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Digital Media Overview
What is Films On Demand?
Films On Demand is a state-of-the-art digital video delivery system that makes it
easier than ever to incorporate outstanding educational programs from Films Media
Group into your presentations and lesson plans.
How does video streaming work?
Streaming technology allows you to access high quality video content via the Internet.
Instead of downloading an entire video file before viewing it, streaming allows
you to begin viewing the video immediately while the rest of the program downloads
in the background. Using a computer with a high-speed Internet connection, you can
stream videos from any location.
From where is the Films On Demand video streamed?
Films On Demand allows you to stream video from our remote server or from your institution's
local server. If streamed from our server, you will require a high-speed Internet
connection. If streamed from your server, you will rely on your local area network
to deliver the content. No matter where the content is streamed from, you will have
access to all of the features and functions through Films On Demand.
What is the difference between "Multi-Stream" and "Single-Stream"?
Single-streaming allows users to stream a digital video title to a single location
for viewing in one classroom at a time. Multi-streaming allows users to stream
a digital video title to a single location for viewing by multiple users in multiple
classrooms at any time.
What digital video file formats are available?
Films On Demand provides streaming video programs in both Windows Media and QuickTime
formats.
Films On Demand Video Programming
What are the benefits of using Films On Demand
to view video programs when compared to VHS and DVD formats?
The ability to view digital video in real-time provides instant access to your entire
video collection from any computer with a high speed Internet connection. There's
no need to "track down" borrowed, or misplaced VHS tapes or DVDs. And the Films On
Demand interface provides access to enhanced functionality that allows you to take
complete control of your video content and your students' viewing experience. You
can use Films On Demand to search for specific video segments, organize videos into
folders, create personal playlists for your students to view, and even create customized
bookmarks within any program. In addition, you will have access to usage reports
that provide you with valuable information about which videos are being watched
and how often.
What video programs are available on Films On
Demand?
Films On Demand combines our newest videos with many of our best selling programs
to provide you with an up-to-date, cross-curricular digital library that spans high
school, advanced placement and college needs. Select one video or 1,000 programs
- the choice is yours! Our state-of-the-art digital video delivery system allows
you to customize your library to meet your specific content needs.
How can I see a list of current programs available
on Films On Demand?
You can visit the
Films On Demand Preview Center
to see a list of available titles. Or you can use the
Advanced Search
option to search all digital titles.
Choose any of the Advanced Search options and then click on "Search Site".
On average, 200 programs are digitized, segmented into distinct learning objects
and correlated into state standards (when applicable) every month.
Why are some programs available on DVD/VHS
but not on Films On Demand?
Films Media Group intends to make all active programs from its 12,000 title collection
available on Films On Demand. Currently, we are digitizing and uploading an average
of 200 programs each month and already have more than 2,000 available for lease
or purchase. There are some instances however, where outside producers of titles
FMG distributes have not provided us the rights to make their programs available
in a digital streaming or download format. We are continuing to work with these
producers to acquire digital rights and expect that most titles in our library will
be available in the coming months.
Can I view digital content from other providers
through Films On Demand?
The current version of Films On Demand supports only content leased or purchased from
Films Media Group. However, we are already working on the next generation of Films
On Demand that will allow you to view your own digital videos through our interface.
Films On Demand Pricing
What does each digital program cost?
The cost of each digital program is based upon are three pricing plans - a one-year
lease, a three-year lease, or an outright purchase - and two licensing options -
synchronous or asynchronous viewing rights. These pricing options provide you with
incredible flexibility and significant cost savings over a hard copy purchase. For
example, you can choose a one-year synchronous lease for a program for just 25%
of the hard copy (VHS/DVD) list price. In addition, discounts are available for
leasing/purchasing multiple digital titles and for using these titles at more than
one institution. For additional information about our digital pricing, please call
800-257-5126 and press 3 for a media consultant to assist you.
Is this a subscription service?
Films On Demand is not a one-size fits all subscription service. You pay only for
the programs you want, not for access to our entire library. Each digital video
program available on Films On Demand can be individually leased for a period of one
year or three years, or purchased outright if you download the video file to a local
server using Films On Demand's administrative tools. By choosing the specific videos
that you want, you can build a digital collection that meets your unique educational
needs.
What are the options for leasing digital
content?
Each program available on Films On Demand can be leased for one or three years. Leasing
offers you significant cost savings over purchasing a hard copy VHS or DVD. For
example, you can choose a one-year synchronous lease for a program for just 25%
of the hard copy (VHS/DVD) list price. Another advantage of leasing is that it allows
you to assess usage at the end of one or three years and then determine whether
a particular program should be renewed or replaced at the end of the lease.
What are the options for purchasing digital
content outright?
Each program available on Films On Demand can be purchased outright giving you complete
ownership of the digital video. Downloaded programs that you purchase must be stored
and accessed for viewing on your local server, helping you to eliminate bandwidth
bottlenecks.
What if I already own a lot of your titles?
As a valued customer, we will work with you to convert your VHS/DVD collection to
Films On Demand. Our media consultants can provide you with a customized offer that
will make this transition simple and cost-effective. For additional information
about converting your existing video library to Films On Demand, please call 800-257-5126
and press 3 for a media consultant to assist you.
What discounts are available for leasing/purchasing
multiple programs?
If you intend to lease/purchase multiple digital programs through Films On Demand,
please contact one of our media consultants through our sales office (800-257-5126
Ext. 3502). They will work with you to provide a pricing structure that takes into
consideration bulk sales, multiple year leases, multiple location access, and the
conversion of your existing DVD/VHS titles to digital.
What discounts are available for leasing/purchasing
programs to be used at multiple locations?
If you intend to lease/purchase digital programs through Films On Demand that will
be accessed by multiple locations please contact one of our media consultants through
our sales office (800-257-5126 Ext. 3502). They will work with you to provide a
pricing structure that takes into consideration bulk sales, multiple year leases,
multiple location access, and the conversion of your existing DVD/VHS titles to
digital.
Films On Demand Functionality
What are the technical requirements to use
Films On Demand?
Films On Demand supports most Window and Macintosh operating systems. High-speed Internet
access is required with a minimum of 380 kbps DSL, 500 kbps Cable Modem connectivity.
For additional technical information, visit the Films On Demand Technology Center
at:
http://digital.films.com/PortalTechCenter.aspx
Once you lease a digital video program from Films Media Group you will be able to
access it immediately from Films On Demand at:
digital.films.com.
Simply log in with your user name and password and you will be able to immediately
view any titles in your digital collection.
Films On Demand provides you with features that put the control in your hands.
Using Films On Demand you can:
- Access your digital content, anytime and anywhere you need it
- View full-length video programs in your digital collection
- View pre-defined learning objects for each program that can be integrated into lectures
and presentations with ease
- Create custom learning objects to fit your needs
- Create personal playlists to organize full-length videos and learning objects for
a classroom presentation or to share with students
- Search your digital video library by keyword, subject, producer, or educational
standards
Yes, many of our titles support closed captioning.
However, closed captioning is only available using Microsoft's Windows Media Player.
If the "CC" icon appears below the Windows Media Player, the title supports captions.
To toggle the captions on or off, click on the "CC" icon.
You may configure captions on or off upon page load using the My Preferences page.
In full-screen mode, you must first configure Windows Media 11 to support captions.
You need to do the following steps one time only:
- Start playing the video in Windows Media Player
- Enter full-screen mode (for instructions, see below)
- Right-click anywhere within the player
- Select the "Lyrics, Captions, and Subtitles" option
- Select the "Subtitles" option
- Right-click within the player again
- Select the "Exit Full Screen" option
- Enter full-screen mode again, and the captions will now play
To configure Windows Media 9 or 10:
- Click on the Start Button
- Select All Programs>Accessories>Entertainment
- Open and maximize Windows Media Player
- Select the "Play" option at the top of the window
- Select Captions And Subtitles - "on if available"
- Close Windows Media Player and return to your video
Full-screen support is only available when using Microsoft's Windows Media Player.
To enter full-screen mode, please follow these steps:
- Start playing the video in Windows Media Player
- Right-click anywhere within the player
- Select the "Zoom" option
- Select the "Full Screen" option
- To exit, right-click anywhere within the player, and select "Exit Full Screen"
If you have administrative permission, you will be able to manage digital rights
for your collection, add/delete users, change playback settings, configure a local
streaming server, and view usage statistics for every title in your collection.
How can I control what content my students
see?
You can use Films On Demand to create playlists that contain specific learning objects
from various full-length video programs. These playlists can be shared with your
students, ensuring that they view the video content that you want them to see in
connection with a specific topic or lesson.
What are playlists?
Playlists represent either standard or customized video programs that can be accessed
by your students via a playlist code or playlist links. With a playlist,
you can provide your students with a single page containing the programs
needed for your lessons, assignments, etc.
Standard playlists consist of a single video title and all its learning objects.
Standard playlists can be created using the "Create Playlist" buttons found when
browsing your collection. Playlists can be created for each and every title
in your collection using the "Manage Playlists" option within the administrative tools.
Custom playlists can consist of any number of videos, standard learning objects,
and custom learning objects. These are created by registered users of your collection. When viewing
titles in your collection, you can add titles to a playlist by using the
"Add to a Playlist" button. This will bring you to the "My Playlists" page,
where you can customized the playlist as you wish.
How do I access a playlist?
Playlists can be accessed via a playlist code or playlist links.
To use a playlist code, the student can access the video playlist by
entering the code into the playlist login box on the home page.
The code can be retrieved by a registered FMG collection user
by logging into Films On Demand and accessing the "My Playlists" page.
To use playlist links, your collection will need to be configured for
proxy server authentication. With authentication, a secure page listing
all your collection's playlists can be easily accessed by your students.
Please contact FMG or your collection's administrator for more information.
Can my students access Films On Demand from
home or other locations?
Films On Demand can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. All you need is a high-speed
Internet connection and a computer that meets the minimum technical requirements.
Can I download digital video programs to
my computer from Films On Demand?
The current version of Films On Demand allows administrators to download digital video
programs to an institution's local server, but individual users are not able to
download video files to their computers or mobile devices. However, we are already
working on the next generation of Films On Demand that will allow you to download
some of our programs to a personal computer.
I am having problems using Firefox and Windows Media 11...
A plugin is required to solve some issues encountered when using Firefox,
Windows Media 11, and Windows XP or Vista. Known issues include a shifting of the
Windows Media player and an over-sized video when playing 600k bit rate files. Click
here
to download the Firefox plugin. After installation, you will need to restart your Firefox browser.
Find Out More
Where can I find more information about the
technical requirements?
Where can I find more information about how
to use Films On Demand?
Can I try Films On Demand for free?
Films On Demand can be previewed for free by qualified educators. To see if you are
eligible for access to our sample digital video programs go to
digital.films.com and click on "Free Trial". Or you can contact one of
our media consultants at 800-257-5126 (press 3) to discuss setting up a customized
free trial that includes programs selected specifically for you.
If you have any questions about Films On Demand, please don't hesitate to call 800-257-5126
and press 3 for a media consultant to assist you.
If you require technical support, please contact us at 888-744-6398 or via email
at
techsupport@filmsmediagroup.com.
Films Media Group is looking for educators interested in helping us shape the future
of digital video delivery.
If you would like to participate in focus groups and share your ideas and experiences
with our digital development team, please contact Wendy Collins, VP of Digital Strategy
at
wendy.collins@films.com.