Video content playback covers the file data delivery, decoding, and playback aspect of a lecture capture system.
Playback of recorded video content depends largely on the content management method, and ICT architecture and guidelines regarding the distribution of digital video assets. A user-managed distribution method may mean that video files are emailed to recipients to view on their personal devices. A video content management system may allow users to playback videos from a large library via a web-browser interface.
Hardware Appliance
A media player device capable of decoding and playback of digital video files and content. A lecture capture hardware appliance is commonly also capable of playback of recorded content.
Hardware appliance common features:
- Digital video output port (HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort)
- Line level output
- Ethernet port (streaming, upload to shared network file system or ftp, third party control)
- Storage (onboard hard drive, shared network file system, SD card, or USB storage media)
- Limited video codec compatibility
Video Playback Software
The digital video files may be played directly from a file system and operating system of a computer device. Video playback software is used to open and decode the video file for playback on the user’s computer.
Video playback software considerations:
- Video files may be stored on the user’s computer or USB storage media
- Low impact to ICT architecture and network traffic
- Playback of video files does not require network connection (once transferred to user’s computer)
- Flexibility to use software for decoding and playback of any video codec
- User access, and intellectual property controls may be difficult to enforce
Video Delivery via Content Management System
The Video Content Management System is accessed via web-browser interface. Playback of recorded video content is achieved in-browser by using standard HTTP communication. Recorded video content is accessed through a web-browser connecting over LAN, WAN, or internet.
Content Management System common features:
- May be referred to as “Corporate YouTube” or “Private YouTube”.
- Many content management solutions have adopted features that are commonplace for video sharing websites
- Commonly accessed via user’s PC, or mobile device
- Commonly accessed via web-browser application, although some content management solutions may feature an application for viewing video content
- May integrate live-streaming capability via Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- May feature playback of multi-stream recording sessions whereby the user may select from multiple video streams during playback
- May include webinar instructor-student interactivity
- May include Unified Communications features
- User accounts
- Admin may set video access controls per video per user
- Viewing history
- Preferences
- Notifications
- Comments
- Consistent user experience for all users
- Ubiquitous intellectual property controls may be deployed (ie video playback must be in-browser)