WUSTL: Video and the Cloud VIDEO AND THE CLOUD @ WUSTL JANUARY 18, 2016 Matthew K. Arthur WashU IT Director, Media Services
WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Washington University in St. Louis Medium sized, independent research university 6 campuses spread across St. Louis City/County Established in 1853 Host of Olympics and Worlds Fair in 1904 Presidential Debates in 1992, 1996*, 2000, 2004, 2016** 1996 cancelled days ahead due to war in Iraq 2016 Sunday, October 16th Vice-Presidential Debate in 2008 Clinton Global Initiative University in 2013 ~13,500 students from 50 states and 125 nations www.wustl.edu
WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Agenda for today Definitions for $100, please Alex Video is NOT easy Technology provides tools WE provide solutions What is it they are really asking for? Flexibility and Standards can MIX!
WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Definitions for $100, please Alex Media Use Needs Committee Provide a cross-campus forum to: Discuss video needs and services Create collaborative partnerships and solutions, Provide technology demonstrations Review latest trends.
WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Definitions for $100, please Alex Video Conferencing Full-duplex video and audio communications emphasizing high-quality video for (normally) up to 6 endpoints. Previously required like codec. Web Conferencing / Webinar Presentations, lecture, workshop, meeting or seminar transmitted via the Web for 1:n endpoints. Lecture / Capture Full-featured system that includes recording classroom presentations, flipping the classroom and various tools for faculty to enhance on-line experience for students. E-Learning Electronic applications and processes that may include web-based or computer-based learning, virtual classrooms or digital collaboration. Streaming One-way audio/video capture available live or on-demand.
WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Video is NOT easy Video Codec* Electronic circuit or software that compresses or decompresses digital video Converts raw (uncompressed) digital video to a compressed format or vice-versa In context of video compression, codec is a concatenation of encoder and decoder Compressed data format usually conforms to a standard video compression specification. There are complex relationships between the video quality, the amount of data used to represent the video (determined by the bit rate), the complexity of the encoding and decoding algorithms, sensitivity to data losses and errors, ease of editing, random access and end-to-end delay (latency) Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/video_codec
WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Video is has NOT been easy Codecs have previously required shared protocols. Hardware codecs Polycom / Tandberg (H.323) Cisco Telepresence Software codecs Web cameras w/ Skype Setting up a video conference required lots of coordination and collaboration Required being on public/unsecured IP space Is Skype a noun or a verb?
Technology provides tools - We provide solutions 2011 Web Conferencing No university standard for web conferencing. TCO for local install vs cloud instance Up to 100 concurrent endpoints & schedulable seminar room for 200 Servers, storage, software and support Even at 5 year depreciation, annual costs for local exceeded cloud Treated as a university common good and centrally paid Downside is separate account/pw Grassroots marketing effort early Media Services website w/ documentation and training WUSTL: Video and the Cloud
WUSTL: Video and the Cloud
WUSTL: Video and the Cloud
Technology provides tools - We provide solutions Monthly usage stats (hours): WUSTL: Video and the Cloud 3000 Adobe Connect Monthly Usage 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2012 2103 2014 2015
Technology provides tools - We provide solutions Streaming Live and On-Demand Adobe Flash Server 2008 2013 Commencement major driver Live w/dual servers, redundant network pathways, redundant encoders On campus CATV plant as well Only available on Flash-compliant devices Single ceremony LiveStream cloud service 2014 current day Commencement w/ 15 recognition ceremonies 2014 - LiveStream data center caught fire 4am on Commencement, moved to Flash Server in background, only notices were from ipad-ers 2015 - Purchase 2 nd one-month subscription from LiveStream Use Flash Server for 3 rd concurrent ceremonies WUSTL: Video and the Cloud
Technology provides tools - We provide solutions Streaming Live and On-Demand Commencement Viewing Stats: Year Max Concurrent Viewers Total Unique Viewers 2008 425 906 2009 250 573 2010 593 N/A 2011 835 1544 2012 494 842 2013 860 1572 2014 N/A 1538 2015 837 3937* WUSTL: Video and the Cloud LiveStream cloud
Technology provides tools - We provide solutions Lecture Capture Art Sci Chemistry / Biology Capture Journey from VHS tapes and Library Reserves to Event Capture and manual load to CMS Is lesser-quality preferred thinking it will drive students to the live lecture? Why is 24-48 hours before content available on LMS okay? How are students & faculty bettered served? 2013 - Media Use Needs Committee reviewed various solutions 2014 Contract implemented in three of seven schools for common solution. No enterprise support, training or marketing plans provided. No on-going technology infrastructure path provided. Cloud version adopted, but changed to local infrastructure after 1 year. 2016 Governance-approved plan approved WUSTL: Video and the Cloud
Technology provides tools - We provide solutions Video Conferencing Early Polycom Video Bridge RMX 2000 Polycom CMA required licensed endpoint software Cisco Telepresence 500 (x2) Polycom room hardware-based codecs (primarily p-2-p) Let them both go end-of-life-cycle Mid Skype Adobe Connect More Polycom room hardware-based codecs Current Piloting next-gen video conferencing systems WUSTL: Video and the Cloud
Technology provides tools - We provide solutions Video Conferencing Piloting next-gen video conferencing Interoperability from both endpoint and infrastructure perspectives Support all resolutions and frame rates Cloud vs Local Install Pricing is very confusing in this arena Not happy with cloud test results QoS is high priority Increased infrastructure investment leads to decrease in end-point investment no dedicated HW codecs WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Currently testing two local install systems Integrate with university Skype-for-Business (Lync), Outlook and Office365 installations Integrate with hardware and multi-platform software solutions Integrate with Vyopta Analytics to provide holistic approach to data collection for strategic visioning Repurpose existing infrastructure, i.e. Cisco Call Manager
What is it they are REALLY asking for? I want to setup a Skype for my boss. Can you do that? Questions we try to get answered without intimidating them: How many endpoints will be involved? [NOTE: will probably have to define endpoint ] Will your boss want to share computer files? Will audio be one-direction or two (half or full duplex)? Will live video be used? If yes, one-direction or two? Does your boss want the session to be recorded? Possible solutions : WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Webinar using web conferencing 1-way audio/video using computer content with multiple endpoints Video conferencing Full-duplex A&V w/some file sharing; 2-6 endpoints Web conferencing Full-duplex audio w/file sharing and multiple endpoints
Flexibility and Standards can MIX! WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Room A/V standards purpose: Provide a standardized approach to A/V and multi-media technology in applicable rooms across campus. Goals: Help professionalize A/V build process, create more realistic expectations and better collaborative partnerships with A/V integrators, designers, engineers, installers, and WUSTL departments/schools by providing equipment packages based upon room size and most likely use-case. Use equipment packages to help room owners as a starting point for decision-making process Reduce scope for consultants, engineer design, and vendor programming by providing basic design schematics and programming up front. Provide common room-use experience across university. Provide better/more realistic A/V budgeting.
Flexibility and Standards can MIX! WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Flexibility is allowed: The start of the design and deployment process of audio-visual equipment for a particular location is influenced by room size/occupants and likely usecases. Recognition also that class rooms could become conference / meeting rooms after hours and vice-versa. Interactivity options (video camera and microphone) can be added to any package But, let s talk about it The Kit - Logitech HD C-series webcam, Jabra 510 Speakerphone, Joby GuerillaPod Tripod, USB 25 foot extender cable Sometimes good enough can truly be good enough Making rooms capable of multiple functions without creating extra overhead and costs. Cameras and microphones used for conferencing and capture should be able to be used with web and video conferencing.
WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Today s agenda was: Definitions for $100, please Alex Video is NOT easy Technology provides tools WE provide solutions What is it they are really asking for? Flexibility and Standards can MIX!
Thank You, Questions, and Contact Info WUSTL: Video and the Cloud Questions Matthew K. Arthur arthur@wustl.edu