There are a few essentials in preparing for a programming session with a digital media server. For instance, the content should be organized ahead of time. Whether the source is the producer of the show or an online content creation company, all the content should be properly formatted according to the server’s recommendations, which means you must get the content from the source well before the day of the show. Specific formatting information for all media servers is readily available online, so definitely consult the manufacturer’s technical support Web site for that particular media server, because all servers have different recommendations for file resolution, file type and codecs. A piece of content optimized for one media server may or may not playback the same on another server, so it’s not worth the risk to let it go unchecked. Not sure how to properly format your content? Many software programs are available in a variety of price ranges that you can use to change formats, including Quicktime Pro, Final Cut Pro and Riverpast, for starters.
– From Vickie Claiborne’s Video Digerati column in the February issue of PLSN
