Live web casts and how they work (radio specific)
A live signal is generated at the radio station and sent to the datacenter. The signal is split via a routing device and then sent to one or more encoders. There is usually one encoding computer (or several) for each format and bit rate. After the signal has been encoded, it is then sent to a server cluster that delivers the content to connected users. A cluster is often used to help balance the load of incoming request. Servers can be included and excluded from this delivery system at will without disruption to the existing connections.
The KEXP Content Delivery System
The KEXP content delivery system allows users to connect to a live broadcast archive. When the set this feature up, there were several legal, programming and integration steps that needed to be planned. For example, a live broadcast could only be archived for 2 weeks, and each archive must be greater than or equal to 5 hours in length. Additionally, the user must not have the option to fast forward or rewind or search through the stream.
Digital Well
The idea of the Digital Well was introduced (specifically the digital well that is operated by the UW). I’m familiar with asset tracking and management software, but I didn’t know that the Digital Well exited. What I think is cool about this is the capability of adding your own API (or graphical user interface) to the portal. Researchchannel.org is an example of this.
Technology Fact - HD over IP
The cutting edge of streaming media is moving towards HD (High Definition) content delivery over IP. Moreover, this delivery may be uncompressed information that travels at 20 Mb and allows HD conferencing. If we relate this future possibility to the talk that Steve Mack presented last week, we’ll see that his 20 year theory of new broadcasting technology is accurate.
Further Fact – What is a gigapop?
The word Gigapop is short for gigabit-point-of-presence. A point or presence (or POP) is an access point. In the case of a gigapop, this is an access point to Internet2, the network collaboration between universities and partners in industry and government to develop advanced Internet technologies and applications such as telemedicine and digital libraries.
There are currently over 170 US universities that use Internet2 and the 30 gigapops available for access. Gigapops are distributed geographically across the United States and generally support data transfer rates of at least one gigabit per second (Gbps). One gigapop is intended to serve up to 12 participating institutions.
(Reference - http://www.dsl-experts.com/broadband_glossary_g.htm)