Video-on-Demand is Launched

 

Wilson Wong

The use of videos as a means for learning and knowledge update is becoming commonplace. In view of this, the Computing Services Centre (CSC) has set up the Video-on-Demand (VoD) facility, which enables interactive access to videos on campus. Video shows on videotapes or laser discs can be digitised and stored in the central video server for individual viewing using a PC on CTNET at anytime and simultaneously by many people. (It is just like having local video players at various sites used by different people, and they can access to different or the same video without interrupting one another.) Video-net (video network) Due to the high bandwidth requirement of VoD, initially the facility will be available in lecture theatres and some designated computer rooms on campus. But in the near future, all the video data transmission will be on the video-net , which is a parallel network of the current data network. This enables the service to be extended such that users can view video materials from any PC within the campus. Applications on Campus VoD can be used as a teaching aid. As such, teaching materials in video format can be encoded and stored on the video server, allowing simultaneous real-time access to the same piece of information from various locations. Viewing of video clips can be assigned to students as part of their assignment. For instance, seminars from other institutions, laboratory demonstration, training sessions and lectures etc. can be pre-recorded. These sources can be played back at any time during or after a class to supplement the classroom experience. General users may view the video clips for knowledge updates. Forums or conferences can be recorded for viewing at a later time. Undoubtedly, VoD has opened up our users’ exposure to a more diversified wealth of information. For a more thorough account of VoD, please read the article on “Video-on-Demand in Education”, featured in issue 14 of Network Computing. Seminar on VoD will also be organised to introduce the new facility to all CityU staff. To Put a Video on the Network Please visit our Media Production Service (formerly the Hard Copy Centre) in the CSC and submit a request form. You will be notified when the video material is ready to be viewed on the video-net. For enquiry, please contact the Media Production Service at ext. 8257.

Computing Services Centre City University of Hong Kong ccnetcom@cityu.edu.hk