MI.GOV Video Standard

What we know…  There is currently a small amount of video on the Michigan.gov portal.  There is a demand for more interactive content, videos and presentations  Our customers need a standard method for preparing and delivering interactive media to Michigan.gov.

What we know…  There are many video file formats (Windows Media- WMV, AVI, QuickTime-Movies MOV, Flash Video-FLV, MPG)  There are different media players for the Web on different people’s browsers.  Bandwidth varies across our customer base.  We need a streaming format that is at the best compression and still has quality and a small file size.

Recommendation Based on our research, infrastructure and immediate needs…  Flash Video format (FLV) has been adopted as the primary supported video file type asset for Michigan.gov.  Other file formats are subject to approval on a case- by-case basis but users are encouraged to convert other file formats into Flash Video(FLV).

Why eMichigan supports FLV as THE supported video format:  The FLV file format can compete at similar delivery speed and bandwidth without a devoted streaming infrastructure.  Conversion to FLV format will compress between times based on the source video file.  The Flash Player is readily available and easily installed.  eMichigan has defined a process that can be supported in the current infrastructure.

Video Hosting  Michigan.gov will host a limited amount of agency video files in the content management system asset repository.  The agency owners will be required :  to convert all video to FLV (Flash Video Format),  to use the progressive FLV player located on Michigan.gov  to create content that includes a transcript or text equivalent for the video clips  to follow other recommendations set by the eMichigan Web Development Team.  to consider file size limitations, file length and file formats, look and feel, controls and functionality and usability.

Convert all Video to FLV (Flash Video Format)  There are many resources available to convert other video file formats to FLV.  Require your video provider to supply you with an FLV version of your video  Adobe Flash 8 built in encoder for converting.wmv,.mp3,.avi, and other digital video formats to FLV.  Shareware conversion tools, inexpensive conversion software available.

Use the Progressive FLV Player  Progressive FLV player resides in the Vignette asset repository.  The FLV content type has been developed to use this player and designate the linked content as the source to play.  Eliminates the need to code the player object.  Insures consistency of look and feel across all agency videos.  Simulates streaming and is fairly fast delivery.

FLV Content Type  Designed to display standardized video files on the Michigan.gov sites using the progressive Flash Video Player.  Instructions on how to use this content type is in the quick guide. Makes it easy.  Your FLV clip does not need to reside in Michigan.gov as an asset.

Demo: Conversion Tools

DVD Soft  Free Video to Flash Converter. Convert video files to SWF or FLV to publish video on your web site or blog.  Convert *.avi, *.mpeg, *.mpg, *.mp4, *.m4v, *.wmv, *.asf, *.mov, *.qt, *.3gp, *.3g2, *.dvr-ms. *.flv video files to ready for web *.flv and *.swf files.  FlashConverter.exe  Totally Free.

EasyFLV Converter  Converts your video files to streaming video FLV format.  Supports a variety of video formats for conversion like MPEG, AVI, WMV, MOV, DVD, VCD, Mp4 and 3Gp.  With this software you can brand your video files with your company name or any text using the watermarking feature.  Not only that the flv converter comes with a built-in flv player to test your flv files after conversion.   Order EasyFLV FLV Converter for $29

Moyea Flash Video MX  Video conversion to FLV & SWF  Easy parameter settings  Special video effects  High Conversion Quality  Cue Points and ActionScript  Movie beginning and end  Customizable player control bars  $49.95 

SoThink Flash Video Encoder  Converts video into SWF and FLV files in seconds.  The generated files can be easily inserted into HTML page.  Static images and audio files can also be extracted.  We also provide command-line version of our Video Encoder, which can help you convert video to Flash video (FLV) without GUI in batch mode automatically.  $45.00  oad.htm

Allok Video to FLV Converter  Flash Video Encoder to convert any video into SWF video and FLV streaming video formats.  Convert almost all video formats, e.g.DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, MP4, M4V, FLV, 3GP, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, SVCD, VCD, VOB to FLASH Video (SWF, FLV) formats.  $US 

ImTOO FLV Converter v3.1  ImTOO FLV Converter is a powerful, easy-to-use video to SWF/FLV converter.  It can convert all popular video formats like DivX, XviD, WMV, 3GP, MPEG, MP4, M4V, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, VOB, AVI to FLV video and SWF flash video formats.  Includes a wizard tool.  $29.00 

Exception Process: Case-by-Case  If an agency has a need to bypass any of the requirements and limitations, please contact eMichigan Web Development for an exception and special services.  Include the business case for the exception, a description of the media file, the reason it does not work within the established process and the names and contact information for the owners of the media files.  This information should be submitted by the Agency Site Administrator.  eMichigan will return recommendations for each case.

htm howstuffworks.comhowstuffworks.com Video 101 You Tube ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS…. Where can I see FLV in action? FLV is extremely popular as a video format. These sites use Flash Player and FLV to deliver video.

Questions?

Podcasting on Michigan.gov Podcasting is a free service that allows Internet users to pull audio files (typically MP3s) from a podcasting Web site to listen to the files on their computer or personal digital audio player….

 The name comes from a combination of the words iPod (a personal digital audio player made by Apple) and broadcasting. pod+cast  Even though the name is derived from the iPod, you don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast.  You can use virtually any MP3 player or your computer default media player.

If you already have an audio file…  If the audio file is not in mp3 format, you will need to convert it to that format. (Other file formats can also be downloaded to iPod- like devices: m4a, mp3, mov, mp4, m4v or even PDF formats.)

If you already have an audio file…  Upload the MP3 audio file as an asset to the Vignette Content Management Application (CMA).  Create a link type content to the mp3 asset file.  Vignette will automatically add the podcast icon to the link and generate the XML for the feed when the asset is displayed in the page.  The link will play the mp3 file in the default media player or can be downloaded to an iPod-like device for listening whenever the user decides.

If you don't have a file. To record a podcast: 1.Plug a USB headset with a microphone into your computer. 2.Install an MP3 recorder for Windows, Mac or Linux. 3.Create an audio file by making a recording (you can talk, sing or record music) and saving it as an MP3 file. 4.Then go back to the previous slide to complete the process.

What happens behind the scenes…  Special Vignette code is associated with the assets used for podcasts.  XML is generated for the asset type when linked to as an asset.  If several links are included in one component category, the podcast checkbox can be selected for the component.  The component then has a podcast icon. This icon displays with the component and links to the XML coded page used by the podcast/feed readers.  The XML (RSS) feed for that component can be added to the podcast feed reader used by the customer.

Tools  Audio Recorder & Editor: Audacity  Media Player: itunes or Windows Media Player  MP3 Encoder: LAME or itunes

Basic Equipment  A PC Running Windows XP  512 MB of RAM  2-3 GB of Free Hard Drive Space  Soundcard  Microphone Input and Headphone Output on Your Computer  Headphones or Headset  Optional: MP3 Player  Optional: Pop Filter

MI.GOV Samples  Governor's Podcast Page:  MDE Podcast Page : _ ,00.html _ ,00.html  MI.GOV Podcast Index: POD,00.html POD,00.html

Questions?

General Media Guidelines Using video, audio, FLASH, images, colors, and fonts on michigan.gov

General Media Guidelines  Include descriptive information about the materials along with previews such as still shots from the video  Include the run time for time-based media

General Media Guidelines  Include the file size for materials that download.  Fully explain any special software requirements (plug-ins or players) for accessing the materials and provide a download link  Your users should have a clear idea of what your materials are before they begin to download.

General Media Guidelines  Provide user controls for play, stop, pause, and volume  Alternative format must be provided for accessibility  Clips must be optimized for intended player  Time length and file size of clips is limited

The use of multimedia on the State Portal and Agency Web sites should be limited to those pages and content where the media element will SUPPORT and not detract from the information. The media element should help to convey the intended message of the site and not BE the intended message.

Questions?