Streaming media player help

Streaming Video

To view video from the CareerTech Learning Network, you need an MPEG-4 standard compliant player on your computer. We have tested and recommend Apple's QuickTime Player. We have also had success with Real Network's RealOne Player with the EnvivioTV plugin. The current version of RealOne player auto-downloads the EnvivioTV plugin but audio often does not sound good. However, downloading and installing the standalone Envivio plugin will resolve the issue. All are free to download.

The CareerTech Learning Network has settled on the MPEG-4 video format for real time streaming video. MPEG-4 is a modern streaming format for web delivery which is comparable to QuickTime, Real Media and Windows Media.

The following considerations were weighed when determining the best streaming format for the network and its customers.

• User Experience
  The end user will form opinions based largely on the intuitive nature of their web experience. Real Player proves time and time again to be frustrating to download and seems to "take over" the Windows desktop environment. On the contrary, Windows Media Player is integrated with Windows by default while QuickTime is integrated with Mac OS. QuickTime and Windows Media Player are relatively trivial to install on their counterpart Operating Systems. So with this, QuickTime and Windows Media Player become viable client movie players while Real Player seems to be a frustration.
• Financial/Security Cost to Deliver
  When it comes to choosing a streaming server, you can only beat free if free isn't good enough. Fortunately Darwin Streaming Server, Apple's open source streaming server, is stable and proven. Both Real Network's Real Media and Microsoft's Windows Media streaming servers carry licensing fees. Windows Media streaming server also takes a hit because it is only available on a platform that is known to have many security issues.
• Quality of Video Image
  So far, image quality and bandwidth efficiency of MPEG-4 has not quite matched the most current versions of QuickTime, RealMedia and Windows Media but the difference is marginal.
• Compatibility, Portability, Longevity
  Because MPEG-4 is an open standard, there are a number of reasons why it rises above other proprietary formats. The number of client players is likely to increase giving the end user a better experience by letting them choose the player they like best. The portability factor increases as more streaming servers build in the capability to stream MPEG-4. Using an open standard prevents becoming locked into a particular vendor's solution, extending longevity. Standards, standards, standards...

In conclusion, the decision was made to deliver streaming video in MPEG-4 format through Darwin Streaming Server on the Linux platform.

Apple
Envivio
Microsoft
Real Networks

Flash Video

Flash video offers significant advantages over tradional streaming formats for certain applications. Flash video plays within the Flash player without the need for any other media player software. The ubiquitous nature of the Flash player makes Flash video one of the most convenient ways for learners to receive streaming video. Plus, the seamless integration of Flash video with interactivity presents tremendous opportunities for instructional media developers. Content developers will appreciate the HTTP delivery of Flash video. HTTP video delivery means that video, web pages, graphics, and interactive animations can all be stored and managed in the same location. It also removes the cost and management overhead associated with developing, delivering, and managing a Real Video or Windows Media streaming architecture.

The CTLN media development team specializes in the instructional use of Flash video. Flash video allows for greater freedom in our instructional design process and fewer technology barriers for our learners. As a result, CTLN courses that feature video will use Flash video almost exclusively. For more information on the evolution of Flash as a rich media platform visit the Macromedia web site.