Classroom Video On Demand - FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

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Films Media Group is the leading source of high-quality video and multimedia for academic, vocational and life-skills content. Films Media Group serves the education community through its four brands: Films for the Humanities and Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.

A Wealth of Information. A World of Ideas

As the leading provider of media for higher education, Films for the Humanities & Sciences (FFH&S) provides academic content for discerning educators working to enrich their students' understanding and stretch their intellectual horizons. Films for the Humanities & Sciences is widely recognized as the exclusive source for educational programs with the broadest and deepest range of content available.

Educators count on Cambridge to provide outstanding media resources that support the development of the whole student, both in and out of the classroom. Cambridge programs provide a practical, accurate, and reliable foundation of knowledge that helps students think through opportunities and choices and reach their potential at school, in work, and in life.

Meridian provides educational resources that are ideal for Career & Technical Education instructors dedicated to the health and service industries. Meridian's library of content provides up-to-date, skill-based educational media that thoroughly prepares students to enter and succeed in the workforce.

Skill by Skill. Step by Step.

Shopware is the leading provider of skills-based, up-to-date educational media that thoroughly addresses specific trade and industrial skills. Shopware assists career and technical education providers in preparing students to enter the workforce through the use of video, print and interactive media.

What's New? X Close

We are constantly working to improve the Films On Demand platform for our customers. To stay informed of the newest enhancements, please check this "What's New?" section on a regular basis.

December 9, 2011 Enhancements

We've added a new Admin feature called the Content Widget. Administrators can now display preview clips from any (or multiple) title(s) in their On Demand collection using any HTML page - and its as easy as embedding a video! Admins, please visit the Administration Portal for more information about the Content Widget.

September 30, 2011 Enhancements

We have updated our embed code to provide greater compatibility for our customers that utilize a proxy server. It now has the capability to authenticate using a "referring URL". If you are interested in using this type of authentication, please contact video.support@infobaselearning.com.

We also recognize that there is a rarely one piece of code that will work for every situation. Therefore, we continue to offer the option of using our our old embed code as well. This allows for the highest level of flexibility for our customers.

July 25, 2011 Enhancements

- Bit-Rate Setting – Users can now over-ride the new bit-rate switching functionality by setting their bit-rate in the “My Preferences” area.

July 20, 2011 Enhancements

A new version of the On Demand platform was released with significant enhancements including:

- Redesigned Interface - The new interface is designed to make it simpler to navigate the platform and easier to find and use the videos you need. Our new streamlined interface includes a revised home page that displays a dynamic list of all of the individual subjects to which your institution subscribes, showcasing recently added videos for each. In addition, each subject now has a unique landing page with an authenticated page link. To access a subject page, you can click on the new "Subjects" drop-down menu at the top of any page. To view a complete index of all of the subjects in your institution's collection, click on the new "Index" link at the bottom of any page.

- New Video Player - Our new video player now provides dynamic bit-rate switching for the optimum viewing experience, automatically adjusting within a 200K-through-1.5mb-bitrate range depending on the type of device being used and your available bandwidth; users no longer need to select their target bandwidth themselves from a drop-down menu. As a result of this new player, the Windows Media format is no longer available. Any users with Windows Media as their default setting will be automatically converted to the new embedded player.

- Now iPad Friendly - All of our videos have been re-encoded in H.264 format to allow playback on any iOS device. With our new video player, you can now watch any titles in your On Demand collection on an iPad, iTouch, or iPhone. And our new design is optimized to allow easy navigation of the On Demand platform from either a computer or an iPad with an Internet connection.

- New Special Collections for Key Producers - For our subscription customers, we've added a way to easily browse titles from some of our most popular producers. The "Special Collections" tab at the top of every screen lists these producers; just click on any producer's logo to access a list of all their titles in your collection, organized by subject category.

- Improved Search Options - The basic search has been enhanced with a new Search Assist autocomplete feature: when users type a keyword in the search box, suggested full titles or segment titles that contain that keyword appear as suggestions. Users can now also cross-search multiple subjects and Special Collections using the Advanced Search options.

- Enhanced Usage Statistics - Administrators will now be able to generate usage reports using the individual subjects in their collection. All of the usage data is collected and reported by individual title and subject.

March 31, 2010 Enhancements:

- Source Data - We now display the Title's Source data on the individual view video pages. Source data lets you know where the title originated. In most cases this will be the Producer. For example: If a film was produced by Films for Humanities & Sciences, that information will now display directly on the page below the video player.

March 24, 2010 Enhancements:

- URL Proxy Modifier Update - We have enhanced the URL Proxy Modifier tool to provide more proxy options for your On Demand administrator. These enhancements add greater compatibility options for users that utilize a proxy server. For more information, Account Admins should visit admin.films.com.

March 11, 2010 Enhancements:

- MARC Records - We are pleased to announce that MARC Records are now available for the On Demand video library. They are accessible to On Demand Administrators via the Administration Portal. More detailed information can be found in our Help area.

January 14, 2010 Enhancements:

- IP Address Identification - Users now have the capability to identify their IP address directly from the Configuration Test page in the Help Center. This now provides easy access to this information without having to visit a 3rd party website.

- Bandwidth Speed Test - In addition, we have also added a bandwidth Speed Test to the Configuration Test page. Users can now run this utility to determine their current upload/download speeds.

December 22, 2010 Enhancements:

- Authenticated Embed Code - Films On Demand users now have the ability to embed a Flash video player for all titles and segments into any HTML page. That means that you can now integrate videos from Films On Demand directly into a course website or a course management system and they can be accessed anywhere within your institution's authentication range. If viewed from off-campus or if you are not using IP authentication, users will be prompted to enter a username and password in order to view the embedded video. This allows for enhanced viewing flexibility, while maintaining a secure environment for the content. The authenticated embed code can be found in the Details tab on every View Video page. Simply copy the code and paste it into the desired HTML environment and the film will display. For more detailed instructions about using the embed code, please view the Video Integration Tips PDF.

November 12, 2010 Enhancements:

- Share A Segment - Films On Demand users can now share segments via email. Just click on a segment on the View Video page, click on the share tab, and enter your information to send an email that contains the segment URL.

August 27, 2010 Enhancements:

- New Segment URLs - Films On Demand users can now link directly to a specific segment in any video via the new Segment URL feature. These Segment URLs can be found in the Segments tab on every View Video page. Users can simply copy these URLs into any course management system, online lesson plan or class website. Segment URLs contain authentication information just like the full Title URLs and they can also be shared via email using the new red envelope icon displayed next to each segment.

August 12, 2010 Enhancements:

- Subject Menu Home Pages - Users now have the capability to set a specific subject page as their home page. The selected page will be the first page viewed upon opening / logging in to the platform, and will be accessible from any page via the "Home" tab. This feature can be set by selecting a page from the My Home Page drop down menu in the User Options section of the My Preferences tab. Administrators also have the added capability of setting a home page at the account level.

July 30, 2010 Enhancements:

- Automatic Subject Suppression - In an effort to simplify the browsing process, the View By Subject menu will now only display those subjects that apply to your account. You still have access to all the same titles as before, we simply eliminated all of the extra subjects that displayed overlapping content. This should allow for a more concise browsing experience for the user.

July 26, 2010 Enhancements:

- New Authenticated Title URL Format -On every View Video page and in various Admin Tools, the Title URL now includes authentication information. Any of the old format Title URLs that you have catalogued will still work, but all new Titles moving forward will have this new format. If you are not using IP-based authentication, these new links will take you to a login page, and then once logged in, it will take you to the appropriate video page. In addition to the authentication, another big benefit of the new Title URL format is that the links will now bring you into the platform to view the video, giving you full browsing and search functionality, unlike the Playlist URLs.

July 16, 2010 Enhancements:

- Export to Excel Option for Subject Menus - You are now able to generate an up-to-date list of all titles in a top-level subject area by using the new "Export to Excel" feature located near the bottom of each Subject Menu page. This provides an easy way to get a complete list of titles in a subject collection. The new Title URLs are included in these lists for every title.

- New Search Widgets - Account admins can now access customized HTML code to place an account-specific On Demand search widget on their library's home page. The search widget allows users to do a key word search by segment or by title without logging into the On Demand platform. The widget includes automatic account authentication and takes the user directly to the appropriate search results page. Widgets can be found in the Admin area of the My Preferences section.

To ask a question about any of these enhancements or suggest a future improvement, please contact video.support@infobaselearning.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

FAQs

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Digital Media Overview

What is Classroom Video On Demand?

Classroom Video On Demand is a state-of-the-art streaming video platform that makes it easier than ever to incorporate outstanding educational programs from Facts On File and Films Media Group into your classroom or library.

What are the benefits of using Classroom Video On Demand?

The ability to view digital video in real time provides instant access to your entire video collection from any computer with a high-speed Internet connection. There's no need to track down borrowed or misplaced VHS tapes or DVDs. And the Classroom Video On Demand interface provides access to enhanced functionality that allows you to take complete control of your video content and your students' viewing experience. You can use Classroom Video On Demand to search for specific video segments, organize videos into folders, and create personal playlists for others to view. You can also integrate videos directly into online card catalog systems and distance learning courseware. And by using Classroom Video On Demand, you will have access to usage reports that provide you with valuable information about which videos are being watched and how often.

How does streaming video work?

Streaming technology allows you to access high quality video content via the Internet. Instead of downloading an entire video file before viewing it, streaming allows you to begin viewing the video immediately while the rest of the program downloads in the background. Using a computer with a high-speed Internet connection, you can stream videos from any location.

What digital video file formats are available?

Classroom Video On Demand provides both Flash and H.264 video streams. Flash Videos can be streamed at 400k, 700k, or 1500k bitrates. H.264 streams are 250k, 550k, and 900k. Higher bitrates deliver excellent resolution when video is viewed in full-screen mode or projected. Lower bitrates may be better choices in limited-bandwidth environments.

Classroom Video On Demand Video Programming

What video programs are available on Classroom Video On Demand?

Classroom Video On Demand combines our newest videos with many of our best-selling programs to provide you with an up-to-date, cross-curricular digital library that spans high school, advanced placement and college needs. With more than 5,000 available titles, Classroom Video On Demand allows you to provide a comprehensive video collection for your school or library.

How often are new programs added to Classroom Video On Demand?

On average, 400 new programs are digitized, segmented and made available via Classroom Video On Demand every year. The appropriate new programs are automatically added to your account and you will receive an email notifying you of the new titles as they become available.

Classroom Video On Demand Functionality

How do I access programs from Classroom Video On Demand?

Once you subscribe to Classroom Video On Demand you will be able to access your programs directly from http://streaming.factsonfile.com. Simply log in with your user name and password and you will be able to immediately view any programs in your digital collection. Additional authentication options are also available. To learn more about the supported authentication methods, download the Classroom Video On Demand Authentication Options PDF.

What features are available within Classroom Video On Demand?

The Classroom Video On Demand platform provides you with features that allow you to control how the video content is used and viewed within your school or library.

Some of the basic functionality of Classroom Video On Demand includes the ability to:

Access your digital content, anytime and anywhere you need it
View full-length video programs in your digital collection
View pre-defined learning objects for each program
Create personal playlists to assemble full-length videos and/or segments into a classroom presentation or to share with students for out-of-class viewing
Integrate videos into electronic card catalog systems or distance learning course
Search your digital video library by title or segment using keywords, subjects, and other criteria
Browse your digital video library using a curriculum-based taxonomy
Organize your digital videos into custom folders for quick and easy access to your favorite titles and segments

How do I view Classroom Video On Demand video in full screen?

To enter full-screen mode, click the “window extend” icon on the right of the video player.

Can more than one user watch a video at the same time?

Yes. There are no restrictions on simultaneous viewing.

Does Classroom Video On Demand support closed captioning?

Yes, many of our titles support closed captioning. If its available for the specific title that you are viewing, you’ll see a “Turn CC On” button in the upper right hand of the video player. Click on this button to toggle captions on/off.

What are title URLs and playlists?

Title URLs are free-standing, persistent URLs of for specific videos that can be shared within your institution, integrated into an electronic card catalog system, or placed in any course management system. Every title in your Classroom Video On Demand collection comes with a pre-configured Title URL. These can be found on the “View Video” page.

Playlists are customized links that can consist of any combination of segments and/or full videos. Users can create playlists by using the “Playlist” tab on the “View Video” page. A single segment or multiple segments from a video can be selected to create a playlist. Segments from multiple programs can also be combined into a single playlist. Once a playlist has been created, it can be edited by accessing the “My Playlists” tab. Custom playlists will all have a free-standing, persistent URL that can be shared with students or others in your institution.

Why do Title URL's look different?

We have recently updated the format to add a layer of authentication. Any of the old format Title URLs that you have catalogued will still work, but all new Titles moving forward will have this new format.
The new format automatically includes information about your account, including IP authentication data if you are using an IP range. If you are not using IP-based authentication, these new links will take you to a login page, and then once you log in, it will take you to the video.
In addition, the new Title URL will now bring you into the platform to view the video, and will offer full browsing and search functionality.

What are Segment URLs?

Segment URLs are free-standing, persistent URLs of for specific video segments that can be shared within your institution, integrated into an electronic card catalog system, or placed in any course management system. Every segment in your Classroom Video On Demand collection comes with a pre-configured Segment URL. These can be found on the “View Video” page.

How do I access a playlist?

Playlists can be accessed via a playlist code or a playlist link. To use a playlist code, students can access a specific playlist by entering the code into the playlist login box on the Classroom Video On Demand home page. To find the code for a playlist that you have created, log into the “Playlists” tab in Classroom Video On Demand. To use playlist links, your collection will need to be configured for proxy server authentication. With authentication, a secure page listing all your collection's playlists can be easily accessed by your students. Please contact Facts On File’s technical support team (video.support@infobaselearning.com ) or your school’s administrator for more information.

Can I post a video or playlist link on the Internet?

Customers may make videos, segments, or playlists freely available for viewing by authorized users within a secure environment using approved authentication procedures. Links may be posted on a course management system, institutional web site, or online card catalog, provided these are accessible only to authorized users. Customers or users are prohibited from making a video or any part thereof available to any person or organization that is not an authorized user. This includes web sites such as YouTube and other publicly-accessible electronic networks, blogs, forums, and social networking services. Links to Classroom Video On Demand content that are posted on information services such as OCLC’s WorldCat must require logging in by an authorized user to view the video. Other permitted and prohibited uses are described in the Digital License Agreement.

What are the functional differences between Playlists and Favorites?

Favorites are designed for users to tag certain videos and/or segments for later use by themselves, while Playlists are designed for users to combine segments from different videos into one sharable URL.

What is the difference between the new Embed Code and the old Embed Code?

The new code has been enhanced to provide greater compatibility for our customers that utilize a proxy server. However, we recognize that there is a rarely one piece of code that will work for every situation. Therefore, we continue to provide the option of using our our old embed code, as well, to offer the highest level of flexibility for our customers.

Will embedded videos work anywhere?

Embedded videos will play anywhere within your authenticaton range. Outside of this range, a username and password are required to watch the videos.

What is the bit rate for embedded videos?

All embedded videos played on a desktop PC or Mac will utilize the bit rate that you have set as the default in your preferences. By default, this is set to utililize bit rate switching, which will ensure that you are getting the highest possible bit rate for you bandwidth.

Does the embed code work with my proxy server?

Due to the inherent limitations of embedding secure content in an unsecure environment, Classroom Video On Demand Embed Video Code has limited compatibility with proxy server authentication. Since an embedded video is published on a third party site, it cannot be authenticated in the same manner as a Title or Segment URL - which redirects the user into the On Demand platform. An embedded video can be published anywhere so in order to protect the rights of our producers, users outside of your institution's designated authentication range must log in with Classroom Video On Demand credentials. For more information about using Embed Code with a Proxy Server, please contact video.support@infobaselearning.com.

What are MARC Records?

MARC, or MAchine Readable Cataloging, is a standard format for bibliographic records. For more information on this standard, visit: http://www.loc.gov/marc/.

How do I access MARC Records?

Please refer to the MARC Records Help PDF for access instructions.

What level of MARC records are provided?

Our commitment is to provide records that contain, at least, all of the MARC data elements required for minimal-level bibliographic records as described by the Library of Congress standards published in 2003. In fact, our records exceed the minimal-level record requirements. They are not, however, full-level records.

Do the MARC records include OCLC numbers?

We do not currently provide OCLC numbers with our MARC records. In order to provide the records at no charge to our customers, we must try to keep our costs as low as possible. However, we’re aware that this feature would be useful to many of our subscribers and we may consider adding them in the future if demand warrants.

Do the MARC records include call numbers?

No. Call numbers are primarily associated with shelf browsing of physical products. Our streaming videos are electronic resources and we have sought to include data most commonly used to search such resources. While we appreciate that some librarians use call numbers as an additional organizational tool, they are not included with our MARC records.

What character set do you use for the MARC records?

MARC21 UTF-8.

Can I modify the MARC Records?

MarcEdit is a popular editing program, and its free. You can download it here: http://people.oregonstate.edu/~reeset/marcedit/html/index.php

Classroom Video On Demand Technical Questions

What are the technical requirements to use Classroom Video On Demand?

Classroom Video On Demand supports most Windows and Macintosh operating systems. High-speed Internet access is required with a minimum of 380 kbps DSL, or 500 kbps Cable Modem connectivity. Because Classroom Video On Demand provides the opportunity to view videos at different bitrates, users can select the option that best fits their bandwidth needs. For additional technical information, download the Classroom Video On Demand Technical Requirements PDF.

Can my students access Classroom Video On Demand from home or other locations?

Classroom Video On Demand can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection and a computer that meets the minimum technical requirements. Depending on the authentication options you select, remote access will be possible for educators and students. To learn more about the supported authentication methods, download the Classroom Video On Demand Authentication Options PDF.

What administrative tools are available for Classroom Video On Demand?

If you have administrative permission, you will be able to access usage statistics, meta-data information, title and collection status and more using the On Demand Administration Portal. Log in at admin.films.com to access this information.

What authentication options are available for Classroom Video On Demand?

Classroom Video On Demand supports both IP and Proxy authentication. We can provide a specific Classroom Video On Demand URL that is authenticated to the on-campus IP ranges of your institution. Similarly, we can provide a Classroom Video On Demand URL that is authenticated to the IP address of your proxy server for off-campus use. This options works well for any institution wishing to utilize their EzProxy access. To learn more about the supported authentication methods, download the Classroom Video On Demand Authentication Options PDF.

What meta-data is available for titles in Classroom Video On Demand?

The following meta-data is available for every Classroom Video On Demand title and segment: Title, Description, Copyright Date, and Run-Time. All of the available meta-data can be printed or exported as a Microsoft Excel document. The meta-data is available for Administrators within the “My Preferences” tab.

Can Classroom Video On Demand Titles be added to an online card catalog system?

Yes, titles in Classroom Video On Demand can be added to an online card catalog system. Using the available meta-data and the Title URL link, a card catalog entry can be created. If the card catalog is accessible to people outside of the purchasing institution, the Title URLs must be authenticated to prevent unauthorized access.

Can digital video programs be downloaded to my computer from Classroom Video On Demand?

The current version of Classroom Video On Demand does not allow individual users to download video files to their computers or mobile devices.

I am having problems importing the Title URLs into my Course Managment System.

When importing a Title URL into your Course Management System, try copying the link as plain text as opposed to setting it as a web link. Also, make sure when copying the link that you do not copy any additional spaces at the end of the URL. Some Course Management Systems, such as Angel, can be rigid in how they accept URLs and that extra space could cause an issue.

Find Out More

Where can I find more information about the Classroom Video On Demand technical requirements?

For additional technical information, download the Classroom Video On Demand Technical Requirements PDF or view the Classroom Video On Demand User’s Guide PDF (coming soon).

Where can I find more information about how to use Classroom Video On Demand?

The Classroom Video On Demand User's Guide contains information about how to use all of the features and functions available for users and administrators. Click here to download the Classroom Video On Demand User’s Guide PDF . QuickStart Guide PDFs are also available to provide you with simple steps for using the most common features of Films On Demand. Registered users can also access interactive Flash tutorials about how to use many of the available features of Classroom Video On Demand – these can be found in the “Help” center.

Can I try Classroom Video On Demand for free?

Classroom Video On Demand can be previewed for free by qualified librarians and educators. To see if you are eligible for trial access to Classroom Video On Demand, contact one of our online sales reps at 888-744-6398.

How can I contact someone to learn more about Classroom Video On Demand?

If you have any questions about Classroom Video On Demand, please don't hesitate to call 888-744-6398 for an online sales rep to assist you. If you require technical support, please contact us at 888-744-6398 or via email at video.support@infobaselearning.com.