Overview of media streaming server

Use the campus media streaming server to provide audio and video on your website or blog.

Faculty and staff at Illinois State University can request access to the campus media streaming server.

What is the media streaming server?

The media streaming server allows you to add streaming audio and streaming video to your website or blog. This service is to be used only for academic purposes and university business. Access to the media streaming server is restricted to faculty and staff.

What file formats are supported by the media streaming server?

The media streaming server supports most popular audio and video file formats.

Audio file types: .aac, .mp3, .mp4a, .m4a, .id3
Video file types: .avi, .f4v, .flv, mp4, .mp4v, .mov, .3g2, .3gp, .3gpp

What are my options for streaming media?

There are two ways you can add streaming audio and video to the Web:

Embed with Object Code - This option is appropriate for any website where you would like to add streaming audio or streaming video. To make use of this option, you must have the ability to edit the website's HTML code.
Embed with Web Address - This option is appropriate for your blog or any other web service that allows you to add streaming audio or video simply by providing a web address. To make use of this option, the blog or web service must have a streaming media plug-in installed.

When you are granted access to the media streaming server, you must choose between these two options. If you feel that you will need access to both options, you can indicate that during your request. For more information, refer to 1569: Understanding the two options available through the media streaming server.

How does it work?

First, you need an audio or video file you would like to add as streaming media to your website or blog. How you go about obtaining this audio or video file is up to you. For example, you could use a digital video camera to shoot your own video file, or you might ask a colleague to help you create the file.

Next, you need access to the media streaming server. Map network drives to the media streaming server and upload your audio or video files by copying them into your shared folder. Make sure the files you copy are supported by the media streaming server (see the list of supported file types above.)

Once you've uploaded your media files, you can add them to your website or blog. For a website, you will use object code to embed the streaming audio or video. For a blog, you will use the web address of the audio or video file to embed it as streaming media.

How do I get access to the media streaming server?

You must request access to the streaming media server. Go to the Technology Requests section of the Help Desk website and click on Media Streaming Server Request. For more information, refer to 1564: How do I get access to the media streaming server?.

Do I need to be concerned about copyright?

Yes. Illinois State University requires its members to observe copyright and intellectual property rights, as defined by the U.S. Copyright Office. If you do not have permission from the copyright holder to share audio or video content on your website or blog, do not upload it to the campus media streaming server. For more information, refer to 1162: What is copyright?.

Article Information

Article ID: 1563
Last Review: Oct 26, 2009
Type: Article