[Hidden-tech] Video on demand services?

[Rich]

It seems there are a few more specifics that are needed to be explored 
to know what is the right option for her and it
is practical - all of her issues can be dealt with if the basic approach 
works.

1)  Big item 1 - do her clients mostly have cable or fast DSL (it can be 
slow for cheaper)

2) How big are the videos actually - that is a lot of video.
Watching videos that long on a computer screen is a big question for 
both human
factors reasons and the mechanics of watching such a long video with 
current viewers.

3)  Can the 'lessons' be made into sections that can be viewed online - 
or is it one long 2 hr session

4) Another option would need to know: Do her students have the disk 
space to store the lessons locally
on disk - that is about 2-3 gig per hour - this can be done with various 
media tools, and behind the scenes
sending - like bit torrent.

Aternatively would they be able to pay a monthly fee for a device (like 
a tivo) -- which can be gotten fairly
cheap if you pay a higher the monthly fee.

My quick response is this is not for the faint of heart and if she in 
not able to make a some basic investment
in setting it up -- there are a number of companies that are working on 
technology for doing this, mostly
with regular movies - I do know http://www.eztakes.com/ is a local 
company and I know the principals.

In very short, yes doable - not sure for her.

Rich


Anne Campbell wrote:
>  
> Hi all,
>
> I have a client who runs a distance learning program. She currently 
> sends DVDs back and forth to her students through the mail, but she'd 
> like to move to a system where they could view the videos online. She 
> has some constraints (please see below) and would need this to be a 
> low-cost or free service. Does anyone have recommendations?
>
> Thanks very much -
> Anne
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>
> A long while ago you and I spoke about the possibility of uploading 
> video to the BHF website.  I am wondering what this might entail and 
> how much you think it might cost to get it up and running.  Here are 
> the details of the videos and my ideas about how this might work.
>  
> Video lessons are anywhere from 2-4 hours long.  I have everything on 
> dvd.  Uploading from my system would literally take years as I have a 
> dial-up internet connection.
>  
> Students would have to have a password to access video lessons.
>  
> Ideally, I would send an access code for the next video lesson when I 
> receive tuition payment and other requirements have been fulfilled.
> The access code would be valid once and once only.  This ensures that 
> video lessons are viewed once--mimicking the "live" classes I teach 
> where students are unable to rewind or watch over and over again.
>  
> I don't know if there is a way to block downloading the video 
> material.  I would like there to be such a block if possible.
>  
> Cycle One of the Distance Training has 13 lessons.  Totalling 
> approximately 40 hours of video material.
>  
> Currently, students receive videos via the postal service and have to 
> return them to me when they are through.  This is a cumbersome 
> process-taking up to two weeks between lessons.
>  
>
> -- 
> Anne Campbell, acampbell at gmail.com <mailto:acampbell at gmail.com>
> http://www.annecampbelldesign.com/
> http://www.riverbenddoula.com/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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Rich Roth
CEO On-the-net

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