HOW TO Sessions
HOW TO sessions are hot at Streaming Media West where we've given them an entire two day track of their own. These sessions are taught by some of the industry's leading instructors, giving attendees step-by-step instructions on various technical aspects. Here, you won't just hear about these technologies, you get to see them in action.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
A101 - HOW TO: Selecting the Right Video Management Technology
This presentation helps attendees identify their unique requirements for an effective digital asset management (DAM) solution. We identify the mistakes that many buyers make and provide advice on best practices when looking at solutions from Avid, Cinegy, Dalet, Imagine Communications, GlobeCast, and others. Attendees get advice on how to get to a vendor short list, submitting brief and useful RFPs, what questions you need to ask, and other tips to ensure you choose the right solution.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
A102 - HOW TO: Choosing a Cloud Encoder
This session describes what cloud encoding is and how it works for both live and on-demand applications. Learn the types of applications that work well with cloud encoding and the factors to consider when choosing an on-demand and live cloud encoding service. The presentation also includes qualitative and performance results from recent reviews of some of today’s leading cloud based encoding platforms, including Amazon, Encoding.com, Elemental Cloud, and Zencoder.
Jan Ozer, Owner - Streaming Learning Center
1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
A103 - HOW TO: Multi-Cam Shooting, Editing and Delivery on an iPad
The cameras on iOS devices are getting better and better, and powerful apps like Filmic Pro and Recolive Multicam are available for only a few dollars. This presentation demonstrates how, with the right tools and techniques, you can tap into the power and accessibility of an iPad or iPhone to easily shoot high-quality multi-cam videos. You learn tips and techniques for leveraging this powerful mobile platform for creating and delivering professional-caliber media.
2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
A104 - HOW TO: Building a Chromecast Application
This session covers the entire Chromecast application workflow, including registering your app and developing, debugging, and publishing it. Attendees find out how the Chromecast user model works and learn more about the design principles of the platform. Get insights into the sender and receiver technology, which displays the content and metadata, and the mobile device or laptop, which controls the playback. Finally, using HTML5 and JavaScript, attendees see how easy it is to build a simple video player and, using Chromecast SDK, filing the content to receiver.
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
A105 - HOW TO: H.265 vs. H.264: Choosing the Best Options
The case for H.265, like most new video technologies, is compelling: better compression and faster/cheaper delivery over lower bitrates. For any content distributor seeking to distribute content to mobile devices over congested 3G/4G/LTE networks, these traits are highly desirable. However, the reality of real-world choices can quickly deflate any optimistic plans. In this session, learn if and how H.264 compression and deployment options can be utilized in typical online streaming workflows, and more importantly, if your target audiences can benefit. Examples of x264 and x265 output are compared for bitrate, compression time, and file size.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
A201 - HOW TO: Building Enhanced Video With JW Player
Great video experiences are more than simple playback of video— they’re the result of a combination of user experience factors that provide additional information and enhanced metadata to the viewer. Using JW Player as a canvas, you learn how to build a video playback experience that includes everything from poster frames to navigation markers (chapters) to scrub bar thumbnails to playlists and more. We also explore enhanced streaming options provided by Wowza Streaming Engine for adaptive bitrate delivery and live streaming.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
A202 - HOW TO: Producing and Distributing HEVC
This session explores the current status of HEVC, identifying options for encoding live and on-demand HEVC and discussing player options in the streaming and OTT markets. Topics include the comparative quality and usability of HEVC encoders—including encoders from Cisco, Elemental, Harmonic, and Telestream— how HEVC quality compares to H.264 and VP9 (if encoders are available), and known trials and deployments of HEVC.
Jan Ozer, Owner - Streaming Learning Center
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
A203 - HOW TO: Building a Streaming HTML5 Video Player
With the adoption of Media Source Extensions (MSE) into modern browsers, it is now possible to stream video directly to browsers without plug-ins. This session explores how these players can be built and what video formats can be used. It looks at how MSE and Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) work, and how to use them to build modern streaming applications. We also dig into the various formats of content that can be played with an MSE and dive in depth into one such open source project—dash.js, which makes use of the Open Standard MPEG-DASH along with MSE to create a real-world streaming app.
3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A204 - HOW TO: Changing Viewer Engagement With Second Screen Experiences
This presentation will explore how the second screen is driving an enhanced experience with interactive content, first screen control, social experiences, and the creation of an overall ecosystem. Learn about stats on second screen usage, types of engagement, how to drive new content discovery, streaming to second screens, casting to the first screen, and the use of companion applications.