Streaming Media

On-demand streaming media describes audio and visual content that is stored on a server and transferred to a Web browser in a continuous stream, as opposed to content that users download to their computer. Getting content from analog to streamed typically involves five (sometimes six) steps:

1) Prepare (record a video or DVD or acquire one)
2) Digitize
3) Encode (and often, Rip)
4) Upload
5) Serve

A streaming media station is housed in Technology and Media Resources (Wiley 119) so that an eLearning TA can convert videos and DVDs for streaming on the Web. The eLearning TA can also train you how to use the station, but we only recommend this if you will be converting media on a regular basis.

Streaming Media Procedures
Placement of Streamed Files
Links for Streamed Files
Assistance

Before you begin, please refer to NNU's Streaming Media Procedures (PDF) to make sure your planned use of a video, DVD or audio complies with copyright laws. This document also explains how the streaming media station housed in Technology and Media Resources may be used.

One particularly helpful copyright resource is Baruch College's Interactive Guide to Using Copyrighted Media. This guide walks you through an interactive flow chart to determine whether you can use particular media. Note: One of the first questions in this guide asks if you are Baruch College faculty. Don't let that stop you from using the resource; elsewhere, its developers say the guide is intended for all educators.

All streamed files must be placed directly onto the Streaming Media Server. Typically, a program assistant has access to a departmental subfolder on the streaming server and can do this for you.

If you believe you will be placing files onto the server often, you can ask Technology and Media Resources (http://help.nnu.edu or 208-467-8111) for access. Alternately, you can ask E-Learning Services (elearning(at)nnu.edu or 208-467-8034) to take care of placement for you.

All links to media on NNU's server have three main parts:

First part of a link

The link for a streamed file will always begin with mms://media.nnu.edu/StreamingMedia. The mms refers to multimedia server and is used in place of http.

Second part of a link

The rest of the link should reflect the department subfolder as well as the name of the file, without any spaces! Sometimes, if many instructors in your department use streaming, you will also need a subfolder within the department folder that designates your name or course number.

Last part of a link

The final piece is the extension .wmv (for video files) or .wma (for audio files).

Link Examples

mms://media.nnu.edu/StreamingMedia/MSN/nurs6010_pediatrics.wmv

mms://media.nnu.edu/StreamingMedia/EDUC/7531/educ7531_averages.wmv

Please visit help.nnu.edu and fill out a new help request to do either of the following: 

• Request the free services of an E-Learning TA
• Learn how to use the streaming media station on your own  

Troubleshooting
If you have any technical issues while attempting to create streaming media, please contact Technology and Media Resources by visiting help.nnu.edu.

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