Deciding a video format

One of the big decisions in this project is what video format to use. Streaming video requires a lot of bandwidth and processing power. Selecting the right format might save a lot of time and money. At the moment the GNG is using QuickTime along with Windows Media for streaming.

After a lot of research we have decided to try to go with the newer Flash Video Format, FLV. This format is relatively new but is already used a lot of places, including MTV and Google Video. Some of the strongpoints of this format is:

1. The format uses the normal Flash Player Plugin. More than 95% of the computers today used for web browsing have this plugin. This removes the problem of having to install additional software to view the documentaries. It also removes the problem of having to upload the videos in both QuickTime and Windows Media formats as FLV is platform independent.

2. The videos load faster than any other format today and doesn't require as much processing power to view.

3. The files can be put on a normal webserver instead of having to pay for an external streaming server. This also enables visitors to download the videos and view them offline or bring them to another computer or media.

There are of course also some downsides:

1. A copy of Macromedia Flash 8 Professional must be purchased if the player is put on the website.

2. All videos will have to be converted to the FLV format.

We think that the strongpoints heavily outweigh the downsides. This has been discussed with David from GNG and tomorrow will be used trying to build a prototype of a GNG FLV Media Player to see if it works as intended. More about the technical solution will be posted soon.

Method

The search function and the structured browsing will be developed in cooperation with the GNG as they have several years of experience working with schools and their students. Other resources might include the people at dvoted.net who are also working with a big database of films that has to be well organized.

The database system will be developed using a combination of a MySQL database and active server scripting – either ASP or PHP. Programming will be done in open-source freeware and graphics will be done using Adobe Photoshop.

The documentaries will be stored on an external server. The database system will not contain the documentaries themselves but links to their location on the external server. How technical the uploading of new documentaries will be is to be considered with the GNG. Testing the system will involve the GNG, contacts of other project groups and if possible students and teachers. This will ensure that the system will work as intended and help finding any bugs or quirks that should be updated.

Theses

Through research and communication with the GNG we have come to believe that the best solution would be a searchable online database of documentaries. The documentaries will have to be easy accessible and structured in such a way that they are easy to find either by a keyword search or through structured sortings and categories.

The system must be fast, flexible and easy to use in order to make sure that children will be capable of accessing the content. The database might also contain functions to help teachers make structured lists of documentaries for their students to watch as we believe the cooperation with schools plays a very important role in terms of making the students watch the documentaries.

Implementing the database in the current GNG website is a great way to catch the attention of visitors and possibly read more about the GNG and spread the word, increasing the general awareness of the GNG. The system will also have to be easy and fast for the GNG staff to use.

The system will have both a front- and a backend. This will ensure that the GNG will have the ability to add more documentaries to the system easily.

The Assignment

The Global Nomads Group has more than 100 short documentaries 2-5 minutes each, and they need to find an easy and effective way to make these short films available for people all over the world. How can we make more than 100 documentaries easily accessible, along with background reading and extra material to order?

The solution must contain both a front-end and a back-end so the content is easily managed by the GNG. It must require as little technical skill to use as possible.

Smaller projects such as the editing of a movie might be run in parallel with the main project. These will be put on the time schedule when discussed with the GNG.

Day no. 1

Today we had our first real workday. Yesterday we met up with David for a quick meeting along with Kristian.

We got in at around 10.00 am and we started to discuss how to do this stuff. We did a bit of research and had a bunch of questions for David. We're currently trying to figure out how we want to structure the documentaries in the search-engine. Hopefully we'll have something figured out at the end of tomorrow.

That's pretty much all exciting stuff we did today.

-Michael