Online Video

On Sept 9, 2008, the test of the live video feed was taken off-line until further notice.

On Aug 28, 2008, MCTV 15 started streaming video from the communications server located at Studio COS.

On Aug 12, 2008, I successfully conducted an experiment to stream MCTV15 live on the Internet. The services provided by UStream.tv are currently free and allow thousands of people to watch live video streamed over the Internet. There is still a number to technical and finical hurdles to consider and navigate.

Are we interested in providing MCTV15 24hours a day live over the Internet? How should we meet capital and operational costs?

How about a meeting to discuss the next step?

- John Cumming

John, I would like to meet with you about this. - Audra Gibson

How about Tuesday ( Aug 19) morning, we could take the new media server to the studio and have our meeting. - John Cumming

The first technical priority... - Audra Gibson

Moved to Board.Computer Systems - John Cumming

This is VERY exciting! Discussing the next steps should evolve out of our Biz Plan priorities at this point. But this is certainly one of my favorite projects on the horizon that makes sense to me. How do people get viewers to subscribe or pay for the service? Much in the same way that we pay for our cable TV which generates franchise fees for the PEG? - Audra Gibson

I am also very excited by the evolution of the Internet into a video media platform. My priority for any service is that it does not negativity impact out financial position. Making money is an added bonus. - John Cumming

Outline of Costs

• Free 24 hour live streaming on UStream.tv;
• Free upgrade to GotWiki that allows video with-in MCTV15's website;
• Free low band (300kbps) Internet connection from the college to UStream.tv service. Check with Gray at the college;
• Free automated video encoding software from USTream.tv;
• Free feed from Northland cable of channel 15 signal; and
• $840/year for two man hours per month to maintain system.

Plan to recover costs of implementing this service. $840/year for two man hours per month to maintain system. I need to be clear with my direction from the board if this is what they have in mind for me to fund raise for. - Audra Gibson

The cost of maintaining the studio, cablecast equipment and data systems are real costs that have historically been provided by John Cumming as a volunteer. If paid for these services would cost many thousands of dollars per year. Over time we need to define the details of what it takes to keep the technical aspects of MCTV15 up and running and what the associated costs might be. In the short term, I as the Technical Director will continue to provide volunteer time to maintain and operate the various systems. This would include the effort required to maintain the streaming system. - John Cumming

• $300 Windows XP Pro computer system that may be shared with Skype and SubVersion.

We talked about our communications system and agreed that Skype is a preferred alternative. Is this cost covered in our current budget? If another cost can piggyback on a budgeted item, does the board still approve that expenditure and allocation? - Audra Gibson

I have purchased two low end Windows XP Systems to act as a communications system for Skype, Pretty May, SubVersion and UStream.tv. See Board.Computer Systems. - John Cumming

The current budget has $6000 for equipment and $1000 for software licenses. There is no budget narrative that further defines or limits these categories. As the Technical Director, I believe I have access to these funds in order to maintain our production facilities in the studio and in the field. These funds are also used to provide additional equipment and software for administrative and staff operational needs. The Board needs to be informed regularly about our financial health. Items that fall within budget do not need additional Board approval. All purchases I have made fall within equipment or software budget items and are well within there limits. - John Cumming

• $200 Video/Audio capture device. Silicon Sorcery will loan hardware for an extended trail run.

Thank you for this offer! - Audra Gibson

Trial Run

• video capture;
• encoding;
• delivery of stream to UStream.tv;
• delivery of stream to viewers on Mac OS X and Windows; and
• hardware for 24-7 operation.

I would want to see a defined term for this "trial run" after which staff and board would approve longer term online service along with the plan for $$$ to maintain it. - Audra Gibson

How about extended trial run for Internet streaming of MCTV15 start ASAP and conclude at MCTV15's annual meeting in Feb '09. - John Cumming

I will put that on the agenda for the board to discuss/approve at our Sept 9th meeting. Until then, how may Judith and I view the testing? - Audra Gibson

A trial run for technical purposes is desirable, yet there are still overall policy issues that need to be addressed. Does MCTV have the right to provide the fee based cable subscriber Northland feed over the internet as an introduced third party? Just because it is technically possible, does that make it legal? What about rights to show the satellite feed portion from DISH? I have not seen any documentation on this as yet, and want to have a full discussion of the implications of providing this service with the board and would recommend a subcommittee to thoroughly address it. I would also recommend that as a board policy, approval by the board be required for any new services. Again, your technical expertise allows for exciting new things, yet implementing them still remains under the control of the organization. Let's work to get the questions asked and answered BEFORE we find ourselves in a "can of worms" as you said could result. - Audra Gibson