streaming similar channels, either internally  
in their own intranet, or externally on multicast so others can view  
them?

2. Are there any future plans to do so?

3. Do any educators feel this is a unique asset that has the  
potential to benefit:

a) Teaching and Learning
b) Research
c) Cross-cultural understanding and appreciation

4. If an institution is streaming these internally, what would it  
take to enable sharing the channels to a larger educational group?  
What obstacles need to be overcome?

5. Can anything be done to assist in seeing these types of services  
grow?

6. Is there any room for collaboration? For example, having different  
institutions stream a different channel or group, to eliminate  
duplication of efforts.

7. More specifically, George Bray, who heads UCTV, could use some  
assistance in continuing this service, in the form of:

a) Letters from any participants that what UCTV is doing is  
worthwhile in the educational context.

b) Feedback on how many other institutions are using multicast TV to  
reach the campus student network, or are planning this in the future.  
UCTV would like to continue this.

c) Assistance in procuring new equipment, and development funds that  
would result in benefit to other institutions.. The outcome would be  
hardware and software specs for a Mac-Mini based DVB-S or DVB-T  
receiver for three satellite USB boxes that others could use.

d) Clarification of the position of I2 and institutional management  
on the legal aspects of relaying channels from one global  
jurisdiction to another. And  the legal aspects of receiving them.

e) George also mentions development on VLC, specifically to quote him:

“The other area where I think a little developer funding would go a  
long way is putting some effort into refinement of the VLC browser  
plugin.  This open-source plugin allows web site developers to easily  
include broadcast TV services in their web applications. This  
software opens up enormous opportunities for global communities to be  
formed around broadcast media, by combining the live (or recorded) TV  
and all the "Web 2.0" aspects of web-based group communication.  
Currently, the software is buggy and not very reliable. What's  
required here is some technical talent to get inside how the plugin  
works, and how it ties into VLC on the host platforms, and to work  
with the VLC developers on making it reliable and extending the  
functionality.”

</snip>

I think it boils down to the fact that some type of cooperative/ 
collaborative effort will be needed to ensure the survival and growth  
of this beyond the "Pilot" stage. It's too much to expect one person  
at one institution to do this for free year after year, ideally there  
should be some type of distributed responsibility. In the meantime,  
folks can contact George regarding any assistance they can provide.  
It's natural that some institutions and individuals will be in a  
position to assist more than others.

We are a small institution, but at our end, I have tried to make the  
UCTV channels more useful by starting to put information and a  
schedule for them on-line

http://nutmeg.conncoll.edu/wiki/index.php/UCTV_Channels

And if George can still benefit from a Mac Mini for development  this  
summer, will try to get him one.
I also may have $600 or so in wages available for "summer of code"  
student programming to improve the functionality of VLC for these  
purposes. I know it's not a lot, but if we all chip in somehow, maybe  
we can keep this going.

If anyone has feedback on any of the above, I'd love to hear it. And  
George, if I've got anything wrong, please correct me.

Thanks,

Frank Fulchiero
Digital Media Specialist
Connecticut College