W server and may take place even while the VOD-W is serving up a large number of simultaneous video streams. Depending on the size of the video asset and overall VOD-W server load, the ingestion process may only take a few minutes or more than an hour. Once the Portal Server driven ingestion is complete, the original source video file held in the VOD- W disk staging area is deleted.

For MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 content, a total of 6 supplemental trick files are generated in addition to the main or original video asset. During normal playback, the actual file streamed by the VOD server is the main MPEG asset. However, when the remote client hits the Fast Forward (or Rewind) button on his player or Set Top Box, the VOD server gets the FF command and uses the accompanying Fast Forward index, map, and main files to locate the proper position in the video and begin a Fast Forward stream. Rewind works in a similar fashion. Without these supplement trick files, viewers would be limited to basic play, pause, and stop commands.

Ingested video content on the VOD-W is stored in the d:\content directory on the server. When additional external storage is added to the VOD-W, the content resides here as well

under directory names such as G:\content2, H:\content3, I:\content4, or J:\content5. Note

that some additional storage overhead is incurred as a result of the file ingestion process. The following table shows the total number of stored files and added overhead for each type of MPEG video asset.

MPEG Type

Total Files

Disk Storage Overhead

 

 

 

MPEG-1

6

41%

 

 

 

MPEG-2

6

42%

 

 

 

MPEG-4

6

122%

 

 

 

Content Backup and Recovery

The ingestion process has implications related to content backup and recovery that system administrators need to keep in mind. VBrick strongly recommends that all stored VOD-W video content be backed up to an external storage system, a Storage Area Network (SAN), or a tape backup system. Backing up the ingested video content onto an external system is insurance against the failure of one or more of the VOD-W disk drives. Since the backed up content is stored in "post-ingested" form (the main asset plus all associated trick files), content recovery is rapid and straightforward. The VOD-W database is backed up each evening, so that recovery from disk failure is a relatively straightforward process of restoring the backup file.

If a system administrator does not have a disk backup system in place, the video content restoration is a more time consuming and labor intensive process. Each piece of video content must be re-ingested from its original source file. If a customer has loaded several hundred hours of video content on their VOD-W system over the course of a year, then this manual recovery process could take many hours or even days to complete. As described above, it is possible to replicate the original piece of MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video content from the stored Main Asset, although locating and copying the proper file can be time consuming if more than a few files are involved.

40

© 2008 VBrick Systems, Inc.

Page 48
Image 48
VBrick Systems VBrick v4.2.3 manual Content Backup and Recovery

VBrick v4.2.3 specifications

VBrick Systems has made significant advancements in video streaming solutions with the release of VBrick v4.2.3. This version enhances the capabilities of the existing platform and introduces a range of features designed to cater to both corporate and educational environments. VBrick v4.2.3 focuses on improving video delivery, scalability, and user experience, ensuring that organizations can effectively engage audiences through high-quality streaming.

One of the standout features of VBrick v4.2.3 is its enhanced video encoding technology. The platform supports advanced codecs such as H.264 and H.265, enabling users to stream high-definition video while minimizing bandwidth usage. This is particularly beneficial for organizations with limited network capacity, as it optimizes video quality without incurring significant costs.

Another key characteristic of VBrick v4.2.3 is its robust cloud integration capabilities. With seamless connectivity to various cloud services, users have the flexibility to store, manage, and distribute their video content in a highly organized manner. This cloud-based approach ensures that video assets are easily accessible from multiple devices, facilitating collaboration and content sharing among users.

User experience has also been a primary focus in this version. The intuitive user interface simplifies the process of video publishing, allowing even non-technical staff to manage live and on-demand streams effortlessly. Additionally, VBrick v4.2.3 incorporates customizable branding options, enabling organizations to maintain a cohesive visual identity across their video content.

Moreover, VBrick Systems has integrated advanced analytics tools within v4.2.3. These tools provide detailed insights into viewer engagement, including metrics such as watch times, audience interaction, and viewer demographics. With this data, organizations can tailor their content strategies to better resonate with their audience and optimize their video delivery.

Finally, security is a top priority in VBrick v4.2.3. The platform features enhanced encryption protocols and access control measures to ensure that sensitive video content remains protected from unauthorized access. Organizations can confidently share their media, knowing that their data is secure.

In conclusion, VBrick v4.2.3 represents a substantial upgrade in video streaming technology. With its advanced encoding, cloud integration, user-friendly design, comprehensive analytics, and robust security features, VBrick Systems continues to set the standard in delivering high-quality video solutions for a diverse range of applications. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses and educational institutions looking to enhance their communication and engagement through video.