It briefly explains what is web casting and how does it works.

1. WEB CASTING

2. What is a Webcast?
• Live video and
audio transmitted
via the Internet
• Simple definition:
TV via the Internet

3. Webcast Advantages
• Low cost
–Uses existing resources (network/Internet)
–People can travel to central locations or
view Webcasts at their own locations
rather than paying for travel, etc.
• Allows for low level of interactivity
–Computer chat software
–Fax transmission

4. Webcast Disadvantages
• Relies on the Network
–Can be prone to network congestion
• Requires high level of technical expertise at
Webcast transmission site
• Requires low to mid level of technical
expertise at receive sites
• Host (receive) sites require a fast
network/Internet connection – minimum T1
connection recommended

5. How Does a Webcast Work?
• Video and audio are captured in a studio or
meeting room and mixed together
• Video is “encoded” into a computer media
format (Windows Media Player, etc.)
• The encoded video is sent to a streaming
server
• Viewing sites run the media software and
connect to the host site’s server to view the
video and audio

6. How Does a Webcast Work?
• Video and audio 
• Switching equipment 
• Encoder workstation 
• Streaming server 
• Internet 
• Receiving site computer

7. Setup for Viewing Webcast
Computer
Projector
Speakers
Internet
Chat Computer

8. Communicating with Presenters
• A chat program is used
by receiving sites to
communicate with
presenters
• Questions are written
on index cards at
receiving sites and
entered by
“Chatmaster”.
http://chat.scoe.net

9. Viewing Tips
• Set video computer screen
size to 800x600
– Video will look less
“blocky”
• Test out the Webcast feed
well before the event
– Ensure you can receive a
384 Kbps transmission
without any problems
beforehand!

10. Hosting your own Webcast
• Recommend fast network
connection
• Calculate bandwidth
requirements ahead of time
(384 Kbps x receiving sites =
total bandwidth
requirements)
• Need technical staff to
monitor the Webcast
• Perform “live” tests ahead of
time with all sites connected
simultaneously to work out
problems

11. Production Tips - Computer
• Get a fast computer as your
“encoder workstation”
• Create streams with
multiple bit rates (example:
384 Kbps, 256 Kbps, 128
Kbps)
• PowerPoint presentations
should be kept to no more
than 5 lines per page with
relatively large text

12. Production Tips - Video
• Select a good location for
your productions
• Use two cameras &
switcher, if available
• Ensure adequate lighting is
available
• Use “external”
microphones to ensure
quality audio
• Use a scan converter for
computer output (converts
computer to video signal)

13. Create a Webcast web page
• Create generic Web page for
upcoming/archived Webcasts
• What should the Web page include?
–Test or sample video streams
–Companion PowerPoint or other files
–Technical information
–Archived Webcasts
SCOE Webcast page

14. Types of Webcasts for PD
• Webcast with computer
chat
• Webcast with chat and local
facilitation
• Webcast with chat and
video and/or DV
distribution

15. Webcast with Computer Chat
• Useful for:
–RFP, RFA
announcements
–Provision of regulatory
information
–Specialty presentations
• Example
WIA Application process

16. Webcast with Chat & Local Facilitation
• Useful for:
– In-depth training on a
process or procedure
– Sharing specialist expertise
with many locations
simultaneously
– Combining direct information
with local practice /
collaboration
• Example
EL Civics Tranning

17. Webcast with Chat and Video and/or
DV Distribution
• Useful for:
– Situations where wider
information distribution is
required (training of trainers)
– Implementing a continuum of
training
• Example
CAPA Assessment
(testing implementation)

18. THANK YOU