What we provide

The Streaming Media Service provides an efficient method for delivering audio/video clips over the web or through the campus network. The common alternative to streaming media is 'Download and Play', this is when the whole clip must be downloaded to the client machine before it can be viewed and because of the large size of media files this could take some time. With streaming media, the user may start to view the media files as soon as the data is fed from the streaming server. This gives a quicker access time and the facility for users to jump to any point in the clip, fast forward, rewind etc without having to download the whole file. 

What you can expect

The Streaming Media service allows approved departmental CFS users to transfer audio/video clips to the streaming server in IT Services. These media files may then be viewed remotely with Windows Media Player. By placing a link to the file in a web page or in Blackboard, the video or audio clip can be made easily available to students and other audiences both on and off the campus. Detailed instructions for using the service are available.

What we expect

Media for streaming must be encoded in Windows Media format (.wmv for video, .wma for audio). Users will need a suitable player - Microsoft’s Windows Media Player is included in installations of their Windows operating system and is available for free download for other operating systems.

Departments are allocated their own area on the streaming server and access to this area is controlled by either their Departmental Representative or their Departmental Computer Officer.

If your department has not yet been issued with an area on the server, or if you need to be provided with access, please contact the appropriate member of staff in your department in the first instance. Requests for an initial allocation on the streaming server should be submitted by this person using the web form Requesting FREE Filestore Quota. (NOTE: IT Services will inform this person when the area has been set up on the streaming server and is available to use.) The form can be accessed through our online self service portal.
Material published by the University must adhere to laws of copyright.  Advice is available both from Multimedia Services in ITS and from the Library’s copyright service.

Service availability

24 hours a day, seven days a week, support is provided during normal working hours, 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Service charges

Departments will be given an initial free allocation of 500MB of disk space on the streaming server. Extra disk space may be purchased using the Requesting CHARGED Filestore Quota web form. The form can be accessed through our online self service portal. There will be a small rental charge of £1.00 per 1,000MB per month and a departmental SAP code must be provided.

FAQs and related information

Detailed instructions for using the service are available here.

Examples of websites which use of the streaming media service include:

• GENIE resources – Using a Micropipette and Running an Agarose Gel
• Interviewing for Research

Need further help?

Please contact the IT Service Desk in the first instance.