Digital Video for the Next Millennium


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Section Four: Digital Video Client/Servers
Distance Learning Application Support

Transparently, or with minimal HTML programming, a video client/server system should support any application, whether a PowerPoint presentation, a multimedia authoring package, such as Macromedia's Director, or distance learning courseware package. If your institution is using a specific courseware package or officeware suite, verify that API's exist for those software packages or that integration is a simple matter. Verify that the vendor offers an SDK (software developers kit) for integration with any application not currently supported by an existing API. The SDK should be Java-based, for crossplatform applications.

Several digital video system vendors offer distance learning applications as separately-priced modules. Starlight offers the StarLive product, providing synchronized slides, streaming video and online chat for audience voting and question/answer sessions. Advanced Modular Solutions/Digital Bitcasting provide, through the Real Server G2, support for Real Producer Plus and Real Producer Pro, presentation authoring software that combines SMIL and HTML templates for creating synchronized multimedia presentations. CISCO's IP/TV offers SlideCast and QuestionManager for presentations with synchronized slides and online chat sessions for questions and answers. Panasonic's Video Network Server offers the bundled LearningNet from Softcom that integrates audio, video, program outlines, graphics and text into a synchronized presentation.

3CX offers two products: Network Video Explorer and Network Video Presenter. Network Video Explorer is an on-demand learning tool designed to organize, manage and share knowledge resources. Network Video Explorer supports asset streaming, hypermedia browsing and end-user configuration and composition for customized applications. Network Video Presenter streams MPEG, Real and NetShow video and audio with synchronized slides and video annotation in a timeline authoring environment.