Winner: I2i Online—Show Me How to Play(59%)

You can view all the winners at the streaming media website.

Design and development

The application was built using Zinc and Flash. The animated intro was made using  After Effects and the design and graphics where made in  Fireworks.  The application worked on Mac and PC’s with an autorun file for the PC. The video files where all encoded as flash flv’s and the great thing about using Zinc is that no flash plug-in is required on the users computer so we can use the latest video codec.

Issues

One small bug was found when building this application. Zinc was unable to read the xml file on a mac when the £ (£) symbol was used. The symbol needed to be changed to  £ in the xml file.

Getting the application to autorun on a PC was also made differcult in that the standard CD-Rom autorun would not work. The next best thing was to select the application in the popup window.

The code is as follows:

[AutoRun]

OPEN=UK_indies.exe
ICON=UK_indies.exe
ACTION=UK Indies
LABEL=UK Indies

This is a fully compatible Dreamweaver CMS solution supporting MSSQL and Access data types. The CMS runs straight out of the box and supports nice URLs,  multiple devices and screen sizes, page drafts, unlimited menus, WYSIWYG editors, media upload, video streaming, multiple access levels, standards compliant, reCaptcha, built in shopping Cart, Forums, Blogging full integration with WordPress and much more. All editable inside Dreamweaver.

The Dreamweaver CMS supports :

Standards-compliant for XHTML 1.0 Transitional, CSS 2.1
Making the site standard compliant will ensure the site is built for the future. This will reduce costs in updating the site as new browsers are released

WCAG-compliant (W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Initiative), preferably Priority 2 or 3, but at least Priority 2
Ensuring the site is WCAG compliant means that strict accessibility and disability requirements are adhered to.

Use of liquid widths, not fixed widths, for the entire layout
The layout of the site is important so that the site will perform on different platforms, such as TV, Mobile and Handheld devices.

The content management system (CMS) allows the client to add, edit and delete content and build a menu structure for the site without the need to understand complex html or server side code. It includes a page template selection and the support of images and content with the option to download documents. The CMS is designed to output accessible and W3C valid web code and the site design will allow for best practice in usability and search engine optimization.

12►

Example Features & Benefits

• WYSIWYG Editor – Easy content authoring and editing with familiar tools
• Multi Language – XML Templates for creating multiple lanagauge files
• Click and edit – In-context contribution, preview, and approval
• Standards based – Future proofing your website
• Repurpose content – Re-use content in multiple pages
• Centralised access management – delegated administration
• Bringing content into context – meta-tagging data
• Nice URLS’s – Easy to remember URLs’ to bookmark
• Menu Editor - Easy menu editing andrestructuring
• Image /Video / Document Library – Re-use assets on multiple pages
• Secure access – protecting your assets
• Search - Powerful search of full unlimited article length
• Increase brand awareness – enforcing corporate identity
• Streamline content lifecycle – increase efficiency and productivity
• Flash AS2 front end – Optional flash template for rich media interface
• Much much more

If your are interested please register here

The Internet Broadcaster is a scheduling tool with a user friendly interface that allows the user to organize their media clips into a live scheduled stream, as a video on demand solution or as a live TV stream which runs on a 24 x 7 schedule, just like television.

Your content is managed by the broadcast scheduler in order to make the deployment of your  online internet tv channel as simple as possible . The Internet Broadcaster allows you to control all aspects of your media, from the media metadata, protecting the programmes by location and including advertising and programme information.

This management system also allows various options of launching which include:

• Scheduled streaming with Windows Media server and Flash streaming server
• Video on demand solution for watching anytime
• Fully searchable video and programme level
• Multiple bandwidth support
• Charging for pay-per view by subscription or as freeview TV
• Support for multiple TV channels
• Live TV integration

There are even servers that will give the client the option to playout content side to side with dynamic advertising.

Detailed metrics and feedback in real time display all aspects of the system’s performance and emailed player statistics.

For clients wanting more advanced solutions, there is an option to create multichannel players or mobile players on the web. The content will be downloadable and distributable on a P2P mode or delivery at the same time as video contributions from viewers will be uploadable. The content can be made available to mobile networks, wireless systems, the internet, broadband services and to digital signage, point of sale and point of information displays.

The system has been built to support broadcast playout on cable and satellite, STB (set top box) and IPTV systems.

The content can be controlled in real time from the web based console and deployment is immediate and detailed user and transaction management is included.

The service is commercialized by using pay-per-view, subscription, micro charging, content syndication, advertising, sponsorship, e-commerce and wagering. These commercial opportunities can be mixed and matched and changed in real time as the content manager wishes. Hereafter, the system provides full monitoring and statistics.

Content Management

The interent broadcaster can manage all your media requirements:

12►

• Total control over all video and audio clips
• Full management of data to categorize and describe the media – often called metadata
• Full statistical feedback at content level
• Content expiry
• Parental guidance ratings
• Supports content on mobile, wireless, broadband, internet, broadcast and digital
• Full control over scheduling, with options of repetition (loop or not, dates)
• Managing media, the programme and the schedule
• Managing of bitrates to appeal to targeted audiences
• Managing the order of events, order of advertisements, importance and so on
• Future proofed – additional formats can be supported
• All metadata fully customizable
• Thumbnails are automatic created from the uploaded video files
• Thumbnails are automatic created from the uploaded video files
• Playback support multiple bitrates file and multi-bitrate files
• Each channel can have a custom first play video for play out before connecting to the live schedule
• Users can fast forward, rewind, jump to the next video in the playlist. Restrictions are built in to stop user skipping to the next programme or missing adverts and company idents.

Players

• Create, brand and customize all elements of the Player (colour, font, number of buttons, shape)
• Produce Players on any platform
• Players support live events, video on demand, searchable content and 24 x 7 scheduled content
• Multiple Players can be created and branded
• Interpolate players to allow various channels running simultaneously

Security and DRM

• This system gives importance to security
• Hide URLs and any client side hackable resources
• Encrypt files with full, configurable DRM as they are uploaded
• Prevents off-streaming hijacking
• Fully SDMI compliant
• Full user management and authentication

Reporting

• Detailed tracking of all activity provides granular feedback on all users, players, content elements and channels
• Detailed payment and commercial feedback in real time
• Detailed advertising information in real time
• Provides a Calendar to keep track of streaming, viewers, commerce…

AdServer

• The adserver allows users to create advert campaigns around media clips. Clips can be added via the broadcast scheduler or in the case of third parties as external links.
• The AdServer consists of two sections: media campaign manager & advert campaign manager
• The media campaign manager allows the user to create an individual campaign for each advert.
• The advert campaign manager allows the user to insert which adverts play in any individual placeholder

Additional Solutions

The Interent broadcaster is available in many flavours. These include:

FLV Scheduled Solution

• The flash media scheduling solution is an browser based content management solution for creating programmes and scheduling video play out over a 24/7 all year round.
• The system supports unlimited channels and unlimited domains
• Thumbnails are automatic created from the uploaded video files
• Playback support multiple bitrates file
• Each channel can have a custom first play video for play out before connecting to the live schedule
• Programmes and channels can be blocked by country or area using built in Geo-blocking
• Client are able to uploads content via ftp to their own windows media server* account or the i2i CDN. * Requires additional  software component to be installed to interface will the i2i system.
• The client can creates media clips, programmes and assigns programmes to a pre programmed schedule.
• AdSense or other banner images or code can easily be added via the admin console for display on the site
• The scheduler supports advanced customization and personalization of the site. This includes the theme, player design, background image, logo, styles and colours.
• The scheduler includes several themes and player designs for personal selection and colour customization
• The scheduler supports custom text content and menu creation
• A bandwidth checker selects the best available video bitrate and also allows the user to override these settings
• A user can create weekly and custom playlists. These can de scheduled to play out at a set date in advance
• The schedule provides a full search functionality and genre filter
• The scheduler allow the user to assign relationships between programmes and channels, relationships between programmes and other programmes and channel highlights
• Programme recommendations can be shown after a user watches a programme not in the schedule
• All programmes can have detailed descriptions for search engine optimisation
• Programmes can be grouped into series for easy linking
• Full admin administration activation and grouping of user accounts
• The scheduler provides real time display of current video information
• Additional support for subscriptions and billing customers
• Full Support for text and audio captions which can be assigned to each media clip
• The advertising module allows the administrator to add video advert campaigns on the fly to the playlist. These campaigns can be weighted and fully pre programmed to start on any date and run until the campaigns targets are met
• Flash file can be injected with metadata on the fly for playback on the flash player
• Fully cross browser and platform
• The flash player comes pre-programmed with several EPG styles. These include a Standard, Photoflow and a 9 way EPG
• The player controls are fully skin-able and can be customized easily to match a clients branding
• The player has a rapid port and protocol detection system to enable video playback from behind most corporate firewalls. Switching to http as quickly as possible to avoid any possible delay in the user experience
• All programmes can be rated with a simple star rating application
• The player can be embedded in any site with the simple embed option
• The player supports all video formats supported by the flash player including HD
• Users can skip to chapter points and the chapter points can include PowerPoint style information about the video

Cable Broadcast Solution

• The cable broadcaster works on a 24/7 * broadcasting system
• The video stream is played on the head-end computer, and then captured for broadcasted.
• The cable broadcaster supports many formats including but not limited to avi, wmv, mov, mpeg2 and mpeg4. Other video codec can be broadcast where there duration can be detected by mplayer
• Clients can upload the content via ftp videos to their windows media server or to the i2i CDN.
• An application is installed on head-end server to manage the connection between the content management system and playlist/video. This application manages updates and the playlist timeframe while keeping the playlist synchronised
• Playlist managed via internet browser
• Videos and playlist downloaded to head-end server every 20mins or less based on clients requirements

Customised Flash Player

• Flash player is fully cross browser and platform supportive
• The player controls and colours are fully customisable
• Support for single video or advanced playlist
• The player controls are easily re-skinable with all the graphical elements kept in a separate flash file
• The player has a rapid port and protocol detection system to enable video playback from behind most corporate firewalls. Switching to http as quickly as possible to avoid any possible delay in the user experience
• Supports Streamed or progressive downloads via http and rtmp
• The flash player comes pre-programmed with several EPG styles. These include a Standard, Photoflow and a 9 way EPG
• Fully customisable colours
• The player can be used in conjunction with a simple php based content management system to create the required xml files
• The player can be controls without the need for a CMS solution and can be controlled by their own embed code

Custom Players

• The player supports programme recommendations
• Users can use a built in star rating system
• The player has multiple embed options for simple changes to the look and feel of the player
• Supports the use of chapter points within the video stream
• The video can be streamed form other content delivery networks such as Akamai
• The player supports live streams and progressive downloads
• The player can be used in conjunction with a simple php based content management system to create the required xml files
• Cross browser and platform support without additional design or implementation
• The player has a rapid port and protocol detection system to enable video playback from behind most corporate firewalls. Switching to http as quickly as possible to avoid any possible delay in the user experience

The Pod

• Simple installation for adding to any website
• Cross browser and platform support without additional design or implementation
• Pre supplied content for simple plug-in and play
• The player is automatically updated with the latest contents as and when it is available
• Simple custom colours to rebrand the player to your own sites design
• The player has a rapid port and protocol detection system to enable video playback from behind most corporate firewalls. Switching to http as quickly as possible where access is restricted to rtmp traffic. Therefore avoiding any possible delay in the user experience

Update December 2009 : Site has now been converted to flash!

www.clayton.tv

Example Screenshots

clayton portfolio

clayton portfolio examples

3 Photos

The Cable TV scheduling solution consists of a web based TV Scheduler and a customized Windows Media Player “Nnteli Player” that constantly pulls the TV schedule from the Interent Broadcaster scheduler to facilitate the playout of MPEG 2 content.

The TV Scheduler

The TV Scheduler is a scheduling tool with a web-based user friendly interface that allows the user to organize their media clips into a live scheduled sequence that runs on a 24 x 365 schedule.

The Cable TV Scheduler’s goal is to make daily broadcasts as seamless and punctual as possible. The Scheduler also provides time saving tools such as content filtering, content sorting, Daily playlist repetition control, etc.

Detailed Functionality

• Arrange videos into a ‘programme’ (i.e. content, stings and video adverts in combination) and arrange programmes into a ‘schedule’
• Full management of supplemental data to categorize and describe the media
• Full control over scheduling, with options of repetition (loop, etc, as required)
• (In terms of response time after changes) any changes to the media, the programme and the schedule will be applied to the live stream in around two hours time.

‘Sneak peek’ at the Scheduler Manager / CMS Tool

The schedule manager consists of three sections: Playout, Schedule and Order.

Playout Function

This function controls how often content plays.

The scheduler consists of a seven day schedule. Additional schedules can be created which will have a higher priority than the seven day list and hence carry the scheduling throughout a yearly period.

The playout options include a start and end date and a frequency.

Schedule Function

This function controls the order in which clips play, i.e. the sequence of programmes.

All custom schedules must have a start date. If no end date is specified then the custom schedule will continue indefinitely unless the frequency is set as “never”.

For example a custom playlist that has a frequency equal to daily will play every day until its end date, overriding the weekly default playlist.

The tab “Schedule” allows the user to build a sequence of programmes for playing out.

Programmes can be added to the schedule from programme list. Once added individual items can be changed or reordered.

Order Function

The third tab “Order” allows the user to quickly reorder all the programmes.  This function equates to a ‘drag and drop’ sequencer.

Media Agent

There will be a media agent installed on your distribution/content server, in order to provide detailed media information to the scheduler.

Nnteli Player

What it is

• Stand alone player that talks back with our scheduler
• Plays back using the existing Windows Media Player core
• Play content from local hard drive, following the instruction from the scheduler

Requirement of your Server

• Windows 2003 Standard Edition
• .Net Framework 2.0 or above

Functionality of Nnteli Player

• Robust error handling
• Tolerates occasional network disconnection
• Tolerates communication errors due to network conditions
• Tolerates errors encountered when trying to play a corrupted MPEG-II file

Installation

Nnteli player will be installed on your server by i2i.

Communication Diagram